John Wayne Slept Here: Kauai Inn With Hawaiian Airlines Roots Hits Market

Beat of Hawaii explores the fascinating history behind Kauai Inn, a 48-room historic property now for sale for $26 million near Nawiliwili Harbor.

The story traces back to 1890 when the Fairview Hotel opened on Rice Street, later becoming the Lihue Hotel before evolving into the Kauai Inn. The property has moved locations twice and carries surprising connections to Hawaiian Airlines' origins through Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company, which owned the hotel in 1948 and had launched Inter-Island Airways in 1929.

• John Wayne stayed in Room 301 during 1962 filming of "Donovan's Reef," creating lasting Hollywood lore
• The original hotel buildings were literally cut in half and moved to Kalapaki Beach in the 1960s
• Inter-Island Steam Navigation, the hotel's former owner, was the parent company that became Hawaiian Airlines
• The current Nawiliwili location represents over 130 years of evolving Kauai tourism history