Haseko Hawai’i Inc. has sold its Hoakalei Country Club to Hirakawa Shoji Group of Japan, the companies said Wednesday. Hirakawa Shoji will begin operating the 18-hole Ernie Els designed course in December.

The par-72, 7,400-yard course on 248 acres opened in 2009.

“The sale of the golf course has been a long-term goal for Haseko,” said President Tom Sagawa. “Our intention was to build an exceptional golf course that would complement our vision for Hoakalei Resort and eventually sell it to a buyer who shares our commitment to building upon the exceptional quality of play currently experienced at Hoakalei Country Club. We found that in Hirakawa Shoji Group.”

Hirakawa Shoji “has committed to rehiring the majority of Hoakalei Country Club’s employees; preserving the existing membership; maintaining the course’s quality of play; and acting as a good partner to the surrounding community,” the two companies said in a news release.