West Maui
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa opened The Spa in spring of 2004 as a prototype for Westin resort spas worldwide. Overlooking Ka'anapali Beach and island of Lana'i, the relaxing oceanview lounge, 16 treatment rooms, including 2 couples massage rooms, opulent men and women's locker rooms, full service salon and state-of-the-art Westin Workout facility are serene and inviting. The Spa's signature treatments feature Maui-grown lavender and island essences in exclusive combinations, such as the newest, Island Bamboo Glow scrub with a Vichy rain shower, and Island Lavender Body Butter with passion fruit, coconut and mango. The latest spa trend, a private room for bridal parties to get pampered, has been added, named the Pikake Bridal Suite. 

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa offers Spa Moana, also overlooking Ka'anapali Beach, which includes the Moana Athletic Club. With 15 treatment rooms, an open-air relaxation lounge, sauna and steam in each locker room, two suites for couples, and a signature product line, Spa Moana is replete with specialized services. Its "Lokahi" (harmony in Hawaiian) aromatherapy products are made from a blend of essential oils, including macadamia nut. Signature body treatments utilize Ka'anapali Coffee and Maui raw sugar. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua features its Waihua Spa (the term describes Hawaiian rain water caught by the leaves of plants and gathered by kahuna for use in healing) as a place of wellness for both body and spirit in the belief that one is not achieved without the other. Treatments incorporate plants and flowers grown in the resort's own medicinal herb garden. The signature treatment is A Hawaiian Healing Experience. 

South Maui
The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui provides Spa Kea Lani and the Kea Lani Health Club for luxurious enjoyment. A boutique spa, it features private treatment rooms and a tandem room for body massage and skin treatments, baths and facials. Signature treatments include: Healing Nectar - Noni Body Wrap with the gel of the tropical noni fruit which soothes and heals, and warm coconut milk for a healthy glow; Coconut Milk & Honey Wrap, utilizing coconut-mango bath gel and honey-papaya enzymes. 

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea offers a well-balanced, Zen-like tranquillity at The Spa in its Japanese-style decor combined with treatments featuring ancient Hawaiian philosophies. The signature Hawaiian Temple Bodywork experience features two therapists working in unison using Hawaiian cultural traditions, chants, and lomi lomi massage to integrate mind, body and spirit. A signature treatment is rich avocado and fragrant Hawaiian maile body mask. 

Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa is well-known for its Spa Grande. With terme hydrotherapy pools and a true Roman-style bath, this spa is king. There are 40 individual treatment and massage rooms, a variety of showers, and cool plunges. The spa focuses on the elements of water, fire, earth, and air combined with harmony in its treatments. A signature water treatment is Hawaiian Salt & Ala'e Clay Exfoliation made with Hawaiian sea salt, ala'e mineral clay, and kukui nut oil. A fire treatment specialty is Awapuhi (Ginger) Salt Scrub & Hot Wrap with ginger root, lemongrass, green papaya, honey and a mixture of macadamia nut and coconut oils. 

Diamond Resort Hawai'i's furo bathing Diamond Spa brings Japanese cultural traditions to its spa. A huge open-air bathing pool situated 300 feet above sea level offers an ultimate spa bath experience. A traditional Japanese shower room, massage treatment and facial rooms are also available. Facials are the signature treatment, featuring Azuki bean extract, pearl powder, ginseng and organic seaweed gel. 

Wailea Marriott Resort offers The Mandara Spa, nestled in a private garden oasis in keeping with the Asian Tropical approach. Seven treatment rooms offer a full range of massages, facials, body therapies and a salon. Hawaiian ingredients are blended with time-honored traditions in treatments that feature chocolate macadamia nut, island coffee, coconut and papaya. 

East Maui
Hotel Hana Maui features the Honua Spa at its secluded resort. Overlooking the deep blue sea, the spa offers five treatment suites with private bath and soaking tub, outdoor shower and garden. There are also men's and women's lockers, steam rooms and cold plunge. Signature treatments include the Calming 'Awa and Spirulina Body Wrap which combines the sedative effects of kava root with the nutrients of Hawaiian spirulina. The Cooling Sunburn Relief Wrap is made with the healing properties of native noni and aloe vera followed by a wrapping with ti leaves. 

Lana'i
Manele Bay Hotel's The Spa at Manele is located on Maui's exclusive neighbor island of Lana'i and evokes an elegant Hawaiian plantation home. The wet spa includes rainforest showers, saunas and steam rooms. Specialty treatments feature banana and coconut fruits blended with sea salt for the Ali'i Banana Coconut Scrub exfoliation, and a Limu (Seaweed) Body Masque detoxification. 

The Lodge at Koele Fitness Center up in the highlands of Lana'i complements The Spa at Manele. It features massages and treatments in addition to a workout facility. Signature treatments are La Stone Hot Rock Massage and Zanzibar Mud Body Wrap; aromatherapy treatments offer a choice of exotic Zanzibar oils or Tropical Euphoria oils. 

Day Spas can be found around the island for those on the go. In Wailuku, Blue Bamboo Chinese Medical Center & Spa is a favorite among residents. Upcountry in Makawao, relax at the New Waves Wellness Center with holistic and flotation services. Spa Luna European Day Spa in Haiku offers full-service facials, skin treatments, and massages. The Luana Spa Retreat in Hana is perched on Ka'uiki Hill offering an intimate, serene experience in body treatments, massages and skin care. In Kihei, facilities include Forever Young Medical Day Spa specializing in facials, Maui Day Spa in a private home and garden, and Lani Massage & Spa.  Wailea Massage and Body Care is a Maui institution within the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort. The Seaside Salon Day Spa has long been in residence at Sheraton Maui Resort in Ka`anapali. In Lahaina, try Lei Spa at the 505 Front Street Shops for massage, Serenity Salon & Spa in Old Lahaina Center for facials, and in Kahana, visit the full-service Spa Pono at the Valley Isle Resort. 

Back to the top of the page 

·Where DO the Locals Eat?
A Review of West Maui Eateries
This is the Insider's 2nd annual look at Westside restaurants that are off the beaten path and easy on the wallet. In a future issue, we'll review restaurants in South Maui. On Maui, although we love outdoor barbecues, we also relish discovering new restaurants, particularly if we can hang loose in shorts and rubbah slippas while we're enjoying the ethnic melting pot of cuisines unique to these islands. Living and working on the island qualifies any resident to recommend a host of reasonably priced restaurants that dish up an array of 'ono (delicious) foods. Here is a current sampling: 

Local-style delis, called "okazuya" in Japanese and known as "lunch counters" in Hawai'i, are real favorites of residents. Stop in and try their home-style hot dishes, plate lunch specials, and fresh-made salads. In LahainaTown these delis include: Local Food lunch counter in the Anchor Square Plaza at 222 Papalaua Street and No Ka Oi Deli around the corner facing Waine'e St. in the same plaza. Just north of Ka'anapali, at 3600 L. Honoapiilani Road, is the Honokowai Okazuya & Deli.

In Lahaina Square at 840 Waine`e Street, three eateries have recently opened: Alexander's Fish, Chicken & Ribs (a sister restaurant to Alexander's Fish & Chips in Kihei), Curry-in-a-Hurry international vegetarian cuisine, and Vinny's Pizza - authentic New York style pizza and calzones. Across the street at Old Lahaina Center, nestled in a corner by Front St. is perennial favorite, Thai Chef, open for lunch and dinner. A new favorite in Old Lahaina Center by Papalaua St. is Cilantro Fresh Mexican Grill offering a modern twist on classic cuisines of Mexico. A long-time favorite in the heart of Old Lahaina Center is the House of Saimin with oodles of noodles. Up the road at 930 Waine'e Street is Chris' Smokehouse BBQ with local lunch sandwiches, kiawe-smoked ribs, and grilled meat platters for dinner. 

At The Wharf Cinema Center, 658 Front Street, there are two new bistros with exceptional Asian cuisine at reasonable prices: Pho Saigon 808 Vietnamese restaurant, and Pad Thai Cuisine local and Thai food. In the 505 Front Street Shops & Restaurants, try a light meal of Vietnamese dishes or sushi at Bamboo Bar & Grill.

At the Ka'anapali Parkway entrance, a new cafe in the Golf Clubhouse has become a favorite lunch spot for residents as well as golfers, Mango Grill & Bar. Open morning through evening, its signature island-style dishes feature the Maui-grown produce of the owner's Olowalu Nui Farm. While in Kahana, on Lower Honoapiilani Road, stop in to a popular westside bar that happens to serve excellent deli food and pizzas, Dollies Pub & Cafe. In Napili Plaza just off Honoapiilani Hwy., you can't afford to miss Mama's Ribs 'N Rotisserie - a family-run take-out cafe offering local plated meals, whole roasted chicken, baby back ribs, and lots of salads. 

Enjoy these 'ono grinds! 

Back to the top of the page 

· FREE Things to Experience Islandwide 
Elegant resorts, world-class golf courses, designer shops and renowned restaurants aren't the only things to experience on Maui. With its diverse natural beauty, position at the center of a four-isle marine sanctuary, and active host culture, the island of Maui offers a wide array of sights and experiences that are free and fun to do. 

Sign-off on the day by viewing a spectacular sunset - West Maui beaches are world-renowned for the drama and color of their sunsets, particularly against the backdrop of the islands of Lana'i and Moloka'i. Wailea and Kihei's southern coastline also offer a mesmerizing view of the evening spectacle. Perhaps the most dramatic sunset experience, though, is from the 10,000-foot summit of Haleakala. 

Get art fever - Art galleries and fine artists abound on Maui. Special weekly events, such as Friday Night is Art Night in Lahaina (7 to 10pm) and WOW! Wailea on Wednesdays (6:30 to 8pm), offer artist receptions, live music and gallery specials to enjoy. Artists-in-Residence programs are featured at select resorts: The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua (daily with featured artists changing monthly); Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa (Tuesdays between 8am and 12:30pm), and Four Seasons Resort Maui (Wed., Fri. and Sun. from 8am to 1:30 pm). Schaefer International Gallery at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center provides a free exhibit daily from 11am to 5pm, and the Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center in Makawao presents free exhibits in its gallery daily from 10am to 4pm. 

Absorb a taste of Hawaiian hula dancing - Free hula shows are popular at many shopping centers and some resorts. Check-out the Lahaina Cannery Mall for two special shows: Kids' hula dancing at 1pm on Sat. and Sun. and Polynesian dancing at 7pm on Tues. and Thurs. Queen Ka'ahumanu Center in Kahului hosts a variety of hula troupes every Fri. from 5 to 7pm. Hale Kahiko at the Lahaina Center offers children's hula shows on Wed. at 2:30pm and Fri. at 6pm. Whalers Village in Ka'anapali provides Polynesian shows on stage most evenings from 7 to 8pm. Ka'anapali Beach Hotel features an adult hula show every evening from 6:30 to 7:30 in the Tiki Courtyard. Sheraton Maui Resort is known for its torch-lighting and cliff-diving show every night at sunset, along with a Hawaiian musician and hula dancer. 

Learn something new at a museum - There are outstanding museums islandwide, and some offer free admission: Hana Cultural Center & Museum in Hana Town; Whalers Village Museum in Ka'anapali; Hale Pa'i (House of Printing) at Lahainaluna High School; Hale Kahiko (Ancient House) at Lahaina Center; Hale Pa'ahao (Stuck-in-Irons House) on Prison St. in Lahaina, and Lahaina Heritage Museum in the Old Lahaina Courthouse. 

Discover marine science - Pacific Whale Foundation offers complimentary talks and presentations about whales in particular from Dec. to May, and marine mammals in general year-round. The Whale Information Station, at McGregor Point lookout on the Pali on Honoapiilani Hwy., is available everyday from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Pick-up a free color guide, "Watching Hawaii's Humpback Whales" there. "Why Whales Do That!" is a multimedia presentation at the Ocean Science Discovery Center in Ma'alaea offered daily at 12:45 and 3:15 pm. 

Take a walk in a park - Hawaii's state parks are admission-free and open daily from 7am to 7pm. Explore the island's multi-cultural heritage at Kepaniwai Park-Heritage Gardens on 'Iao Valley Road, or hike through verdant paths and cross a bridge over 'Iao Stream to view the 'Iao Needle landmark at 'Iao Valley State Park. Discover Maui County's coastal and dryland plants in Maui Nui Botanical Gardens off Ka'ahumanu Blvd. in Wailuku. On the way to Hana, stop and stroll through Keanae Arboretum to see identified native forest plants and trees. Hike in the towering redwood forest of Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area in upper Kula. 

Enjoy Maui's vibrant coral reefs and tropical sea life by snorkeling! 

· NEW! Golf Tips from the Pros
Ka'anapali Golf Courses in West Maui feature 36 holes of championship golf: the Tournament North Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., first opened along with the resort in 1962, and the Resort South Course, as currently designed, opened in 1976. This year, the Resort South Course is being renovated with new infrastructure, bunkers, grass and irrigation, and the Pro Shop will be redesigned. 

This tip is from Scott Ashworth, Ka'anapali's PGA Head Golf Professional. "Strike the Pose" - Have you ever noticed that when you watch great ball strikers, like Ernie Els or Michelle Wie, they always have a well-balanced finish? Not only that, but they also finish the same way every time. Golf is a game of repetition, and great swingers know how to finish the same way each time. To develop a consistent, well-balanced finish position, work on holding your finish for 3 seconds every time you swing. If you've finished correctly, your body should be turned facing the target with all of your weight on your front foot, and up on your back toe purely for balance. Work on finishing in the same balanced position every time you swing and watch the consistency of your shots improve! See more online at http://www.kaanapali-golf.com/

· NEW! Wedding Trivia Corner
Flower lei (the colorful garland of aloha) have come to symbolize Hawai'i since the mid-20th century, but the ancient Hawaiian traditions of lei making have much more symbolism and were used for a variety of purposes, including marriage and other ritual ceremonies. As an offering of a kahuna (priest) to a god, a lei was woven of foliage and flowers that were significant to that deity. As an emblem, the lei niho palaoa made of braided human hair strung through a carved ivory whale tooth symbolized the high chiefs, or royalty. When opposing chiefs battled, maile, the spicy fragrant narrow-leafed vine, was used to signify a peace agreement had been reached. In Hawaiian wedding traditions, the maile (Alyxia oliviformis) is the most traditional wedding lei. It is created by intertwining the leaves and stems (with bark stripped) which are found in Hawaii's rain forests. In old Hawai'i, it was used by kahuna to bind the hands of the bride and groom, symbolizing a sacred union between their two families. Today, a maile lei is usually worn by the groom (draped around the neck hanging open, not tied), while the bride will wear a white pikake lei. Pikake (Jasminum sambac) is a delicate small white flower with a sweet jasmine scent. When strung into a rope, the pikake lei resembles a string of pearls. Often, a bride will opt to have a pikake lei twisted around maile, usually to give it strength and endurance. These days, since pikake is sometimes hard to obtain or when it is out of season, an alternative lei can be created using the core of a white dendrobium orchid, making a more durable lei with a similar string of pearls look. 

·Chef's Corner
Last issue, we mentioned that a new restaurant had been opened by Hawai'i Regional Cuisine chef, Mark Ellman, of Lahaina. His restaurant is located at the north end of Front Street near the Old Lahaina Lu'au grounds, overlooking Mala pier. Its name Mala means "garden" in Hawaiian, where you'll find fresh produce along with bounty from the land and sea in Chef Mark's innovative dishes. This recipe for fish burgers complements the Maui for Life program of healthy living. 

'Ahi Burgers
Chef Mark Ellman
Mala, An Ocean Tavern

Serves 4

1 lb. fresh 'ahi (yellow fin tuna), minced in a food processor
1/4 onion, minced
1 clove, garlic, chopped
1 Tbs. red bell pepper, minced
1 Tbs. cilantro, chopped
1 egg
1 tsp. cumin
A pinch of nutmeg
1 Tbs. parsley, chopped
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbs. bread crumbs
Salt and pepper, to taste

Method:
Mix all ingredients until well combined. Shape into 4 patties. Place each patty between sheets of wax paper, and chill for about 30 minutes. Place 2 Tbs. of olive oil in a large sautee pan. Over medium heat, cook the patties for 4 minutes on each side. Serve immediately on soft buns, or on their own, with a side salad.