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Authentic Aloha at the Fairmont Kea Lani

by Sophie Novack

Authentic Aloha

“We want to make sure we’re being ‘pono,’” said Jonelle Kamai, cultural coach at the Fairmont Kea Lani resort in Maui. “Doing and saying the right thing,” in terms of Hawaiian culture.

The pristine 22-acre resort is located on the Wailea coast, a community largely populated by guests residing at the handful of luxury resorts nestled along the area’s white sand beaches. Many visitors don’t venture far from the property, but the hotel makes a distinct effort to bring Hawaiian culture there. Kamai trains the staff in Hawaiian language and culture, leads activities including outrigger canoe expeditions, field trips, walking tours and history lessons, and offers guidance to the resort’s restaurants and spa.

The focus on Hawaiian culture is immediately apparent in the Fairmont Kea Lani’s Willow Stream Spa, a 9,000-square-foot space with 13 indoor treatment rooms, four signature treatment rooms and three outdoor cabanas. The bright and beautiful tiled women’s lounge boasts a steam room, “mud bar” and three “experience showers,” mimicking morning rain, afternoon mist and evening storm. Guests may purchase a day pass to use the facilities without having a spa treatment.

Treatments source local plants and products and draw from ancient Hawaiian traditions. The two-hour signature Natural Hawaiian Journey treatment includes exfoliation with Alaea Hawaiian salt scrub, clay body mask, ti leaves body wrap, citrus scalp treatment, coconut oil moisturizer and full-body massage.

I walked out the doors of the spa to a fantastic sunset over the palm trees. fairmont.com/kea-lani-maui/ –Sophie Novack

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