210-room lifestyle resort introduces distinctive design, locally inspired dining and memorable stays celebrating the people and traditions of Kauaʻi
MCLEAN, Virginia and KAUAʻI, Hawaiʻi – Hilton has announced the opening ofHale Hōkūala Kauaʻi, Curio Collection by Hilton, a 210-room lifestyle resort. Marking Curio Collection by Hilton’s debut in Hawaiʻi, the property brings the brand’s focus on individually remarkable hotels and memorable stays to one of the world’s most sought-after island destinations.
Overlooking Nāwiliwili Bay and neighboring Kalapakī Beach, Hale Hōkūala introduces travelers to the island through contemporary design, destination-driven dining, cultural programming and outdoor recreation.
Situated within the Hōkūala Resort community, the property is both a gateway to the island and a welcoming gathering place. Meaning “House of the Rising Star,” Hale Hōkūala features 23 suites, open-air spaces, private lānais and views of the Pacific Ocean, Hāʻupu Mountain and the Ocean Course at Hōkūala. Its signature cultural immersion program, E Ala Ka Pilina, meaning “The Awakening of Connection,” was developed alongside local practitioners, educators, historians, artisans, nonprofits and community organizations.
“The opening of Hale Hōkūala Kauaʻi marks an exciting milestone as we introduce Curio Collection by Hilton to Hawaiʻi,” said Danny Hughes, president, Americas, Hilton. “For more than six decades, Hilton has been proud to welcome guests to the islands, sharing the warmth and hospitality of our team members. Hale Hōkūala builds on that legacy with a resort that reflects the rich culture and spirit of Kauaʻi while offering travelers a truly unique way to experience the destination.”
Designed by Hart Howerton and AHL (formerly Architects Hawaii Limited), with interiors by Looney & Associates, Hale Hōkūala pairs contemporary comfort with the character of its island setting. Nestled among mature monkeypod and banyan trees, the open-air walkways, expansive lānais and outdoor gathering spaces create a seamless flow between the property and its surroundings.
Guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and private lānais that invite the outdoors in. Interiors draw from colors and textures found across the island, from the blues of Nāwiliwili Bay and the Pacific Ocean to the lush greens of the valleys and the earthy tones of the coastline. Artwork throughout the property highlights local cultural heritage and the relationship among land, ocean and community.
“Curio Collection by Hilton is defined by hotels that immerse guests in one-of-a-kind moments and reflect the spirit of the destinations they call home,” said Brooke Thomas, brand leader, Curio Collection by Hilton. “Hale Hōkūala Kauaʻi brings that promise to life, pairing contemporary island design, a distinctive culinary point of view and curated programming that celebrates local people and traditions. As Curio Collection’s first resort in Hawaiʻi, the property is a powerful example of the bespoke stories and memorable stays our guests seek around the world.”
A Culinary Story Shaped by Hawaiʻi’s Diverse Heritage
Food offers another lens into the destination, drawing from the ingredients and cultural influences that have shaped Hawaiʻi’s culinary identity, including Portuguese, Native Hawaiian, Polynesian and Asian traditions. Led by Executive Chef Hans Lentz and Director of Food & Beverage Romina Migliorini, the culinary program combines regional flavors, thoughtful settings and warm service.
At Figueira, the signature restaurant overlooking the 18th hole of the Ocean Course at Hōkūala, diners can discover Kauaʻi’s only Portuguese-Hawaiian dining concept. Named after the Portuguese word for “fig tree,” Figueira honors Portugal’s influence on Hawaiʻi’s food culture through refined preparations, slow-cooking techniques and island-grown ingredients. Menu highlights include Pineapple French Toast with Kuleana Rum caramel, Kauaʻi prawns, Portuguese Fisherman’s Stew, bacalhau no forno, pastel de nata and malasadas. The beverage program features Hawaiian-grown coffee, local craft beer, signature cocktails and a curated wine list with Portuguese and global labels. The restaurant’s interiors continue the design narrative with an airy palette, teak wood, bamboo and terrazzo tile, complemented by Portuguese ceramics and Hawaiian quilt motifs that recall classic azulejos.
Poolside, The Wiliwili at Hale Hōkūala offers a casual counterpart with poke bowls, plate lunch specials, shave ice, shareable pūpū, tropical cocktails, zero-proof selections, juices and smoothies made with local ingredients. A vibrant mural provides a colorful focal point while complementing the menu’s celebration of timeless Hawaiian classics. Both Figueira and The Wiliwili at Hale Hōkūala were developed by StiR Creative Collective, Hilton’s in-house food and beverage consultancy, as distinct concepts informed by local culinary traditions and the relaxed island lifestyle.
E Ala Ka Pilina: The Awakening of Connection
E Ala Ka Pilina, the property’s signature cultural immersion program, is built around ongoing relationships with cultural practitioners, nonprofits, historians, artisans and educators. Through on-property activities, off-property excursions and culinary storytelling, the program gives visitors opportunities to engage with the people and traditions that continue to define the island.
The Kauaʻi Museum will serve as the inaugural partner for a series exploring the island’s history and creative expression within the broader Hawaiian story. Future programming will spotlight agriculture, lei making, traditional aquaculture, land stewardship, hula and Hawaiian storytelling.
A Gateway to the Island’s Natural Wonders
On property, travelers can enjoy a pool and fitness center, along with access to a full-service spa, wellness programming, tennis and pickleball courts within the wider Hōkūala resort community. Outdoor offerings include preferred tee times at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Ocean Course at Hōkūala, more than five miles of scenic trails, complimentary bicycles and beach amenities and open green spaces for guests to enjoy.
Visitors can also explore The Farm at Hōkūala, which showcases canoe plants, native crops and agricultural traditions that remain important to the island. Located near Līhuʻe Airport and within reach of destinations such as Hanalei Bay, the North Shore, Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Park, the property provides an amenity-rich base for exploration.
Meetings and Events with Island Character
With more than 14,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space, Hale Hōkūala offers a distinctive setting for meetings, weddings, milestone celebrations and group gatherings. Open-air venues feature ocean and mountain views, along with convenient access to the broader Hōkūala community.
Groups can complement their events with locally inspired dining, wellness activities, golf, cultural programming and island excursions. From executive retreats to destination weddings and social celebrations, planners have a flexible home base infused with the destination’s culture and hospitality.
Curio Collection by Hilton’s Hawaiʻi Debut
With community partnerships, immersive cultural programming, destination-inspired dining and thoughtful design, Hale Hōkūala brings Curio Collection by Hilton’s brand promise to Hawaiʻi, offering guests a one-of-a-kind stay shaped by meaningful experiences and a deeper sense of discovery.
Hale Hōkūala Kauaʻi participates in Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s world-class brands. To celebrate the debut, the resort invites guests to book the Kaua’i Island Escape package, which includes 25 percent off of the hotel’s best available rate on stays of three nights or longer.
The opening also expands Hilton’s nearly 30 hotel presence across the islands, building on a legacy of hospitality that includes Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort, Ka Laʻi Waikīkī Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort and additional properties.
For more information or to book a reservation, visit Hilton.com. Read more about Curio Collection by Hilton at stories.hilton.com/curio.