Written by Alan Yonan Jr. - Advertiser Staff Writer

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After years of anticipation, Trump International Hotel(tm) Waikiki Beach Walk(r) welcomed its first hotel guests this morning.  Following a traditional Hawaiian blessing in the 6th floor Lobby, the first guests were welcomed by the Trump Hotel Collection management team and representatives of Irongate AZREP BW LLC with the warm aloha spirit. 

This morning’s soft opening will be followed in the New Year with a Grand Opening celebration.

Click to see a slideshow of this morning’s blessing.

Click the photo to start the slideshow.

Irongate AZREP BW LLC hosted an event with Donald Trump Jr. on August 11, 2009.  Over 300 people attended the evening to celebrate the approaching opening of Trump International Hotel & Tower(r) Waikiki Beach Walk(r).   

CLICK IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW SLIDESHOW OF PHOTOS.

Written by KBGM News - news@kbmg9.com
August 11, 2009

Donald Trump Jr. flew into town from New York Tuesday to check on the new Trump International Tower that’s going up in Waikiki. He confirmed the project is on track for a grand opening on November 16; about 90 days from now. The 38-story luxury hotel and condominium is located at the corner of Saratoga and Kalia roads. Workers have just put up the port cochere and landscaping and are now working on the interiors. Trump Jr. says he’s not worried about Hawaii’s economic slump.

“I think Hawaii as a business climate it’s great. Especially Waikiki; it’s one of these areas, I love as a business guy,” Trump Jr. said. “Got great climate, maybe not for a guy wearing a suit, but it’s just a great place.”

All 462 units of the tower were sold in one day, totaling $700 million. Although a few buyers have since sued the developer for alleged misrepresentation. Trump Jr. will be the guest of honor at a fancy party with local dignitaries Tuesday night. He’ll also be a guest on Sunrise Wednesday morning.

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Son of Real Estate Mogul Says Units Should Retain Value

MSNBC.com
August 12, 2009

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Written by Sunrise on KGMB9 - sunrise@kgmb9.com
August 12, 2009

Hundreds of people, who bought units in the new Trump Tower in Waikiki, were thrown a party Tuesday night by the developer, and Donald Trump Junior himself flew in for it. 

KGMB9’s Howard Dicus talked to Donald Trump Junior Wednesday morning. 

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Honolulu Advertiser
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

The National Association of Realtors said today Hawaii was one of five states posting quarterly gains of 20 percent or more in home sales.

The trade group said U.S. home sales grew in the second quarter in 39 states, another sign that the ailing housing market is finally coming to life.

Total quarterly sales rose 3.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.76 million, from 4.58 million in the first quarter, but were still about 3 percent below a year ago, the group said.

Sales posted quarterly gains of 20 percent or more in Hawaii, Idaho, New York, Wisconsin and Nebraska, according to the NAR. But Alaska, Wyoming, California, Colorado and Michigan dropped by at least 6 percent.

Prices, however, were still down from a year ago in 129 out of 155 metropolitan areas the group tracks. The median sales price in the quarter was $174,100, almost 16 percent below a year ago.

The biggest drop, of nearly 53 percent, was in Fort Myers, Fla. Prices also fell 35 percent or more in Phoenix, Riverside, Calif. and Las Vegas. The biggest price gain, of nearly 31 percent, was in Davenport, Iowa, followed by Cumberland,

Md., at nearly 22 percent.

Nationwide, foreclosures and distressed sales made up more than a third of all sales in the second quarter.

Many economists now say that the worst of the housing recession is over, though foreclosures are expected to rise over the next year.

Lawrence Yun, the trade group’s chief economist, called the sales increase “a hopeful sign for the economy.”

Star Bulletin: August 11, 2009
By Nina Wu

Donald J. Trump Jr. affirms that the family’s brand name will remain on the Trump International Hotel and Tower Waikiki Beach Walk.

“We are very excited about the building,” said Trump Jr., 31, an executive vice president who oversees the Trump Organization’s property portfolio, along with siblings Ivanka and Eric Trump. “The name will stay in place as long as the license is in place, which we hope will be a long time, if not forever.”

Trump is scheduled to give a media briefing in Waikiki this afternoon as well as to meet with buyers.

The 38-story tower — marketed as an “ultra-luxury hotel condominium” — offers 462 units and is available for room reservations starting Nov. 16.

Los Angeles developer Irongate is building the project, and sold out all the units for more than $700 million in a single day in 2006.

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