Big Changes

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Back to OahuBig Changes in Waikki's Hotel Scene

One of the biggest projects to take place in Waikiki in decades is the total renovation of an eight-acre area (bound by Saratoga Road, Kalakaua Avenue, Lewers Street and Kalia Road) called the "Waikiki Beach Walk." The project, by Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, is estimated to cost some $420 million.

Phase One, which began in the spring of 2005, is expected to be completed by the end of 2006. When it's finished, the now very-congested-area -- with narrow streets (where lots of delivery trucks double park) -- and old, outdated buildings will be replaced with wider sidewalks, tropical foliage, water features, open space and new, totally renovated hotels. Eleven hotels will be razed, combined, upgraded, or changed to suites or condos so that only five hotels and timeshare condominiums will remain. Not only will all the small restaurants and shops be gone, but the near-ocean front area will change from budget hotels, neighborhood eateries, and small shops to luxury (higher-priced) properties with swank shops and restaurants to match. Plus there will be 90,000 square feet of retail shops and restaurants -- linked through pedestrian bridges and connecting walkways.

Changes to the hotels include:

The former 480-room Ohana Reef Towers will be replaced by 193 timeshare condominium units, operated by Outrigger, and renamed Fairfield Hawaii at Waikiki Beach Walk.

The Ohana Edgewater and Ohana Coral Seas will be razed and replaced by a 90,000 square foot retail/entertainment complex to include 40 retail shops, four major restaurants, three or four smaller food and beverage places, and an open pedestrian plaza.

The former Ohana Waikiki Village and the Ohana Waikiki Tower hotels, which had a total of 881 rooms, will be redeveloped into the Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk, which will have a total of 421 suites.

The Outrigger Reef on the Beach will be totally refurbished throughout 2006 and all 858 rooms will be redone. Additional renovations are planned for the Serenity Spa, two restaurants, retail shops, and all public areas.

The Ohana Islander Waikiki, on the corner of Kalakaua Ave. and Lewers St., will undergo renovations to its 280 units.

During the construction, this area won't be a fun place to visit. The neighbors, Halekulani, Waikiki Parc, and other non-Outrigger hotels aren't exactly thrilled with the scheduled disruptions to traffic and the serenity of their guests. But plans are in the works to minimize the impact to everyone.