PRINCEVILLE — Rumors that Hanalei Bay Resort in Princeville is closing are not true, HBR General Manager Scott Pacer said Saturday. Some HBR employees have suggested they may be losing their positions at the North Shore resort within the next
PRINCEVILLE — Rumors that Hanalei Bay Resort in Princeville is closing are not true, HBR General Manager Scott Pacer said Saturday.
Some HBR employees have suggested they may be losing their positions at the North Shore resort within the next month, but Pacer said these claims are unfounded.
“The resort is doing fine,” he said, adding that it is “making progress as planned.”
Also rumored to be closing and still under the ownership of Florida-based Celebrity Resorts is Happy Talk Lounge, which re-opened last summer.
When a host of inquiries were made, including how many employees could potentially be affected by such a shut down, Celebrity Resorts spokesperson Carly Powell provided a statement from the company.
“Celebrity Resorts is currently contemplating the best course of action for the Happy Talk Lounge, which could include a lease or sale of the establishment,” she wrote in an e-mail Saturday. “We would like nothing more than to continue serving visitors and local residents with great food and drinks to be enjoyed within the beautiful surroundings of Hanalei Bay. We encourage local residents and visitors to continue to support the establishment and to those who are regular customers, we appreciate your continued support.”
Also in the statement, Celebrity Resorts indicated they are seeking those “interested in leasing or purchasing the Happy Talk Lounge.”
There was no mention in the e-mail of Bali Hai Restaurant — also owned by Celebrity Resorts — which continues to remain closed.
Some 70 employees work for Trading Places International at Hanalei Bay Resort, Pacer said.
The restaurants have “nothing to do with HBR,” he added.
Since HBR owners ousted former management company Celebrity Resorts in October, California-based Trading Places International took the reins and has been in the process of “all kinds of renovations” to the 30-year-old property, Pacer said.
“The resort is going through a renaissance right now,” Pacer said.
When asked what the renovations to HBR would entail, he declined to comment at this time.
“We’re looking at all kinds of things,” he said. The new management company is “doing a good job.”
• Coco Zickos, business and environmental writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com.
