Stellar Completes Renovation of Ilima Pool Complex at Hale Koa Hotel

HONOLULU, Hawaii (January 8, 2020) — Stellar has officially completed its renovation of the Ilima Swimming Pool Complex at the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki Beach.

The firm, which provides award-winning construction management at-risk, design-build and general contracting services for a range of commercial and public sector markets, designed and constructed the reimagined 2.5-acre pool complex.

The renovations first began in July 2018, beginning with Stellar demolishing existing infrastructure and installing all new features throughout the hotel’s pool area.

The new amenities and features include:

• A 400-person main pool with two water slides

• A 20-person spa

• A children’s splash pad and wading pool

• A raised stage for live music

• New sunshades around the main pool

• New restroom facility

• New security kiosk

• Locally designed landscaping

All design elements of the pool complex incorporate Hawaiian culture and aesthetics. The entrance is flanked by waterfalls cascading down lava rock walls with pillars topped by fire bowls, and gas tiki torches line the perimeter. The pool complex also features brick pavers throughout, and the resort’s renowned Indian Banyan tree, Esmerelda, is prominently featured in the design.

“The local culture drove much of the design, and nearly all of the materials and landscaping were sourced from the island,” said Joe Mark, Operations Manager, Public Sector/Military, Stellar. “This isn’t your typical resort pool, either: It’s designed in the shape of a traditional Hawaiian war club with the surrounding sunshades resembling the club’s shark teeth. It’s both unique and symbolic.”

The hotel remained open throughout the one-year renovation, and despite two hurricanes and another major storm, the project was completed on time. The pool upgrades were part of a larger, overall initiative to refresh the entire Hale Koa Hotel, which was originally built in the 1970s. Stellar also renovated the resort’s parking garage and replaced roofing throughout the hotel.

The Hale Koa Hotel, which means “House of the Warrior” in Hawaiian, is an Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) resort owned by the United States Department of Defense. The 72-acre, oceanfront resort is exclusive to military personnel and their families.

Funding for the design and construction of this facility is paid for with U.S. Army Non-appropriated Funds (NAF) provided by soldiers, military families and authorized users of these Family & Morale Welfare Recreation (MWR) facilities. The United States Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) motto is "We Are the Army's Home." IMCOM provides installation services for the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters who serve the Army and other branches of the U.S. military. They are dedicated to the support of a ready and resilient Army by providing soldiers, families and civilians a quality of life commensurate with the quality of their service. Stellar has worked with MWR on more than 30 projects.

About Stellar 
Stellar provides award-winning construction management at-risk, design-build and general contracting services for a range of commercial and public sector markets across the United States. A 750-plus-employee global construction, engineering and architecture firm, Stellar has proven experience in projects of all sizes, from continuing contract work to major projects. The company serves public and private sector clients in the automotive, education, faith-based, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, military, office/retail, recreation, and housing markets. For more information, visit stellar.net/commercial.