Aqua Hotels & Resorts yesterday added a 16th property to its management roster — this time the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort.

A subsidiary of Ilikai Hotel owner iStar Financial — SFI Kauai Operator LLC — has selected Aqua to manage the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort.

The addition of the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort to Aqua's portfolio increases the kama'aina company's presence to 16 hotels on four Hawaiian Islands.

Another Aqua subsidiary today also took over at the Ilikai Friday and reopened that hotel under another iStar subsidiary.

The oceanfront Hilton Kauai Beach Resort is situated on 25 acres and has 350 hotel guest rooms, including oceanfront suites and guest rooms. The five-story resort also boasts one of the longest stretches of white-sand beach on Kaua'i.

"It's exciting to be selected by iStar Financial to manage the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort," said Ben Rafter, Aqua's president and chief executive officer. No name changes are currently planned for the property.

The boutique chain had focused on an urban Waikiki niche until this year, when it began an assertive expansion. In January, Rafter said the company wanted to double in size within the next couple of years, starting with Maui, other Neighbor Islands and California, and globally to Australia and New Zealand.

"We're delighted to be working with Aqua Hotels as we share their vision and commitment to Hawai'i's island culture," said Andrew G. Backman, iStar Financial's senior vice president of investor relations and marketing.