The first residents of a new apartment complex in Kapolei that feels like a hotel for seniors received a grand welcome along with a kahu’s blessing and a Champagne toast Tuesday as part of the project’s opening ceremony.

Kisco Senior Living, a California-based developer of senior housing, which built the 84-unit complex named ‘Ilima at Leihano, held the event after persevering through multiple delays on the roughly $30 million project.

‘Ilima resident Anky de Rochemont, 95, helped Kahu Kelekona Bishaw untie a maile lei as part of the ceremony and sipped a glass of Champagne at the event attended by about 150 people including development team members, ‘Ilima staff and government officials.

De Rochemont, who was born in Indonesia and raised mainly in Holland before moving to Hawaii in 1960, had good things to say about recently moving from an independent-living complex in Hawaii Kai to ‘Ilima with her Cavalier King Charles spaniel named La‘i, though the Champagne was a bit warm for her stomach.

“I’m a sweet girl,” she said. “Not used to drinking.”

De Rochemont was one of about 17 ‘Ilima residents who attended the ceremony around the entrance of the expansive three-story building that includes the residences, a wing for memory care, two dining rooms, a spa room, a beauty salon, an activities room with exercise equipment and a pool.

“Welcome, everybody,” said Mark Tsuda, ‘Ilima’s executive director. “I know it’s a little early in the morning for (Champagne). Our residents have worked very hard all their lives, they’ve supported their families and they deserve the quality of life that they have at this community. Cheers.”

Kisco CEO Andy Kohlberg said the family company he started in 1990 aims to provide services and amenities around apartments in which he would want his parents to live. “I think this fits the bill,” he said.

‘Ilima was initially projected to open in mid-2014 after construction began in early 2013. After a delay the building was finished in January 2016, but a state Department of Health permit to provide health-related services could not be obtained until September, which is when initial residents began moving in.

Mitch Brown, Kisco’s chief development officer, said all the effort was worth it. “It’s been a long journey to get to this day,” he said. “Like everything in Hawaii, it’s worth it in the end.”

To date, about 30 residents have moved into ‘Ilima. A staff that includes chefs, housekeepers and a hairstylist has grown to 43.

John Calleon, a 95-year-old longtime Pearl City resident and former Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard welder who moved to ‘Ilima about three weeks ago, said his new home reminds him of the many cruises he used to take with his wife, who died about 11 years ago. “This place is like a cruise ship without the ocean,” he said. “You can’t beat it.”

Monthly rent at ‘Ilima ranges from about $4,800 to $8,200 for independent living in apartments that run from 410-square-foot studios to 995-square-foot units with two bedrooms. Services for assisted living that include memory care cost extra. Others services, like haircuts in the salon for $25, also cost extra.

Included in the base rental rates are meals, weekly housekeeping, on-site activities and excursions for shopping, medical services and entertainment.

Tsuda said that depending on demand for apartments, Kisco could expand ‘Ilima onto adjacent undeveloped sites.

“This is the defining year to see what the response is to our facility,” he said.