Laurance Rockefeller’s vision transformed the Kohala Coast

Fifty years ago John and Jerol-Ann Gallucci of Gig Harbor, Wash., encountered cattle as they drove up the road to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. The resort, like the honeymooners, was just starting out.

"We both had been to Honolulu before, but we had never visited the neighbor islands," Jerol-Ann Gallucci said. "It was exciting. After we got off the private plane in Waimea, we got into an open jeep. The cattle kept crossing the road, and I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, how primitive.’"

But the couple’s impressions changed for the better when they caught a glimpse of Laurance Rockefeller’s $15 million mega-structure, which seemed to float over the sparking waters and white crescent sand of Kaunaoa Bay.

"It seemed so remote, but once we were on the grounds, the property was so magical that it still brings tears to my eyes," Gallucci said. On its opening day of July 24, 1965, the Mauna Kea was one of the most expensive hotels ever built.

Today the property is recognized as one of Hawaii’s most iconic. And, as such, its current ownership group, Seibu Holdings, parent company of Prince Resorts, is celebrating with a host of anniversary-related festivities. Craig Anderson, Mauna Kea’s vice president of operations, said events teed off in December with the 41st annual Mauna Kea Pro-Am and will continue throughout 2015 with an employee giving campaign,"50 Acts of Aloha."

At its halfway point, Anderson said, the campaign already has netted 511 volunteer hours, raised about $130,000 in donations and collected about 6,579 pounds of food for Hawaii Food Basket.

"We’d like to cap off at over $250,000, and we expect by the time that we are done that as many as 50 agencies will benefit," Anderson said.

Rockefeller’s chosen site had no roads, power or water. But that didn’t stop him from building the resort, starting with a Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf course that was christened by "The Big 3" — Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer — in December 1964.

"If you are Rockefeller you can do that. Mauna Kea is in the same breath as the Halekulani and the Kahala," said Joseph Toy, president and CEO of hotel consultancy Hospitality Advisors LLC. "It’s at the top of the food chain for Hawaii’s luxury market."

Toy said Mauna Kea’s success as the second master-planned community after Kaanapali, Maui, led to the development of more fine resorts and golf courses. Rockefeller’s pioneering efforts launched what is now Hawaii’s exclusive Kohala Resort, where some of the toniest properties cater to world’s uber-wealthy. Even today, Toy said, the property is well positioned among its exclusive Kohala Coast competitors whose rooms fetch from $250 to more than $1,000 nightly.

"It’s one of those iconic independent hotels with a long, rich history in this state," Toy said. "It attracted iconic general managers like Adi Kohler, who set the tone for the property and a high-level guest experience."

But when Rockefeller started, he had only a dream: to turn one of his favorite swimming holes into a luxury camp offering fine food and first-class amenities without the distraction of radios and televisions.

It was 1965, so smoking was permitted, but all rooms came with two twin beds because double beds were thought to be risque. Opening room rates started at $43 per night and included a mandatory eating plan.

Rockefeller had an equally ambitious vision for his hotel campus. Construction materials included 54,000 square feet of Mexican flagstone, 5,000 square feet of Italian marble, 30,000 square feet of local lava, one mile of Narra wood, 11 miles of pipe, 1,700 tons of reinforcing steel and 20,242 cubic yards of concrete. For the roof, black beach pebbles were trucked in from 90 miles away.

The hotel’s lobby was designed to feature Hawaii’s first retractable roof, a skylight that could be closed in case of rain. Walls were painted the color of the sand, and signature blue tile floors led all the way to the ocean view. The resort’s bright-orange plumeria logo adorned everything from china to stationery, uniforms, show caps, shoehorns, golf balls, ashtrays and matchboxes.

Rockefeller brought in artwork from India, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Melanesia and Polynesia, connecting Western guests to Eastern inspiration. He also commissioned the women of Kawaiaha’o Church on Oahu to make 30 Hawaiian quilts, with more than a million stitches each. For the grounds, he brought in 200,000 plants of more than 200 varieties.

Rock Hudson, Duke Kahanamoku, Emperor Hirohito and Empress Showa were among the resort’s early guests. Indeed, Gallucci recalls rooming next to Kahanamoku, who was celebrating his 75th birthday at the resort.

"The resort was still really new, so there weren’t that many people staying there. There were about 30 guests total, and I would say about 25 of them were Duke’s friends and family," she said. "It was so meaningful for John and I to watch them celebrating his birthday. They had three generations there, and I always thought that was the beginning of generations returning to Mauna Kea."

All told, the Galluccis have returned to the resort at least a dozen times, often bringing friends and family. One of their twin daughters, Gina, honeymooned at the resort, which their grandchildren also love.

"Some things have changed. They expanded by adding a beach wing and an eighth floor," she said. "They also closed for a few years following an earthquake in 2006, but when they opened they were as good as ever."

Gallucci said it’s hard to put into words the depth of what the hotel has come to mean to her family.

"It’s our favorite place. It’s like home for us," she said. "We are looking forward to returning … with our children and grandchildren to celebrate the resort’s anniversary, which falls on my husband John’s birthday. Of course, we’ll also get to celebrate our own anniversary."

 Anderson said many staff members and their families also have developed lasting ties to the resort. Eleven employees have been with the hotel for at least 40 years, and of those, two have worked at the property for half a century.

"We have multigenerations of repeat guests and team members who have been serving them," Anderson said. "The hosts in the restaurant may have greeted parents, children and grandchildren. It’s one big ohana."

Eva Caravalho, a culinary worker who joined Mauna Kea’s staff 43 years ago, said she’s been blessed to encounter many of the people — some famous — who have made the resort so unique. Once she even got to serve rolls to Rockefeller.

"He was very quiet and very polite. I didn’t even know who he was until he signed the check," she said. "Our manager used to always tell us, do your best and you won’t have worries. I’m glad that I listened. I hope I did a good job."

Wes Yamamoto has been at the hotel for 41 years, working his way up from a steward to a meat cutter. "Mauna Kea became a big help in supporting the families. Two of my sisters and my parents worked here, and my son and a brother are here now."

Yamamoto said the first employees worked to make Mauna Kea a model for luxury tourism, and those there now still set the pace.

"Mr. Rockefeller had his vision, and when it started to build and he opened the resort, it brought such a rainbow of hope for all people," Caravalho said. "That’s why we were all committed to doing a good job. That’s why we remain committed today."

Without the growth of tourism that Mauna Kea brought, Caravalho said, Hawaii island would have encountered great economic challenges.

"Three generations of my family — my mom, my siblings, my husband, myself and my children — all worked at Mauna Kea," she said. "Because of this hotel, we were able to put all three of my kids through college and help all of them buy homes. We’ve been able to live our dream.".