The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a hotel property on the Kohala Coast of the island of Hawaii. It sits at Kaunaoa Bay. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) gave the hotel an Honor Award in 1967 citing its "restrained detailing and fine spatial sequences." In 2007, the hotel received honors again from the AIA as it made the top 150 of its "America's Favorite Architecture" list.[2][3]
History
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was developed and constructed by Laurance S. Rockefeller. He visited the newly-admitted 50th state in July 1960, and was asked by Governor William F. Quinn to help develop the islands beyond Oahu for tourism. Rockefeller fell in love with Kaunaoa Bay, the hotel's future location, after going for a swim there. He secured a 99-year lease on the 500 acre location from Parker Ranch[4] owner Richard Smart in August 1961.[4]