HILO — After three years on the market, the historic Kilauea Lodge may soon have a buyer.
The Volcano Village hotel and restaurant was put up for sale in 2014 with an asking price of $5.9 million. Since then, however, the property’s price has dropped to $5.2 million and has hovered on and off the market but remains unsold.
Despite this, Rebecca Keliihoomalu, real estate agent for MacArthur Sotheby’s International Realty, said an undisclosed buyer is interested in purchasing the resort.
“Three years isn’t an unusual amount of time for a property like this,” said Keliihoomalu. “Not everyone’s in the restaurant and hospitality businesses.”
The lodge’s owners, Albert and Lorna Jeyte, bought the property in 1986 while visiting on their honeymoon. The couple converted the lodge, formerly a YMCA camp, into a resort facility, with Albert Jeyte serving as chef.
The lodge was added to the Hawaii Register of Historic Places in 2012, which Keliihoomalu said has not diminished interest from buyers.
Keliihoomalu said she has been in contact with “interested parties” with experience in the hospitality industry and a decision may be made within the coming months.
Albert and Lorna Jeyte declined to comment.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com