The Moana Surfrider Hotel of Waikiki, Hawaii Article by Norman Hill
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THE MOANA SURFRIDER HOTEL OF WAIKIKI, HAWAII ARTICLE BY NORMAN HILL ELEGANCE FOR THE AGES "Proud as a Peacock” is a phrase Peacock saw that Waikiki, the Hon- Coincident with annexation, Peacock were taking place, it was converted sometimes used to describe olulu suburb, needed a first rate saw that steamships from the main- from a combination of swamps, taro individuals who, deservedly or not, luxury hotel. He made this decision land were bringing an increasing fields, and duck ponds into a more carry themselves with a distinct air in 1896. At that time, Hawaii was number of tourists to Oahu. He widely habitable area. A streetcar of pride. Since the Moana Hotel was not yet a territory of the United wanted to convert his home on the line traveled three miles from the the vision of W.C. Peacock, a prom- States. Since 1893, when the native beach into a hotel and build adjoin- suburb into downtown Honolulu. inent Honolulu businessman, this queen had been deposed, there ing guest cottages. Influenced by his The line was right across from the luxury edifice justly deserves such a was considerable sentiment for architect, Oliver Traphagen, the plan new Moana. description. annexation. In 1894, a republic had expanded to move Peacock’s home been proclaimed, with government and build a 75 room, 4-story luxury The hotel was built of wood in a When we walked into this elegant in the hands of a minority of Ameri- hotel on the site. Using the firm of style known as “Hawaiian colonial.” hotel, we felt like we were transport- can descendants of missionaries and Lucas Brothers as prime contractors, Its rooms included a billiard room, ed back in time, yet surrounded by land developers. It wasn’t until 1898 the beachfront Moana Hotel officially saloon, parlor, library, office, poker present day luxury. that the United States, with President opened in 1901. A luxury room room, buffet, and ladies’ parlor. Each McKinley evidently convinced by the price of $1.50 was the rate. guest room had its own bath. Dining arch-imperialist Theodore Roosevelt, was available in the main dining room formalized annexation of Hawaii as Waikiki originally had been an en- on the water’s edge. In addition to a an American territory. clave for Hawaiian kings. Now, while 300 foot pier on the beach, a storied annexation and Peacock’s dream banyan tree was replanted on hotel 21 FEBRUARY 2014 • LUXE BEAT MAGAZINE property in 1904. This became 175 rooms, more than doubling its An island radio station was started in Moana remained officially under famous for romantic encounters capacity. Two floors were added on 1922. Later, in 1935, a show, “Hawaii civilian control. For the remainder and serious business meetings held top of the original four, and wings Calls”, started to be broadcast from of the War, most of its guests were under it. were also added. the Moana, right in the courtyard military personnel. Barbed wire lined of its banyan tree. Initially broadcast its famous beach. The hotel’s general manager decided Hawaii was still considered a play- to 20 West Coast stations, the show that the tree was needed to provide ground for the rich. In 1926, Moana eventually was heard across the The Hotel endured rationing, black- shade and enhance beachfront saw completion of a competing mainland. Emceed by Webley Ed- outs, martial law and restricted cur- grounds. But he was astute enough luxury hotel, the Royal Hawaiian. wards, its cast included singers Andy rency for most of World War II. After to see that only a hardy specimen Both hotels seemed to prosper, con- Bright and Alfred Apaka. Johnny No- the American victory at Midway in could grow in the sandy soil around sistent with the booming mainland ble and his band were also featured. 1942, fears of a Japanese invasion, Moana. Peacock picked the banyan. economy of the Roaring Twenties. started to abate. Prohibition was the law of the land, Like all of Hawaii, the Moana Hotel Afternoon tea (“High tea”) started but evidently in Hawaii, it was flouted was rudely jarred by the sneak at the beginning and continues, as a as much as in the states. Prominent Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Moana tradition on the veranda. guests at Moana included the Prince December 7, 1941. Although its of Wales from Great Britain (later neighbor, the Royal Hawaiian, was In 1918, the thriving Moana was King Edward VIII) and his cousin, officially taken over by the military, greatly expanded by an additional Lord Louis Mountbatten. 22 FEBRUARY 2014 • LUXE BEAT MAGAZINE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 After the War, Hawaiian tourism Court was paved and planted and a that so many famous people have continued once again to grow. terrazzo dancing floor was created. descended is still in place with Besides ships, airlines began to In 1963, the Beach Bar was opened photos displayed of past visitors. fly from the U.S. West Coast to (first called the Bikini Bar). Employees keep the Aloha spirit Honolulu. Although luxury hotels alive by knowing the history of the like Moana and Royal Hawaiian Over the years, ownership of Moana hotel and having cultural programs stayed at capacity, other economy had changed hands several times. and material available for guests. And hotels also started to prosper. the state-of-the-art spa now offered Besides wealtlhy tourists, servicemen By 2007, ownership of the resort culturally based treatments to ease and veterans wanted to enjoy the was in the hands of Westin, which tensions. phenomenal Hawaiian climate. in turn was part of the Starwood organization. Its official name became While visiting, we experienced some Over the years, celebrities that have the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort of the best stuffed French toast either stayed at the Moana included aviator and Spa. Originating in 1972, the one of us had ever tasted– simply Amelia Earhart, Walter Chrysler, hotel continues on the National delicious. At the same time, we Joe DiMaggio, George Burns, Frank Registry of Historic Places. enjoyed a cultural program for our Sinatra, and Lucille Ball. group that gave us a better under- Opening in late 2008, Westin now standing of Hawaii and its people. The influence of Arthur Godfrey in provides a 17,000 square foot state promoting and glamorizing Hawaii of the art spa. Known as Lani-Spa, We both look forward to returning to mainstream Americans cannot be it became Oahu’s first beachfront and spending several days, instead overemphasized. With his folksy style spa, what Westin calls a Heavenly of the quick visit we encountered on and low key voice, he often sang Spa. It features both pre and this visit. The Moana Surfrider is like Hawaiian songs on radio and, later, post-treatment rooms, men and stepping back in time with the luxury on television. He made the great women’s locker rooms, and areas and current desires of today. surfer, swimmer and Olympic gold with steam rooms, saunas and medalist, Duke Kahanamoku, well whirlpools. All the way through, A special thanks goes to Stan Cohen, known in the States. beachfront views of Waikiki’s author of “The First Lady of Waikiki”, beach are seen. who provided some background for More than glamor was part of the this article. Moana scene. The Beachboys of As a unique touch, at the start of Waikiki were a renowned group of each treatment, guests are invited Today, the Moana Surfrider contin- Hawaiian watermen who worked to leave all worries and troubles in ues its well deserved five star luxury these beaches from the 1920s to the a bowl filled with Alaea Hawaiian sea ranking. One description, lovingly 1950s. The above Duke was one of salt. Once daily, all salt in the bowl in bestowed on it, is “The First Lady of these Boys. Guests at both Moana thrown into the Pacific. Waikiki.” Who can say it better? and the Royal Hawaiian were entertained by them. My wife had first visited Moana in 1989, along with the Royal Hawaiian, Moana and other hotels continued and was looking forward to seeing if to prosper, even while political it was still as grand. Needless to say, control in Hawaii shifted. From time as we walked around the property, to time, renovations were made. we concurred it is now better than Completed in 1954, the Banyan ever. The gracious elegant staircase 24 FEBRUARY 2014 • LUXE BEAT MAGAZINE.