Outrigger Enterprises Group began with a single hotel built by husband and wife team Roy and Estelle Kelley, who pioneered the family-style hotel in Waikiki.  They helped bring the dream of a Hawaii vacation within reach of the middle-class American traveler, and set a new direction for Hawaii's tourism industry.

The Kelleys opened the modest 50-room Islander hotel in 1947, the first new hotel in Waikiki since the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Moana Hotel and Halekulani Hotel began welcoming well-to-do guests from the early years of the 20th century.  Through building and acquisition, Outrigger Hotels became the state's largest hotel company by the mid 1980s.  Diversification into resort condominium management and expansion into Micronesia, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand led the company's growth through the 1990s.  Outrigger has since established a presence in Bali and Thailand.

In 2002, Outrigger Resort Club was formed, a strategic alliance with Fairfield Resorts, now doing business as Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world's largest vacation ownership company.

Outrigger Lodging Services, an affiliate company, operates hotels and resorts throughout the United States under a variety of brand names.

Today, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and OHANA Hotels & Resorts are the primary divisions of Outrigger Enterprises Group, the largest locally owned lodging company in Hawaii.