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Owners of the Modern Honolulu, formerly named the Waikiki Edition, have temporarily closed the property’s signature nightclub Crazybox following a trademark dispute.
The nightclub’s closure is the latest development in a power struggle between hotel owners M Waikiki LLC and Marriott International. M Waikiki, made up of about 75 investors, dismissed Marriott as property manager during a 2 a.m. Sunday raid on the hotel and appointed Modern Management Services, an affiliate of Aqua Hotels & Resorts, to run the property.
Marriott countered on Wednesday with a court order from a New York judge authorizing them to return to the property; however, M Waikiki filed bankruptcy effectively thwarting the move. During the transition, the property lost its right to serve liquor or provide spa services.
The Honolulu Liquor Commission granted Modern Honolulu a temporary liquor license on Thursday enabling the hotel to keep open its food and beverage outlets including The Lobby Bar, The Bar at Sunrise Pool, The Bar at Private Sunset Beach and the Morimoto Waikiki restaurant.
“The liquor license ensures employees at The Modern Honolulu can remain on the job,” said Ben Rafter of Modern Management Services. “We invite our guests, as well as local residents to join us at our bars and restaurants and experience the luxury lifestyle of The Modern Honolulu.”
However, guests will have to wait longer to use the property’s spa or to visit its on-site nightclub. Modern Honolulu said it would use contractors to provide in-room spa services to guests until a spa license is reissued.
The former Crazybox nightclub will reopen under a new name soon. In the meantime, several scheduled private events will take place at the now nameless venue.
