Categorized | Featured, News, Tsunami

First look at King Kamehameha hotel damage


Mobile version of slideshow here

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Steve Cole, director of sales at Kona Brewing Co., was at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel during the tsunami early Friday.

“While we stood by the luau grounds the water was level with the pier. One minute later it had receded 5 feet,” he said. “Amazing to see. We were all evacuated from the Hotel at Midnight. No one is allowed down onto Alii Drive.”

Cole said the annual Kona Brewers Festival, which is scheduled for Saturday on the hotel grounds, may be in jeopardy.

Cole forwarded these photos of the hotel, taken at daybreak Friday.

 

 

 

5 Responses to “First look at King Kamehameha hotel damage”

  1. olivia says:

    oh man. </3

  2. Toni R. says:

    Aloha Karin,

    Thanks for posting the photos. I hadn’t seen any of the damages to Ali’i Drive and the various businesses. The surge must have been really high and long to have spilled over from the Lagoon into the lobby. Very interesting to see what is being called a ‘subtle’ Tsunami wave can do. I sure hope we don’t see a ‘destructive’ one here!!

  3. Sandy N. says:

    My husband and I just returned home(ND, brrrr) from Kona a week ago after staying at the King Kamehameha Hotel. We had a wonderful stay in their beautifully redone hotel and it saddens me to see the restaurant and grounds such a mess. We love the hotel and Kona area and our prayers are with you all.

  4. My husband and I were just married 2/16 on Kikeaua Beach on Big Island. We then spent a week on Maui. It truly saddens us to see the devastation on Hawaii and Japan. It will not discourage us from visiting the islands again as we truly love being there. New York winters are such a contrast!

  5. Barb G says:

    I just returned from my visit at the King Kamehameha on March 5, 2011 back to cold Saskatoon. I am so sorry to see all this damage. I just can’t believe it and I am thinking and praying for all of you. Take Care everyone! Mahalo for my wonderful visit!

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