Kaanapali Beach Hotel - Maui and Hawaiian vacation packages
Kaanapali Beach Hotel - Maui's Most Hawaiian Hotel


History of the Kaanapali Beach Hotel

Kaanapali Beach Hotel opened in 1964, the third resort property to be built in the world's first master planned resort, Kaanapali.

From the time it opened in the mid 60's, Kaanapali Beach Hotel earned and maintained its reputation as a great value, providing moderately priced hotel accommodations in this 5-star location. The property had been successful serving guests for over 20 years. But change was in the air.

It was during the 80's that several hotel chains opened their premier resort properties on Maui, and names like Hyatt, Marriott, Westin, and Embassy Suites brought the focus of resort travelers to Kaanapali in a powerful way. It was at this time, that General Manager, Mike White, a fourth generation kamaaina (Hawaii born) attended a conference and encountered a challenge that changed his thinking about Hawaii's visitor industry. The speaker was Kenneth Brown and this was the essence of his message. "...If the hotels, attractions and other businesses that are enjoying growth through tourism do not take an active role in preserving the host culture, then the unique culture that has helped to establish this destination's unique identity is at risk of being lost." And with that message, White's advocacy for the Hawaiian culture within his circle of influence in the visitor industry began to take shape. He relocated to Maui in 1985 as the General Manager of Kaanapali Beach Hotel, a rare independent property in a sea of corporate chain resorts.

White brought his vision of a hotel that could be a Hawaiian place, and the employees of Kaanapali Beach Hotel embraced the vision with overwhelming support. Having been a corporate hotel in the past, it was a pleasure and honor to be able to work in focus groups to craft the new company's Mission Statement, committing it to management by Hawaiian family values with the goal to become a "Hawaiian hotel." However, with no benchmark to follow, this unprecedented move required a commitment beyond anything previous. It was determined that the first need was for the entire staff of the hotel to be educated, so that the diverse ethnic group of hotel workers could be united in their understanding of what it means to be Hawaiian. Ke Kula O Ka Pookela, or the School of Excellence, was born.

The hotel created a management position dedicated to upholding the mission statement and continuing education, and community support of Hawaiian culture. To date, Kaanapali Beach Hotel's employees have enjoyed 50 classes, spending approximately 60,000 company hours in cultural instruction. Pookela, as the program is called, has had an impact far beyond its humble beginnings. One of the most visible to our guests is our extensive Hawaiian cultural activities program and serenades by the hotel's singing employees. Another is the celebration of hula that has grown into a 3-day festival of arts, called Hula O Na Keiki, an international children's solo hula competition, held each fall at Kaanapali Beach Hotel. One of the most culturally significant archaeological sites in America today is in Lahaina at Maluulu olele Park. The site to be restored was the former home of the Kamehameha family on Maui, called Mokuula, whose restoration effort had its foundation in a Pookela class.

The hotel was rewarded for its efforts, when, in 1995 the Waiaha Foundation evaluated hotels based on 120 criteria for their ability to incorporate Hawaiian values and culture into their employee and guest experience. At their annual conference, Kaanapali Beach Hotel was awarded the "Most Hawaiian Hotel in the State of Hawaii." To date, there has not been another property that has met or exceeded the criteria for this award. "Our Hawaiian-ness goes very deep," said Mike White, hotel GM, in response to winning the prestigious award. "We have arrived at the point, where, after 9 years of focus, it is not what we do, it is who we are."



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 Kaanapali Beach Hotel


2525 Kaanapali Parkway • Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761 USA
Toll Free U.S. & Canada: +1-800-262-8450 • Worldwide Direct: +1-808-661-0011
Reservations Fax: +1-808-667-5978 • Guest Fax: +1-808-667-5616