Meta drops new smart glasses, I cave instantly, translation’s cool, gestures are wild, and yes… I look like a total glasshole.
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Billionaires, Bifurcation, and a Stock Photo That Refuses to Die
Castle takes over the Waikīkī Circle, a billionaire buys his own land, Kauaʻi’s oldest inn hits the market, HTA resets again, and yes… what a glasshole.
Ace in the Hole: Prince Hotels Goes Lifestyle
Seibu Prince Hotels is acquiring Ace Hotels for $90M, adding nine properties and fresh lifestyle cred to the brand.
Notes from The HTA Conference
Takeaways from the HTA Annual Conference: Hawaiʻi added just 60 hotel rooms since 2006 while legal vacation rentals surged 839%. Convention Center repairs hit $162M with a hopeful, but questionable, 2028 reopening.
Outrigger Owner KSL Refis, But Still No Exit
KSL Capital Partners refinanced Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort and Sheraton Kauaʻi Coconut Beach Resort for $480M, pulling out $148M in equity while keeping full ownership, signaling continued hold, not an exit, even eight years into the Outrigger acquisition.
Trading Places
Outrigger has hired former Springboard marketing lead Jason Pirock as its new VP of Global Brand Marketing, with Pirock joining on September 1 to help elevate the brand and make the move to Hawaiʻi.
Castle Joins the Circle
Castle Resorts & Hotels is taking over the Waikīkī Circle Hotel on Nov. 1, its first new operator in 30+ years, with CEO Matt Bailey promising to elevate the iconic 1960s landmark while keeping it locally run.
Billionaires Land Club
Michael Dell just paid $400M for the land under Four Seasons Hualālai, marking one of Hawaiʻi’s biggest land plays and a rare sale by Kamehameha Schools.
Tick Tock… There Go Your Direct Bookings
TikTok dives into travel: creators can now tag hotels, earn booking commissions, and close sales via Booking.com, all without leaving the app.
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Big Island Blinks, CEO Exits, and TikTok Books More Rooms Than Your Sales Team
TikTok now books rooms, HTA déjà vu, Big Island joins STR delay club, Marriott Waikīkī swaps GMs, and luxury keeps winning (for now).
