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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Prince Resorts Hawaii ends 23 years as operator of Maui Prince Hotel


By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Today, Prince Resorts Hawaii will end its 23-year relationship as the operator of the Maui Prince Hotel and Makena Golf Course on Maui. Tomorrow, Benchmark Hospitality, which runs Turtle Bay Resort, takes over.

Donn Takahashi, president of Prince Resorts Hawaii, said, “This is a sad and emotional time for us as we have enjoyed our presence on Maui, our support from the local community, our repeat guests, and most importantly, our relationship with our long-term management team and staff.”
The court-appointed receiver, Miles Furutani, selected Benchmark Hospitality International as the new operator for the resort. Furutani said, “Benchmark is a proven hospitality company that has successfully turned around Turtle Bay Resort and we are confident in their abilities to manage this operation moving forward.”
Benchmark Hospitality International will operate and rename the hotel and golf course.
Maui Circuit Judge Shackley Raffetto appointed a receiver for the property last week after a group of lenders foreclosed on the Maui Prince Hotel last month and asked the court to appoint a receiver to take over resort operations and keep the property open in the wake of reports of mounting losses.