A little history of Waikiki’s landmark hotel-

The Ilikai, home of the famous opening shot of Hawaii Five-O with Jack Lord (Steve McGarrett) standing on the penthouse balcony, is a Waikiki icon. Here’s a little more about this Waikiki landmark-

Groundbreaking for the Ilikai began in 1961. A Monkey pod tree was planted by Chinn Ho and his high school classmate Duke Kahanamoku and the tree still stands in the courtyard.

On February 29, 1964, the Ilikai Hotel opened with 1,050 rooms. It was designed by John Graham, the same person who designed Seattle’s Space Needle. And, it featured Hawaii’s very first glass elevator.

Visitors can enjoy the torch lighting ceremony which has been performed for the last 40 years at sunset, rain or shine.

For more information about the Ilikai Hotels & Suites or to book a reservation, visit IlikaiHotel.com