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June 28, 2009updated Feb 11, 2013

Hualalai Resort Announces Property Enhancements

By Pardhasaradhi Gonuguntla

New Alaka ‘I Nalu Ocean Activities
To help resort guests and owners interact with the powerful force of the ocean and the topography of the coast, the alaka‘i nalu (leader of the waves) program hearkens back to the Hawai‘i of the ‘30s and ‘40s, when beach boys were respected, fun-loving stewards of the ocean. Overseeing water safety and ocean awareness, the alaka‘i nalu post ocean conditions for guests and residents along the shoreline. The alaka‘i nalu are also available to assist with water sports equipment, private instruction and advice on how best to interact with the beautiful yet unpredictable ocean. The alaka‘i nalu offer the following ocean activities: canoe paddling, snorkeling, stand-up paddling, shoreline fishing, surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving, boogie boarding, sailing, whale watching & snorkeling cruises.

Hualālai Spa
The new spa, now expanded to 28,000 square feet from the original 13,000 square feet, seamlessly integrates tropical, open-air gardens with dark, cool interior spaces, and feels uniquely Hawaiian. Guests are greeted at a reception desk created from a block of Koa wood with live edges; dappled light filters through custom bamboo screens and falls upon the dark planed-wood floors. A stream gently flows through a tranquil tropical garden where guests can enjoy complimentary pre-spa rituals. Kūpuna (island elders) and wellness practitioners shared their wisdom to give the spa experience a genuine sense of place, using healing qualities of native plant and mineral resources incorporated into signature treatments. Guests may choose from more than 20 local natural ingredients, from Hawaiian sea salt and volcanic ash to coconut and crushed macadamia nuts, which are then custom-blended to create unique personalized spa treatments.

Beach-front Dining
Its enhancements symbolic of the resort’s unique style of “barefoot elegance,” Beach Tree, the resort’s beach-front restaurant, bar and lounge, will re-open this summer with transformed interior and exterior spaces, a new menu and a new chef. 16-foot high ceilings create an ambiance of bringing the outside in. Richly textured wood tables, upholstered cushions and blue tones connect the restaurant with ocean and sky. Outside, trellis seating with awnings invite casual fresco dining; a thatched roof lends a casual “Hawaiian beach shack” feel to the bar. In the lounge, guests will relax on overstuffed sofas and chairs. New Chef de Cuisine Nick Mastrascusa, from 57 Restaurant at Four Seasons New York, will oversee a menu featuring fresh market-driven cuisine with Italian, California and tropical touches.

Boutique Shopping
Adjacent to the spa, the new Seaside Boutique features designers such as Allegra Hicks, Tory Burch, Vince, Tibi, Catherine Malandrino, Diane von Furstenberg, Irene Neuwirth and more. Fine accessories include light cashmere wraps, Kotur clutches, Mizuki jewellery and K. Jacques St. Tropez sandals.

Below the main lobby, Seaside Luxe Boutique is a fusion of high-fashion lines such as Pucci, Missoni, Lanvin, Zac Posen and Irene Neuwirth. In addition to fashion, Seaside Luxe features custom furniture pieces and home accessories from renowned designer Tim Clarke. Local artwork is featured, proceeds from which benefit the Hawaii‘s Preparatory Academy in Waimea. Within Seaside Luxe is a menagerie of children’s gear – beachwear, playful jewelry, toys, books and novelty items – including exclusive designs for infants to ‘tweens from designers such as Nikki Cool, Calypso and Lacoste.

Suites at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Twenty new one- and two-bedroom suites were created offering between 1,150 and 1,950 square feet of indoor-outdoor living space. The new one-bedroom suites suit couples who seek a separate area for entertaining; the two-bedroom units are perfect for families. All of the new suites offer spacious living rooms and separate bathroom with steam showers, and pocket doors open onto extensive lanais offering ocean views. In addition to these new suites, enhancements were made to the Deluxe and Presidential Suites, the latter a $500,000 project that involved custom-made teak furniture and rosewood floors for the 2,699 square-foot indoor and outdoor space. Designer is Michael Booth, co-founder of the internationally acclaimed, San Francisco-based Babey Moulton Jue & Booth—BaMo.

www.hualalairesort.com

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