While reading MauiNews.com I saw an article entitled, “Lahaina gateway grand opening set for Saturday“.  According to this article, the grand opening of the Lahaina Gateway in Maui is set for this Saturday at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Honoapiilani Highway and Keawe Street. Kimokeo Kapahulehus will begin the day by blessing this new 138,000 square-foot center.  Entertainment is scheduled to begin at 10:30 with the Mau Merahi Tahitian Troupe and will also feature Henry Kaleialoha Allen and John Cruz.  There will be activities, music, dancing, free food, games and giveaways.  The Lahaina gateway has been open for months and several businesses are already operating in this new “lifestyle center”, but this Saturday will be the official grand opening.

The Lahaina Gateway is home to the largest Barnes and Nobles bookstore in the state as well as Maui’s first gourmet grocery store, Lahaina Farms.  Other businesses include Genki Sushi, Outback Steakhouse, The Melting Pot, Maui Dive and Surf, State Farm Insurance, Office Max, Claire’s, David’s Happy Nails, Hat Shack, Baskin Robbins, Foot Locker and Sunglass Icon.  Many of these retailers will be highlighting their items as well as giving away merchandise and guided tours.

If you have not yet visited the new Lahaina Gateway, Saturday would be a good time to do so, you can even bring the kids and make a day of it.

After suffering major structural damage in the October 16 Earthquake, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is scheduled to reopen in December. I was just reading Mauinews.com when I saw an article about the anticipated grand reopening of this spectacular beachfront hotel.

According to General Manager of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Jon Gersonde, the exterior of the hotel will remain the same. The interiors however, are being redone and will feature a new look. Some rooms will be reconfigured so that they will be larger. Gersonde also said that bathrooms would be larger, “about a third of the size of the room,”

When the hotel closed for renovations, the Mauna Kea was forced to lay off approximately 420 employees. While most of those employees who were laid off are expected to return to work once the hotel reopens, Mauna Kea is publishing a monthly newsletter in order to keep in touch with their former employees and notify them of new developments.

The newsletter also keeps former guests up-to-date on how things are going at the Mauna Kea golf course. Since it was closed in May 2007, the golf course at Mauna Kea has been under restoration from tee to green, including the replacement of the grass. Renowned course designer Rees Jones is overseeing the restoration work to the course, which could possibly reopen as early as November.

Since its opening in 1965, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has been a Kohala Coast landmark synonymous with understated elegance and luxury.

Click if you would like to read this article in its entirety at mauinews.com.