The Hilo Naniloa Hotel started renovating its Mauna Loa tower Wednesday as part of an $18.5 million makeover.
The Hilo Naniloa Hotel started renovating its Mauna Loa tower Wednesday as part of an $18.5 million makeover.
Ed Bushor, president of managing partner Tower Development, said renovations will occur two floors at a time in the 142-room tower, with some completed rooms becoming available about the end of the year.
Renovations are scheduled to be complete in the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea towers March 31, with the smaller Kilauea tower opening by June 1, he said.
“Today is a big day for us,” Bushor said.
Once completed, the rooms will have two-way mirrors that will allow guests to see panoramic views of Hilo Bay throughout their rooms, he said.
Renovations at the 388-room hotel on Banyan Drive are being performed by Bushor’s Honolulu-based Tower Construction. He said workers from Oahu and the Big Island will be used, with about 200 construction jobs created.
The hotel, which remains open, employs 45 people. That will increase to 150 after renovations are complete, said General Manager Terry Dowsett.
Bushor said the hotel will feature a museum theme that will showcase the history and culture of the Big Island.
The hotel recently entered into a partnership with DoubleTree in May and will become a franchise after renovations are complete, he said.
WHR LLC, which owns the hotel, acquired it in December 2013.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.