Fairmont Kea Lani's Hawaiian Cultural Coach

Bringing authentic Hawaiian culture into the spa is so important that the Fairmont Kea Lani resort hired Jonelle Kamai, a native Hawaiian, as its Cultural Coach. Kamai was entrusted with training all Willow Stream Spa employees in the culture of Hawai’i and how it relates to spa.
She created two signature spa treatments—the Welcome (Welina) Journey and the Natural Hawaiian Journey (Huaka’i Kupono Hawai’i)—and brought in Ala Lani, a locally sourced, organic product line. We spoke with Kamai to learn about some of her Hawaiian beauty secrets.
OSM: Hawaii has an abundance of beautiful natural ingredients that grow everywhere! What is most commonly used for relaxation and beautification?
JK: At the resort, we grow ti leaf and ‘awa and will soon be planting a kukui tree. Warriors used to drink ‘awa in Ancient Hawai’i to calm them after a long day. Now, ‘awa is used to rub on limbs, aiding in the relaxation process. Ti leaf (ki) alleviates muscle pain, stiffness in joints, and bruises to the body. Ancient Hawaiians used to apply a large ti leaf (ki) to a stiff muscle overnight. Rubbing rich Kukui nut oil on the skin helps with rehydration. Noni leaves and bark were used in Ancient Hawaii to treat muscle and joint pain.
OSM: Would you consider lomilomi a traditional Hawaiian spa treatment, and why?
JK: Lomilomi is very traditional. Lomi means to rub, smash, press or squeeze. We would suggest seeking out a therapist who is well versed in the art of lomilomi, as it is a very deep tissue type of massage. Also, ask about the act of transferring mana (energy) from one person to the next–this is very important in a traditional lomilomi.