HUALĀLAI MILESTONES

UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS IN THE RESORT’S INCREDIBLE QUARTER CENTURY hualālai

From Lava to Luxury

Hualālai Resort may be awash in luxury, but its beginnings were decidedly primal. From 1800 to 1801, volcanic eruptions from a mountain called Hualālai poured lava downslope to the ocean, forming what is now Ka‘ūpūlehu. Beneath the golf courses, architecture, and greenery that distinguish the resort today remain the footprints and legacy of the people of old. They were fisherfolk and villagers. They summoned their gods. They harvested what they could—seafood from the ocean, taro and breadfruit from the uplands. Now, on the 25th anniversary of this celebrated resort, we look to the past and honor our predecessors, who remain the soul and the legacy of Ka‘ūpūlehu.

In 25 years, we have gone from modest meetings in a trailer on a lava field to a lush, modern development enjoying international acclaim. Spectacular amenities, premier accommodations, and a committed cultural program remain our signature. Our predecessors practiced ho‘okipa—hospitality—and it remains our guiding principle. Aloha is our aspiration, our identity, and the foundational definition of Hawai‘i.

Lava created the landscape, and the original Hualālai team and visionaries manifested their inspiration of luxury. Amid the challenges of building a community on an arid landscape of lava, we have endured and blossomed. We give thanks to those who have walked these lands before us and have joined us in forwarding our vision. To that end, we present here a timeline of the milestones that have shaped Hualālai, and those who recall the beginnings and the evolution of the resort share their memories. —JOCELYN FUJII

milestones

hualālai resort: a timeline

1790

The schooner Fair American is captured at or near Ka‘ūpūlehu, at a time when these lands are home to their first occupants. Later, the ‘ohana of Ka‘ūpūlehu—families Keakealani and Maka‘ai— live on these lands or frequent them with utmost kuleana (responsibility) to the place.

1800–1801

Hualālai volcano erupts, shaping the coastal lava-rock landscape that Hualālai Resort will inhabit nearly two centuries later.

1989

A six-story resort under construction on these lands has its lease taken over as Cosmo World buys out IDG and Princess Hotels.

1992

Cosmo World is bought out by Kajima Corporation, and Hualālai Development Company is formed.

Jeff Mongan

Former vice president (1992–1997), Ka‘ūpūlehu Land Company, aka Hualālai Development Company > “Our first meeting was in a trailer re-creating the resort. I have special memories of everyone coming together to work toward a unified vision: we were an ‘ohana (family), assembled on a lava field to create a luxury resort— Hualālai Resort. At the time, Ka‘ūpūlehu resembled an idle rock quarry in a broader lava field. As construction was ramping up, in 1994, the late George Kanahele—a respected author and adviser on cultural tourism—helped us define and create the authentic hospitality experience. At the conference table where we met, his first words were, ‘I can feel the mana of this place.’ It was a powerful moment.

“Many gifted people worked together to create this oceanfront haven, including Hannah Kihalani Springer—scholar, cultural practitioner, descendant of Hawaiian royalty—who worked with us for years at her up-country ranch, enlightening us on history, cultural practices, and the genealogy of the land itself. Billy Mitchell joined our team, too, as our kahu, creating an environment in which aloha prevailed. Roger Harris and Heather Cole worked tirelessly to educate us newcomers about all things local, the history of the property, and government protocols. Voyager Clay Bertelmann assisted in programs with the Hawaii Island–based Makali‘i voyaging canoe—part of our cultural engagement that led to educational programs and the construction of a canoe hālau on the shoreline.

“I recall a team-building highlight that brought us together: we would meet Sundays at sunrise to outrigger paddle with Kahu Billy, who led us to Kua Bay and back. In our time on the ocean, we were often in the company of dolphins.”

“We would meet Sundays at sunrise to outrigger paddle with Kahu Billy, who led us to Kua Bay and back. In our time on the ocean, we were often in the company of dolphins.”

—Jeff Mongan

hualālai resort: a timeline

1993

The partially built resort is taken down in favor of a plan more befitting of the land and local culture.

1996

Hualālai Golf Course—a Jack Nicklaus design— makes its eagerly anticipated debut, and soon after the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai opens its doors. Hualālai also sells its first residential property, as villas and lots are made available for sale.

1997

Hualālai hosts the first Mastercard Championship.

1999

Kajima purchases phase two of Hualālai, adding 240 acres to the resort. The Four Seasons Resort Hualālai receives the first of 22 AAA Five Diamond awards.

Mitsuyoshi “Yoshi” Tamura

Former assistant treasurer (1992–2007), Ka‘ūpūlehu Land Company, aka Hualālai Development Company/ Kajima Corporation

> “In 1995, the first pads of velvety grass—designated to be the future Hualālai Golf Course—were placed onto topsoil imported from Waimea. The donkeys, who abandoned the coffee plantations to roam Ka‘ūpūlehu freely, came in joy and innocently feasted on the grass. After consulting with wildlife authorities, we decided to transport them to a Waimea ranch, where they were expected to live a better life. They went by helicopter, which required some gentle lifting. Sadly, our efforts were misinterpreted by the local press. It really hurt us, as we sincerely thought it would be best for the donkeys, as well as for the golf course.

“Everyone on our team wanted Hualālai to be a genuine Hawaiian resort imbued with the spirit of aloha. We built the Ka‘ūpūlehu Cultural Center as a symbol of our dedication to Hawaiian culture, and under the stewardship of Earl Regidor, it thrives. My daughter still proudly cherishes her Hawaiian name, Maile, given to her by Auntie Cynthia, one of the center’s founding kūpuna.”

“We built the Ka‘ūpūlehu Cultural Center as a symbol of our dedication to Hawaiian culture, and under the stewardship of Earl Regidor, it thrives.” —“Yoshi” Tamura

2001

Hualālai Coffee Company opens.

2002

The Hualālai Club membership program is introduced. The front nine holes of the Weiskopf Golf Course—now the Members-only Ke‘olu Golf Course—open.

2003

Hualālai Canoe Club— the first of Hualālai’s two Members-only clubhouses—greets its first guests. Residents of Hualālai form the resort’s charitable Ohana Foundation benefitting employee families.

2004

The back nine holes of the Ke‘olu Golf Course are unveiled.

Toni Alexander

President and creative director, InterCommunications

> “The day I first set foot on the project, while taking a tour of the property on one of the ATVs with [Hualālai Development Company’s president] Kim Richards, I saw the [unfinished] hotel structure from the previous owner. It had remained in the ground, reaching several floors up. As he stopped the ATV and pointed to the structure, Kim announced proudly, ‘A lot of things will change here, and this partially built metal in the sky is the antithesis of what we will be.’ Now, some 25 years later, we can all look around and agree that his words were prophetic. Thankfully, Hualālai is like no other place. It still adheres to the spirit and aesthetic of the book that inspired us, Under the Hula Moon, by Jocelyn Fujii. Hualālai led the way in being not just another resort in Hawai‘i, but a truly Hawaiian resort embracing things organic and natural and, most of all, staying true to history.” > “During my time at Hualālai, there were very deep opinions about the Mauna Kea Thirty Meter Telescope. We formed a gathering of 80 of our ‘ohana, allowing everyone to speak freely with no boundaries. Instead of having the senior people on stage, everyone sat in a circle. Emotions ran high, yet we all left the gathering knowing that we are even stronger together, and that everyone’s opinions and thoughts were important to each of us. We became even more united, bolstered by a shared sense of caring. I am confident that those who attended remember the loving atmosphere, too.”

“Hualālai still adheres to the spirit and aesthetic of the book that inspired us, Under the Hula Moon, by Jocelyn Fujii.”

—Toni Alexander

Colin Clark

Former regional vice president and general manager (2017–2020), Four Seasons Resort Hualālai

hualālai resort: a timeline

2006

Hualālai Investors LLC takes ownership of Hualālai Resort. Ke‘olu Clubhouse opens.

2009

The newly renovated Beach Tree restaurant and Seaside Boutiques open; the revamped Hualālai Sports Club and Spa are now twice their prior size at 28,000 square feet; and the Four Seasons unveils 20 new “Bridge” Suites.

2011

A new adults-only swimming pool and swim-up bar take center stage in the resort’s post-tsunami, enhanced Palm Grove area.

2012

Fresh off a makeover, Pahui‘a reopens as ‘Ulu Ocean Grill.

2013

TripAdvisor ranks the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai the number one “Top Luxury Hotel in the World.”

“We all left the gathering knowing that we are even stronger together, and that everyone’s opinions and thoughts were important to each of us.” —Colin Clark

“The employees are astonishing in their authenticity, diversity, commitment to the culture, and the openness of their hearts.”

PORTRAIT: DAN BRANSFIELD; TOP: KECK OBSERVATORY; BOTTOM LEFT/RIGHT: ETHAN TWEEDIE —Kathleen Horrigan

Kathleen Horrigan

Former general manager (1996–2006), Four Seasons Resort Hualālai

> “Overseeing the opening as general manager was a privilege and undoubtedly the pinnacle of my Four Seasons career. Everything came together in the most magical way. From a barren lava field grew the most beautiful resort and residential community. Of course, the most important aspect of the success of Hualālai is the people. The employees are astonishing in their authenticity, diversity, commitment to the culture, and the openness of their hearts. When we opened, Isadore Sharp said Hualālai was ‘the first of a new generation of resorts.’ It continues to set the standard for luxury residential and resort experiences.”

2015

Ke‘olu Golf Course boasts newly remodeled and expanded comfort stations, and the Hualālai Trading Company (with Hualālai Coffee Company inside) opens with two new bocce ball courts.

2016

Hualālai’s tally of residential properties sold reaches 193 villas and 181 lots/homes.

2017

An additional swimming pool plus new decks and seating emerge at the enhanced Hualālai Canoe Club.

2019 2020

The Hualālai Golf Hale debuts, and a renovation of the Hualālai Golf Course is completed.

Condé Nast Traveler puts the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai at the top of its Gold List, ranking it number one in Hawai‘i.

2021

Hualālai celebrates the completion of a resort-wide renovation, including new and improved suites—for a total of 249 rooms—at the Four Seasons and an upgraded King’s Pond replete with a new pool and marine center.