AAA anounced yesterday that two venerable hotels, The Kahala Mandarin Oriental and the Halekulani were each lowered to 4 Diamond status for 2002. Leaving Oahu without a 5 diamond hotel.

Prior to 2002, The Halekulani had held 5 Diamond status for 16 consecutive years. The Kahala Mandarin(formerly the Kahala Hilton) had been 5 Diamond for the past 3 years.

Statewide Hawaii has three -5 Diamond award properties:Maui has two, the Four Seasons Wailea and the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.The Big island has the Four Seasons Hualalai.

I didn't realize this but of the 30,000+ hotels that AAA ranked for 2002, only 33 will be awarded 5 Diamond status.