Grand Restaurant „M“

76
Hawaii Ka’upulehu:
that’s real luxury in paradise.
Four Seasons Resort
Hualalai rests on Hawaii’s
exclusive North Kona
Coast, surrounded by
lush vegetation, sparkling
ocean waters and
stunning white-sand beaches.
Comfortable and
spacious accommodations
are housed in intimate
two-storey bungalows
arranged in small
crescents along the beachfront
and golf course.
The 243 expansive
guest rooms, including
51 suites, feature private
furnished lanais and
stunning ocean views.
Taking the suites to a
new level, the 20 brand
new ocean-view Deluxe
and Superior Suites are
exceptionally spacious,
with one or two bedrooms.
Deluxe Suites
redefine oceanfront indulgence
with their inspiring
views and private
steam showers. Most
lower-level guest rooms
and suites offer outdoor
gardens and lava rock
showers.
words by Tracie Kahinkina
photos: Michael Prince
and Don Riddle
Hualalai, on Hawaii's Big Island, is a dramatic
mix of fine white sand, dazzling
turquoise ocean and black-lava landscapes.
A destination of enchanting natural
beauty and the cradle of Hawaiian civilisation.
We asked Tracie Kahinkina,
Chef Concierge at Four Seasons
Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu, to gather the savviest
suggestions she could find on Hawaii's Big Island – not just her
own but also those of the local connoisseurs.
Shopping: Unique shopping opportunities begin right at the
Resort, where the Seaside Luxe boutique carries the Hawaiianinspired,
tie-dyed silk designs of Gregory Parkinson. A few miles
up the Kohala coast at Waikoloa’s King’s Shops, „Under the Koa
Tree“ showcases products made from a variety of beautifully
grained Hawaiian woods, including jewellery boxes, combs, frames
and bowls. Another shopping excursion not to miss is
nearby Holualoa Village, a quaint town turned artist’s enclave.
Hidden Hawaii: Pu‘uhonua Honaunau National Historic Park is
a great place to learn about Hawaiian life in ancient times. Set
on a sheltered coral bay, it housed the ali’i (kings) and provided
sanctuary to defeated warriors and those who would otherwise
have been killed for violating sacred laws. Next door is a popular
snorkelling area with numerous turtles. Hiking is a great way to
get off-the-beaten track. Families should try the Kohala Waterfalls
Adventure offered by Hawaii Forest and Trail. After a scenic
drive up through the plantation towns of North Kohala, there’s a
1.5-mile loop trail that features a relaxed walk, dramatic views of
Pololu-Valley, charming footbridges and intimate waterfalls.
Tastes of the Big Island: Kona coffee, grown only on the Big Island’s
Kona coast beginning south of the Resort, is world-famous
for its smoothness and rich body. Many growers offer tours and
tastings. One of the best is Greenwell Farms, where visitors can
track coffee from tree to cup.Though not as well known as coffee,
chocolate is also grown and produced locally.The Original
Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, just a few miles outside Kona town,
offers reservations-only tours that – like coffee – follow the production
from cacao pods to finished product.
Going to Extremes: Visit Volcanoes National Park at the south
tip of the island to peer into the smoking crater of Kilauea volcano,
and – if your timing is right – watch glowing red lava pour
into the sea. Nearly 14,000 feet above is the tip of dormant
Mauna Kea volcano, topped by a famous observatory and
(usually in winter) snowfields. A variety of nature tours are offered
on the mountain and stargazing is possible a bit lower down
the slope at the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center.
Water Adventures: Between december and april, humpbacks
and other whales are often seen frolicking in the waters.The Big
Island also has superb snorkelling – visibility can be 100-plus feet
– you’ll swim amidst tropical fish and corals. Or try outrigger
canoe paddling, a traditional Hawaiian method of transportation.
Tee Time: If you’ve never played a course where fairways are
threaded through fields of black lava, be prepared for the round
of your life at the Resort’s Hualalai Golf Course (Jack Nicklaus
signature design).The greens have very little grain, so play less
break that you might expect. And whatever you do, don’t try to
retrieve your ball from a lava field – those rocks are very sharp,
razor sharp.
Fun at the Pond: Carved out of natural lava rock, King’s Pond at
the Resort offers guests the chance to swim with more than
3,000 tropical fish included spotted eagle rays. Guests can also
participate in hand-feeding the eagle rays and children will especially
enjoy assisting at the Fish Circus, where they help train
colourful fish in King’s Pond to perform tricks.
Ah, Spa: After an active day, visit the Resort’s Hualalai Spa to enjoy
an only-in-Hawaii treatment. A lomi lomi massage employs
traditional Hawaiian techniques using rhythmic strokes integrating
the therapist’s forearms and elbows targeting your core muscles.The
goal is to stimulate the circulatory system; the practical
effect is to make you feel like a new person. Unique to Hualalai
is the on-the-beach treatment called Ma-huaola (being healthy)
that includes a fresh body scrub and mask made from natural
Hawaiian ingredients and a relaxing scalp-and-foot massage.The
treatment ends with moments of quiet reflection on the beach
while sipping local tea or another freshly made beverage and
enjoying flavourful treats. www.fourseasons.com/hualalai
77