(Instrumental music) What does he do if he doesn’t  have his swimming pal?

(Instrumental music) So they put a goldfish in his... (Instrumental music) Eva Brub:   Good morning, Halekulani Hotel…I’ll connect you   with the dining room now.

Just a moment  please.

Yes it is Kamaʻāina Day.

Alrighty.

(Instrumental music) Jerry, hey!

Oh my gosh, how are you?

Good morning.

How are you?

Randy Lee: Little did we know, when we spent so  much of our early years on this beach surfing,   and in particular right outside of the Halekulani.

I can remember one event filled day in a canoe   with some of our hardy Hawaiian paddlers that we  got thrown in some of the very big surf.

The surf   outside of the Halekulani is called populars,  and very seldom do people canoe out there,   because the coral is so close to the surface.

And  we spent most of one afternoon paddling out of or   bailing out one of these canoes, that someday  we would have a different vantage point, as we   would look out to the surfers and the canoes, and  we would yearn for those days.

And do you know,   in the 16 years we've been here, we haven't been  in the water or in a canoe since, and so anyone   that talks about all of those advantages of being  here in management, they really haven't worked out   as we would have liked, but it's in reminiscing,  in some of those things that have I think time has   taken the toll of where we take a look at these  pictures and see a creation that mother nature and   the Good Lord put together, such as the Lewers  Home.

Can you ever imagine anyone improving on   that unfortunately today, and we find ourselves  in that predicament here that no longer is it   feasible, or what is the proper word for it, Doug?

To recreate something like this and allow a place   like the Halekulani intact.

As the both of you  know from the time that you've been coming here,   some of our garden spots and our little vantage  point and in the grounds that we have here,   which were sought after 15 years ago, no longer  are, are attractive for a number of reasons.

The   buildings that have taken place, we now have a  massive seven story garage sitting just behind   one of our our very favorite bungalows that was  nestled in a in a private garden.

But when we   think back to the beginning and the origins, you  know, one of the interesting things.

Of course,   the buildings and they, fortunately, they referred  to as the recreation of the Lewers Home.

The main   building will remain in the reconstruction.

But that original building, of course, is the   reason for everything else that has followed.

And of course Robert Lewers and his family   who particularly had a great interest in seeing  Clifford Kimball become the operator initially,   and then the owner of the property, talks a great  deal of about the kind of people that were here.

And of course, Lewers, in the tradition, the  name whereby friendly natives who were offered   the shade of those how trees of ours were, where  those that gave the name to this property when   Lewers owned it, and called it the Halekulani, the  house befitting heaven because it offered shade   and comfort to the native and in time, little did  he know that we would be offering shade, comfort   and hospitality to visitors from across the world.

And again, making friendships that are binding,   such as those that we share and we cherish with  people like the Merediths and others like you.

And   now coming twice a year to our watering hole  where you are refreshed and see these things   that we hope we don’t take for granted.

Some of  these other shots, interestingly enough, the Grys   Cottage which is now bungalow 21 was originally  operated by the Grays family.

And it is the beach   in front of the hotel that's referred to as the  Grays beach, and it got its name from the family,   initially.

The Kimballs decided to acquire the  Grays facility when they were redesigning their   kitchen, and Mrs. Gray decided that she would sell  to the Kimballs.

And it was the first move outside   of what was called the Kimball fee to acquire  additional property.

And the Grays property,   this particular property in this area, which  included the Grays and the property we're   sitting on right now, was the next step.

And then  lastly, was the the, the parcel now, which is on   the Diamond Head end of our property referred  to as as the Allen's Heirs or the original Mark   Robinson lease.

And so in total, the five and  a half acres started with 121,000 square feet,   which was the original Lewers home and it's it's  adjoining cottages.

And of course, when we talk   about the Lewers home we have to talk in terms of  when this all happened because Waikīkī was rural   in nature.

The property across the street like  most of the surrounding area was all in grazing.

And of course, many, many low lying marsh areas.

So little by little, the Halekulani grew, and   along with it, we were able to do things for  more guests than when they initially began with   about 30 rooms.

We ended up with almost 200 and of  course, when the renovation program is completed,   there will be over 400 rooms, which appears to  be the economic necessity as time relates to   income and financial responsibility.

But when you  think that an investment of $1,200 started this   magnificent dream, of course, Walter Dillingham  played a key role.

He and Clifford Kimball became   friends initially in Massachusetts in Harvard,  and he was responsible for Mr. Kimball coming to   the islands and operating the Haleiwa Hotel.

Of course, he met and married Juliet King,   and with their two boys, eventually operated the  hotel for four decades.

You know, it's the care   and interest, and sincerely, that's exactly  what it is.

We're interested in your welfare   and to see that you're satisfied.

It's amazing.

I've witnessed kamaʻāina days now, over the last   six years, and I, there is a difference and a,  you know, an originality with each one of them.

Doug: Oh yes.

Randy Lee: It's the marvelous thing  about it.

It's that spontaneity, Doug: Spontaneity, itʻs marvelous.

Randy Lee: Right?

Exactly.

Good morning, Chef Blanchard.

We’re certainly in the center   of activity here.

Is it always so busy like this?

Chef Blanchard: Oh, on a Tuesday yes we’re always   this busy.

We’ve been very  busy for the Kamaʻāina Days.

What do you prepare here?

This looks  very special this kind of food.

Chef Blanchard: Well on the  menu today we have Kalua Pig.

We have Chicken Lūʻau and Hawaiian  Stew.

Wel this morning we have the   breakfast where we do the popovers and the  Benedicts that the Halekulani is famous for.

Yeah I understand that  popovers are a tradition here.

Chef Blanchard: They have been for, I guess,  the last tenty years.

The Halekulani being,   that it is one of the last old hotels on the  beach, we have a very good rapport with the   local people.

And I think it’s a very nice  thing that they do with the Kamaʻāina Days.

Malia: Well, itʻs always busy on Kamaʻāina Day and  that’s what it is today.

We always have our ladies   around doing their quilting and other crafts.

Most of all we have fun.

And most of all people   come to enjoy the Halekulani.

Maybe you’d like  to know how the Kamaʻāina Day started?

Well I   tell you it was a day where it was just raining  cats and dogs.

And it was just so gloomy.

So   Mr. Lee our General Manager said, well what are  we going to do?

So then he said, well maybe we   should get a band in.

And it was all dark, all the  curtains were down.

Okay we got the band in.

And   then it just wasn’t quite enough yet.

Then we saw  a friend in the audience and we said okay, Moki,   you’re gonna dance.

Then I said oh, I’ll dance if  Mama Loki dances and before you know it wow, we’re   having a barrel of fun and then somebody said,  hey, how often you folks do this?

And I said, oh,   only when it rains.

They didn’t have any idea that  was the first day we were doing it.

And that’s   when it started and it’s been very successful  since that Tuesday.

Been filled every Tuesday.

We had as many as about 700 one day when it was  Kamaʻāina Day, not Kamaʻāina Day but Kamehameha   Day it was that time.

And that Kamaʻāina Day we  had, it was 700, we had two bands, it went all   the way outside.

It was fun.

But itʻs always fun,  though.

People have found a place where they can   come and meet their friends and sometimes meet a  family they haven’t seen in a long time.

They say,   ooh, I haven’t seen you in forever, how are you?

And it’s kiss, kiss, kiss.

And it’s that kind of   thing and it has been since we began.

And people  come from all over the world to be with us on   Kamaʻāina Day.

We even has a reservation one time  from Paris.

I was so surprised.

Where you coming   from?

Paris!

I couldnʻt believe it.

But they come  from all over.

So itʻs an enjoyable day for us.

And itʻs important to you that you  keep the sort of aloha spirit and   Hawaiian feeling going everywhere  you are, isnʻt that so Aunty Malia?

Malia: Yes, but with us it’s just natural.

Itʻs always been with us and it’s kinda,   it’s a kind of thing that we  never called it aloha spirit,   but it was just you, you know.

And we continue to be like that.

Tell us something about Mama  Loki.

Where she comes from.

Malia: Mama Loki is like my mom.

She came to me  when I had Ulu Mau Village.

She’s been with me   about twenty years.

And she’s one of Hawaiʻi’s  finest quilters.

And she really is a gem.

Mrs.   Cornwell, she came to enjoy Kamaʻāina Day  and we met her here.

And she is, of course,   equally as precious in quilting.

And she shares with us, many times,   the quilts that she has made over the years.

And we are very grateful to her.

Today she   brought a whole bag full for us to see.

And  we do enjoy her quilts as well as our own.

And where does she come from, Aunty Malia?

Aunty Malia: Oh she rode in  all the way from Nānākuli.

(Singing) ka puana Kuʻu home i Lahaina  I piha me ka hauʻoli.

Haʻina ʻia mai   ka puana Kuʻu home i Lahaina I piha me ka houʻli.

(Applause) Aunty Malia:   Okay, I guess you know who’s playing today,   Leilani Mendez and her group.

And they’re  really good, too.

You can hear the music,   fun music.

And I don’t know who else we’re  gonna have, it’s all impromptu.

You know   that.

And you gon’ sing and you gon’ dance.

It’s like that around here Kamaʻāina Day.

(Singing Noho Paipai) Pupue iho au i mehana Hone   ana o uese i kuʻu poli.

Pupue iho au i  mehana Hone ana o uese i kuʻu poli.

Me   he ala nō e ʻī mai ana ʻAuhea kuʻu lei   rose lani?

Me he ala nō e ʻī mai ana ʻAuhea  kuʻu lei rose lani?

Inā ʻo you me aʻu Kau pono i   ka noho paipai.

Inā ʻo you me  aʻu Kau pono i ka noho paipai.

(Singing Hanalei Moon) Hanalei, Hanalei moon   Is lighting beloved Kauaʻi Hanalei, Hanalei moon Aloha nō wau iā ʻoe Aloha nō wau iā ʻoe.

Now how long have you been a professional Kealoha?

Kealoha Kalama: Oh, gee, I started  professionally back in 19, oh gee 1958 You have many years of experience haven’t you?

Kealoha Kalama: Right, right.

And you’ve played all kinds of hotels.

Kealoha Kalama: Oh, all different hotels.

And how do you feel about  being a professional here?

Kealoha Kalama: It’s alright.

It’s great.

Is it different from others… Kealoha Kalama: The thing is, you  know, when people say professional,   it’s just that, we love entertainment.

We  were brought up in it right?

I know I was,   in a home where we always had entertainment.

We  always had parties.

So it’s, it’s in my blood,   especially for the local people this is great.

Kamaʻāina show is, I started here maybe about   seven years ago.

We first started maybe about a  year after when Kamaʻāina show started.

There’s   other hotels who have Hawaiian entertainment but  you have to go out there and eat, and, you know,   pay all that sum of money.

I know, I’m in the  business and I know how much you have to pay.

(Singing in Hawaiian) What we always try to say Is that  regardless of number of years;   years don’t count.

Numbers don’t  count.

It’s the way you think.

And   this is what we’re doing, we’re trying  to think young and we’ll be 39 forever.

I don’t think this is a hotel.

This is a  family.

And we’ve come to join our family.

The other guests are family.

We’re  part of the family.

And the staff   and the management are part of the family.

And we get along like a wonderful family.

First place, this has the friendliness.

You can go to the Shagri-La in Singapore   and stay for ten days and have the hostess  in the coffee shop not even say good morning   to you.

I made it a little game trying to  get her to smile at me and say good morning   and not once in ten days.

Now that would never  happen with any of the people that work here.

And it’s just strictly everybody looking  out for your concern and we don’t,   you don’t find anything here from a  business transaction or where they’re   trying to make a fast dollar turnover.

That’s  about the difference is this one is a cottage   hotel.

The others are granite structures and  elevators.

You don’t, they’re hotels.

This is   not a hotel.

This should be the Halekulani  Beach Club is what they should call it.

Randy Lee: There are other things that have  happened over the years and the guest activities   that have made this relationship a special one.

You've been a part of this, and certainly over   the last 10 years, know more about the guests and  their desires, their whims, their constructive   criticism and those things you must have your  own stories to tell that are very interesting.

Bernie Hardy: It has been a fantastic association  with our guests.

I think we just They're like   family.

When they come home, we run out and greet  them like it's mother and daddy or uncle and aunty   coming home.

One of our very special events is the  cocktail party every Tuesday night, which usually   there are several of us at.

Randy brings his wife,  Sunny down now and then to greet the guests.

And   we have Wanda in the line, Joaquin.

And every  time these people go through every Tuesday night,   as our people go through the line, they remind  us what a wonderful place this is to be.

I love the Halekulani mainly because  of the the employees here.

They're all   so friendly and so outgoing, and  they make us all feel so welcome.

We've said it's the only place where  there's any sanity left in in Waikīkī.

Charm.

It just has charm.

That’s  what’s beautiful about it.

It’s like coming home.

It’s part of my  family and it’s part of my tradition.

I like everything.

The Halekulani is just as coming home from a trip.

The beauty of it.

It’s home.

I’ve loved it always.

I’ve lived here most, the   early part of my life and it’s  one of the traditional spots.

Kanoe Miller:   Well I’ve been Dancing here at the  Halekulani for about four years,   now.

When I first got hired to dance here  I was really excited and every day I look   forward to coming to work and still do.

This has been pretty much my favorite job.

Why is that?

Well, because at, in other jobs that I’ve  worked at there were usually large busloads   of tourists coming in in a same show type  format.

But when I work here at Halekulani   Hotel, we do something.

New every night,  and we always try to fit in with the mood   of the people.

And it's always a pleasure to me,  because instead of bussing tourists in and out,   I get to talk to people and get to know them  a whole lot better.

And when I dance for them,   I really am dancing for them.

I'm  not dancing to them or at them.

Thank you Thank you so much, real, real pleasure.

It’s lovely.

Randy Lee: Our rewards have been many but I would  venture to say that for the staff, all of us here,   it is really the anticipation of the renewal of  friendships that have taken place over the years   that have made our jobs so absolutely beneficial  and have motivated, I think, so many in the staff   to remain as long as they have, And to continue to  have that same basic enthusiasm, year after year,   and without exception, to come each day with  great anticipation of the opportunities that   lie ahead.

And if we're really putting this in  perspective, wasn't it that one young lady who   had traveled with her family, and she was young,  I believe, only 14 or 15, and had traveled most of   her life with her family, and had gone to so many  places at a very early age.

And wrote and said,   Mr. Lee, you know, ever since I can remember,  we've traveled around the world and visited very   special places.

And she said at the Halekulani,  we felt, at least I did, that this, above all,   was truly an exceptional experience, because  in The Halekulani, you had an unhotelish Hotel.

ʻOli ē!

ʻOli ē!

Mai nā   aheahe makani e pā mai nei Mau ke  aloha, no Hawaiʻi E hauʻoli nā ʻōpio   o Hawaiʻi nei ʻOli ē!

ʻOli ē!

Mai nā  aheahe makani e pā mai nei Mau ke aloha,   no Hawaiʻi Mau ke aloha no Hawaiʻi.