Hale Koa is Hawaiian for “House of the Warrior.” And the Hale Koa Hotel is precisely that: a place for our nation’s warriors and their families to escape the rigors of military life.
Every hotel should have a pool and water park! The Hale Koa has recently completed a water wonderland that is the highlight of the resort. Inside the pool area are water features for the families to play in and explore. The gush of water from the top of the main pool’s pirate ship mast sends children scurrying with delight. The new raised infinity pool overlooks the rest of the water park and affords swimmers an unrestricted view of the ocean. Waikiki Beach is just a stone’s throw away from here. Tanned lifeguards sit on their shiny chairs under umbrellas and keep a watchful eye on all of the guests. Next to the pool is the Barefoot Bar, Hale Koa’s place to wet your whistle. Parents lounge in the shade, enjoy cold drinks and watch their children joyously splash in the water. The pressures of everyday life seem to fade away.
USAF MSgt. (Retired) Nick W. and wife USAF TSgt. Brittainy W. – “Our experience at the pool was wonderful. The new layout was great for kids of all abilities and adults as well. The splash pad is a great place for small kids to stay cool, and the kiddie pool is close enough that parents can keep an eye on kids in both places from the provided tables. My wife raved about the lounge chairs in the pool as adults can relax while their kids swim feet away in the main pool.”
While the swimming pools are a popular new addition to the Hotel, the Hale Koa Luau is an honored tradition. The luau is held on the Hotel’s grounds and provides a show tailored to the military audience. There are cultural dances, fire dancers, an excellent selection of food, and a tribute to all of the U.S. Armed Forces branches. The luau is fun for all ages, where you can get up and learn to do a Hawaiian or Polynesian dance with the rest of the guests. You won’t find a more respectful, military-oriented show on display anywhere in Honolulu. Designed to honor our U.S. Armed Forces and their families, they get the job done!
Sheri and Bob Pankow, daughter and son-in-law of CWO3 S. Ward, USCG (Retired) – “One of the favorite parts of our stay at the Hale Koa was the luau. We have been to a couple of different luaus, and I can truly say that the Hale Koa is now my favorite. The food and beverages were thoroughly satisfying (especially my husband), while the show perfectly combined the island’s history and high-level entertainment, including fire dancers! The tribute to our country’s military was awesome. Coming from a proud military family, it truly warmed my heart. Great tribute. We highly recommend the experience to people of all ages.”
If you make your way over to Facebook, you can join the Hale Koa Tips & Tricks group for the latest news and advice on everything about staying at the Hale Koa Hotel. You will find helpful hints, a group willing to answer questions, transportation tips, and many others who Pay-It-Forward (PIF) with food, bottled water, fans, beach chairs, pool gear, coffee makers, and even adult beverages for the grownups. Whatever can’t go home in a suitcase can be left for the next family to enjoy. Post it in the Hale Koa Facebook group, and somebody will have use for it.
Mike Wallace and his son USN First Class Petty Officer stationed in Honolulu – “On our last day, we still had three bodyboards (had already given some stuff away) that we held onto in case the kids wanted to do it one more time. I was going down to the lobby to look for someone to give them to. I hopped on the elevator, and people were already on and struck up a conversation. I asked a young lady how long they had been here, and she said they got here last night. I asked if she had any kids, and she said she did. I said, well, now you’ve got boogie boards for them. She was a little shocked, but the smile on her face was huge. Her happiness was also my happiness. What a feeling!”
Built exclusively for the use of U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families, the Hale Koa Hotel has served all branches of our military since 1975. The Army built the first hotel tower and later added a second tower in 1995. The Hotel has 818 well-appointed rooms. Active duty, retired military, and others can enjoy the Hale Koa Hotel located on the beach in Honolulu, Hawaii.
ICC Neil W. Shaw USN Retired, wife Wilma – “The Hale Koa is special because we spent every January there since 2000. In January of 2019, we celebrated 50 years married there with family. We love our friends we meet over there every year. Unfortunately, my husband passed away in August of 2019. I am returning in January 2022. The tradition continues.”
The Hale Koa Hotel operates on Fort DeRussy Military Installation, a 20-minute ride from the Honolulu International Airport. With three restaurants, two pools, and a Luau, the Hale Koa provides a first-class, affordable respite for our military and their families.
USAF retired SMS T and wife, Judy from California – “We’ve been blessed with the ability to vacation at the Hale Koa more than twenty-five times. We’ve sponsored our adult children and their children, as well as our siblings and friends. Every one of us agrees that we love the Hale Koa as much as we do because the Hotel and its staff make us feel welcome. We’ve always been welcomed back…as if we’re part of the family. The aloha spirit and the feeling of ohana (family) lives and thrives at the Hale Koa Hotel.”
Whether you are looking to visit Hawaii or are a snowbird looking for warmer weather, the Hale Koa Hotel provides everything you need to have a fantastic vacation on Oahu without breaking the bank.
The revenue generated by the Hotel funds the Hotel. No taxpayer dollars are used to operate and maintain the property. The Hotel is for Active duty, retirees, Purple Heart recipients, Disabled Veterans, and others. See the Hale Koa website for a complete eligibility list and to book your next great vacation!
There are currently four Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) resorts, all self-sufficient. Besides the Hale Koa Hotel, you can stay at Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch, Germany, or Dragon Hill Resort in Seoul, South Korea. All unique places to provide rest, relaxation, and family time for our military men and women worldwide.
Hale Koa Hotel
2055 Kalia Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
96815
Reservations:
1-800-367-6027 or 808-955-0555
HaleKoa.com
What To See & Do:
Plan a hike to the top of the Diamond Head trail for spectacular views of Waikiki Beach. Book an island tour and be shuttled around to many of the fascinating places on Oahu. Go to a luau. Visit the Fort DeRussy Military Museum next to the Hale Koa Hotel. Rent a car and drive to the Punch Bowl cemetery (a beautiful military cemetery inside an extinct volcano). Or drive to the North Shore and see where all the surfers go to compete. White sandy beaches abound!
Where To Eat:
The Hale Koa has several places to eat. Bibas Courtyard Grill has a nice menu. Outdoor seating on the patio is comfortable and good for watching hotel guests come and go.
Koko at Kalia is another option for breakfast. Their menu offers all your favorites at reasonable prices.
Hale Koa Barefoot Beach Bar has a great view of the ocean, drinks, and a snack bar. An excellent choice to watch the sun go down in the evening.
There are many other choices around the hotel itself. Try using Yelp to find some of the hidden gems in the area. There are many!
Steven Ward founded 10 Minute Travel in 2006. He wanted to create a website that would focus on interesting sights and attractions locally and in the rest of the world. Understanding more about other people in other lands is key to being a more global citizen.
Steve is a retired Coast Guard Officer who has worked in the IT field after leaving the service. He has been all over Alaska on ships, sailed through the Panama Canal, stopped in Jamaica and Aruba, and gone on a handful of trips to Europe and Asia. Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand were some of the more recent trips overseas. If there is a vaccine for the travel bug, he will refuse it. 🙂
