Three Hawai'i hotels are again included in the AAA Five Diamond Awards for 2007, but The Kahala Hotel & Resort has slipped off the prestigious list.

The three hotels are repeat mentions on the Five-Diamond list, which includes just 83 hotels and 53 restaurants out of the nearly 60,000 AAA rated properties in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

They include the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, which has been on the list for 16 years. The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua attained the rating for an 11th year; and the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai appeared for its ninth time.

But The Kahala lost its place after appearing on the list for four years. The hotel, formerly known as the Kahala Mandarin Oriental before a change in management this year, was among 10 other Hawai'i hotels rated as Four Diamond Lodgings for 2007. They include: Hotel Hana Maui, Halekulani, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, The Fairmont Orchid, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Princeville Resort, Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, and The Fairmont Kea Lani.

The Halekulani's La Mer is the only Hawai'i restaurant on AAA's list of Five Diamond restaurants. It was the restaurant's 17th year on the list.

AAA employs 65 full-time evaluators to give rankings of hotels and restaurants. The Five-Diamond properties are given a more extensive review, including multiple inspections.

Hotels that have the Five-Diamond rating "reflect the characteristics of the ultimate in luxury and sophistication," AAA said. "The fundamental hallmarks at this level are providing meticulous service, exceeding guest expectations, and maintaining impeccable standards of excellence. Many personalized services and amenities provide an unmatched level of comfort."