Hawaii Offers Tremendous Vacation Experience
by Scott A. Sumner
www.thunderbaybusiness.ca
Several years ago I began travelling the world and experiencing what is out there to enjoy. One of my favourite locations to date has got to be Hawaii and specifically the Island of Maui. Maui really is a paradise on this earth with year round temperatures of between 75
to 85 F being the norm. The sun shines 300 days of the year at Maui and is probably why the island has become so popular. Maui is an island of 750 square miles and has a permanent population of 140,000 with around 1.7 million tourists visiting annually. Wouldn’t we be
happy in Thunder Bay if we could attract that many people each year who would stay for an average of 7 days.
My trip began on a snowy cold morning in Thunder Bay with an Air Canada flight to Toronto, then Vancouver and finally to Maui. Leaving at 9am I was in Maui at 11 pm and off on my 45 minute drive to the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Maui’s Most Hawaiian Hotel located on the
pristine Kaanapali Beach. This hotel has got to have the nicest staff of any resort hotel I have ever visited. The hotel opened in 1984 and further wings were added. The owner is a gentleman from China who turned 99 in May last summer and has grandchildren in Hawaiian. Originally the property was used to grow pineapples and sugar cane
but changed to tourism.
“ The people come to relax and enjoy the property. Whale watching is included in some of the activities that are very traditional which helps the hotel progress in our journey and mission to share the culture. It is a sharing experience. The employees learn so much
about themselves participating in our cultural programs,” said Kalani Nakoa, Director of Sales & Marketing Kaanapali Beach Hotel. “ The guests can involve themselves in activities like the hula show, welcome breakfast and our Lei making for example. All of our employees will get up, sing and share what you can do here in their island of Maui. Where to go and what to do. Many try zip lining, kayaking, swimming at the beaches, body surfing, snorkeling, golf or
fishing off shore. This area was built as a resort area.”
Kaanapali Beach Hotel
“ We are Hawaii’s most hawaiian hotel. No one else can duplicate what we are doing. No one can foster this culture that we showcase to our guests. Our general manager was given this task in 1984 and he is still our GM. Many properties want to do this but it takes leadership. We are value driven and have a luxury beach. Our prices are about $50 to $60 per night less than most others here and range from $199 to $300. Most of our competitors start at $300 to
$700,” said Nakoa. “ We are constantly renovating our guest rooms and are moving ahead and now will concentrate on the restaurants. The aloha spirit is a pride in the culture, in your upbringing. It is not a tangible but what your experience is. It is a different way of life, more relaxed.”
At the Kaanapali Beach Hotel there is a family orientation very evident. The children get a Hawaiian name and passport and they get them stamped as they participate in many programs geared to families. People are traveling with babies nowadays I found out on my
trip over to Hawaii. The father can make a Lei with their child or the mother and daughter can learn the old fashioned way to make a hula skirt. Another very interesting area of the Kaanapali Beach Hotel is their Poi garden. “ Poi is like a potato, you have to peel it , get the bud and then pound it to mash it. It is very healthy but it has little taste so you have to acquire the taste. People return here every year as they feel at home and know what to expect.” said Kalini Nakoa. It was fun to stay in a top floor deluxe room overlooking the beautiful ocean beach of Kaanapali.
My next stay on Maui would be at the Outrigger Maui Eldorado Resort Condominiums. There are 204 condominium units on the 10 acre property and 86 are managed by Bill Rees GM Of Outrigger Eldorado and his staff. There is a mixture of studio, 1 BR and 2 BR condominiums
in 10 building all of which are 2 stories.
Bill Rees Gm Of Outrigger Eldorado
“ If you built a project like this today on this much land in Maui it would be 1200 units. We are like being at home as you have your own kitchen, washing machine, living room and bedrooms. You can go to our Safeway store just down the road and get your groceries.
Remember to bring your Safeway card,” smiles Bill Rees Gm Of Outrigger Eldorado. “ For the golfers there are two courses right adjacent to the resort. Two years ago they were totally remodeled with new grasses. They played the Wendy's Seniors Skins event here
this year at the Kaanapali Golf Resort. You can drive down to the clubhouse or walk there. Our guests can play for $150 per person for unlimited golf for 1 day. The Royal course alone is $190 usually. The husband plays golf all day and the wife can go shopping!”
“ All the beaches in Hawaii are public. We have a 3000 square foot cabana with a deck and lounge areas right on the beach. There is full kitchen and you can go to the sand. It is the only amenity any where in Hawaii like this. You don’t have to go through the hotel and walk through the lobby. You can eat there and spent the whole day if you like. Just pick up the phone and we will take you there on our golf carts in a few minutes,” said Rees. “ We have
three swimming on the property two of which are heated. Our average length of stay is 6 nights with a 2 day minimum while some 45 to 60 days. It is real easy to stay that long. The room rates are for a studio $160 a night plus tax and parking. The 2 bedrooms can be $350
to $400 depending on the view. If you call us and ask we can offer a little better deal long term. We do have daily housekeeping and in a way are a full service hotel with the convieniance of a front desk, the ability to get mail sent, fax service and a small shop to buy things. We don’t have restaurants on site but if you don’t like to do your own cooking we are just across the street from the Fairway shops with food.”
The Outrigger company has several properties on Maui and many on the other islands. The Outrigger hotels have the largest number of rooms in this part of the world. My 1 bedroom Condominium with view of the Kaanapali Golf Resort and ocean was owned by an Alberta
couple. It was a beautiful 1000 square unit with ceramic tile throughout, large king bed and full kitchen facilities. My stay here was really a treat!
When you travel to Maui you have to experience a Royal Luau. A Luau is a feast with traditional Hawaiian dancing including fire throwing. My Luau experience was at the Royal Lahaina Resort, a beautiful property also located on the famed Kaanapali Beach. With up
to 700 people attending each event it is quite a spectacle right on the beach. You go up to 6 buffets lines and choose all the food you would like including steak, chicken, pig, fish and all sorts of salads, vegetables and deserts. The drinks are free and everyone was ready for a spectacular show of traditional dancing under the stars after sunset right on the beach. It really was quite an experience and everyone really enjoyed themselves.
When you are in Maui a great activity is to eat. It was fun having a beautiful buffet breakfast in the open air ocean front restaurant of the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort. This luxurious resort
is a great choice for the traveler who enjoys a special setting and experience on their travels. I was able to experience a beautiful golfers massage after breakfast at the Westin Maui. Their expansive spa is amazing and something everyone should enjoy when on a trip to Maui.
My first reason to visit Maui was to play three superb golf courses which you can read about here on this site. There is so much else to do there and with picture perfect weather each day you will enjoy your time in Hawaii.
www.kbhmaui.com
www.outrigger.com
ww.hawaiianhotels.com
www.maui.hyatt.com
www.westinmaui.com
