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.
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.
