History | Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

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The History of the Moana Surfrider

Go 125 Years Back in Time at the First Lady of Waikiki

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Hawaii's Most Iconic Hotel

Opened in 1901, the Moana Surfrider stands as Waikiki’s original icon—where Hawaiian hospitality first took root and has flourished for generations. Journey with us through the 20th and 21st centuries and discover how the Moana has touched hearts, shaped memories, and welcomed travelers from around the world.

In the Beginning

In the late 1890s, Waikiki was a swampy backwater area surrounded by duck ponds and taro fields. The beautiful beach was the site of homes of Hawaiian royalty and the wealthy kamaaina (locals).

1901

1901

Walter C. Peacock, an English businessman, envisioned Waikiki’s first true beachfront hotel, a landmark that would transform the area.
“Moana” the Hawaiian Word for Ocean

“Moana” the Hawaiian Word for Ocean

Constructed by The Lucas Brothers firm, the Moana Hotel had a grand porte-cochere on the street side and wide lanais on the ocean side.
The Moana’s Beloved Beachfront Pier

The Moana’s Beloved Beachfront Pier

In its early days, the hotel featured an iconic shoreline pier with a pavilion at the end, where guests enjoyed Hawaiian music and moonlit views.

Reaching Lovers of Hawaiian Music Around the World

In 1935, Hawaii's most beloved radio program made its debut from the Moana Hotel. Legend has it that listeners mistook the hiss of the radio transmission as the waves breaking on the beach. When learning of this, the host instructed the sound man to run down to the waterfront to record the sound, which became a staple of the show. For four decades, its warm melodies connected listeners around the world to the spirit of Waikiki, until its last broadcast in 1975.

The Banyan Courtyard

"Should you chance, in Honolulu on an evening, to find time hanging heavily on your hands, there is a place to go where even the most exciting will find interest and pleasure. Go to the Banyan Court of the Moana Hotel.” –Mary Lydia Barrette, An Evening of Enchantment, 1926.

In the center of the Moana Surfrider’s courtyard stands a large Indian banyan tree which was planted in 1904 by Jared Smith, Director of the Department of Agriculture Experiment Station. When planted, the tree was nearly seven feet tall and about seven years old. It now stands 75 feet high and spans 150 feet across the courtyard.

1941

1941

The 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor disrupted tourism, but the Moana stayed open, housing U.S. military personnel.
Tourism Boom and the Diamond Wing

Tourism Boom and the Diamond Wing

As postwar travel surged, the hotel's owners expanded to meet increasing tourism demand, adding the Surfrider Hotel—known today as the Diamond Wing.
The New Tower Wing

The New Tower Wing

In 1962, further upgrades were made, adding a 21‑story, 436‑room building known today as the Tower Wing.
Changing Hands

Changing Hands

The owner, Matson, later sold its Waikiki hotels to Sheraton, which then passed the Moana to Kyo‑ya Company, Ltd, the owner in the present day.
From Sheraton to Westin

From Sheraton to Westin

Rebranded as a Westin in 2007 after a $30M renovation, the Moana preserves its timeless elegance while embracing modern comforts and Westin wellness.

The Moana Surfrider, Today

Having celebrated its 125th anniversary, the Moana Surfrider has completed a full renovation of the 791 guest rooms & suites. Three different wings provide three distinct experiences—modern beach luxury in the Tower Wing, the restoration of a classic in the Banyan Wing, and contemporary beach loft living in the Diamond Wing.

A Fully Renovated Resort

The Moana Surfrider’s historic lobby has been refreshed with a sophisticated, tranquil aesthetic while staying true to the space’s colonial-style Victorian architecture. Notable upgrades include newly refinished original wood flooring, custom-designed transitional furnishings, and bespoke art pieces by Kristen Reyno (Lola Pilar Hawaii), incorporating botanical elements of the hotel's Banyan tree.

On-Site Historical Tour

Journey through time as our historians share stories of iconic guests, the elegant architecture, and relics from different eras on our guided historic tour. This activity is complimentary for all guests.

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

The History of the Moana Surfrider