HAWAII’S PARADISE FOUND,
Tour of Hawaiian islands made magical at Four Seasons resorts
Roy Sakuma placed the tips of my fingers on the strings of his ukulele. My only lesson from the master of the instrument on my first day in the Hawaiian Islands. He taught me a simple Hawaiian tune, as we sat together in the soaring, sun-drenched lobby of the Four Seasons Resort in Ko Olina, Oahu.
I had flown across the Pacific the day before to begin my 12-day Extraordinary Experience stay at a quartet of Four Seasons resorts on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii (Big Island) and Lanai.
I bid Sakuma “Mahalo” (thank you) and returned to my suite with its two spacious balconies perched on the 14th floor high above the glistening Pacific. It was so comfortable that I was reluctant to leave, but the adultonly 123-foot-long infinity pool was beckoning.
Unlike the bustle of the Waikiki side of the island, the 2-year-old Four Seasons resides on the west coast of Oahu, the choice retreat for the former Hawaiian royalty who christened it Ko Olina, meaning “Place of Joy.” Three hundred seventy rooms and suites showcase a sophisticated use of traditional Hawaiian woods and fabrics. All are well served by the 750 staff members who graciously attend to the quests at three main restaurants, three pools, a sprawling spa with its rooftop tennis courts and myriad marine activities.
My culinary experience soared with the new chef of La Hiki Kitchen, Simeon Hall, who hails from the Bahamas. For my last dinner at Four Seasons Ko Olina, he presented me with a four-course sampling of a future menu he was planning. Lucky future quests!
The next morning, I bid “Mahalo” and headed to the airport for my halfhour flight to the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea where I was greeted with “Aloha” and a pale pink lei.
It was mating season in Maui. The humpback whales were investing in their future. The surf was up and I was in my kayak, paddling out to sea. Well, with less bravado on my part, as I and three others were guided by a veteran kayaker associated with the resort’s Undersea Adventure Tours. We were hoping to get up close to the mothers and their calves, but that was not to be.
The resort reminded me of drawings of vast estates of Roman senators — imposing, grand, multiple pillars and sculpted garden atriums and lawns. A thousand employees and 383 guest rooms and suites. At 28 years, it is Hawaii’s oldest Four Seasons property, with a recent multimilliondollar facelift by its owner, Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Computer Corp. Great attention has been paid to childrenfriendly activities, including their own pool area and a center for arts and crafts.
On day two at 6:30 a.m., a limousine, a driver, a photographer and a picnic basket greeted me at the front entrance of the resort. A full day was to unfurl along the spectacular drive toward the town of Hana on Maui’s east coast. We drove along signature hairpin turns and single-lane bridges, ascending into the bamboo forest, passing fresh fruit and shaved ice stands.
On my final morning in Maui I was treated to a hot stone massage laced with liquid lavender in a cozy thatched hut by the sea. Wrenching myself from such total relaxation was difficult. But “Aloha” was calling from Hawaii and one should never refuse a warm welcome.
The island, Hawaii, nicknamed the Big Island, is almost twice as large as all the other Hawaiian Islands combined, and is the youngest as well. This volcanic island showcases micro-climates from tropical to polar. As I drove toward the resort, I felt I had landed on another planet. Acres of gigantic black lava rocks, as if thrown by disgruntled ancient gods, bracketed the modern highway. This scene soon turned into a lush, gentle tropical vegetation as we passed the Jack Nicklaus 18-hole golf course and arrived at Michael Dell’s Four Seasons Resort at Hualalai.
As I strolled around the vast property, I counted seven pools from fresh water, to heated, to childrenonly. All of the 125 guest rooms and 51 suites and villas were within 200 feet of the Pacific Ocean and each had a private outdoor lavastone shower.
The spa is world class, hands-down. An oasis of tranquility nestled outdoors surrounded by lava stone walls, flowering trees, plunge pools and steam rooms.
Four Seasons Resort
Lanai was the last of my one-of-a-kind Extraordinary Experiences signature tours of the four Four Seasons Resorts. I’ve nicknamed the island the Oracle of Lanai, as Larry Ellison, head of Oracle Corp., owns not only the resort but 98 percent of this 90,000-acre island.
The 213 guest rooms, housed on two levels, were inspired by Hawaii’s Polynesian ancestry; walls of teak and zebra wood, mahogany floors, handwoven area rugs, leather-trimmed custom beds and a mixture of natural fabrics creating a rich and relaxed atmosphere.
For those who can bear to leave the property, there are lots of activities. How about a horseback ride, or a Polaris off-roading experience, or catamaran whale-watching? Or just wander into the town of Lanai (population: 3,100) and visit its art gallery, shops, bistros and the wonderfully restored theater.
In December 2018, a completely redesigned Four Seasons in the Koele area of Lanai will open as a resort/spa destination.
So, I guess my next trip to Hawai’i will turn into a quintet of Four Seasons Resorts. Hawaii Five-Oh.