Aloha! Yesterland is usually about retired elements of Disney theme parks, but not always. This is my 30th article about Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaiʻi. The series began in October 2008 when it was an empty 21-acre site in West Oʻahu. Aulani opened August 29, 2011. Yes, Aulani has been open more than ten years.

I just returned from a vacation at Ko Olina. Although I did not stay at Aulani this time, I spent time and money there.

, Curator of Yesterland, October 17, 2021

Aulani After Ten Years

It’s not unusual for hotels to look tired and dated at ten years—but Aulani looks great. Everything appears to have been beautifully maintained.

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2021

Minnie and Mickey in casual Hawaiian attire

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2021

Koholā (whale) Lagoon, commonly called Lagoon 1

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2021

Mama’s Snack Shop and Pāpālua Shave Ice

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2021

The Waikolohe Valley

In fact, Aulani might even look better than ten years ago. The tropical landscaping is lush, without being overgrown. The trees are large and well-established. This reinforces the theme that the Waikolohe Valley between the towers is a natural valley that’s been there for eons.

Aulani During the Pandemic

Walking past unmasked Aulani guests enjoying the pools, lazy river, and outdoor food locations, it’s easy to forget briefly that COVID-19 is still a serious problem.

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2021

Reminder signs throughout Aulani

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2021

Socially distanced character photos

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2021

Hōkū Zuttermeister, behind plexiglass, performing at the ʻŌlelo Room

There are many reminders that this is not a normal time, with mitigation measures all over the place. Indoors, masks are the rule.

Aulani Restaurants for Aulani Guests only?

The official Aulani website has a bunch of notices related to the pandemic, including this: “Effective Sept. 13, 2021, all Aulani Resort food & beverage outlets, including quick service and takeaway, will be restricted to resort guests only. Per City & County of Honolulu guidelines, we will require proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours for all guests ages 12 and older dining on property.”

The second sentence makes sense. At dine-in restaurants throughout Oʻahu, the host who welcomes you now asks every diner to show a vaccination card or recent negative COVID-19 test, along with an identification card, and then asks one member of the party to write their name, address, and phone number on a contact tracing form. Aulani handles this differently, issuing wristbands at a single location off the lobby to guests who show their credentials.

However, the first sentence seems odd. Why would Disney not allow guests from the nearby Four Seasons Resort Oahu and Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club to spend their money at Aulani? Those resorts gladly welcome money from Aulani guests.

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2021

Signs at Off The Hook

Photo by Tina Weiss, 2021

Non-guest wristband

The notice is still on the website. There are signs and digital displays throughout Aulani stating the “resort guests only” policy.

The reality is that the published policy was only enforced for a week or two after September 13. Then Aulani introduced special wristbands for non-guests. These wristbands have a wavy edge, so they look different from Aulani guest wristbands. They’re not valid for the resort’s pools, water slides, lazy river, or deck chairs—but they allow non-guests to be served at Off The Hook, Makahiki, the ʻŌlelo Room, and quick-service eateries.

A host at Off The Hook explained that they can still turn away guests not staying at Aulani if the restaurant is at capacity. Also, Aulani or the local government could change rules at any time.

Signature Restaurant at Aulani still closed

There’s one restaurant at Aulani that turns away all non-guests—and guests too.

All of Aulani was closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic. The resort began a phased reopening on November 1, 2020. It’s been almost a year since then. By and large, Aulani now provides the same features and experiences as before the pandemic, just tweaked to mitigate the coronavirus threat—with one particularly notable exception.

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2021

ʻAMAʻAMA closed

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2021

The prime real estate of ʻAMAʻAMA going unused

ʻAMAʻAMA remains missing from the restaurant roster at Aulani.

Before tha pandemic, ʻAMAʻAMA, was the signature dining restaurant at Aulani. It had an amazing location, an ambitious chef-driven menu, and a well-defined backstory (described in this Yesterland article).

The restaurant’s sign is still up. You can still walk in. A few tables have been positioned to discourage entry into the open-air dining rooms, but Aulani guests sometimes hang around in the unused spaces anyway.

There is no word on when ʻAMAʻAMA will reopen or why it’s taking this long. It could be a simple matter of not yet having the experienced staff needed for the kitchen and the front of the house.

What Happened to Atlantis at Ko Olina?

A press release in 2016 suggested a spectacular 1,400-room Atlantis Resort would be built immediately south of Aulani: “Overlooking both the stunning Honu and Kohola Lagoons, Atlantis will offer a sense of awe-inspiring discovery, encompassing over 26 acres of unparalleled excitement and larger than life experiences, revolutionary water play in Aquaventure Waterpark, The Ambassador Lagoon and The Lost Chambers Aquarium and incredible dining experiences. Already a leading holiday destination, the addition of Atlantis to Ko Olina will continue the area’s transformation as the new centre for entertainment in Hawaii with the addition of this new trailblazing landmark.”

The developer would be China Oceanwide Holdings, working with Kerzner International Holdings Limited, operator of the Atlantis Resorts in Dubai and Sanya (China). It would be the first Atlantis Resort in the United States. Many Americans are familiar with the Atlantis brand because of the Atlantis Resort in The Bahamas, heavily advertised back when Kerzner operated it.

China Oceanwide Holdings also acquired two other parcels in the Ko Olina area—one oceanfront and one between Ko Olina and Kapolei—for a total of around 550 acres. In addition to the Atlantis Resort, plans called for two other oceanfront luxury hotels, a luxury condominium, and a masterplanned community with 2,500 homes and a golf course.

Rendering © 2019 China Oceanwide Holdings

Artist concept for the Atlantis Resort at Ko Olina

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2021

Still a vacant parcel in October 2021

Five years after China Oceanwide Holdings’ $650 million Ko Olina real estate spree, the parcels all remain vacant. The company has been in the news for its financial woes, including a $276 million loss when it had to sell its megaproject in San Francisco.

On September 24, 2021, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that China Oceanwide Holdings “has been trying to sell all three properties to address financial difficulties.”

Does this mean the Atlantis Resort next to Aulani is dead?

The Resort Group (developer of the Ko Olina Resort) and Kerzner International (operator of Atlantis Resorts) could find a new hotel developer with access to at least $1.5 billion and a desire to proceed with the Atlantis Resort. That’s a tall order. Eventually, the parcel will be developed in some manner. The location is too good, and Hawaii lacks other sites for new beachfront resorts.

But, for the foreseeable future, guests on the south side of the Ewa Tower at Aulani will continue to have a great view of a 26-acre vacant parcel.

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Updated October 17, 2021