Outrigger Hospitality Group will acquire the Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel, a beachfront resort on Hawaii's Maui island. The property covers 11-acres with 432 rooms and recently completed a $75 million property-wide renovation. The hotel was owned by the Shaw organization out of Hong Kong, according to the Maui news.
The transaction is expected to close on July 26, at which time the property will be rebranded as Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Resort. The purchase price is not being disclosed.
“Outrigger’s investment in a full-service Maui resort underscores our confidence in this iconic destination and our commitment to its community,” Outrigger Hospitality President and CEO Jeff Wagoner said in a statement.
In the past two years, Outrigger added five beach resorts to its portfolio, including Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa on Hawaii Island as well as three properties in Southern Thailand and a resort in the Maldives.
The Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel recently completed a $75 million property-wide renovation spanning two of the guestroom wings. The property has a dozen Hawaiian cultural classes for guests alongside ocean activities such as outrigger canoe paddling and snorkel tours. Additionally, Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel is implementing several high-impact sustainability initiatives, including the installation of solar panels, charging stations for electric vehicles and water refill stations.
“With its pristine location along a three-mile stretch of sand, deep cultural connections and authentic Hawaiian hospitality, Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel has tremendous synergy with the Outrigger brand; we are honored for the opportunity to become stewards of this coveted property,” Wagoner added. “Our intention, once the sale is finalized, is to craft a thoughtful plan to further enhance the resort grounds while retaining unique attributes that guests have cherished for years.”
Under the helm of General Manager Mike White since the 1980s, Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel has been a pioneer in preserving and supporting Hawaiian culture, receiving numerous state and national awards for its focus on culture and community service. “When the renowned scholar Dr. George Kanahele and I created the state’s first Hawaiian cultural training course for hotel employees in 1986, Outrigger’s leadership understood and appreciated the value of this curriculum—so, 30 years ago we guided them in creating a version tailored for Outrigger called Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a,” White said. “It’s uplifting to know that this platform of caring for host, guest and place remains intact today and will be a foundation of this exciting next chapter for Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel.”
Additionally, as part of this transaction, Outrigger will also take ownership of The Plantation Inn, an 18-room bed and breakfast in historic Lahaina Town. At this time, no changes are planned for this adults-only accommodation.