High winds on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii’s big island destroyed the canopies at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, a luxury 350-room facility. AR Industries, a Fontana, Calif., manufacturer of awnings and canopies, pool and spa covers, boat covers and specialized protective covers, developed a new style of canopy to cope with the unpredictable winds.

The canopy tops have pockets above the cross members of the frames into which aluminum flat bar is inserted for extra strength, while side curtains are attached with approximately two-inch C channels and ball-bearing carriers that allow curtains to slide back and be secured, like drapes, during windswept conditions. AR Industries used AwnTex® 120 vinyl-encapsulated polyester mesh for the canopy tops, a fabric that provides excellent shading without trapping heat or airflow, and resists UV, mildew and water damage. The new design was created to allow the canopies tops and sides to be removed within five minutes after the onset of windy conditions, which are often unpredictable in this area of the island.

The matching curtains of Pacific Blue Sunbrella® have hook-and-loop straps to tie them to the canopy legs on a gusty day.