C. Brewer and Co., a major sugar company, opened the Waiakea Resort Village and Marketplace in Hilo in 1972, part of a massive expansion that included a restaurant in Kau, the Volcano House hotel (built in 1961) and a golf course and residential units at Punaluu.

The Waiakea Resort Village was meant to resemble a pre-contact village before the arrival of Christian missionaries and also included a lagoon, waterfalls, streams, and 12 acres of gardens.

Its focus, was its 294-room hotel. Terra Ceramics was hired to create some drinking vessels for the new establishment, including a volcano mug and a bamboo server.

In October 1977, the entire resort was sold to Sheraton, which operated it for a time under its own banner. After which, it changed hands several times.

Details

Type

Resort Hotel/Gardens/Marketplace

Address

Hilo, Hawaii, United States

Closed?

Yes (Permanently)