The Neighborhood
Mauna Kea Resort, Kohala Coast.
A premier resort destination spanning 1,800 acres on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, founded by Laurance S. Rockefeller in 1965. Anchored by two of Hawaii's most celebrated beaches, two championship golf courses, a transformative new luxury spa, and oceanfront tennis, Mauna Kea Resort is one of the most enduring and prestigious resort communities in the Pacific.
What makes this area distinct
A resort built around the ocean, not the other way around.
Two premier beaches minutes away
Kaunaoa (Mauna Kea) Beach and Hapuna Beach are both ranked among the best in Hawaii. Kaunaoa is a pristine crescent of white sand within the resort; Hapuna, a short drive north, stretches for nearly half a mile and is consistently named one of Hawaii's finest shores by Travel + Leisure.
Championship golf, shaped by three generations of Jones
The Mauna Kea Golf Course was carved from raw volcanic lava by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and opened in 1964. His sons Bobby and Rees Jones both contributed to the course's evolution, making it a true family legacy. Jim Nantz, in a 2025 Golf Digest feature, called it a "family project" and described the iconic par-3 third hole, a tee shot over an ocean cove, as a worthy rival to Cypress Point's 16th. The course plays 7,370 yards and ranks #45 among resort courses in the U.S. (Golfweek 2024). The Hapuna Golf Course, originally by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, completed a $1 million renovation in May 2026: all new drought-resistant seashore paspalum turf, reshaped fairways, and modernized bunkers. The 18-hole Palmer layout climbs from the shoreline to 750 feet with panoramic Kohala Coast views.
A transformative new 22,000 sq ft spa
The Spa at Mauna Kea opened in April 2026 as part of the resort's $240 million Seibu investment and transformation. Rooted in the Hawaiian concept of Ho'ōla i Loko (healing begins within), guests begin with a traditional oli (chant). Treatments feature lomilomi-inspired therapies, native botanicals, mineral-rich salts, and hand-gathered lava stones across 11 al-fresco treatment rooms, couples' suites, purification gardens, a spa vitality pool, and an open-air wellness deck.
Recognition & Prestige
A resort that earns its reputation every year.
Beach Rankings
#8 Beach in the United States
Kauna'oa Bay (Mauna Kea Beach) was ranked #8 among America's best beaches by Dr. Beach (Stephen Leatherman) for 2025, cited for its pristine white coral sand and calm, crystal-clear waters.
Travel + Leisure "Best Beaches in Hawaii"
Featured in Travel + Leisure's curated guide to Hawaii's finest shores, with particular praise for the beach's "sugar-soft" sand and its legacy as the beach that inspired Laurance Rockefeller to build the resort in 1965.
Hapuna Beach — #1 on Tripadvisor, Travel + Leisure Favorite
Hapuna Beach has been named the #1 beach in the United States by Tripadvisor and is consistently featured in Travel + Leisure's curated guides to Hawaii's finest shores. Its nearly half mile of powdery white sand and calm, clear waters make it one of the most photographed beaches in the Pacific.
Hotel & Resort Rankings
#6 Best Hotel in the U.S. — Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice 2025
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was ranked #6 best hotel in the United States in the Condé Nast Traveler 2025 Readers' Choice Awards, and #18 among the nation's top luxury hotels.
#10 Hawaii Resort — Travel + Leisure World's Best 2025
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort was named #10 among T+L's 2025 World's Best resorts in Hawaii, recognized for its beachfront setting and resort amenities.
Wine Spectator Award of Excellence — 2025
Meridia, the resort's Mediterranean-inspired restaurant at the Westin Hapuna, received the 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its curated wine program.
Sustainability Champion — Historic Hotels of America 2024
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel received the Historic Hotels of America Sustainability Champion Award in 2024, recognizing its commitment to environmental stewardship alongside historic preservation.
Golf Rankings & Renovations
#45 Resort Course in the U.S. — Golfweek 2024
The Mauna Kea Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and reimagined by his son Robert Trent Jones Jr., ranked #45 on Golfweek's 2024 list of the top 200 resort courses in America. In a 2025 Golf Digest feature, Jim Nantz described the course as a "family project" shaped across three generations of the Jones family. The iconic par-3 third hole, which requires a tee shot entirely over an ocean cove, has been compared to the 16th at Cypress Point. At its full 7,370-yard length, Nantz called it a "beast" of a test. Nearly the entire course was carved from raw volcanic lava when it opened in 1964.
Hapuna Golf Course: $1M Renovation Complete — May 2026
The Hapuna Golf Course, originally designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay in 1992, completed a $1 million renovation in May 2026. The project replaced all turf with salt-tolerant, drought-resistant seashore paspalum, reshaped fairways for improved playability, and upgraded bunkers for better aesthetics and consistent playing conditions. The 18-hole layout climbs from the shoreline to 750 feet above sea level, with panoramic views of the Kohala Coast and Pacific Ocean. Both resort golf courses are consistently ranked among the top public-access layouts in the country by Golfweek.
Legacy & Heritage
Founded by Laurance S. Rockefeller, 1965
Mauna Kea Resort was one of the first luxury resort developments on the Big Island, established by Laurance S. Rockefeller with a vision to work with the volcanic landscape rather than reshape it. The original Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a landmark of mid-century modern design.
Featured by Architectural Digest, Esquire & Fortune
The resort and its architecture have been celebrated by Architectural Digest, Esquire, and Fortune for its cultural significance and status as one of the world's most notable hotel properties. Hale Kiekiena has been featured in Architectural Digest.
Goop's "Must-Visit" on the Kohala Coast
Goop highlights the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel as a renowned mid-century modern landmark with "magical" moonlit manta ray swims off Kaunaoa Bay. The flagship Manta restaurant is recommended for its coastal views and excellent wine-by-the-glass list, while the weekly luau features a buffet and show detailing the history of Hawaiian kings.
The Spa at Mauna Kea — Opened April 2026
22,000 sq ft Wellness Destination — Part of $240M Seibu Investment & Transformation
The Spa at Mauna Kea is a 22,000-square-foot luxury wellness facility that opened in April 2026 at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. It is the centerpiece of the resort's $240 million Seibu renovation and one of the largest immersive spa experiences in Hawaii.
Rooted in Hawaiian Healing Traditions
Designed around the Hawaiian concept of Ho'ōla i Loko ("healing begins within"), guests begin their experience with a traditional oli (chant). Signature treatments incorporate lomilomi-inspired therapies, locally sourced botanicals, mineral-rich salts, and hand-gathered island lava stones.
11 Al-Fresco Treatment Rooms & Wellness Amenities
The facility features 11 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms with private lanais, outdoor showers, and soaking tubs. Additional amenities include male and female purification gardens, steam and sauna facilities, a spa vitality pool, a movement pavilion, a co-ed wellness deck, and a full-service salon.
Perfectly positioned
Close to what matters, quiet where it counts.
- Kaunaoa (Mauna Kea) Beach 3 min drive
- Hapuna Beach 5 min drive
- Kawaihae Harbor 8 min drive
- Waimea (Kamuela) town 15 min drive
- Kona International Airport 25 min drive
- Hilo International Airport 90 min drive
Neighborhood favorites
Where the locals eat, gather, and linger.
Manta
A fine-dining restaurant at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel featuring Pacific Rim cuisine with oceanfront seating. Known for its fresh seafood and sunset views over Kaunaoa Bay. Featured by Goop as a must-visit for its wine list and beachfront ambiance.
Meridia
Mediterranean-inspired cuisine at the Westin Hapuna, set within a tropical garden courtyard. A refined option for resort guests and locals alike.
Waimea Coffee Company
A beloved local coffee house on Kawaihae Road serving single-origin Hawaiian coffee and light breakfast. The kind of spot where ranchers, surfers, and real estate agents share a table.
Wrangler's Steakhouse & Saddle Room Bar
A Kamuela institution serving Big Island beef in a warm, Western atmosphere. Known locally as the place where the ranching community gathers for dinner.
Resort Amenities
What Mauna Kea Resort offers.
Kaunaoa Bay
Ranked #8 beach in the U.S. by Dr. Beach (2025), this pristine white-sand bay at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is one of Hawaii's most iconic shores.
Hapuna Beach
Nearly half a mile of white sand at the Westin Hapuna, ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and bodyboarding.
Two Championship Golf Courses
The Mauna Kea Golf Course (#45 resort course in the U.S., Golfweek 2024) was carved from volcanic lava by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and his sons Bobby and Rees. Jim Nantz, in a 2025 Golf Digest feature, called the iconic par-3 third hole a tee shot over an ocean cove and a rival to Cypress Point. At 7,370 yards, Nantz described the full layout as a "beast." The Hapuna Golf Course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, completed a $1 million renovation in May 2026 with all-new drought-resistant seashore paspalum turf, reshaped fairways, and modernized bunkers. The 18-hole layout climbs from the shoreline to 750 feet with panoramic Kohala Coast views.
Seaside Tennis Club
11 oceanfront courts with floodlighting, pro shop, and instruction available. One of the premier tennis facilities in the islands.
The Spa at Mauna Kea
A 22,000 sq ft luxury wellness facility opened in April 2026 as part of the resort's $240 million Seibu investment and transformation. Rooted in Hawaiian healing traditions, guests begin with an oli (chant). Features 11 al-fresco treatment rooms, couples' suites with soaking tubs, purification gardens, steam and sauna facilities, a spa vitality pool, movement pavilion, co-ed wellness deck, and full-service salon.
Water Sports
Snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, outrigger canoe, and seasonal whale watching from resort waters.
Perfect Location
Hale Kiekiena on the Resort Map
Positioned within the exclusive gated community of The Bluffs, Hale Kiekiena rests at the center of Mauna Kea Resort. The satellite map highlights the property’s rare, prominent location equidistant from both white sand beaches which have defined resort luxury since 1965.
Located Between Two White Sand Beaches
Click the image to view the high-resolution map in a new window. Hale Kiekiena's premium homesite is nestled directly between Kaunaoa (Mauna Kea) Beach and Hapuna Beach.
Interactive Google Map
Location Features
- Immediate proximity to two top-tier white sand beaches
- Front row access to Mauna Kea and Hapuna Golf Courses
- Private gated entrance inside The Bluffs
- Unrivaled 200-degree ocean views overlooking Maui
Experience the Kohala Coast.
The resort reads differently on foot than it does on a map. Set aside an afternoon and Eileen Lacerte will walk the grounds with you.
Schedule a visit