Hilton Hawaiian Village® Waikiki Beach Resort History
1928
Niumalu Hotel opens on the site where Hilton Hawaiian Village® Waikiki Beach Resort now stands.
1954
Fritz B. Burns and Henry J. Kaiser purchase the Niumalu Hotel with eight oceanfront acres of the
John Ena Estate.
1955
Construction begins on thatched-roof guest cottages with 70 guest rooms and suites. The Tapa
Room, gardens and three swimming pools are also completed.
1957
Ocean Tower is completed (Ocean Tower is now Ali‘i Tower®).
Geodesic dome showroom is erected on January 15 in just 20 hours. It opens on February 17 for the
premiere of “Around the World in 80 Days” and the Symphony Polynesia, starring the famed Alfred
Apaka.
1958
Village Tower is built (Tapa Tower® now stands in its place).
Golden Dragon Restaurant opens in the Ocean Tower main lobby serving Szechuan and Cantonese
cuisine.
1960
The expansion of the Village continues with the addition of Diamond Head Tower®.
1961
Conrad Hilton acquires a majority of the property on January 19. Hilton-Burns Company is founded
and the Hawaiian Village becomes Hilton Hawaiian Village. Ed Hastings becomes the new manager
of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
1965
Hilton Lagoon Apartments are completed with 279 apartments.
1968
Rainbow Tower® opens with the world’s largest ceramic-tile mosaic spanning 286 feet high by 26 feet
wide on each end of the tower. More than 16,000 colorful tiles are used to complete the mosaic.
1969
Mid-Pacific Conference Center superstructure is completed, including the Coral Ballroom and a
garage with a parking capacity of 1,800.
1970
Rainbow Bazaar opens with more than 40 ethnic shops and restaurants, a Thai temple, a replica of a
Japanese pagoda, and an entire Japanese farmhouse – which was shipped from Japan.
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1977
Fritz Burns sells 50 percent equity interest in Hilton Hawaiian Village to Prudential Insurance
Company of America.
1979
Village Tower is torn down.
1981
Legendary headliner Don Ho begins performing at the Hilton Dome on December 26.
1982
Tapa Tower is opened on the site of the former Village Tower. The total number of hotel rooms
becomes 2,614. Plans for a $100 million architectural renewal begin.
Bali and Tapa Café restaurants open in the Tapa Tower. In the evenings, Tapa Café becomes the
site of the Pasta Festival.
1987
Ocean Tower is renovated and “rebuilt” with two additional floors added. Renamed the Ali’i Tower, it
becomes the Village’s exclusive “hotel within a hotel” for guests who desire higher levels of service,
such as private concierge service and registration. The project was part of the overall Village master
plan, and included the construction of the Main Lobby building.
1988
Kaiser-Burns’ master plan, calling for four “skyscraper hotels,” is completed. Hilton Hawaiian Village,
now offering 2,523 rooms, has a grand reopening.
Hilton Hawaiian Village completes its milestone, $100 million architectural renewal, “Return to
Paradise.” As part of “Return to Paradise,” the hotel unveils its new porte cochere and open-air lobby,
which provide breathtaking views of the 10,000-square-foot Super Pool and Waikiki Beach.
Bali and Golden Dragon restaurants re-locate to the Rainbow Tower following the completion of
“Return to Paradise.” Rainbow Lanai Restaurant and Paradise Lounge also open in the Rainbow
Tower.
Bali is renamed “Bali by the Sea” to reflect its oceanfront location.
A Waikiki tradition is born when the resort launches a weekly fireworks show on Friday night over
Waikiki Beach. A show by the brand new Super Pool, “Aloha Friday King’s Jubilee,” is also started.
1996
The Tapa Bar and main lobby are renovated.
1998
Hilton Hotels Corporation buys Prudential’s share of Village ownership, making the Village a true
Hilton property.
1999
The Hilton Dome is torn down. Construction of Kalia TowerTM begins.
2001
The 453-room, 25-story Kalia TowerTM opens culminating what was the first major resort development
in Waikiki in more than a decade. The tower offers tropical gardens, spacious walkways, waterfalls
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and Hawaiian art, creating a new gateway to the Village. Lagoon Tower completes an extensive
renovation, and Hilton Grand Vacations Club begins offering a new category of accommodations at
the Village — studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom condominium suites.
Mandara Spa opens on the 4th floor of the Kalia Tower. Independently owned and operated, the spa
provides hotel guests with a full-service spa and salon.
2005
Ground is broken in June on the site of the Ocean Crystal Chapel, a $6 million chapel that will
become Waikiki’s first free-standing resort chapel.
2006
The $6 million Ocean Crystal Chapel opens with a lavish grand opening ceremony culminating years
of planning and nine months of construction. Set amidst lush landscaping and waterfalls, the chapel
seats 85 people and offers stunning visuals.
Ground is broken on the site of The Grand Waikikian Tower, a 39-story timeshare tower that will be
the seventh tower on the grounds of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Restoration of the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon fronting the Hilton Hawaiian Village begins.
“The Tapa Makers” statue is unveiled at the Tapa Tower, portraying master tapa maker, Puanani Van
Dorpe and Lauhuki a me La‘ahana, the Patron Goddesses of Tapa making. “The Tapa Makers” is the
latest in a series of art pieces dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the Hawaiian culture at the
Hilton Hawaiian Village. Van Dorpe’s statue joins those of entertainer Alfred Apaka and hula dancer
‘Iolani Luahine at the Village.
2007
The Hilton Hawaiian Village wins its second Green Business Award from the State of Hawaii. The
award is part of the statewide Green Business Program, a partnership between the State Department
of Health, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, along with the Chamber of
Commerce of Hawaii. The award is given to companies that employ innovative “green” practices and
do their part to ensure that residents and visitors continue to enjoy a healthy environment.
Starbucks opens on the ground floor of Kalia Tower on June 25 in the space formerly occupied by
Niumalu Café. The outlet is the 18th such location in a Hilton hotel in North America.
Blackstone, a private-equity firm, acquires Hilton Hotels Corporation in a $26 billion merger
agreement. Blackstone’s portfolio of world-class hotel properties includes La Quinta Inns and Suites.
The Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon re-opens on December 28 after a yearlong, $15 million
restoration project.
2008
Golden Dragon Restaurant closes on February 4 after nearly 50 years of serving Szechuan and
Cantonese dishes.
Starbucks’ second location at the Hilton Hawaiian Village opens on June 30 in the Ali‘i Plaza area
between Ali‘i and Diamond Head towers.
Tropics Bar & Grill begins an extensive renovation and expansion, starting with a contemporary island
design featuring fire pits around the perimeter fronting the beach.
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Hilton begins an unprecedented $9 million roadway improvement project of Ala Moana Boulevard.
The improvements are done between Holomoana and Kalakaua Avenue, and include pavement
reconstruction, the addition of a fourth eastbound lane, center median landscaping enhancement, and
reconstruction of sidewalks and driveways.
The Grand Waikikian tower opens as Waikiki’s most luxurious timeshare property with 331 luxurious
one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites.
2009
Paradise Pool, the resort’s sixth pool, opens near the Lagoon and Grand Waikikian Towers. The
5,000-square-foot, $7 million family activity pool boasts the longest slide in Waikiki at 77 feet.
Waikiki Starlight Luau debuts on the Rooftop Garden featuring an expanded buffet dinner and a
Polynesian extravaganza by Tihati Productions five nights a week.
Rockin’ Hawaiian Rainbow Revue debuts on Friday evenings by the Super Pool as a tribute to the
golden era of Hawaiian music and dance known as “hapa haole.” The show culminates in Hilton’s
famed fireworks extravaganza over Waikiki Beach at 7:45 p.m. The new fireworks display is also
extended to about 4 minutes.
Tropics Bar & Grill opens on the ground floor of Alii Tower, providing guests a casual dining outlet with
spectacular views of Waikiki Beach. The $11 million, 15-700-square-foot eatery was designed by
Group 70 International with interiors by the Hatch Design Group. It features indoor and outdoor
seating for more than 360 patrons, a 35-seat bar.
Kahanamoku Street is officially dedicated. Formerly Dewey Lane, the street intersects Ala Moana
Boulevard near the Grand Waikikian Tower.
Bali by the Sea is rebranded as Bali Steak & Seafood on October 14. The new menu features more
steaks and sides with a choice of sauces. Signature items such as the Kona kampachi and erupting
Diamond Head stay on the menu.
The Village’s new children’s program, Camp Penguin, is officially blessed and opens on October 22.
2010
The Grand Waikikian at the Hilton Hawaiian Village wins the American Resort Development
Association’s highest honor, the Chairman’s Circle Award.
Pronto Pickle, the resort’s grab-and-go eatery, officially opens on April 19. It’s located on the ground
floor of Ali‘i Tower next to Tropics Bar & Grill.
Duke Kahanamoku Beach, fronting the Hilton Hawaiian Village, is named to Dr. Beach’s annual
Memorial Day list for America’s top 10 beaches. It is the only O‘ahu beach named in the 2010 survey.
Catamaran sailing tours return to the resort with the Spirit of Aloha blessing on June 30.
The hotel enters into an agreement with CBS for the new “Hawaii Five-0” series launched on
September 20. Throughout the show’s inaugural season, the Hilton Hawaiian Village is featured via
beauty or set shots.
2011
The Hilton Hawaiian Village celebrates its golden anniversary.
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Following its debut at No. 8 in 2010, Duke Kahanamoku Beach moves up five slots to No. 3 on Dr.
Beach’s annual Memorial Day list for America’s top 10 beaches.
The Hilton Hawaiian Village completes the $45 million renovation of more than 800 guest rooms in the
iconic Rainbow Tower.
2012
Duke Kahanamoku Beach ascends to the No. 2 spot on Dr. Beach’s annual Memorial Day list of
America’s top 10 beaches.
Several major renovations are completed at Hilton Hawaiian Village, including the Coral Ballroom
($7.6 million); Tapa Pool ($4.3 million) and Alii Tower ($25.5 million).
2013
Duke Kahanamoku Beach retains the No. 2 spot on Dr. Beach’s annual Memorial Day list of
America’s top 10 beaches.
The makeover of Bali Steak & Seafood and Paradise Lounge is completed. The Tapa Bar, front desk
and main lobby were redone in late 2013 as well.
2014
The 8-month restoration of the iconic Rainbow Mural is completed.
Duke Kahanamoku is named the No. 1 beach in Dr. Beach’s “America’s Best Beaches” list.
Ground is broken for a new timeshare tower, The Grand Islander by Hilton Grand Vacations.
2015
The $21 million renovation of the Diamond Head Tower is completed.
The Tapa Conference Center undergoes a $7 million makeover, which included the Tapa Ballroom,
Palace Lounge, Honolulu Suites and Iolani Suites.
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The History Wall along the Tapa Concourse is dedicated after two years of research, design and
fabrication.
Historical Overview
In the district of Waikiki, where the Pi‘inaio Stream entered the ocean and created a wide delta
lay the area called “Kalia.” This section of Waikiki was made up of mosaic lokoi‘a (fishponds) and
patches of kalo (taro) that gave the area a distinctive look. Kalia had been a place of beauty, natural
abundance, and a gathering place for highborn chiefs. The plentiful fishponds of Kalia and their
ocean harvest were under the oversight of the ali‘i. The maka‘ainana (common people) of the area
supplied their chiefs with an abundance of food from the lavish fishponds.
In the early 1920s, small clusters of cottages known as Cressaty’s Court and Hummel’s Court
offered lodging at Kalia, and then in 1926, the Niumalu Hotel was built. The Niumalu featured a
Hawaiian-style feel with the comforts of a resort.
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In 1954, entrepreneur Henry J. Kaiser and partner Fritz Burns purchased eight oceanfront
acres of the John Ena Estate in Waikiki to build a resort. Requiring additional property for such an
ambitious undertaking, the partners purchased the adjacent site of the Niumalu Hotel and several
contiguous lots from individual owners totaling 20 acres of what Hilton Hawaiian Village currently
occupies.
In mid-1955, guest cottages were hand-built by Hawaiian Samoans from Oahu who came to
the site to weave coconut fronds into thatching. Within three months, workers had completed the first
unit of 70 guest rooms and suites, and the Tapa Room (now the site of the Tapa Tower), with gardens
and three swimming pools.
Next, construction was completed on four traditional lanai houses ranging from 18 to 56 guest
rooms, on the site where the Rainbow Tower stands. The Long House was the first meeting facility—
a convention auditorium patterned after a Polynesian chief’s hut with a seating capacity of 1,000.
Since the occupancy rate of the hotel was rapidly growing, more rooms were needed. Within
90 days, the three-story, 100-room Ale Ale Kai was built. Giant palm trees were moved in, tropical
gardens planted, and particular care was taken to preserve the existing flora.
Guest facilities were expanded with the addition of the Ale Ale dining room, cocktail lounge
and beach terrace for dancing (later called the Makahiki Restaurant and Garden Bar). The Tiare
Tahiti nightclub, the Golden Dragon (still one of Honolulu’s finest Cantonese restaurants), and the
Sunset Room (today’s Hau Tree Bar®) were subsequently added. The Hilton Dome, a geodesic dome
at the corner of Kalia Road and Ala Moana Boulevard, was the first of its kind built in the world and
was the brainchild of Kaiser and the design of Buckminster Fuller. Fuller wanted a showroom that
would afford a completely unobstructed view of the stage from anywhere in the room. Standing 49.5
feet high and 149 feet in diameter, the aluminum structure was assembled in just 20 hours for the
world premiere of “Around the World in 80 Days” and the Symphony Polynesia, starring the famed
Alfred Apaka.
The next task was development of the sand surface along the beach and ocean sports area,
accomplished by blasting and dredging the shoreline and replacing it with 30,000 cubic yards of sand.
Palm trees were added to shade and enhance the spectacular beauty of the beach, named after
Olympic swimmer and beach boy, Duke Kahanamoku. Shortly thereafter, the tropical lagoon and
catamaran pier were created. Today, the Village fronts and maintains the widest beach in Waikiki.
During the 1950s, the Kaiser-Burns’ master plan called for four additional “skyscraper hotels.”
The skyscrapers included the 14-story Ocean Tower constructed in 1957, and the 13-story Village
Tower built in 1958. The 17-story Diamond Head Tower and the 31-story Rainbow Tower were
constructed in 1960 and 1968, respectively. The 10-story Diamond Head apartment building was
purchased in 1966.
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In 1961, hotelier Conrad N. Hilton purchased Kaiser’s interest in the hotel. The name Hilton
was added to Hawaiian Village, and the familiar “Kaiser pink” was replaced by “Hilton blue.” Due to
continued growth, the 25-story Hilton Lagoon Apartment’s room count increased 279 apartments in
1965, giving the Village 1,556 guest rooms. The Mid-Pacific Conference Center superstructure was
completed in 1969 and rests atop the 1,800 vehicle-capacity parking garage, becoming the hotel’s
major meeting facility.
Completed in 1970, Rainbow Bazaar with more than 40 shops and restaurants sat along
Rainbow Drive.
Housed within the complex is a Thai temple, massive granite lions guarding the moon gate at the
entrance to
Hong Kong Alley, a replica of a 50-foot-high Japanese pagoda and an entire Japanese
farmhouse, which was disassembled and shipped from Japan to be painstakingly reassembled in the
bazaar.
In December 1977, Fritz B. Burns, his son F. Patrick Burns and close associates sold their 50
percent equity interest in Hilton Hawaiian Village to Prudential Insurance Company of America. Hilton
Hotels Corporation, through a subsidiary, retained the remaining 50 percent equity interest in the
resort, and Hilton continued to manage the hotel on behalf of the joint ownership until purchasing
Prudential’s share in 1998. Since then, Hilton Hawaiian Village has been owned and operated entirely
by Hilton Hotels Corporation.
Then in 1988, the Hilton Hawaiian Village completed its milestone, $100 million architectural
renewal, “Return to Paradise.” As part of “Return to Paradise,” the hotel unveiled a new porte
cochere and open-air lobby, which provide breathtaking views of the 10,000-square-foot Super Pool
and Waikiki Beach. Bali by the Sea, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, converted into open-air
dining experiences with stunning views of Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean.
The Village’s Ali‘i Tower unveiled its new concierge tower fronting the beach. Additionally, the
hotel completely renovated its signature Coral Ballroom, and added the South Pacific Ballroom and
Sea Pearl Suites, giving the Hilton Hawaiian Village the largest meeting and convention facilities in
the Pacific.
In what would signal the beginning of the revitalization of Waikiki, the legendary Hilton Dome is
torn down to make way for the $95 million Kalia Tower, which would become Waikiki’s first major
resort development in more than a decade. Over the years, the Hilton Dome hosted legends such as
Alfred Apaka and Don Ho, and before its end, John Hirokawa’s “Magic of Polynesia” magic show.
The 453-room, 35-story Kalia Tower opened in 2001 offering tropical gardens, spacious
walkways, waterfalls and Hawaiian art, creating a new gateway to the Village. With the opening of the
Kalia Tower came the opening of the independently owned and operated Mandara Spa on the 4th floor
of the tower. The spa features Hawaiian-Balinese furniture and 25 treatment rooms offering a variety
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of Hawaiian-themed treatments such as Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage, Vanilla & Pikake Facial and
the Hawaiian Pohaku (Warm Lava Stones) Massage. The treatments are performed by therapists
and estheticians that must be professionally licensed in the state of Hawaii.
That same year in 2001, the Lagoon Tower also completed an extensive renovation, and
opens with Hilton Grand Vacations Club offering a new category of accommodations at the Village –
studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom condominium suites.
As demand for hotel rooms in Waikiki grow, so does the demand for Waikiki as a destination
for weddings. Best Bridal Hawaii and the Hilton Hawaiian Village entered into an agreement to begin
planning and building the Ocean Crystal Chapel, Waikiki’s first free-standing resort chapel. On June
22, 2005, ground was broken on the site, which is centrally located between Tapa and Rainbow
Towers. A retail store is re-located and an existing gazebo is torn down for the construction of the
chapel. Nine months later on March 16, 2006, the hotel and Best Bridal hold a lavish grand opening
ceremony for the $6 million chapel. The chapel offers views of the ocean and seats 85 people inside
its stunning location.
As part of its commitment to the community around it, in 2006 the Hilton Hawaiian Village
began restoring the state-owned Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon fronting the hotel. The restoration
process began with the installation of seven salt-water wells and a pumping system to improve the
water flow and facilitate water turnover. The pumps help increase the turnover to approximately five
times a day – a dramatic improvement over the previous turnover of every 48 hours. A year-long
project included a walkway around the entire lagoon creating a public promenade with extensive
landscaping.
Later that year, Hilton Grand Vacations Company holds a groundbreaking on the site of what
will become the 39-story Grand Waikikian Tower. In conjunction with the construction of the Grand
Waikikian Tower, Hilton begins an unprecedented $9 million roadway improvement project along Ala
Moana Boulevard. The project calls for enhancing Ala Moana Boulevard between Holomoana Street
and Kalakaua Avenue. It involves resurfacing, reconstructing weakened pavement areas, adding a
fourth lane from Hobron Lane to Kalia Road in the eastbound direction; lengthening the left-turn
pockets onto Hobron and Kalia Road, as well as replacing highway lighting with decorative lighting
similar to Kalakaua Avenue, and reconstructing portions of pedestrian sidewalks and driveways.
On December 20, the Grand Waikikian opens as Waikiki’s newest and most luxurious
timeshare tower. The 38-story tower evokes the ambiance of a grand hotel, while offering the
amenities and comforts of a world-class resort condominium. The resort features luxurious one-, twoand three-bedroom suites, including five floors of designated penthouses that offer spectacular views
and a separate check-in area, concierge and lounge. Incorporated throughout each suite are a
private outdoor lanai, upscale furnishings, modern full kitchen, washer and dryer, luxurious linens, flat-
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screen television, state-of-the-art entertainment system, complimentary high-speed wireless Internet
access, elegant bathroom fixtures with deep-soaking tub, and rich woods and stone details.
The multi-year Village rejuvenation project kicks off 2009 with the opening of the resort’s new
5,000-square-foot pool, Paradise Pool in February. The heated pool features four water slides,
including Waikiki’s longest resort slide at 77 feet.
A few weeks later, the Waikiki Starlight LuauTM debuts on the resort’s Rooftop Garden,
bringing a genre of new excitement to Waikiki. The Waikiki Starlight Luau features the beautiful ladies
and gentlemen of Tihati Productions in a creative new show concept—a stage in the round—where
every seat promises a great view. Guests are taken on an exhilarating voyage across the South Seas
in a celebration of Polynesian music and dance. From the mesmerizing Otea of Tahiti to the graceful
Hawaiian hula to the rhythmic Maori dances of New Zealand, the show embraces the audience from
its start to its exciting climax, an unprecedented four-man Samoan fire-knife dance.
Complementing the show concept is a sumptuous dinner buffet featuring a modern twist on
traditional luau fare. The culinary team of Hilton Hawaiian Village has taken the islands’ freshest
ingredients and crafted them into such selections as steamed banana leaf-wrapped island fish; Thai
lemongrass marinated huli huli chicken; rotisserie sirloin of beef with a rosemary and guava barbecue
sauce; Hawaiian paella with Portuguese sausage, island fish and shellfish; Waimanalo Farms island
greens; Pacific rice noodle salad; Molokai herb-roasted sweet potatoes, just to name a few.
Traditional luau favorites include roast suckling pork with Hawaiian alae red clay sea salt; lomi lomi
salmon; poi; ahi tuna poke and sweet taro rolls. The generous dessert bar features coconut haupia
custard cake; pineapple upside down cake; passion fruit and mango tart and guava chiffon cake. A
stunning 2,475-square-foot mural of the Ko`olau mountains presides over the entry to the open-air
Rooftop Garden where guests are welcomed to the Waikiki Starlight Luau with a shell lei and mai tai
punch.
After nearly two decades of the Aloha Friday King’s Jubilee show by the Super Pool, Hilton
introduces a brand new Aloha Friday evening show in March of 2009 by the Super Pool called the
Rockin’ Hawaiian Rainbow Revue. The 45-minute show recalls the golden era of Hawaiian music and
dance known as “hapa haole.” The talented, beautiful dancers of Tihati Productions, the islands’
premier entertainment company, headline the show featuring music and dance reminiscent of the
“hapa-haole” style of music made popular in the 1930s and 1049s here in Hawaii. The 45-minute
show takes guests along a journey of song a dance that includes performances that depict a charming
keiki (children’s) hula, a vintage Hawaiian romance, the rugged days of paniolo or cowboys…and
there’s even an interactive guest sing-along of Hawaii favorites, including the late Don Ho’s
trademark, “Tiny Bubbles.” The late Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole’s haunting rendition of “Somewhere Over
the Rainbow” is the musical finale as Hilton’s signature fireworks light up the sky over Waikiki Beach
at 7:45 p.m.
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In May 2009, the resort’s first new restaurant in close to 20 years debuts when the new
Tropics Bar & Grill opens its doors following an $11 million project that combined the former Tropics
Showroom with the Tropics Bar & Beach Café. Located right on Waikiki Beach, the new 15,700
square-foot eatery was designed by Group 70 International with interiors by the Hatch Design Group.
Ryoko Nasu, who headed up the team from Hatch Design, said that the vision was to create an
environment that is Tropical Modern with a contemporary touch. The restaurant features indoor and
outdoor seating for more than 350 patrons, a 36-seat bar and virtually every seat in the house
provides a spectacular view of Waikiki Beach. Tropics’ breakfast, lunch, appetizer and dinner dishes
celebrate local farmers and their products.
In a tribute to Hawaii’s greatest waterman, the City & County of Honolulu completes the
process to name Kahanamoku Street. The street runs between the Ilikai Hotel and the Hilton
Hawaiian Village near the Village’s Grand Waikikian Tower. Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Patti Teruya
Kahanamoku, Duke’s grand-niece, attend a blessing and dedication of the new street on Friday, July
31.
The Village’s culinary landmark, Bali by the Sea, is officially rebranded as Bali Steak &
Seafood in mid-October of 2009. The restaurant continues as one of Hawaii’s favorites with its prime
beachfront location and exceptional dining experience. Some signature items are retained on the
menu such as Kona kampachi and the erupting Diamond Head “mahalo” dessert.
And on October 22, Camp Penguin, Hilton’s new children’s program, opens. Inspired by the
property’s former resident African black-footed penguins, the new program has its own dedicated
facility on the ground floor of Diamond Head Tower. Every day of the week features a different
Hawaiian theme and includes fun, educational activities with a focus on learning about Hawaii through
storytelling, games, music, arts and crafts, hula and lei-making. Participants learn the “Hawaiian
Word of the Day,” which is used often throughout the day. Off-property excursions include visits to
the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium, Bishop Museum and Children’s Discovery Center. Daily
themes include: “Wild About Hilton,” “Hawaiian Ocean Explorer,” “Hawaiian Skies,” “Treasures of
Hawaii,” “Discover Hawaii,” “Waikiki Aloha Friday” and “Hawaiian Safari.
In 2010, Pronto Pickle becomes the resort’s newest outlet and offers all-day dining options
including sandwiches, salads, sushi, bentos, cold beverages, a daily selection of hot items and an
assortment of ice cream treats. Located on the ground floor of Ali‘i Tower next to Tropics Bar & Grill,
it is a fast and convenient stop for those who want to enjoy the day at the beach and/or pool. Also in
2010, the resort marks the return of sailing tours aboard a catamaran with the blessing of the Spirit of
Aloha catamaran on June 30. The vessel, operated by Port Waikiki Cruises, offers daily tours
including a lunch snorkel cruise and a Friday night fireworks sail.
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That same year, Hilton Worldwide enters into an agreement with the new “Hawaii Five-0” to be
its hotel partner. Thus, the Hilton Hawaiian Village is featured numerous times during the show’s
inaugural season.
In 2011, Hilton celebrates 50 years in Hawaii, beginning with the Hilton Hawaiian Village when
Conrad N. Hilton purchased shares from Henry J. Kaiser in 1961.
The resort ended its 50th anniversary year with the completion of the renovation of guest
rooms in the iconic Rainbow Tower. The $45 million project brought new all-new furnishings to more
than 800 guest rooms in the iconic tower.
After being in the No. 8 and 3 spots in 2010 and 2011, respectively, Duke Kahanamoku Beach
moves up to No. 2 in Dr. Beach’s Memorial Day List of America’s Top 10 Beaches in 2012 and 2013.
In 2013, the resort completed a $25 million renovation of the upscale Alii Tower, and a multimillion dollar renovation of its main lobby, Tapa Bar and Bali Steak & Seafood. Work commenced on
the restoration of its iconic rainbow mural.
Following two years at No. 2, in 2014 Duke Kahanamoku Beach is named to the top of Dr.
Beach’s Memorial Day list of America’s Top 10 Beaches. The Rainbow Mural project is completed
and ground is broken for a new tower, The Grand Islander by Hilton Grand Vacations Club.
In early 2015, work was completed on the Diamond Head Tower guest rooms as well as the
Tapa Tower Conference Center.
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