City Council Chair Tommy Waters, WBID, and Hilton Grand Vacations partner on $1M Kūhiō Beach Park improvements

Jul 15

Chair Waters stewards a partnership with Hilton Grand Vacations and the Waikīkī Business Improvement District to revitalize green space and enhance public safety.

February 11, 2026

From left to right: Dept. of Parks & Recreation Director Laura Thielen, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Waikīkī Business Improvement District President Trevor Abarzua, Hilton Grand Vacations SVP Marketing Hawaii Regions Linda Rodrigues, and Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters at Kūhiō Beach Park.

WAIKĪKĪ, HI — Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters today announced a $1 million donation from Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (HGV) to the Waikīkī Business Improvement District (WBID), which will fund a comprehensive revitalization of Kūhiō Beach Park, one of Waikīkī’s most heavily used and iconic public spaces.

The donation is part of a broader community benefits package required as a condition of the Honolulu City Council’s approval of HGV’s newest Waikīkī resort, Ka Haku, a Hilton Club. Throughout the approval process, the Council emphasized that major developments must directly reinvest in the neighborhoods they impact, particularly in high-use areas like Waikīkī.

“Public-private partnerships like this are essential to building a safer, more resilient Honolulu. This is a clear demonstration of what we can accomplish when the City, businesses, and community organizations align around a shared goal. Together, we are improving public safety, protecting our public spaces, and enhancing quality of life in one of our most iconic neighborhoods.” — Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi

The final decision to direct the $1 million donation to WBID was conditionally negotiated by Chair Tommy Waters, who identified Kūhiō Beach Park as the most appropriate and impactful location for reinvestment due to its close proximity to the new resort and its long-standing need for activation, public safety improvements, and consistent maintenance.

WBID was selected to receive and administer the funds based on its strong track record of delivering visible and positive improvements throughout Waikīkī. Many recent gains in cleanliness, safety coordination, and placemaking in the district have been driven by WBID’s work in close partnership with residents, businesses, and City agencies.

“On behalf of the residents of my district and beyond, I am truly grateful to Hilton Grand Vacations for their partnership and generosity in helping to strengthen and re-energize the crown jewel of our state’s entire tourism industry. This gift of partnership to our Waikīkī community will strengthen the safety of those who visit and frequent Kūhiō Beach Park, promote cleanliness and preserve its beauty, and encourage the ongoing care of this iconic spot for the benefit of residents and tourists alike. Partnerships like this set a higher standard for collaboration, accountability, and quite simply getting things done.” — Council Chair and District 4 Councilmember Tommy Waters.

At the October 2025 Waikīkī Neighborhood Board meeting, the Kūhiō Beach Park Revitalization project received unanimous support (13-0-0) from the Waikīkī Neighborhood Board, reflecting strong community alignment around the project’s vision and priorities. The Honolulu City Council subsequently approved the use of the funds through Resolution 25-316 at its January 28, 2026, Full Council Meeting.

“With the addition of Ka Haku as our seventh property in Waikiki, Hilton Grand Vacations is proud to be a long-standing supporter of this extraordinary community - one that our Team Members, Members, and guests proudly call home throughout the year. Waikīkī is a vibrant, thriving community, and it’s important to us that we continue to invest in and collaborate with the organizations that make it so special. Having had the opportunity to live in Hawaiʻi, I feel a strong personal connection to this community. This donation affirms our long-term commitment to being a trusted partner in Waikīkī and to supporting the local community for many years to come.” — Mark Wang, CEO at Hilton Grand Vacations.

Planned Improvements for Kūhiō Beach Park Revitalization:

WBID’s proposed improvements focus on enhancing safety, activation, and long-term stewardship of the park and include (subject to change):

Replacing existing cement picnic tables with a park activation project designed to encourage positive use and reduce crime;
Replacing dead coconut mounds with resort-grade turf, including ongoing maintenance;
Acquiring quality maintenance equipment to support long-term care of the area;
Constructing a community safety kiosk in high pedestrian traffic areas; and
Installing high-visibility wayfinding signage.

“This once-in-a-generation investment will help elevate Kūhiō Beach Park to world-class standards for both residents and visitors. It is one of the most visible public spaces in Hawaiʻi, and these improvements will help ensure it is safer, better maintained, and more welcoming every day. We’re grateful to the community, Chair Waters, and our partners for trusting WBID to help deliver meaningful, long-term improvements.” — Trevor Abarzua, Waikīkī Business Improvement District President & CEO.

As an economic engine for Hawai‘i, Waikīkī plays a critical role in Honolulu’s economy and community life. This investment reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that growth is paired with meaningful reinvestment – strengthening public safety, stewardship, and trust in responsive local government – while preserving Kūhiō Beach Park as a vibrant, accessible public space for generations to come.

For more information on Resolution 25-316, please visit www.honolulucitycouncil.org.

For more information on Hilton Grand Vacations, please visit: www.corporate.hgv.com.

For more information on the Waikīkī Business Improvement District plan, please visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17j5200_b91hfw5KMbP-SP8jtieXuITpe/view?usp=sharing

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About Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (NYSE: HGV) is recognized as a leading global timeshare company and is the exclusive vacation ownership partner of Hilton. With headquarters in Orlando, Florida, Hilton Grand Vacations develops, markets, and operates a system of brand-name, high-quality vacation ownership resorts in select vacation destinations. Hilton Grand Vacations has a reputation for delivering a consistently exceptional standard of service, and unforgettable vacation experiences for guests and more than 720,000 Club Members. Membership with the Company provides best-in-class programs, exclusive services and maximum flexibility for our Members around the world. For more information, visit www.corporate.hgv.com. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Pinterest and YouTube.

About the Waikīkī Business Improvement District

The Waikīkī Business Improvement District (WBID) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that brings together business, government, and community dedicated to the enhancement and prosperity of one of the world’s most renowned destinations. Started in 2000, the WBID was formed to help supplement city services and is supported by grants, donations, and commercial property assessments on nearly 3,800 commercial properties within the Waikīkī Special District. For more information, visit https://waikikibid.org/. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About the Honolulu City Council

The Honolulu City Council is the lawmaking body of the City and County of Honolulu and determines policies and programs for the City. The Council is responsible for serving and advancing the general welfare, health, happiness, and safety of the land and our communities. Learn more at www.honolulucitycouncil.org/

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