The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel plans to open next December when hurricane damage repairs and an extensive renovation of the iconic Big Island hotel are expected to be completed.

The hotel closed indefinitely on Dec. 1, 2006, because of structural damage caused by a series of earthquakes on Oct. 15th of that year.

Prince Resorts Hawaii president Donn Takahashi said Mauna Kea will retain its classic exterior design,but the $150 million renovation project will include an interior makeover.

"The earthquake required us to close the hotel for an extended period of time," he said. "We realized that the extensive repair and closure of the hotel presented a window to conduct a comprehensive renovation of the property."

Takahashi said the room inventory will be reduced from 310 to 258, as rooms in the main building are reconfigured into larger bedrooms and bathrooms.

Most of the hotel's 420 employees were laid off early this year, after the holidays. Takahashi said furloughed employees will be offered jobs.

Takahashi said the refurbishment will focus primarily on interiors, including guest rooms, lobby, restaurants and common areas, as directed by architect John Hara & Associates of Honolulu and Barry Design Associates of Los Angeles.

In February 2007, the American Institute of Architects recognized Mauna Kea as one of the 150 best works of architecture nationwide.

The hotel will also add retail shops and other amenities, including a spa and fitness center.

The Mauna Kea Golf Course, which closed in May 2007, has already begun a tee-to-green restoration under the guidance of golf course designer Rees Jones Inc. and plans to reopen in November 2008.

In 1965, Laurance S. Rockefeller developed the award-winning Mauna Kea Beach in a remote area dominated by the lava landscape. Other luxury hotels followed on the Kohala Coast.

"Our goal is to re-establish Mauna Kea as a sophisticated and intimate luxury hotel offering contemporary accommodations and amenities of the highest caliber along with our signature tradition of excellent service," Takahashi said.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.