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).
The Hotel Sale That Wasn’t: Oasis or Mirage?
PBN’s report on the $23M Oasis Hotel Waikīkī sale missed the real story, it was a land deal, not a full hotel buy. Hawaiʻi hotels are complicated!
Ewa Hotel Waikīkī Hits the Market
Ewa Hotel Waikīkī is listed for $21M (~$228K per key). With the lease through 2045 and major renovations likely needed, that price feels steep.
Joe We Hardly Knew You!
Hawaiian Airlines CEO Joe Sprague retires; Diana Birkett Rakow steps up from Alaska Airlines’ public affairs team, a PR-savvy move amid the merger.
Déjà Vu at HTA
HTA names David Uchiyama as Chief Administrative Officer. A seasoned industry vet returns to stabilize the agency amid staffing loss and scrutiny.
Marriott Waikiki Swaps Out the Corner Office
Mark Weatherill joins Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa as GM, succeeding Jerry Gibson. A longtime Marriott leader, he brings Houston experience to Hawaiʻi.
Big Island Pulls Up a Chair to the Delay Table
Hawaiʻi Island delays its new short-term rental law to March 2026, giving owners more time to comply, but leaving STR enforcement stalled yet again.
