Our History
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SINCE THE EARLY 60’s
our storied history
Digging through its storied past, a Waikīkī icon shines again. Welcome to the Gold Coast.
Kaimana Beach Hotel, which opened in 1963 (on the site which previously held the private residence of the McInerny family in 1903), is lauded along the Gold Coast of O‘ahu, a mere mile from the vibrant heart of Waikīkī – a beloved retreat for Ali’i, rulers of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Its grounds were frequented by novelists including, Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), who found rest and poetry under the great Hau Tree grove, which stands today as the namesake of the award-winning restaurant located in the heart of the hotel.
This southern coastline emulates an iconic era of history, design, prestige and society leisure; notably with the Outrigger Canoe Club (1908) and The Elks Club (1919) who share the sandy lure of San Souci Beach and Kaimana Beach to this day.
Skirting the oceanfront edge of Queen Kapi‘olani Park and the WWI Natatorium Memorial (built in 1972), The Gold Coast is nestled under Lēʻahi, the famed Diamond Head Crater (named in the 1820s for its sparkling volcanic calcite crystals that resembled diamonds illuminated by the sun and moonglow).
Considered the most storied neighborhood on O‘ahu, this charming generational community is renowned for its single-story, Tudor-style cottages (built in the 1920s/30s). Most Coconut Grove residences are now protected by the Hawai‘i State Register of Historic Places and The National Register of Historic Places for historical significance, citing architectural distinction and at least 50-years of presence.
The Gold Coast heralds ‘the golden age’ of Waikīkī (early 20th Century) and its dazzling debut of discovery for discerning travelers from around the world. Lined in the cool shade of fragrant floral trees blooming Puakenikeni, Pakalana, Pikake and Pua Melia (popularly known as plumeria), quiet mornings beckon sunrise walks, dawn patrol surf breaks, crater hikes, and the enduring warmth of neighborly aloha. Truly, a respite of luxury and serenity, with a timeless invitation to discover its golden history, preserved for generations to come.
Kaimana Beach Hotel is honored to steward the legacy of Waikīkī’s Gold Coast on the island of O‘ahu, through thoughtful hospitality, cultural mindfulness, and its spirit of aloha.
