Negotiations continue at Whalers pub

The owners of Whalers Brewpub at the Kauai Lagoons plan to continue operation while details are worked out for the renovation of the restaurant site proposed by Chicago businessman Harry Witz.

The restaurant will continue serving lunch and dinner from 11 a.m until 9 p.m.

“We will continue to operate the bar and serve our great food until all the negotiations between Harry J’s and Whalers are accomplished,” said Shu Li Tsai, general manager and partner of the pub.

Harry J’s LLC and Whalers Brewpub entered into a contract last summer for the transfer of the Whaler’s lease.

In the meantime, Golf BC of Vancouver, British Columbia, acquired the property October 1, known as Kauai Lagoons.

Included are the Mokihana and Kiele Golf Courses, as well as the area known as Fashion Landing, on which the Whalers Brewpub sits.

“Both the buyers and the sellers remain committed to closing this deal as quickly as possible,” said spokesman for Harry J’s, Jim Wheatley. “What’s happened is that the underlying real estate has been acquired by a company that is understandably taking some time to get their new development plans in order. Some of Harry J’s design depends a lot on what the overall plan by GolfBC is going to be, so we’re stuck in a position of having to be patient while they get all their studies and surveys done,” said Wheatley.

Soon after their purchase of the property, GolfBC spokesman Don Lee announced the intention to “highlight Kauai Lagoons as a world-class resort, increase its visibility and bring additional resort elements.”

“We’re still very confident that we’ll be able to bring an exciting new restaurant/bar and entertainment venue to Kaua‘i,” said Wheatley.

The public response to the concept has been overwhelmingly positive and we, quite frankly, can’t wait to get moving on this. GolfBC appears to be a great company and we’re very optimistic that we can work things out.”