Is the White Sands a motel?
Sure, I guess you could call it that (on Nohonani).
Hotels in Waikiki | White Sands Hotel

Interesting that the Waikiki Parc agent didn't know anything about the closing--and she was adamant that there wasn't a web-site problem, either. Odd that the web site doesn't include the closing information.

On the website's "Availability Calendar" you can reserve up until the end of September. Then after that all future months are grayed out as unavailable. I'm not surprised they don't want to advertise a long-term closure for remodeling, I am surprised a travel agent wouldn't know what was happening.

I'm looking for late January and any time in February. Do the dates make a difference in rates?

Yes.

just checked Hyatt Regency (which is very nice & in your price range, have you considered it?).

July is $279/night, Jan $239/night, Feb $259.

>>July is $279/night, Jan $239/night, Feb $259.<<. Those sound like good rates . . . there is a $37 per night resort fee to factor in.

I have 2 reservations for early February and will now go back and check out late January rates. Thanks very much for the helpful info. Looking at the Hilton Waikiki Beach and Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach (just for fun).

Just switched the Alohilani to the end of January and saved $450. Thanks a bunch! Now on to the Hilton...

The Hilton rate is also about $400 lower. Oh boy!

Now to book the Hawaiian Airlines tickets and let our friends know we'll be coming.

Ah, had to look that one up :-) Seems it was the old Pacific Beach Hotel recently remodeled and renamed?

Any thoughts about the Iliki Hotel and Luxury Suites? There's a deal today for a "luxury suite with ocean view" for $329 (plus only a $25 resort fee). Looks very nice.

People on the Trip Advisor forum love the place. It's condos, right?

Seems to be. Wanted to check it out because a deposit is required.

Didn’t NeoPatrick stay there awhile back? Hopefully he will chime in. Or do a search.

At the Alohilani you could save 3 or 4 hundred by having your local friend book the reservation with you, they have special rates with local i.d, he'd have to be at the desk with you at check-in time.

Our friends live some distance up on the North Shore;; so I wouldn't want to ask them to drive down just for the check-in. But thanks for the suggestion about the local rates.

Kama'aina ("child of the land") discount is for RESIDENTS of Hawaii. Many (most?) hotels offer this. At White Sands it's 15%. But it's not meant to sneak your haole friends in for cheaper rates. i'm sure clarkgriswold was joking.