Maui on my mind
January 20, 2002 | 12:00am
As the luxurious Norwegian Sky cruise liner docked on the beautiful island of Maui in Hawaii, my group and I excitedly explored this exotic port of history and culture.
From Manila, we took Continental Airlines to Honululu via Guam then cruised to the islands of Kona, Hilo, Kauia and even Fanning Island in the Republic of Kiribati. You can just imagine how excited I was upon finally reaching my favorite destination in our itinerary, Maui.
Maui boasts of the austere beauty of the dormant volcano Haleakala, the scenic Hana coastline, verdant pastures of Kula and Makawao, and the mystic silence of the Iao Valley. Maui acquired its monicker from a demigod, "Maui of a Thousand Tricks," whose exploits hail from Polynesian legends. It was on this island that the demigod performed his most celebrated feat – showing the passage of the sun.
Maui’s location has also made it a focal point of many crucial junctures in Hawaiian history. After Kamehameha the Great unified the people of the island of Hawaii, his conquest next turned to Maui. Kamehameha became the first ruler of the kingdom of Hawaii. From the 1820s to the late 1850s, Maui was a world-renowned waypoint for whalers on their way to the whaling grounds of the Pacific from ports as far away as Martha’s Vineyard. Lahaina was a wild town then – when sailors who had been at sea for years at a stretch came to land. Today, Maui is an international destination whose diverse beauty enamors people from all over the world.
What’s On Expat GM Clarissa "Butch" Bonsol, Marissa Torres of Continental Airlines and I embarked on activities of our choice while the rest of the group either stayed aboard the ship or opted for shore excursions.
Another highlight of our sojourn was exploring our beautiful home while on the island, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, one of the most spectacular resorts in the world. Its unique blend of fantasy and reality combined with impeccable service sets this international resort in a class of all its own.
Penny Mailou of the Hyatt graciously toured us around the spectacular resort.
This was truly an escape to a classic Hawaiian beachfront oasis where you can enjoy a paradise of waterfalls, wildlife, sparkling lagoons, crashing surf and spectacular sunsets.
At Hyatt Regency Maui Resort, the choices of activities are endless. I rocketed down a 150-foot, enclosed lava tube waterslide and splashed through twin waterfalls into a romantic grotto bar, all part of a two-acre network of streams, waterfalls and a half-acre pool. Marissa ventured out to the beach for sun, surf and snorkeling. Butch checked out the 55-foot catamaran, Kiele V, and went scuba-diving as well.
With their rolling greens and spectacular ocean views, it is no wonder the Royal Kaanapali Golf Course has been selected to host the Canada Cup, The Kaanapali Classic Senior PGA Tournament and other prestigious international golf events. The course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jack Snyder offer an ideal setting even for recreational golfers. Butch and I practiced putting on the greens.
Our adventurous trio further explored the panoramic views at this magnificent, newly renovated resort. Spreading over 40 acres on world-famous Kaanapali Beach, it is a classic Hawaiian beach getaway with broad promenades filled with fragrant blossoms. A majestic collection of rare art treasures blends with simple elegance into a sunny atrium and tropical gardens. It is a sun-drenched oasis where the rich colors of Hawaii are reflected in glittering pools and a wildlife preserve where exotic birds make 18 manicured acres their home. The tropical theme extends to 815 luxurious guest rooms and 31 suites, each with its own separate seating area and private lanai from which to enjoy breathtaking ocean and mountain views. An exclusive Regency Club on the uppermost floors of the Atrium Tower offers personalized concierge attention, breakfast service, sunset cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres and Internet access.
Creativity, personalized service and attention to detail make this an exceptional choice for an informal dinner gathering to a catered reception for 1,200. Dine in the five restaurants serving the freshest seafood and culinary masterpieces of Asia and the Pacific. Enjoy casual poolside dining at the Pavilion Restaurant. Swans glide past as you dine in the Swan Court (where I celebrated my birthday with my brother Mark, sister Yvonne and our folks few years back.) Indulge you seafood fantasies at Cascades Grille & Sushi Bar. Feast on classic Italian cuisine at Spats Tratorria. For the ultimate Hawaiian experience, watch legend and lore come to life in the spectacular "Drums of the Pacific" luau and dinner show.
As if saving the best for last, a visit to the Hyatt Regency’s Spa Moana, Hawaii’s only oceanfront, full-service spa and salon proved unforgettable. We were welcomed by the gracious spa operations manager Fiona Leslie and spa director Leah Chin. This 9,000-square foot, glass-front spa is an architectural treasure with state-of-the-art wet and dry treatment rooms, dual treatment suite, open-air exercise lanai, fitness rooms, whirlpools and warm island hospitality. We were pampered with this stimulating body scrub using Ka’anapali coffee scrub as exfoliant and the Maui sugar scrub with native honey, aloe vera, grape seed oil and lavender flowers. It was simply fabulous.
As we boarded our ship for our last sunset dinner on this cruise, we exchanged wonderful stories with our traveling companions and the many friends we had made.
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