The restored artworks and antiques from Hawai‘i, Asia, and the Pacific are now digitally accessible, reinforcing the hotel’s legacy of cultural stewardship and sustainable progress.
Kohala Coast, Hawai'i (April 16, 2025) – As part of its 60th anniversary celebration this year, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, a treasured gem on the Kohala Coast – Hawaii Island’s famed Gold Coast – is proud to announce the unveiling of the first phase of its multi-million-dollar restoration and stabilization initiative designed to preserve and protect its celebrated Rockefeller-commissioned Art Collection, showcased throughout the hotel. This comprehensive project, in partnership with Hawaii’s premier art specialists at Island Eclectic focuses on safeguarding one of the resort’s most iconic and culturally significant features: its renowned collection of over 550 antiques and artwork commissioned by the hotel’s founder, Laurence Rockefeller, in the 1960s. Alongside the hotel’s broader commitment to cultural preservation through the preservation of its art collection and environmental sustainability, the newly launched web-based art app offers guests a self-guided, paperless tour designed to deepen understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the collection—highlighting treasured pieces such as Hawaiian quilts and kapa. Complemented by an educational podcast, the new web-based app provides an immersive, low-impact way to engage with the resort’s artistic legacy. Guests can browse by location, medium, or cultural origin, and access detailed descriptions—including artist information, provenance, and interpretive insights.
“We are honored to steward these incredible works of art, which not only represent the artistry of Hawaii’s traditions but also embody the spirit and history of the islands and other places in the world,” said Kansas Hendersen, Hotel Manager of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. “From intricate Hawaiian quilts and kapa to rare antiques and artifacts from across the Pacific and Asia, each piece tells a special story. Initiated in 2016 in partnership with Hawaii’s Bishop Museum, this restoration project reflects a painstaking, multi-step effort to carefully stabilize and revive each piece—ensuring that their cultural significance, delicate craftsmanship, and the stories they carry are preserved for generations to come.”
The extraordinary collection, spanning 800 years of history, ranges from sculptures and antiques from Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Rim, to native Hawaiian kapa, carvings and quilts. Restoring and preserving these cultural treasures has been a rigorous, multi-year effort requiring the expertise of art and antique specialists. Each piece has been treated with exceptional care to honor its origin, materials, and craftsmanship. One such example is a Japanese tansu—a traditional mobile storage chest from the 18th century—whose restoration included the use of a handmade electrolysis machine, built by the antique specialist himself, to carefully clean and preserve the original iron hardware. For elements too far gone to be salvaged, replacement parts were sourced directly from the same town in Japan where the tansu was originally crafted, ensuring cultural and material authenticity. This level of detail, repeated hundreds of times across the collection, reflects the hotel’s deep commitment to cultural preservation and historical integrity.
Two of the rarest and most culturally defining pieces are the kapa artwork and the 30 Hawaiian quilts, which were both personally commissioned by Laurance Rockefeller himself. The fourteen exquisite kapa creations were crafted by the renowned Hawaiian kapa artist, Malia Blanchard Solomon, a.k.a. “Auntie Malia.” Rare kapa clothes were crafted using antique, undyed kapa—traditional Hawaiian bark cloth made from the wauke (mulberry) tree, some pieces estimated to be over 100 years old. Using natural dyes and hand-carved stamps, the artwork features striking geometric designs with rich colors like red-brown, black, and vibrant blue. Solomon's work blends ancient patterns with modern artistry, making these kapa pieces both historically significant and visually captivating, and the restoration of these masterpieces pays tribute to Solomon's craftsmanship and the enduring legacy of Hawaiian kapa-making.
Concurrently, the quilts were crafted under the expert supervision of the renowned local quilt artist, Meali'i Kalama. A central figure in Hawaii’s quilting tradition, Kalama worked with a group of talented women from the community to produce each quilt using a distinctive pink applique technique. The quilts were designed to honor the cultural heritage of Hawaii and reflect the deep-rooted quilting traditions of the islands, which span over a century.
Rockefeller, a visionary with a deep respect for Hawaiian culture, sought to honor the islands' rich history as part of his broader mission to create a hotel that would blend seamlessly with the natural beauty of its surroundings. To ensure the quilts were created with authenticity and reverence, he turned to his close friend, Reverend Abraham Akaka, an influential member of the local community and the minister of Oahu’s Kawaihao Church. Reverend Akaka introduced Rockefeller to Kalama, and together, they embarked on the creation of these masterpieces, each featuring a different floral motif: hibiscus, silversword, and the resort's signature orange plumeria.
In addition to these commissioned quilts, Kalama also gifted an additional quilt Rockefeller with a special print of the Hawaiian flag, representing a unique fusion of history and artistry. Hawaiian quilts hold great symbolic value, as the medium is believed to embody the "mana" (spiritual energy) of the quilter. The distinctive designs and the meticulous crafting of each quilt, with over 2 million individual stitches, reflect the skill, devotion, and cultural pride of the women who created them. The quilts also carry significant historical meaning, having symbolized loyalty to Queen Lili‘uokalani during the overthrow of the monarchy.
Now housed in Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s seventh-floor gallery, the quilts form the largest standing exhibit of this medium in the state, providing guests with a rare and immersive opportunity to experience Hawaii’s quilting heritage. Each quilt, which took over 1,000 hours to create, showcases the extraordinary craftsmanship and vibrant cultural traditions of the Hawaiian people.
The hotel’s newly unveiled restoration and stabilization project will ensure the long-term preservation of these invaluable works of art, safeguarding their legacy for future generations. The initiative includes professional conservation efforts to protect the pieces from the elements, stabilize their fabric and materials, and preserve their intricate details.
As part of the hotel’s commitment to cultural preservation, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel continues to celebrate Hawaii’s heritage by its renowned art collection with visitors from around the world. The project and the launch of the new guest amenity via the App, represents a significant investment in the future of the collection and its significance to the hotel, preserving the rich history of Hawaii through art, culture, and community.
For more information about Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and its art collection and new art collection App, please visit www.maunakearesort.com and https://www.maunakearesort.com/art-app.
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ABOUT MAUNA KEA BEACH HOTEL
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property, has been one of Hawai‘i Island’s most iconic resorts since its opening in 1965. Developed by Laurance S. Rockefeller, the resort was designed to harmonize with the natural beauty of the Kohala Coast. Inspired by the turquoise waters of Kaunaʻoa Bay and the Mauna Kea summit, Rockefeller’s vision created a timeless destination where aloha and elegance meet. Today, the resort offers 252 newly renovated guest rooms and suites, a museum-worthy collection of Asian and Pacific art; the island’s first-ever golf course, the award-winning Mauna Kea Golf Course recently re-designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., award-winning Seaside Tennis Center featuring 9 oceanfront tennis courts and eight pickleball courts, easy access to two of Hawaii’s most stunning white sand beaches. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel shares 1,839 acres of oceanfront property with The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Residences, forming the heart of the Mauna Kea Resort.
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