Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNLIlikai Hotel closing but homeowners there to stay

Ilikai Hotel closing but homeowners there to stay

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Al Brandle Al Brandle
Joli Tokusato Joli Tokusato
Myrna Simes Myrna Simes
The Ilikai was made famous worldwide in the opening sequence of the 1970's TV classic "Hawaii 5-0" The Ilikai was made famous worldwide in the opening sequence of the 1970's TV classic "Hawaii 5-0"

By Zahid Arab - bio | email

WAIKIKI (KHNL) - Waikiki's Ilikai hotel shot to fame after featuring scenes from the 1960's show "Hawaii Five-O."

But, as its lender refuses to front the bill for operating costs that means nearly 150 of its workers out of jobs. How will this affect the building homeowners? The answer is not at all.

About 600 units in the Ilikai are independently owned and while this might be the finale for the famed hotel, owners say now is the time to make the Ilikai shine again.

Beef. It's what's for dinner for the Brandles. But something the paper cooked up Friday morning has left a bad taste in their mouths. While it may soon be the end of the Ilikai hotel, homeowners say they're here to stay.

"We are carrying them, they're not carrying us. This property we are taking care of, they are nothing," said Homeowner Al Brandle.

Residents say Developer Brian Anderson's dropped the ball since taking over the Ilikai. Brandle says instead of paying maintenance fees, homeowners are paying to maintain the entire property. He says Anderson owes them nearly $1.5 million.

"We're paying their tab and it'd be like you living on the street and you pay every body's electric bill up and down your street. You wouldn't like it and we don't like it," said Brandle.

One of 150 workers, Joli Tokusato may soon be out of a job.

"Right now, we're very scared but we're praying for the best," said Hotel Worker Joli Tokusato.

Even long time loyal Ilikai visitors have noticed the difference the past few years.

"You know something wasn't right, they only have one pool now as opposed to two," said Chicago Visitor Myrna Simes.

As a lender's $75 million foreclosure suit will shut down the hotel, homeowners like brandle begin the battle to bring back the acclaim of the iconic Ilikai.

Homeowners are filing a lawsuit to take back control of their association board from developer Brian Anderson, a move they hope will give them the control they need to make it flourish again.

Our calls to him for comment weren't returned. We're told he's on the mainland until next week.