Hilton delays reopening Kalia Tower
By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hilton Hotels Corp. has pushed back its estimate for reopening Kalia Tower until the third quarter of this year, meaning the 453 rooms in the Waikiki hotel will have been closed for more than a year because of mold.
Advertiser library photo • May 11, 2001
Hilton, which closed Kalia guest rooms in July after discovering the mold, previously had expected to reopen rooms between April and June. The company announced the new timetable in a financial report filed yesterday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Hilton Hotels closed its 453 Kalia Tower guest rooms in July because of mold.
The hotel operator has not disclosed the cause of mold growth, but began replacing air-conditioning equipment this week, using helicopters.
Correcting the mold problem is projected to cost $55 million, although Hilton said it was attempting to recover expenses under its property insurance policy. Company insurance carriers have not taken a position as to whether such coverage is available, Hilton said in yesterday's filing.
Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8065.
