In the 1800’s when Pele wreaked her havoc on the Kohala Coast covering most of its sandy beaches she spared Hapuna and Kauna’oa Bays. This is what Laurence Rockefeller must have seen when William Quinn, the state’s first governor, offered him his pick of coastlines on which to develop a luxury resort in an effort to expand tourism from its base in Waikiki to the neighbor islands.
What attracted him were two of the most alluring crescents of creamy sand to be found in the islands with a snow capped volcanic peak soaring in the distance. One of which has been labeled the 5th best beach in the world by the Travel Channel and the other ranked as the best beach in the U.S. by Condé Naste Traveler. What confirmed his decision was the pattern of 245 days of sunshine annually coupled with a mere 7” of rainfall.
Rockefeller’s main requirement was that the hotel blend into, as well as, showcase the surrounding environment. His goal was to create a setting where man worked with nature to achieve new heights of excellence. “What we look for are people who have enough inner resources to enjoy an unorganized environment, to appreciate peace, serenity, beauty and reasonable comfort” he said. The end result was a hotel that has been rated as #2 in the U.S. by Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report and #2 in the world by Robb Report.
Mauna Kea was the first resort built in South Kohala. It is anchored by the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel fronting Kauna’oa Bay and the Hapuna Prince Hotel at Hapuna Beach. Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed its original golf course on the makai side of the property and the mauka course was designed by a partnership of Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. Mauna Kea’s oceanfront tennis facility is world class.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was shuttered after sustaining damage in the 2005 earthquake. It reopened in 2009 after a $150M renovation which included a complete overhaul and re-grassing of Mauna Kea's famous Trent Jones Sr Golf Championship Golf Course as well as a total redo of the hotel including increasing the size of many of the rooms by reducing the total room count from 308 to 258 keys.
Additionally all three of Mauna Kea Resort's restaurants were completed renovated. The Pavilion overlooking Manta Point was redone with the addition of an open kitchen and wine bar and renamed The Manta after Mauna Kea's fabled manta rays. The Batik was upgraded and renamed Monette. It is operated by the owners of the reknowned Flagstaff Restaurant in Boulder, Colorado and features over a 1000 different wines. The restaurant has been divided into a fine dining section and a more casual cafe. The Hau Tree situated right on the beach (and their famous Fredericos cocktail) now serves dinners and offers a casual choice to the guests.
Mauna Kea Real Estate projects include The South Fairways, North Fairways, Oceanfront Bluffs, High Bluffs, Moani Heights, Apa’apa’a Heights and Kaunaoa. The Villas at Mauna Kea, Kaunaoa, Kumulani and Waiulaula at the Uplands are the resorts 4 condominium projects. The Mauna Kea Club offers owners at the resort have privileged access to either beach club, tennis, spa and golf. Currently House Lots range from $792,000 to $3,500,00, Condos from $849,000 to $3,495,000 and Homes from $1,498,000 to $14,500 for the most expensive home at the resort.
