KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — March 16, 2022 — Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel today announced the appointment of Edward Braunlich to the role general manager of the destination-defining hotel, located on the historical site where King Kamehameha the Great, first king of Hawaii, once lived, and set on 13 idyllic beachfront acres. As a seasoned professional with more than 35 years of domestic and international hotel and resort experience, Braunlich’s new role marks his formal return to the Hawaii Island, after having most recently served as the hotel’s interim general manager. With one of his first hotel roles at Hyatt Regency Waikoloa (now Hilton Waikoloa Village), here, Braunlich first developed his passion for hospitality and Hawaiian culture.
“In many ways it truly feels like a homecoming of sorts to welcome Ed back to The Big Island,” said Scott Warner, senior vice president of operations, Pacifica Hotels. “There is no one who brings the level of expertise, passion and sense of collaboration that Ed brings — he’s truly unmatched as a leader and a passionate hospitality veteran, and we could not be more lucky to have him on our team at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.”
The 455-room hotel encompasses the land where King Kamehameha the Great peacefully governed after uniting the Hawaiian Islands under his rule. In honor of this deep history, visitors will find an endless array of historical and cultural experiences throughout the hotel. Set on a picturesque and protected white sand beach, the hotel features oceanfront restaurants, onsite day-spa, and the #1-rated luau on the Big Island, Island Breeze Luau.
Braunlich brings an impressive 25-year tenure with Hyatt; eight years with Ritz-Carlton, and experience from six premier resorts in Hawai’i, in addition to opening 11 hotels during his many years in hospitality, to his role at Kona Beach Hotel. Braunlich also served on the task force for Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku, HI, assisting with reopening the resort after a $200 million renovation. Throughout his storied career, Braunlich has also held general manager roles at Gingko Standard Hotel in Ybin, China, where his leadership led to a successful opening of the 300-room hotel; at Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch in San Antonio; Hyatt Siesta Key Beach Resort in Sarasota, Fla., and Hyatt Residence Club Bonita Springs, Coconut Plantation, Fla., among others.
In his role as general manager at Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Braunlich will oversee the delivery of exceptional service across all aspects of the hotel, exceeding guest expectations, and leading the property teams with his contagious, gracious spirit of aloha. Serving as an ambassador for the hotel and destination, Braunlich looks forward to this next chapter for himself and Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.
