Think Pink
Royal Hawaiian Hotel / Joan Didion, like so many writers, has often described her love for Hawaii and her affection for the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. She stayed there many times with her family over the years—once, famously, on an extended stay in Honolulu that was planned as a way to stop the collapse of her marriage (successfully so).
Didion’s connection to the Pink Palace reflects what makes the Waikiki landmark so impossibly romantic. The Royal Hawaiian, which opened in 1927, represents Waikiki’s first coming-of-age into a world that was long unaware of the Islands, an introduction of Honolulu to those not lucky enough to have been born here, but lucky enough to travel here and smart enough to fall in love with the place. Old Hollywood, when it was still young itself, flocked here on ships (Rolls Royces and all.)
The local grudge against Waikiki —despite the fact that it’s our economic lifeblood—can be ugly, even if wholly understandable. Too often, we avoid entire areas of O’ahu simply to stay away from throngs of visitors.
But it’s worth it to fight your way into the heart of Waikiki to spend an evening at the Royal Hawaiian for the hotel’s grand re-opening gala because after more than seven months of renovations, the Pink Palace surpasses its original splendor. Ticket prices are steep but it’s an event that will include performances from Grammy-winning musicians, a historic pictorial exhibit and fine wine-paired meals. The highlight of the night, though, may well be a performance from 101-year-old Bill Tapia, who played the ‘ukulele for the hotel’s grand opening and—82 years later—will perform once again.
Even if your entertainment budget doesn’t extend into gala territory, make your way to the Royal Hawaiian another night. The coral-colored hotel represents the Waikiki that so many have fallen in love with and the view of Diamond Head from the beachfront, which looks beautiful in its familiarity to us, can’t help but call to mind all the endless summers that Honolulu has graciously shared with the world.
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