King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel Names New GM

Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel announced this week the appointment of Edward Braunlich to the role of general manager for the hotel.

As a seasoned professional with more than 35 years of domestic and international hotel and resort experience, Braunlich’s new role marks his official return to Hawai‘i Island, after having most recently served as the hotel’s interim general manager. His first hotel role at Hyatt Regency Waikoloa (now Hilton Waikoloa Village), helped 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, in a news release announcing the appointment. “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. 

Braunlich brings a 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.

He also served on the task force for Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku, assisting with reopening the resort after a $200 million renovation. Throughout his 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.