Timeless Magic, 1965 - 2015

31 MAUNA KEA BEACH HOTEL his own style through the difficult times following September 11 2001 and beyond He was getting ready to tee off at 7 00 am on Sunday October 15 2006 when Hawai i was rudely awakened by a 67 magnitude earthquake centered offshore between North Kona and Puakō The concrete pillars of MKBH held fast though the eighth floor again shifted the exterior walls around the beach elevator shaft pulled away from the main building and at the far south end of the Beachfront Wing a concrete trellis collapsed onto the fourth floor lanai and flattened three lanai below it to the ground floor Miraculously no one was hurt Mr Park rallied the staff to take care of guests most immediate needs Some returned to their rooms some moved to Hapuna Weeks later however engineering studies showed that extensive repairs would require at least partial closure The difficult decision was made to close the hotel in early December 2006 three weeks before the holiday peak season In an unexcelled feat of guest service staff members called each guest many in tears to inform them of the situation and try to help with accommodations elsewhere A fence went up around the hotel Construction trailers moved into the parking lot The next transformation started and Kauna oa waited to see how the 21st century was going to interpret Mr Rockefellers vision In early 2007 the American Institute of Architects ranked Mauna Kea Beach Hotel 52 of Americas Favorite 100 Buildings the only Hawai i structure on the list Even closed 40 years after AIAs Honor Award MKBH was still considered among the very best In December 2007 Mr Park retired and Jon Gersonde was announced as the hotels general manager A revitalized MKBH opened in May 2008 after a 150 million renovation that harnessed the dream team talents of Barry Design Associates golf architect Rees Jones Robert Trent Jones youngest son and building architect John Hara As the team prepared to reopen the hotel that by then had achieved grande dame status Paul Yokota then a senior vice president with Prince said What we are trying to do is very simple Mauna Kea was built by Mr Rockefeller to be the best in 1965 and she can be the best in 2008 and beyond We are committed to three generations of guests and employees a community of people who believe in the place Mr Rockefeller started the story but its our kuleana our responsibility to make sure the legend continues As the hotel reaches its golden anniversary celebrates its past and looks to the future it is worth remembering the prophetic words spoken by Kahu Abraham Akaka in his Benediction at the opening of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on July 24 1965 We came seeking peace in this Thy sanctuary We have dwelt upon Thy holy mountain we have found peace and prosperity within Thy walls And when our eyes run from the sunlit height of Mauna Kea to the sunset horizon of Kealakahiki Prepare us and all who come here in this refuge for tomorrow and tomorrow FAR LEFT The graceful arc of Kauna oa Bay fronting one of Americas favorite buildings LEFT Jon Gersonde left Bob Butterfield center and Adi Kohler right three gentlemen who proudly served as General Manager of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel