The Queen Kapiolani Hotel, wrapping up a $35 million renovation that will reposition the resort as a four-star property, has invested in both new art and reviving the hotel's own existing collection.
Guests to the Waikiki Beach resort are now welcomed by several significant public art pieces.
"The four-star market is one of the most competitive tiers here in Waikiki, and we are moving into that category with the changes," said Joy Tomita, director of marketing at Queen Kapiolani Hotel. "We want to find ways to differentiate ourselves and to have an engaging and relatively unique experience for guests and locals alike."
Oahu resident and illustrator Nick Kuchar has created a new mural, Waikiki Fun, that incorporates Hawaii's surf culture and the tradition of ukulele music as key themes.
Waikiki native Mike Field created the mural Lei Greeter of Ulukou, done in Field's style of putting a modern twist on vintage Hawaiian iconography from the '50s and '60s. An Ulukou, is a "grove of kou trees," and was a cherished spot for the alii, Hawaiian royalty, of Waikiki. The painting depicts a woman in a red dress greeting the viewer with a yellow-flower lei with a Polynesian sailing canoe in the background.
In the lobby, guests are greeted by the whimsical "Maka and Pineapple Boy" by Katie Borden, depicting a surfing pineapple with a pup riding on the front of his red surfboard and Diamondhead in the background.
"Everyone is loving it," Tomita said. "A lot of hotels are updating and most are going in a sleek, understated, maybe trendy direction. What we're building here is a really unique brand and experience. It's energetic, vibrant and fun and it's apparent in the artwork."
The art has also served to make the lobby and other spots more "Instagrammable," Tomita said, creating more than one selfie-worthy spot. Works from Field have also been used for decoration in the Queen Kapiolani's refurbished rooms.
The midcentury modern hotel was built in 1967, and while the renovations sought to update the property and modernize amenities they also left iconic design touches in place such as the Queen Kapiolani's Victorian-style pillars, arches and iconic woodwork.
The hotel has also collaborated with Honolulu's Bishop Museum, and will be displaying vintage reprints carefully selected from the museum collection. The lobby's lighting has been upgraded and received an aesthetic upgrade, as well, with sculptural luminaries crafted by New Zealand artist David Trubridge.
As part of the renovation, the hotel's second-floor Royal Art Gallery is being redone and is scheduled to reopen to the public by late August. The gallery includes vintage oil paintings of Hawaii alii from the original hotel.
Moving forward, the Queen Kapiolani Hotel plans to offer more art-inspired programming, including painting classes and tours highlighting the property's collection, its history and significance.