Hundreds of people came out to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Laie Courtyard by Marriott hotel this past Saturday.

 

Held at the hotel property site adjacent to the Polynesian Cultural Center, the crowd included long-time residents, friends and family from Honolulu and beyond, and the development team.

The event started with a welcoming oli by renowned local kumu, Cy Bridges. The Laie Community Association then presented a traditional gift to the Wood family, owners of the planned hotel who have made the project possible.

Various community and business leaders were in attendance, including George Atta, director of the City Dept. of Planning & Permitting and representing Mayor Kirk Caldwell, officials from project lenders Zions Bank and First Hawaiian Bank, and others who have played a key role in the project. A few leaders spoke to the crowd about the many benefits of the hotel project.

Junior AhYou, vice-president of the Laie Community Association, said, "Today is a wonderful day, a historical day . . . as we continue to conduct our endeavors in righteousness, wonderful things will continue to happen here in Laie."

 

Honolulu City Council Chairman, Ernest Martin, remarked, "We did have a number of hearings on this particular project, but at the end of the day, the City Council felt that it was the right thing to do - the necessary thing to do." He added, "I've had the good fortune of staying at Marriott properties, so I know the quality of the product name itself."

Chris Wood, managing partner for Laie Ventures, LLC explained, "While this is a Courtyard by Marriott project, we're not a big corporation that's coming in here and running this project, we're just a family." He noted that some of the project proceeds will benefit a non-profit school for autistic children. "We want to say thank you to the people of the community - you're what makes this place special and it's your aloha spirit that brings people here."

Eric Beaver, president and chairman of Hawaii Reserves, Inc., thanked all who helped make the project possible. He stated, "It's clear that this new hotel will bolster the Polynesian Cultural Center, enhance the University and bless the community. It will also strengthen the sacred work that takes place in the Laie Hawaii Temple."

Beaver added, "From the worker who builds it, to the guest who stays in it, to the employee who works in it, to the student who is trains in it, to the group sale agents who book rooms in it, to vendors who provide services to it . . . this 'guest house,' as we call it in the islands, will be a fabulous amenity, even a blessing for this place we call home."

 

Jack Hoag, former Chairman of Hawaii Reserves, Inc., next provided a blessing on the hotel project and construction. The groundbreaking then took place using traditional 'o'o fashioned by local master carver, Tuione Pulotu.