Michael Jokovich (right) recently gave Arsene “Blackie” Gadarian his bells back. The owner of Blackie’s Machine Shop contributed his handiwork to the opening of the resort in 1980, when his copper bells became signature design details of the resort’s original Lahaina Provision Company. The outlet subsequently became Cascades Grille and Sushi Bar in 2000, and Blackie’s bells have been a fixture of the resort spanning 30 years. With the transformation of Cascades into Japengo, the resort’s team was thrilled to return the well-loved bells to Blackie. A longtime favorite of the resort, Blackie can often be found pool side at Umalu restaurant.

KAANAPALI — Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa is nearing completion of an extensive $15 million transformation. 

Scheduled for completion in December 2010, work includes updating guest rooms and launching a new restaurant, Japengo.

“Opened in 1980, Hyatt Regency Maui was the first destination resort in the world, and its groundbreaking resort-as-destination concept — with extensive gardens, water playgrounds, wildlife and notable art collection  — forever changed the landscape of resorts around the globe,” said Michael Jokovich, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Maui.

“With this exciting transformation, we’re reinventing the resort that invented it all. The ambiance and design of our new guest rooms and Japengo are inspired by the vibrancy and natural beauty of Hawaii, and with them we have infused sophisticated Hawaiian elegance into the entire guest experience.”

Beginning in August and scheduled for completion in December, Cascades restaurant will be completely redesigned into Japengo, a hip dining destination for Asian-fusion cuisine. 

Creating a “moonscape” at the Moon Bar, an open air garden lounge, silk pendants orbit above a circular bar created with lunar-toned materials of sliced stone and black pebbles.

With design led by Island Design Center, the dramatic transformation begins with an updated interpretation of a Japanese fishing village, with narrow alleyways and quirky level changes leading to the Moon Bar, Sushi Lounge and outdoor dining overlooking the ocean. 

Colors and materials are evocative of the celestial elements of the sun, moon and Earth and vary from grounded and earthen to warm and fiery and lunar and ethereal.

Covered with mossy green rustic porcelain tiles, The Village Alley Walk leads guests to the Sushi Lounge. 

Glowing amber elongated pendant lamps and banquettes of wasabi-green and deep olive create a clubby ambiance. Outside, guests enjoy trade winds and panoramic views of the resort’s 40-acre grounds, the ocean and Molokai and Lanai.

At Japengo, guests will enjoy modern Asian-fusion cuisine created by Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa Executive Chef Matt Smith and his team presented against the subdued, warm and earthy colors of Heath Ceramics. 

Led by CRA, a leading designer of upscale hospitality properties, Hyatt Regency Maui guest rooms will be renovated with a sleek, contemporary Hawaiian design that is both comfortable and sophisticated.

The design draws directly on the vibrant natural beauty of the surrounding blue Pacific, red clay soil, deep green plants and vivid yellows and oranges of the island sun. 

A new crisp, graphic carpet and simple palette of white bedding on the plantation-style platform bed will set off vibrantly colored new textiles. 

Custom light fixtures, fabrics and draperies achieve a sophisticated look, while “frame-free” artwork relaxes the room. 

Custom-designed ottomans stand in for coffee tables, encouraging guests to unwind and put their feet up. 

A new custom wall-covering with a hint of vertical grain is a sustainable product made from recycled materials. 

For more information on the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, call 661-1234 or visit www.maui.hyatt.com.