Disney's love affair with the islands began in the company's infancy with founder Walt Disney. From the 1937 Mickey Mouse animated short "Hawaiian Holiday" to the Hawaiian setting of Disneyland's groundbreaking Enchanted Tiki Room attraction, which established the Audio-Animatronics art form, to the inclusion of Disney's Polynesian Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort, Walt often pulled inspiration from the popular islands.

Walt Disney Pictures continued the Hawaiian legacy in 2002 with the hit animated film "Lilo & Stitch," an original story about a Hawaiian girl who tames a seemingly untamable alien by teaching the meaning of "ohana," the Hawaiian tradition of family. The Walt Disney Company also does extensive film work in Hawaii, including on-location production for the hit ABC series "Lost." The feature film "Pearl Harbor" was also shot on location in Oahu.

Disney in Hawaii: More Than Meets the Mouse?If this is all Disney's got, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the company has a lack of local market experience working against it. And lack of experience in new markets has clipped the company before. I hear that just hearing the name "Euro Disney" is enough to make Michael Eisner break out in hives.

Disney's existing hotels have always had the protection of the major draw of a theme park. After all, even when times are tough, parents are going to dig deep into their pockets to give their children the "Disney experience." But without that theme-park insurance policy, its Hawaiian property is less likely to draw visitors in down times. So is this a genius move, or a totally goofy idea? Rimmy Malhotra

Will Ko Olina become the new “Port Disney?”

On the surface, the project combines many elements of Ko Olina’s desire for cruise ship traffic with Disney’s vision for an expanded cruise line and regional entertainment centers.  The framework is already in place for a Castaway Cay-type, beachfront facility catering to hotel guests, Disney Vacation Club members and even Disney Cruise Line day guests.