Finding Hawaiian Culture at the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort

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Makalapua Kanhua, Cultural Director at Westin Maui. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Makalapua Kanuha, Cultural Director at Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer

Join correspondent, Tom Wilmer on the island of Maui for an enticing journey of discovery. The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas experience is more like staying in a small home as each spacious villa comes complete with a cool kitchen, and a washer and dryer. Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas Hotel Manager, Ryan Nobriga explains a bit about the onsite amenities but mostly he talks story about his recommendations for cool things to do, like signing up for a moonlit outrigger-canoe ancient star-navigation adventure on the open ocean.

Afterwards we stroll up the beach to the neighboring Sheraton Maui for a dinnertime chat with Chef de Cuisine, Jeffery Rayno who raves about his locally sourced greens, tropical produce, and describes a couple of his tantalizing signature dishes. And then it’s back to the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas for a chat with the passionate Hawaiian Cultural Director, Makalapua Kanuha.

And with Ka’anapali just steps away from the historic town of Lahaina, we’ll join Kyle Ellison, the author of the Maui Moon Handbook, for a living-history walkabout through the old whaling port, that was long ago the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Afterwards it’s back to the Sheraton for a sunset visit with Clifford Nae’ole who works at the nearby Ritz-Carlton Kapalua as their Cultural Advisor. Clifford talks story about the powerful-symbolism associated with the traditional Hawaiian Lei, and leaves us with a dreamy Hawaiian chant all about the lei.

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Sense of Arrival
Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas Maui–First Impression upon arrival. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Sunset at Westin Maui
Vista from Ka’anapali Maui. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
legendary Black Rock Sunset ceremony at Sheraton Maui. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Legendary Black Rock Sunset ceremony at Sheraton Maui. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
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Ryan Nobriga Hotel Manager at Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas talks with Tom Wilmer
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Clifford J. Nae’ole Cultural Advisor at Ritz-Carlton with Tom Wilmer
Pineapple Mai Tai at Sheraton Maui
Pineapple Mai Tai unbeatable at Sheraton Maui. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Sheraton Maui lazy afternoon. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Sheraton Maui upcountry vista
Afternoon upcountry vista from Sheraton Maui. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Ka'anapali Sunset
Sunset at Ka’anapal. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Kyle Ellison scuba diving off island of Lanai
Kyle Ellison scuba diving off island of Lanai

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