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Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/813780
BARBARA KRAFT; DON RIDDLE 72 BCBUSINESS MAY 2017 island that benefited the most from their tourist dollars. When Ellison took the reins, he hon- oured the remaining guest bookings, but by 2015, the resorts were shuttered to prep for their reboot. In an unprec- edented move, all 650 hotel staff were retained and reassigned roles in the community: restaurant servers became teacher's aides; maintenance workers turned into conservation proj- ect leaders. For the residents of Lanai, who rely heavily on tourism to survive, other benefits of Uncle Larry material- ized. The only movie theatre, once a rickety building with crackly screen, is now a state-of-the-art surround-sound experience; the community pool has been rebuilt to resort-worthy standards—all constructed by locals. Controlled rents were implemented to help stabilize prices in a place where a carton of milk costs more than $8 per gallon. Ellison's long-term plan for the expensive groceries that all need to be barged in? Turn the island into a self-sustaining community replete with wind renewable energy, local food production (and export), organic wineries. There are even plans to harvest local flowers to make perfume. On the luxe side, Ellison went no- expense-spared upscale. Manele Bay, rebranded as the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, is first to come off its renos. Gone is the dated peach-stucco exte- rior, in favour of a warm, wood-toned sleekness that's both airy and clubby. The idea was to design a spot with a sense of place along with activities that invite weeklong stays so common on the other islands. There are more suites now—45 out of 213 rooms (the easier to set up long-term shop). A multitude of bespoke experiences include archery, clay shooting, off-road tours, horseback rides, mountain biking, sunset and snorkel sails, whale watching, scuba, a brand new spa. And that epic oceanside golf course next to towering cliffs got a whole new clubhouse. Billionaire-like pursuits are standard fare, from helicopter rides to flying lessons—because, of course, Ellison is a licensed pilot, too. FANTASY ISLAND (Above) Lush greenery surrounds Manele Bay's facade; (right) Great Hall at the Lodge at Koele