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Travel Weekly: Rustic restorations at Kamuela Inn

Deluxe Suite bedroom

Melanie Holt and Tim Bostock bought the Kamuela Inn on Hawaii Island in Waimea in June 2015 and have completed extensive renovations in a rustic paniolo theme.

Tim Bostock and Melanie Holt had owned a series of rental properties over the years but had never fully emerged themselves in the hospitality industry.

Then, while exploring the northern upcountry area around Waimea on Hawaii Island, the husband-and-wife team discovered the Kamuela Inn. The 30-room property had been neglected for years, but Bostock and Holt saw an opportunity. By June 2015 they were owners of their first hotel.

“When we bought it, the place was run down,” said Holt, who is also the owner-operator of The Real Farm, a sustainable organic farm on the island. “We had been buying distressed properties, just rentals, not hotels or B&Bs or anything like that. We saw the potential here.”

Now, three years into their first hospitality venture, they have completed extensive renovations on many of the rooms, freshened up the property and have plans for further improvements in the next 18 months.

The Kamuela Inn is located near the heart of Waimea, with easy access to popular cafes and restaurants. It is on Kawaihae Road, but set back from the roadside behind some commercial businesses and a private residence, providing a sound barrier from any traffic. The hotel was first established in 1961 by Muneo and Yukio Sameshima, and Yukio still lives on the property next door.

“She’s a sweet old lady, and we check in on her here and there,” Holt said.

The renovations were done in a “chic paniolo,” or Hawaiian cowboy, style, Holt said, a nod to the area’s history as a major cattle producer. There are rustic touches like exposed beams, sliding wooden bathroom doors and ceiling fans. The cozy rooms come with WiFi and cable TV, and a free continental breakfast featuring locally made pastries, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, tea, coffee and juice. The rooms also feature different art from Hawaiian artists and are stocked with botanical and fruit-based toiletries made locally.

The inn offers a variety of accommodations (starting at $129 per night), including standard rooms, larger suites, and rooms with kitchenettes. The two executive suites are spacious, and boast full kitchens and dining areas. The largest is more than 800 square feet with bunk beds and a king-size bed in a separate room. The inn also offers washers and dryers for guest use.

“We get a lot of bikers who like this area and stay here, and the laundry facilities are a big plus for them,” Holt said.

The typical clientele includes local families, small convention groups, outdoors-oriented travelers, and a good flow of European, Australian and Canadian guests, according to Holt.
Other renovations included new roofs, plumbing, electric and water heaters, and repair to long-term damage. Some rooms remain to be renovated, with all of the work scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019, Holt said.

Additionally, Holt has a vision for turning a weathered and worn wooden tea house behind the main building restored so it can host local art exhibitions, which is how it was originally used by the Sameshima family. They also have plans to enlarge the breakfast dining area and configure it for more natural sunlight and to add a meeting space.

“We are just getting started with weddings, and this is a nice spot for small reunions,” Holt said. “And, I think we attract people who are trying to get away from the resort atmosphere.”

As featured on travelweekly.com on July 21, 2018

Download the full article: Rustic restorations at Kamuela Inn [pdf]

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Listen to “Kamuela Inn” by Jeff Peterson

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Check out the renovation progress at the Kamuela I Check out the renovation progress at the Kamuela Inn! Our construction and renovation project on the new building is moving full steam ahead. We're thrilled to share the latest photos of the construction site. Get ready for a transformed inn experience as we add six new rooms and a congregation area!

Meanwhile, we are open for business and look forward to seeing you soon.

Bringing you a better stay experience, one renovation at a time.

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Exciting news for Waimea residents and visitors al Exciting news for Waimea residents and visitors alike—the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is back! After being on hiatus due to COVID, we are thrilled that the festival will return in all its pink, fluffy glory on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 9 am - 3 pm! Mark your calendars and get ready for a celebration of Waimea's rich cultural heritage and beautiful cherry blossoms.

We’ve included the map of the area, events, and free shuttle stops for the festival. Visit the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Facebook page for more updates.

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Mark your calendars with a year of events in Honok Mark your calendars with a year of events in Honoka‘a Town. Starting this Saturday, January 21, 2023, with the celebration of the Chinese New Year!

Saturday's event runs from 10am to 6pm. Live music, vendors, food trucks, and more!

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It's that time of year again when the Cherry Bloss It's that time of year again when the Cherry Blossom trees on Church Row in Waimea Town begin to explode with those beautiful pink colors that draw people from around the globe.

This year we're joining in on the fun by offering a very special Cherry Blossom promotion where guests of the Inn receive FREE local Waimea Herb Company Tea when they stay with us for at least two nights now through January 31, 2023.

Use promo code: CHERRYBLOSSOM at checkout to redeem your gift!

Here's some background information about the Cherry Blossoms from
Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival.

Celebrating the first cherry blossoms of spring dates back to 7th century Japan. Aristocrats of the day would enjoy the blossoms while writing poetry beneath the flowering branches. The tradition is called "hanami." Today hanami (literally hana = flower and mi = look) is the Japanese word that means “Cherry blossom viewing party.”

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We love the New Year! This photo isn’t your ty We love the New Year! 

This photo isn’t your typical Happy New Year photo, but it is full of promise and hope, just like the New Year. In our case: a new building with six brand new rooms!

Our renovations are well underway, and we hope to celebrate completion in late Spring. Meanwhile, we are open for business and look forward to seeing you again in 2023!

hauʻoli makahiki hou!

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Gotta love the after storm view. #whatshappeningw Gotta love the after storm view. 
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Country Christmas at the Kamuela Inn! #kamuelainn Country Christmas at the Kamuela Inn!  #kamuelainn #countrychristmas #paniolo #cowboychristmas #bootornaments #winterinhawaii
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