Sorry, I just ran across this post.

To tell you the truth, I'm not completely sure whether the chess playing areas are still there. In 2003/4, the City and County of Honolulu did a Kalakaua Ave project that took away a lane of Kalakaua Ave near the Waikiki Beach area and "beautified" the sidewalk (widened, added plants, etc.). I know many of the chess playing areas were eliminated completely, but I'm not sure whether they left one or two areas.

I'm roughly 75% sure that all the chess playing areas are gone, but I could be wrong.

Otherwise, the "Beach Walk" constructing discussed supra is actually relevant to the other side of Waikiki (closest to the Halekulani) and has no bearing on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki.

Exciting Hawaii
 

We're at the Halekulani now, and it's beautiful. We were near the quake on Sunday: we were on the Big Island NW of Hilo (Palm's Cliff House in Honomu). We certainly felt it, and part of the bed canopy fell, but no serious damage. Our power was out there, but mostly had power in Hilo.

We travelled as planned to Honolulu on Sunday afternoon. AQ was running behind, but they made an announcement at one point that anyone scheduled on a later flight should come to gate 7, so we did, and ended up on a flight that was scheduled for earlier, and actually got into HNL earlier than planned.

Power was out at Halekulani until 10 PM. The orangish hotel toward Diamondhead got it about an hour earlier. Talking to various people, the latest we heard was someone who got power back at 2 AM.

The Halekulani staff is truly wonderful: even during the power outage, they were trying their utmost. And little things: at breakfast, they really wanted to find us a table with a view we liked. At other hotels with terraces, especially at free breakfast, we've had them get pretty impatient if we ask for any other table than the one they're steering us toward.

Our only complaint so far is that someone next door (apparently) is smoking in the room. The smell in our room was strong last night (with the door to the lanai closed). And even then, the staff came through. I called the manager. I don't often call the manager about another guest, but when I have, the reaction is mostly, "What am I supposed to do about it?" Here, the response was that they'd send security to look into it immediately. We heard a knock and voices next door, and the smell decreased pretty soon. It did return early this morning, so I suspect the guest is ignoring security, but that's not the Halekulani's fault.

It's a beautiful place, and we're glad to be here. The Big Island was great, we saw lava entering the sea, and waterfalls, and got to have our first earthquake. A five-star vacation so far.

Very glad you're enjoying your stay at the Halekulani. And, even more glad that the weather cleared up for your stay. Hope the rest of your stay gets even better!

PS: Roughly 40% of Oahu got their power back on from 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. Quite an experience...

I am glad you are enjoying your 5 star vacation!

Regarding the neighbor smoking in the room, the staff will happily move you to another location to avoid the smoking. What room category did you decide on? I may have some suggestions for a change of rooms if you choose to move.

Pat

Possible move
 

We had to call again late last night. Again, they were quite responsive. They said they'd look into it further, and they also came up and changed air filters and gave us an air purifier. I don't know if either one is helping, or if the party(ies) have desisted or been talked to, but things seem better, so far.

We took the partial ocean view. We got on the wait list for ocean view and for ocean front, but none were available. We assume that this is due to the travel snafus on Sunday, since we heard people at the desk negotiating for a room: they had returned from the airport, having discovered their flight was cancelled. We're in the Makai Wing, up high, with a wonderful view down toward Diamondhead (not seeing Diamondhead, of course). Everything we could ask for, save the irritation with the smokers. I think we'd probably prefer ocean view to ocean front, because we like more beach, rather than more horizon.

Thanks for your interest in this, Pat89339

Beachwalk and Halekulani
 

We've been back for a bit, and I finally have a minute to comment.

We were in the Makai (leading toward the ocean part of the ell) wing, and heard zero noise from the construction. The construction was a minor irritation at times, as it made it a little hairier to drive to and from, and we were even diverted when walking sometimes. But the impact was minimal.

As far as location, the disadvantage, if any, of Halekulani, is that it's more of a walk out to a lot of the shopping on Kalakaua Ave. It's also at the Prada/Armani/etc. end, whereas we were more interested in the more one-of-a-kind shops in the middle. A place like the Moana Surfrider is right on Kalakaua, because Waikiki curves back. Although I'm sure street noise could be an issue.

The Halekulani was wonderful, the staff is incredible. We took the Back of the House tour, as recommended by Pat89339, and you can see some of the reason why. Even adding a big grain of salt, they certainly seem to take good care of the staff. And the number of people we talked to who had been there 16, 18, 25 years seems to support that. A great experience.

Hawaii was wonderful, although we apparently had the Kona weather (we were in Honolulu for the 10 days after the earthquake), and we'd go to the Halekulani again in a heartbeat, if we ever want to travel 12 hours for a vacation again. :p

Glad to hear about your stay! :)

Chess
 

They still play chess across from the Pacific Beach Hotel (A block toward Diamond Head from the Hyatt.) Ken

Thank you, that's it the Pacific Beach Hotel! It's been a long time. I used to live at the Marco Polo on Kapiolani in the mid 80's. That was a wonderful time to live on Oahu.

Waikiki
 

It's still a wonderful time. We spend every Jan. & Feb. down the block. Ken