The four-day hotel opening celebrations began with a flag-raising at the Governor's Office on Flag Day, followed by a royal ‘ava ceremony conducted at the Fagatogo malae by Taumafaalofi and Aumaga of Nuʻuuli.

Senator Alan Bible was the featured Flag Day speaker and the Department of the Interior sent its top officials.

Governor John A. Burns came from Hawai'i with General Harris of the Air Force and Admiral Fabik of the Coast Guard.

[6] In 2004 the government agreed to lease part of the hotel to businessman Tom Drabble.

The ARA stated in the article that “only tourism… offers a sound basis on which to restructure the economy.” It was anticipated that tourists would be arriving in increased numbers due to new scheduled flights.