The Moana Celebrates Its 107th Birthday with the Historic Hawai'i Foundation

[histori...@gmail.com]

A TIME FOR MUSIC, MEMORIES AND MORE
The Moana Celebrates Its 107th Birthday with the Historic Hawai'i
Foundation

The Banyan tree will tell you the story."
-A. Benaglia, managing director (yr 1939)

Waikīkī Beach, O'ahu - Spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon in Waikiki
with a historical storytelling and musical entertainment celebrating
more than a century of gracious hospitality at the Moana. Special
events on Sunday, March 9, 2008 are planned in celebration of the
Moana's 107th birthday. The iconic Waikiki landmark which opened in
1901, will host "A Time for Music, Memories and More" - a
complimentary historical storytelling of the hotel's turn-of-the-
century hospitality and progression of notable events and visitors
throughout the years. The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort also plans
a sophisticated "Chocolate Indulgence and Afternoon Tea" to benefit
the Historic Hawai'i Foundation.

"A Time for Music, Memories and More," is a complimentary event open
to the community from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. in the Moana's Banyan
Courtyard. The program will feature noted Hawaiian storytellers and
highlight the history and restoration of this iconic resort and the
famous guests who have passed through the 'First Lady of Waikiki.'
Celebrate the Moana's inspired legacy with a birthday cake-cutting,
Hawaiian music and keiki hula dance. Take a peek of the newly
restored Banyan Wing guest rooms, polished and sparkling new lobby
spaces and the resort's beautiful new Beachhouse restaurant.
Complimentary hotel tours will also be offered from noon-1:00 p.m. and
4:00-5:00 p.m.

Taking tea on the Veranda was an early 20th century Moana tradition.
Patrons from near and far found a perfect idyllic retreat from the
afternoon sun under the shaded canopy of the hotel's Banyan tree. The
Moana's Chocolate Indulgence and Afternoon Tea from 2:00-4:00 p.m. is
planned as a fundraiser for the Historic Hawai'i Foundation. Guests
will enjoy an afternoon of the Moana Surfrider's delightful new
chocolate-themed Afternoon Tea and leave with a special memento
celebrating the resort's birthday. A glass of chocolate liqueur
champagne, selection of finger sandwiches, selection of chocolate &
fruit scones, clotted cream and Hawaiian preserves, gourmet Hawaiian
Vintage chocolate, and chocolate-dipped strawberries will be offered
to guests amidst a choice of the Moana's specialty blend tea. Tickets
for the special event are priced at $100 per person. For
reservations, please call the Starwood Waikīkī Dining Desk at (808)
921-4600 or email trdc.w...@starwoodhotels.com.

****Historic Hawaii Foundation members can received discounted tickets
($75 each) by reserving through HHF at
http://www.historichawaii.org/Calendar_Events/Moana/moanabirthday.html
or calling 808-523-2900. Discounted member tickets are limited so
please reserve soon!****

________________________________________

Media Contacts:
Candice Kraughto
Director of Public Relations
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii
candice....@starwoodhotels.com
808-931-8232

Jill Byus Radke
Development Manager
Historic Hawai'i Foundation
ji...@historichawaii.org
808-523-2900 Ext. 23


_____________________________________________
Historic Hawai'i Foundation (HHF) was established in 1974 to encourage
the preservation of historic buildings, sites and communities on all
the islands of Hawai'i. As the statewide leader for historic
preservation, HHF works to preserve the unique architectural and
cultural heritage of Hawai'i. A membership-based organization, HHF is
a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable non-profit corporation.
_____________________________________________

Westin(R) Hotels & Resorts, with more than 135 hotels and resorts in
more than 31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels &
Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(R) (NYSE:HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in
the world with approximately 890 properties in more than 100 countries
and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood(R)
Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels
and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St.
Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Méridien(R), Sheraton(R),
Four Points(R) by Sheraton, Aloft(SM), and Element(SM). Starwood Hotels
also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier
developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership
resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
____________________________________________
Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, LP owns the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort,
as well as three Sheraton Hotels in Waikiki and the Sheraton Maui in
Kaanapali, Maui. Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, LP is one of Hawaii's
largest employers, with nearly 3,000 hotel associates in its
workforce. The hotels are a part of the 13-hotel group of Starwood-
managed properties in Hawaii.
_____________________________________________
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel
and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties
in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and
managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner,
operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following
internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R),
Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, W(R), Le Méridien(R) and the
recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. Starwood Hotels also
owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers
and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For
more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com/pressclub


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