PO’IPU — Tentative plans are underway for the re-construction of the Poipu Beach Hotel, which was severely damaged during the onslaught of Hurricane ‘Iniki in 1992.
Currently, representatives of lessees of the property, the CTF Hotels and Resorts hotel development and investment group of Washington D.C., are talking to Kaua’i County Planning Department officials about obtaining permits to re-construct the property as a 121-room hotel.
The hotel is the last remaining un-built hurricane-damaged property along Poipu Beach. It is located to the west of Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club and featured rooms with lower rates than the Waiohai prior to the hurricane.
“We are continuing to move ahead with the planning-permit application,” said Lihu’e Attorney Mike Belles, representing CTF in the permit process.
Representatives of CTF will be discussing specific timelines and site plans with Poipu Beach Resort Association board members at the group’s January board meeting.
“Our hopes are to redevelop the building and maintain the same character and feel that the property had before ‘Iniki,” Belles said.
“We have met with the Mayor (Bryan J. Baptiste) and with the lessors of the property (the Knudsen family).”
The Knudsen’s attorney, James T. Paul, would not comment on the matter yesterday.
Belles added that the site where the construction would take place is clear of any debris, though the existing Poipu Beach Hotel buildings are still standing, damaged but not knocked down by ‘Iniki. Apparently, the existing buildings would be demolished and removed, as happened during the construction of the adjoining Waiohai property.
The hotel is immediately adjacent to Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club, which has been rebuilding in phases for a few years, and operated as a timeshare resort.
Belles also added that CTF representatives intend to meet with members of the Koloa Community Association in addition to the PBRA board.
“We haven’t seen the application,” said Moana Palama, KCA president. “We look forward to working with them. We have good rapport with the Knudsen estate.”
With new operators planning to also soon announce plans for the rebuilding of the Coco Palms Resort in Wailua, the last two hotel properties damaged by ‘Iniki and yet un-reopened may both be coming back online, though 14 years after the hurricane.
Folks all along the South Shore welcomed news about the Poipu Beach Hotel’s rebuilding.
Nearly all agree that what remains of the Poipu Beach Hotel today remains an eyesore not only to visitors and residents strolling the Po’ipu shoreline, but to guests at neighboring properties as well.
“I think it’s great. We need to have that property operating again,” said Roy Thompson, general manager of over 100 Kiahuna Plantation units for Castle Resorts, some abutting the Poipu Beach Hotel parcel.
“That’s something that we’ve known all along, that something needs to be done with that property, for the good of the community and our industry,” said Thompson.
Edgar Gum, Waiohai general manager, is “very excited” about the rebuilding plans. “It’s good for the area, removes the last sign of Hurricane ‘Iniki on Po’ipu Beach, good for the island’s economy,” he said.
“Providing more employment is always a good thing.”
Even though both the Waiohai and Poipu Beach Hotel will be under reconstruction at the same time, nearby hotel managers will deal with dust and noise complaints tactfully and professionally, Gum said.
“That is absolutely wonderful” news, said Jim Hill, manager of several other Kiahuna units for Outrigger Hotels and Resorts.
It would have been nice if the Po’ipu Beach Hotel and Waiohai reconstruction could have happened simultaneously, said Hill earlier this year, but “we know how to deal with it (construction noise) now.”
“This is excellent news, and it’s about time,” said Margy Parker, PBRA executive director. “This is long overdue. The economics in Po’ipu have been strong for a few years now, and I imagine they can no longer ignore those economics,” said Parker.
“I imagine it’s in their best interest (to rebuild now),” she added.
Because of the delay in rebuilding the Poipu Beach Hotel, there remains a lawsuit pending between the Knudsen family and CTF. A February, 2004 trial date remains.
An earlier legal filing in the initial 2001 suit was a motion filed by Honolulu Attorney James T. Paul and granted by Circuit Court Judge George Masuoka, compelling CTF to produce certain information, Paul said earlier this year.
Also earlier, he told The Garden Island that a lease between his clients and CTF calls for the hotel to be rebuilt and reopened in the event of damage inflicted by a hurricane.
Distressed Knudsen family members filed suit to compel CTF to rebuild and reopen the hotel, and for now a trial date remains set, Paul said in May.
Associate Editor Paul C. Curtis may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net.
Business Editor Barry Graham may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or mailto:bgraham@pulitzer.net.
