Post #468668 by tiki_kiliki on Mon, Jul 13, 2009 11:00 AM

Aloha everyone -

Since the closing of Hukilau 2009 I have been in talks with the Yankee Clipper about next years event. I was trying to gain information on 2 things, our rate for returning to the Clipper and what the state of the Wreck Bar will be after renovations have taken place.

The first thing that is terribly upsetting is that they are changing the name of the hotel. The hotel will now be called and is ALREADY being called the Fort Lauderdale Sheraton Beach Hotel. So, they have begun stripping the history away even now.

As far as the Wreck Bar is concerned she went back and forth and finally said that yes, it was getting completely remodeled but had no other information.

The rooms will see a $40 a night increase than last year and the event space for me to have Hukilau, the vendor room, the use of the other ballrooms and the seminar room will cost a whopping $11,0000.00 - we have never paid that type of cash for event space.

So, I've only heard great things from everyone about this years event and the setup so it looks like we'll be returning to that formula. We'll be changing the vendors - so that they can be open to the public - and making a few additional changes so that access and the overall event in general is most excellent.

So sad when this type of thing happens to a historical property. The building will remain but that is all - I wonder if they will destroy the terrazo entrance with Yankee Clipper embedded??