Think Hawaii, and images of romance, blue skies and glorious
weather float by the conjured thoughts. Midway across the warm
Pacific there lays a chain of islands called
”
Hawaii
”
. Two thousand miles of ocean from our mainland with no
continental coast between, these small bits of land appear offered
to the sky by water and pressed to the earth by stars.
Think Hawaii, and images of romance, blue skies and glorious weather float by the conjured thoughts. Midway across the warm Pacific there lays a chain of islands called “Hawaii”. Two thousand miles of ocean from our mainland with no continental coast between, these small bits of land appear offered to the sky by water and pressed to the earth by stars. Today’s hours come and go at a tidal tempo. Here, civilizations of Occident and Orient merge under the tropical influence of the Polynesian culture.
The legend of Maui
A short hop from Honolulu or Hilo, the island of Maui rises from the spewing of the volcano Mauna Loa. It was named for the mischievous demigod who, as legend tells, used his fish hook and cunning to pull up the ocean bed to form the islands and who crippled the sun so it would move slower. This allowed days to be longer so natives of the legend could have more daylight to enjoy their already idyllic life even more. The legends of Maui, the maverick of the Hawaiian gods, are fascinating and are recommended reading for anyone who enjoys delightful fantasy.
Everything on water
The 700-plus square miles of Maui includes Haleakala, a 10,023 foot dormant volcano that challenges bikers to ride down her side in a glorious rush of excitement and glee. The second largest island in the Hawaiian chain lures more than three million travelers annually. There are beautiful beaches with all water sports available and a front seat for whale watching. In some areas, the culture holds to the past. But 21st century technology envelopes other areas for those who need to be on the fast track no matter where they are.
‘The Valley Isle’
The island is made up of two volcanoes, Pu’u Kakui (5,788 feet) and the enormous (and to the Hawaiians holy) Haleakala (10,023 feet) one is extinct and one dormant, they both erupted millenniums ago and formed one island creating a valley between the two – thus Maui is known as “The Valley Isle.”
Upscale destinations
With top of the line resort destinations that have set new standards for luxury, the call to the traveler looking for an upscale vacation with all the stops pulled comes from Maui.
The ultimate in luxury
For the ultimate in luxury, find yourself at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Wind your way 10 miles north of Lahaina to the award-winning Kapalua resort – an A-ticket ride to relaxation, service and any amenity you can think of in a beachfront golf and tennis community. Ironwood and century-old cook pines and two championship golf courses surround 50 acres of prime property where the distinctive AAA Five Diamond rated Ritz Carlton sits on a nationally-acclaimed prime, white sand beach that overlooks the island of Molikai in the near distance.
The lei greeting upon arrival sets the tone. The staff anticipates your needs: your car is parked and your bags whisked to your room in the time it took to inhale the sweet air and admire the rainbow that seems to be welcoming only you. The pleasant lobby gives a feeling of home while a storyteller weaves a tale of the island to fascinated guests relaxing with mai tais on the ocean view side of the entrance. The feeling and meaning of aloha is abundant and sincere.
You have a choice between a beautifully appointed guestroom or an elegant suite with a spacious lanai and large marble bathroom. A special club level floor that pampers the guest with upgraded services and amenities is accessible by a specially programmed key that unlocks the elevators. A morning wake-up call is accompanied by pungent Hawaiian coffee and newspaper upon request. A computer station is available for your convenience.
The Banyan Tree offers “eclectic Pacific cuisine with a Hawaiian twist” and includes stunning views of the Pailolo Channel and breaching whales during the season. Visit the Terrace Restaurant for a breakfast buffet with Pacific cuisine for lunch and dinner. The Kai sushi Bar, The Beach House Bar and Grill, and Pool Bar and Cafe round out a first class complete set of restaurants and bars that will have something to please everyone.
Recreational facilities on the property include eight tennis courts, two basketball courts and a three-tiered cascading swimming pool. Outdoor whirlpool spas, a nine-hole putting green, a professional croquet lawn, a secluded beach and a 24/7 fitness center that includes weight training equipment, steam and sauna and 17,000-square-foot spa are included.
For information or reservations call, the hotel directly (808) 669-6200 or visit The Ritz-Carlton web site at www.ritzcarlton.com.
