The company said it had filed a special management area permit application as the first step toward restoring and opening the hotel, which was closed in 2001 by its former owner. Since then the property was sold to new owners, and the resort's Ted Robinson-designed golf course was reopened in 2004.

The re-start of hotel operations are part of a master plan for Moloka'i Ranch. The company wants to sell residential lots at Moloka'i's La'au Point to finance the renovation. An application is pending with the state Land Use Commission for that project.