It looks like the Kokee Lodge will be under new management soon. The board of the Department of Land and Natural Resources approved and recommended Waimea-based Kikiaola Realty, LLC’s sealed lease bid of $226,101. The bid, which was over $125,000
It looks like the Kokee Lodge will be under new management soon.
The board of the Department of Land and Natural Resources approved and recommended Waimea-based Kikiaola Realty, LLC’s sealed lease bid of $226,101.
The bid, which was over $125,000 more than the next highest, will give Kikiaola control over the lodge, 12 rental cabins, the restaurant and the gift shop beginning July 1, 2004.
“Actually, that’s a pretty high bid,” said Dan Quinn, state parks administrator. “I think they recognize the potential of the place.”
Spokespeople for Kikiaola would not comment on the bidding, nor discuss their plans for the lodge, which is located in Koke‘e State Park.
But Quinn said that there will most likely be no significant changes made to the Lodge.
“They can’t stray much from what’s allowed in the bid,” Quinn said.
The State Parks Division recommended that the Attorney General approve the Kikiola bid.
Two other Kaua‘i companies made the final list: Big Save, which bid $91,000, and current-lessee Kokee Ventures, who bid $100,180.
Kokee Ventures has held the lease for 21 years and has been on an extended month-to-month rental agreement paying the state at least $5,040 per month.
Sherri Orr, resident manager of the Lodge, said that the transition has been difficult, but that bidding process was legitimate and straight forward.
“Business is business,” she said. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the people of Kaua‘i. We’ve met so many wonderful people here.”
Orr said that frequent visitors to the lodge are concerned about the change of management, but she said that Kikiaola is a well-respected company that will maintain the character of the Lodge.
Kikiaola is a company that goes back to Waimea Sugar Plantation, a business owned and run by the Fayé family, a kama‘aina Westside family. Today Kikiaola owns and operates high-end properties including Waimea Plantation Cottages, beachfront vacation homes at Hanalei Bay, and a Mountain House.
Kikiaola will hold a 30-month lease on the Kokee Lodge site beginning July, 1 and lapsing December 31, 2006.
