Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 3, 1 April 2009 — A GRAND ROYAL WELCOME [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A GRAND ROYAL WELCOME

Revelers raising glasses of pink champagne helped usher in a new era of Waikīkī hospitality at the grand reopening the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, whieh first opened its doors in February 1927. Mueh has changed since that era of Matson liners plying the Pacific to bring in visitors in by the boatload. But one thing remained: Bill Tapia. The 101-year-old 'ukulele virtuoso performed at the hotel's opening 82 years ago and returned to entertain the crowd at the recent gala. The $350 to $1,250 per person event - with a nod to everything pink (even umbrellas) - helped to raise $70,000 for the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific Foundation. Phot.os by Nicholas Masagat.ani.

The Pink Poloee of the Podfic shines during her grond reopening golo.

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1 1 Hulo doncers I ' from Tihoti I Productions | Ltd. entertoin I the crowd.

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^ oweii niiuue, inuiiiiu Powers, Jeff Apoko, ond Gino KūWūnonūkoū, seoted. Apoko mode his musicol debut in the Monorch Roomofthe Royol Howoiion Hotel, following in the footsteps of his fother, Alfred Apoko, o Howoiion music ieon who entertoined nightly in the Monorch Room.

Miss Howoi'i 2008 Nieole Fox, Dr. Alvin Chung, Former Miss Howoi'i USA 2005 Jennifer Foirbonk, current Miss Howoi'i USA Aureono Tseu ond Roycen Dehmer.