In 1960, Laurance S. Rockefeller was invited to visit Hawaii by Governor William Quinn. During his trip, Rockefeller scouted the area for sites to build a future resort. Inspired by the natural beauty of Kauna’oa Beach and Mauna Kea’s summit, Rockefeller built The Mauna Kea. The hotel officially opened in 1965, and at the time was the most expensive hotel ever built, clocking in at $15 million. Praise came in from all over the world, including Esquire and Fortune magazines.
With a championship golf course designed Robert Trent Jones, award-winning architecture, and a true embrace of the naturally beautiful surroundings, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel quickly became a popular resort.
As a true conservationist and outdoor-lover, Rockefeller planned for the hotel to blend with nature, not intrude upon it. Hotel guests happily went without televisions in the guestrooms until 1995 and in 1994 the hotel underwent a renovation. Today, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel remains one of the premier Hawaii resort choices for discerning travelers.