In June 2006, Hilton Grand Vacations Company (HGVC) broke ground on an area adjacent to the Hilton Hawaiian Village to make way for The Grand Waikikian. When completed in early 2009, the 38-story Grand Waikikian will be the largest and most luxurious timeshare resort in Waikiki featuring 331 one- and two-bedroom units. The Grand Waikikian project will include a retail shopping arcade, beachside restaurant and super pool with three slides and a "lazy river" theme designed especially for families.

In conjunction with the construction of The Grand Waikikian, the Hilton is also rejuvenating the famed Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, which will make tremendous improvements to not only the water quality of the lagoon, but also to the surrounding area. Salt-water pumps have been installed, which will bring in clean, fresh water from 250 feet below to replenish and cycle the water five times a day. The lagoon depth will change from 12 feet to approximately 5 feet. When completed later this year, the lagoon will become a focal point in Waikiki with a promenade boardwalk encircling the lagoon, and new landscaping will also include waterfalls, 85 coconut trees and Hawaiian plants and flowers.

The ongoing refurbishment of the lagoon area also calls for upgrades to the Great Lawn, also known as the "Lagoon Green," which is adjacent to the lagoon and a popular outdoor venue for events at the Village. When the refurbishment is completed, the Great Lawn will be larger and re-landscaped to make it an even more attractive outdoor space for guests and group functions.

As for enhancement of interior areas, the Hilton Hawaiian Village is continuing with its renovation of guest rooms in the Tapa Tower, and just recently re-opened the Kalia Fitness Center, which was closed temporarily for upgrades. Upgrades were made to the fitness center's flooring and its walls were painted before re-opening in December of 2006.

The renovation of rooms on the upper half of the 35-story Tapa Tower continues this year with floors 19 through 35. Last year, rooms on floors 3 through 18 were upgraded with a new color scheme featuring warmer colors of green, gold and burnt orange. All new furniture has been placed in the rooms, including ergonomic chairs and custom-framed mirrors. The wet bar has been removed to open up the entry and porcelain tile was installed to the entry floor and in the bathroom to complement existing granite vanities. A low, modular credenza that incorporates a desk, dresser and refrigerator cabinet is all new, as is a desk which has a table that rolls out and can be used as additional space for the business travelers, or as a separate table for in-room dining. The artwork in the rooms features local Hawai'i artists whose work captures scenes around O'ahu, including Waikiki. In the Tapa Tower's corridors, the look has been updated with base and crown moldings and warmer colors with actual Hawaiian kapa commissioned from the Bishop Museum. In 2006, renovations in the guest rooms in Diamond Head Tower were completed. That project brought updated lighting and a new, more spacious look, thanks to lighter and brighter colors to help open up the space.

"These projects are part of our overall commitment to making Waikiki and the Village experiences even better for our guests," said Gary Seibert, area vice president and managing director, Hilton Hawaii. "This year is a pivotal one for us as completion on The Grand Waikikian enters its halfway mark, and the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon will be returned to the people of Hawaii."

For more information on the Hilton's "Village Rejuvenation," log on to www.villagerejuvenation.com.

About the Village

Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa is Waikiki's only self-contained destination resort. A vacationer, business traveler or conventioneer finds everything necessary for a visit to paradise, yet also is within walking distance of everything Waikiki offers. The resort spans 22 acres, offering the widest stretch of beach on Waikiki, a beachfront lagoon, waterfalls, five pools, gardens, an exquisite art collection and exotic wildlife, as well as nightly entertainment including the King's Jubilee every Friday, a Hawaiian music and dance celebration that ends with a brilliant fireworks display on the beach. Kalia Tower has a variety of shops to choose from including: Kohala Bay Collections, offering Tommy Bahamas resort wear; Aloha Ukulele; and Philip Rickard of Honolulu, which sells custom-designed fine Hawaiian heirloom jewelry. In addition to Kalia Tower's attractions, the Village also boasts more than 90 shops and Holistica Hawaii Preventive Medicine. The finest dining, shopping and entertainment center on Waikiki's best beach, the Village features more than 20 restaurants and lounges, with fine cuisine ranging from Italian to Asian to traditional steak and seafood menus.