This is a re-post from the Hawaii Insider, I felt it was such a good, positive, take on the recovery, it was important to get the news out! Thank you to Jeanne Cooper of SFGate.com/Hawaii - for giving me permission to post this.
Updated March 20: Kailua-Kona will celebrate its relatively rapid recovery from the March 11 tsunami today with several significant events: the Kokua Kailua Village Stroll street fair from 1 to 6 p.m. on Ali'i Drive, accompanied by a free concert at Hulihe'e Palace, and the resumption of the Island Breeze Lu'au in the formal gardens at King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. Although some Ali'i Drive merchants, the palace and the hotel all have some repairs and cleanup left after the surge, the last week saw concentrated efforts to return to normal as quickly as possible. It's a happy contrast to the decision to close Kona Village Resort, north of the airport, for "an extended period of time," due to property damage "severe enough to render it inoperable," according to the March 18 announcement by resort CEO Patrick Fitzgerald. "We are fortunate that our guests and employees were evacuated safely. Our hearts are heavy with this decision’s impact on employees" -- who will remain on the payroll through April 3, and insured through the end of April -- "and loyal guests who have visited us over the years. Our thoughts also are with the people of Japan during this difficult time," Fitzgerald's statement continues. The lu'au area at the "King Kam" was just one of several ground-floor areas at the hotel that was flooded, bringing in sand and debris as well as seawater. No guest rooms were damaged, however, and by the end of last week several retail stores in the lobby had already reopened, as had the swimming pool and the Billfish Bar, which began serving three meals a day while the restaurant is restored. In front of the hotel, Kamakahonu Beach saw much of its sand swet away, but all the activities normally offered by the Kona Boys beach hut -- outrigger canoe rides, stand-up paddlesurfing, kayaking and snorkeling -- are still available in Kailua Bay, and the "Boys" are helping with the beach cleanup. King Kam hotel guests, by the way, receive a 20 percent discount on the Island Breeze lu'au and 15 percent of Kona Boys rentals. Kailua Pier, meanwhile, passed a structural inspection last week, with charters such as Body Glove and Atlantis Submarines all running normal schedules; NCL's Pride of America cruise ship will resume its regular Wednesday visits this week. A few miles down the coast, Keauhou Pier was also undamaged by the surge, although the check-in facilities for local charters were not so lucky. Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides, which simply moved its Keauhou cruise check-ins to a nearby location, also reports that the portion of Kealakekua Bay near the Captain Cook Monument "has excellent visibility." That's due in part to the volunteer cleanup by divers from Jack's Diving Locker and other friends of the area, which saw one empty home slip into the bay after the surge swept it off its foundation. While historic Hulihe'e Palace has yet to reopen, with several outbuildings damaged, its royal treasures remained intact and its lawn will play host to a musical tribute to Prince Kuhio at 4 p.m. today, as well as to the annual palace fundraiser next Saturday. Another royal enclave, Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park had reopened on a limited basis last week, after the surge removed sand from "the royal grounds, pu'uhonua and picnic areas, and damaged the park’s trail systems" and scattered "marine debris and coastal vegetation throughout the park grounds," according to a press release. A recorded message on Sunday, however, listed only the picnic area as still closed. Other coastal areas that saw some damage but are still easily accessible to visitors are Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, which late last week was all open except for "a small stretch of coastal trail at the southern portion of the park between 'Ai'ōpio Fishtrap and 'Aimakapā Fishpond," per the park service, while the public beach access and parking lot at the south end of 'Anaeho'omalu Bay (north of Kona, in the Waikoloa Beach Resort) is closed until further notice. The tsunami essentially washed away the sliver of beach separating the ocean from the fishpond at "A-Bay" (click here for before and after photos); however, "the public can access the northern portion of the beach at the Kolea condominium community," according to an advisory from the Big Island Visitors Bureau. Ocean Sports' catamaran Seasmoke had also resumed its excursions from 'Anaeho'omalu last week. It's true that the travel industry and local authorities have been quick to trumpet the good news, in order not to dissuade the visitors who are just starting to re-stimulate the local economy, but the fact remains that last week's surge is no reason not to visit the Big Island, or the islands in general, particularly with the current spring airfare sales from Hawaiian and United Airlines. And while it's sad that iconic Kona Village is closed for the foreseeable future -- and the nearby Four Seasons until April 30 -- many people on the Big Island are more concerned about the earthquake-generated tsunami's long-term effect on Japan than the short-term effect on their home. "We are deeply touched by the outpouring of well wishes from visitors, both here and far away," said George Applegate, executive director of the Big Island Visitors Bureau, n a prepared statement Thursday."As we count our blessings, we also send our deepest aloha to Japan, and to everyone who suffered losses due to the earthquake and tsunami. For all of us in Hawai'i, Japan is so much more than economics. We are friends and family as we are related by our long historical ties and proud heritage." For much the same reason, I'll be posting news of more benefits for Japan by Hawai'i organizations and by the Bay Area's Hawaiian community later this week. (Be sure to follow @hawaii_insider on Twitter or like the Hawaii Insider Facebook page for the most immediate updates.) And in lieu of spending my honorarium for this blog post on mailing small Hawai'i-themed prizes to quiz winners, I'll be sending a check to the Bank of Hawaii Leslie Relief Fund, to help a particularly needy Kealakekua family rebuild their home (click here for details.)
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/hawaii/index#ixzz1HGEfLcJ7
New item--help for Hawai'i man: While donations to Japan tsunami relief through Hawai'i Red Cross are also appreciated (and its online auction through March 20 has many tempting items for travelers), one recently laid-off man who lost his Kealakekua home to the tsunami while undergoing chemotherapy on O'ahu could really use help now. The Leslie 'Ohana is "humbly accepting donations via cash or check to the Bank of Hawaii 'Leslie Relief Fund' (account# 0007661215) or through Paypal (email: leslie.relief2011@yahoo.com, according to Lance Owens of Aloha Kona Realty. For those lucky enough to be on the island March 26, the family will also be selling almond cookies, banana bread muffins and mochi at the Kona Adult Day Center in Kealakekua from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to raise funds for rebuilding.
Facebook link http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=188056254569781&index=1
| March 16 2011 at 04:40 PM
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/hawaii/detail?entry_id=85115#ixzz1GoJOkAbD
March 16 update: The Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, on the island of Hawai'i, has announced it will reopen April 30 -- about six weeks longer than originally predicted -- in order to repair tsunami damage from March 11, following the cataclysmic earthquake in Japan.
According to a press release from General Manager Robert Whitfield the luxurious resort "sustained damage from the storm surge, bringing water, sand and debris onto the grounds, mainly affecting pool areas, landscaping, a restaurant and 12 guest rooms and suites."
Allaying fears about the financial impact of the closure on an island still dealing with lowered visitor numbers due to the economic downturn, the announcement continues:
Resort staff has been instrumental in the early clean-up efforts, and will remain so throughout the restoration. The Resort intends to keep all staff employed in various capacities wherever possible.
We had planned on opening the Resort earlier, however upon further inspection and damage assessment, we determined it best to sustain the closure until April 30, in order to limit impact on the guest experience. While there is no significant structural damage, we are well aware of what our guests desire and our need to provide that experience at the highest level possible. This additional time will allow us to polish the property in the fashion it is known for. We'd like to thank our guests for their understanding and outpouring of support, as we bring this place back to perfect form. Our thoughts continue to be with those directly affected by this tragedy.
Guests with reservations before April 30 are being contacted about alternate arrangements, which include rebooking for later stays or moving to another Four Seasons in the islands (two on Lana'i, one on Maui) or around the world.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/hawaii/index#ixzz1Go3T1D9B
March 14 Update:
Big Island: At Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island, as of yesterady visitors have been allowed access to "limited areas" of the park including the visitor center, paved parking area, the amphitheater and the canoe hālau from 9 a.m. [to] 4 p.m., according to a press release on the park Web site. "The royal grounds, pu'uhonua [place of refuge], picnic area, coastal and 1871 trails all remain closed to entry," it continued, noting, "The tsunami surges entered the royal grounds and fish ponds throughout the day on March 11, scattering marine debris and coastal vegetation throughout the park grounds."
As reported earlier here, Kona Village resort (which had been safely evacuated, as with all other hotels) is temporarily closed while repairs are being made to cottages swept off their foundation, the Four Seasons plans to reopen March 21 after repairs to damage in public areas, and the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel's lodging is unaffected, although its restaurant, lobby and ground-floor merchants are cleaning up from water damage.
Although Body Glove and other excursion providers from Kailua-Kona were back in business after the tsunami, "some boat charters have not yet resumed operations," according to a press release from the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau. A scheduled cruise ship call, which would have sent passengers to Kailua-Kona pier via tenders, has been canceled for tomorrow. Although its check-in office and gear storage in Keauhou Harbor was damaged, Fair Wind cruises' two vessels were undamaged and are expected to resume snorkeling and manta ray tours tomorrow.
Hulihe'e Palace, which saw basement flooding and damage to outlying buildings and walls, remains temporarily closed but will host an afternoon concert on its lawn this Sunday, March 20, during the Kailua Village stroll, which turns Ali'i Drive into a street fair for pedestrians. It will also host its outdoor annual fund-raiser on March 26. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/hawaii/index#ixzz1Go1B5C1m
March 13, 3 p.m. update: Kona Village Resort will be closed for "a few days," according to a report in this morning's online edition of West Hawai'i Today, which said 20 hale (thatched-roof cottages) at the resort were "lifted off their foundations" by the tsunami surge. Just north of the Kona airport, the all-inclusive resort (a rarity in Hawai'i) is near the Four Seasons Hualālai, which has announced plans to reopen March 21 following cleanup and repair of its debris-related damage. The Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului, however, has already reopened after a short closure due to water in its lobby.
March 13, 12:45 a.m. update: Add to the list of temporarily closed businesses below the Four Seasons Hualālai Resort, which will remain closed at least through Tuesday while the staff assesses debris-related tsunami damage to the public areas. "Guests have been given the option to relocate to Four Seasons Resort Maui, Four Seasons Resort Lana'i Manele Bay, Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, The Lodge at Koele or to other hotels on Hawaii Island," according to the announcement on the luxury resort's Web site.
But in more positive news, the Billfish Bar at the reopened King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel start breakfast, lunch and dinner service today, while the resort's other restaurant undergoes cleanup. Body Glove snorkel and historical cruises have already resumed operating from Kailua Pier, now that the surges have subsided. While Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historic Site remains closed indefinitely as park rangers evaluate damage, Kaloko-Honokōhau NHS has reopened, although the unimproved road to Kaloko Fishpond is closed, according to the Big Island Visitors Bureau and park service reports.
Original item below:
While most Hawai'i visitors and residents will enjoy their weekend as usual, following the minimal effect of Friday's early morning tsunami, some on the Big Island's Kona side are not so fortunate. Several lodgings, historic sites, businesses and homes in the low-lying, oceanfront areas of Kailua-Kona, Keauhou and Kealakekua/Nāpo'opo'o face either major cleanup efforts or full-scale rebuilding.
The damage (which pales in comparison with the the devastation in Japan) should not stop anyone from considering a trip to Kona -- if anything, residents can use the infusion of tourist dollars more than ever right now, and there's still plenty to do and see. Just be aware that this was not like last year's "pseunami" for some people in Hawai'i.
Having just reported on the revitalization efforts in Kailua-Kona following a January trip, I'll do an in-person followup when I return in April. Till then, here's a partial list of affected sites of interest to visitors, compiled with the help of my readers, press releases and news reports:
Kealakekua Bay
One house (apparently vacation rental known as Kealakekua Hale) was floating in Kealakekua Bay and several others on Manini Beach Road were swept off their foundations. "At least three or four houses were totally destroyed and several others severely damaged," writes Elizabeth Shaver, who forwarded a link to photos of the destruction. (To see more scenes of the wreckage, you can watch a news video interviewing a Kealakekua man who's undergoing chemo in Honolulu and lost his house to the tsunami.)
Kailua-Kona
As reported here yesterday, waters surging through Kamakahonu Cove and over the seawall along Ali'i Drive (see video at bottom of post) forced the recently renovated King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel and historic Hulihe'e Palace -- which reopened in 2009 after a three-year restoration from earthquake damage -- to close temporarily. Today, some guests have returned to the hote, which had water damage to its lobby, restaurant and pool area. The hotel Web site notes:
Life has returned to King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, but we are still a little sandy and wet. This weekend's Brewfest has been relocated to the Kona Brewing Company right across the street. Our award-winning luau will take a hiatus until the end of the month as we have some clean-up to do in that area. There is sand in the lobby and water damage on the first floor which affected the restaurant, retail areas, lobby and meeting space. We have begun a cleanup process and will be providing updates on the anticipated completion as we know more. The rooms were untouched by the water. Some of our guests are choosing to stay at the hotel, since only the public areas have been affected, however, we are happy to work with our guests to relocate elsewhere, if desired. Mahalo for all of the good wishes we are hearing!
There was also relatively good news from Hulihe'e Palace late yesterday: While the basement remains flooded, there was no water damage to the first floor. The palace's newly renovated caretaker cottage, however, came off its foundation, and the mauka (mountain side) wall of adjacent Ki'ope Pond, used for aquaculture by ancient Hawaiian royalty, was also damaged. "It looks like water came into the pond, surged, and then washed under the cottage," said longtime administrator Fanny Au Hoy.
The palace's gift shop and kitchen in the Kuakini Building, next door to the royal mansion, suffered interior water damage. The top of the seawall along the makai (oceanside) lawn of the palace was also damaged -- one of several sites of seawall damage along Ali'i Drive. The palace remains closed until further notice, to allow time to pump the water out of the basement and complete a structural inspection.
Elsewhere in the historic Kailua Village area, some stores lost their plate-glass windows and doors, with seawall and sidewalk damage, not to mention sand, spread throughout the area. But many merchants were able to resume business when Hawaii County police reopened Ali'i Drive around 4 p.m. yesterday. No word yet on the status of the March 20 Kailua Village stroll, which includes a concert on the Hulihe'e lawn and a street fair for pedestrians, but I have a feeling the show will go on.
Keauhou
A reader first alerted me to the major damage to the harbor buildings in Keauhou Bay, where Fair Wind operates popular cruises to Kealakekua Bay, South Kona and the evening manta ray dive site just a few minutes from the pier. The Youtube video below shows the extent of the damage has this note:
Got down to Keauhou Bay around 7 am to find the tsunami had taken out the Yacht Club and damaged the Fair Winds building...and in fact, merchandise from the dive shop is littering the bay, too. We were watching as a 5 foot surge came up and we ran off the beach as the wall of water came into the bay and up the beach. The original surge came up at least 12 feet...beach and bay a mess of debris.
Fortunately, Fair Wind's two vessels -- the sailing catamaran Fair Wind II and the hydrofoil Hula Kai -- had been moved to safety before the tsunami surge hit, and the company is taking reservations for excursions as of Wednesday, March 16. "There's no worries with those two babies," a reservations agent told me this morning, but with all the gear swept out of the pier-side operations building, "a lot of things are going to be replaced ... Some things are, 'Where did they go?' But we'll get there."
The nearby Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa also reported "minimal or no damage," according to a statement from Starwood Hawai'i.
1:30 p.m. update:
National park sites
While the Pu'ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, on the Kohala Coast north of most the Big Island damage, was "finally back to normal operations," two national historical parks in Kona -- Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau (Place of Refuge) and Kaloko-Honokōhau -- were still closed as of 1 p.m. due to damage, according to the @PuukoholaNPS Twitter feed. (Neither site has updated its Web site yet, and calls to the park offices today -- Saturday -- were not answered, but the Pu'ukoholā source is generally reliable.)
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/hawaii/detail?entry_id=84890#ixzz1GbkjGo1H
Comments(3)