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Post Info TOPIC: 8.8.08 - we got the date!!!
ViViDogWear


Kate Spade

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8.8.08 - we got the date!!!
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I was in despair on eve of 8.8.07 - thinking I was NOT going to get a nice hotel for wedding ceremony/reception I wanted in Hawaii.  I called the main resorts and all either told me they were booked or no return calls.  I held out hope for The Kahala as they told me they didn't take resevations until a year from the date. 
At 8:02am (Hawaii time) I was on the phone w/them and told they were doing a "lottery" drawing for 8.8.08 due to so many inquiries.  Luckily though I also got a call from the Halekulani and they told me I could have a morning slot for the Hau Terrace followed by lunch reception.  I reserved it on the spot. 
Can you believe not even an hour later, the rep from The Kahala called and left a message that I also got selected in the lottery drawing for a morning ceremony w/lunch reception slot?  So now I have 2 reservations and I will need to make the deposit and decision before we leave for Malaysia & Cambodia next week! J tells me to pick what I want - and I'm 99% sure I want The Kahala.  The Halekulani is where my cousin was married at and I don't want to take "their" place even though they said it was wonderful and fine.  My only 1% on the fence is that The Kahala will cost more $$.

Here's some pics:

The Halekulani Hau Terrace and Lanai (the ceremony would be on the small lanai) - I had to "borrow" some pics from people's weddings.
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47b5d806b3127cce9225d5e4012400000016108IcOG7Fs5bE

The Kahala Hotel & Resort (Diamond Head Gazebo)
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34759733%3B%7Ffp33%3A%3Enu%3D3233%3E534%3E493%3E2324534584883ot1lsi
view from the recepition room
346%3B65974%7Ffp336%3Enu%3D3273%3E%3B7%3B%3E293%3EWSNRCG%3D3233498%3A98735nu0mrj
reception room (waialae room)
347597245%7Ffp33%3B%3Enu%3D3273%3E%3B7%3B%3E293%3EWSNRCG%3D32335%3B8%3A5%3B%3B57nu0mrj



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Teresa


Kate Spade

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wow, both are stunning. i would go with your gut, im not sure you can make a "wrong" decision on this one.

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Lilykind


Hermes

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Congratulations!!! The number 8 really is quite lucky! wink

I'm with you and would definitely choose the Kahala. The view from the gazebo and reception room sold me on it instantly.

I keep telling BF we have to do something significant on 8.08.08 too since he's Chinese (and I'm part Chinese as well)

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ranchera20


Marc Jacobs

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collegegirl5858 wrote:

wow, both are stunning. i would go with your gut, im not sure you can make a "wrong" decision on this one.


I agree! They are both great places with breath taking views!



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FashionPrincess


Hermes

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Congrats! Both are beautiful, you can't go wrong either way. And I think you picked a good date (it's my b-day wink.gif).

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tina242


Kate Spade

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Congratulations!  I think both are absolutely gorgeous, but maybe you should go with your gut - sounds like you might be leaning toward the Kahala? 

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kealoha


Kate Spade

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congratulations on landing both places.  i grew up in Kahala and even worked there during their Mandarin Oriental days.  since they changed hands, and officially became "The Kahala Hotel and Resort" in March 2006, i can't say how they hold up compared to their days as an upscale Hilton and Mandarin Oriental.

keep this in mind.  The Kahala is a truly amazing property.  it is notorious to house royalty, heads of state, millionaires and Billionaires, rock stars, actors, and just about every business leader.  as a result of their high-profile clientele, they TRULY know how to cater to their guest.  some of their staff have been there since the day they opened back in the 60s while many others have been there 10+ years.  quite typically many of their guests have been coming regularly for 10, 20, 30+ years so they also treat the staff like family, especially since we watched many of their kids grow into adults and are having kids themselves.

the kahala is about 10 minutes away from Waikiki.  it sits in an upscale neighborhood; sort of the Beverly Hills/Bel Air of honolulu.  it's also only 15 minutes away from the city, so it's not in the boonies either.  although the papparazzi somehow snag photos of celebs, they work hard to protect their guests privacy.

the Halekulani, on the other hand, is another amazing property.  they also host the rich and famous, but are right in the middle of waikiki.  they are known to have immaculate rooms and service, and are the biggest competition to the kahala.

as far as service goes, you can't go wrong with either one.  each has a level of service that is fabulous.  however, it all depends on what you want.  if you want seclusion, go with the kahala.  if you want to be in the middle of the action, go with the halekulani.

good luck with whatever you decide. smile

ETA:  here are a few photos from the restaurant my husband ran:

view from Hoku's overlooking their peninsula:


view from Hoku's overlooking the Diamond Head Gazebo:


view from Hoku's between DHG and peninsula:


-- Edited by kealoha at 20:28, 2007-08-12

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ViViDogWear


Kate Spade

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Wow Kealoha! Thos pictures sold me even more! I truly did fall in love with the Kahala as soon as I saw the pics. Thanks for all the info! I'm grateful for the firsthand opinions. I would love to try Hoku's while we are there as well. It looks gorgeous!

I've been to Waikiki about 5 times and I love it, but the thing with the weddings that bothered me were all the tourists just walking around too (usually I was a tourist). I have pretty much solidified my decision on the Kahala already. I've just decided that since I'll splurge on the location, I will scrimp and pinch pennies in other ways. Hopefully, most people will just enjoy the breathtaking scenery and not notice anything else.

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Suasoria


Chanel

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Congratulations on getting the date! You truly are a lucky woman, even without the significance of 8-8-8.

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