Hawaii | Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel

Lanai, Hawaii – Island Wrapped in a Rainbow

Published October 19, 2012 | By Barbara Weibel

Twenty-four hours after leaving Lana‘i, Hawai’i I am on my fourth of five flights that will carry me to Barcelona, Spain. I wriggle in the confining seat and and resign myself to another few hours of discomfort. To relieve the boredom I review the mental images of Lana‘i that are etched on my brain.

Deep green Cook Island Pines capture fog and mist that replenishes the island’s aquifer

The exquisite Hawaiian sky projects on the back of my eyelids, a bruised purple-blue color that might be a harbinger of storms in the Midwest but is an everyday occurrence on Lana‘i. Deep green Cook Island Pines march in single file toward the ridges above town, their upturned needles capturing precious fog drip that replenishes the island’s aquifer. Over eons, iron and sulphur-rich volcanic lava has weathered, depositing a thick layer of burnt carmine, rose, and ochre yellow dirt across the island. Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii travel |

Tagged #visitlanai, blogsherpa, colors, cultural travel, culture, Hawaii, Lanai, maui, Travel, USA, volcanic |

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Elder Women of Lanai “Talk Story” About Hawaiian Culture

Published October 16, 2012 | By Barbara Weibel

Can’t view the above You Tube video about “Talking Story” in Lana’i, Hawai’i? Click here.

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Tagged #visitlanai, Aunty Irene, Aunty Sandra, culture, culturl travel, Four Seasons Resorts, Hawaii, Hookipa Cultural Program, Lanai, Lodge at Koele, Travel |

Talking Story in Lanai, Hawaii

Published October 15, 2012 | By Barbara Weibel

Aunty Irene flashed a wide, genteel smile as I arrived for the Ho’okipa Cultural Program offered by the Four Seasons Resorts Lana’i. Seated on a sofa in the lobby of The Lodge at Ko’ele, her red flowered mumu draped to the floor and the large yellow flower tucked behind her left ear perfectly complimented her wavy silver hair, pulled back in a prim bun. On the coffee table in front of her lay all the accoutrements of her lesson: Plumeria blossoms for lei making, ti leaves for weaving bracelets, and two gleaming wood ukeleles. Great, I thought, I’m finally going to learn a little bit more about traditional Hawaiian culture. What I had not anticipated was the “price” attached to the lesson. Aunty Irene and her cousin, Aunty Sandra were not there to demonstrate; they were there to teach.

Aunty Irene and Aunty Sandra (left to right) display the most important accoutrements of Hawaiian culture

She handed ukeleles to me and my sister, Nancy, and, balancing the diminutive instrument against her ample body, began demonstrating how to hold it and where to place our fingers for certain chords. I must digress here to explain that I have not one whit of musical talent. I have tried to play the organ, piano, flute and guitar, all with disastrous results. My one and only modicum of success has been with the tambourine, and even then I can barely hold a beat. Unsurprisingly, the ukelele was no different. On the rare occasions I got my fingers in the proper places for the chords, my forefinger kept getting tangled up in the strings when I strummed. And doing both things at once? Impossible. I left the learning to my more talented sister and did what I do best, filmed. Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii travel |

Tagged #visitlanai, blogsherpa, cultural travel, culture, Four Seasons Resorts, Hawaii, Lanai, maui, talk story, Travel, USA |

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Four Seasons Resorts Lana’i – Hawaiian Siblings with Very Different Personalities

Published October 11, 2012 | By Barbara Weibel

When my sister Nancy and I checked into Four Seasons Resorts Lana’i – The Lodge at Ko’ele, the front desk clerk explained how we would prepare for moving to their sister property, Four Seasons Resorts Lana’i – Manele Bay, two days hence:

“You can leave everything hanging in the closet. We’ll cover your clothes with plastic and move them, along with any luggage you have, down to the beach. Just bring us the key and let us know you are ready to check out.”

Four Seasons Resorts Lana’i – The Lodge at Ko’ele

I could hardly believe my ears. Fast travel usually means I live out of my suitcase without unpacking, but this unique offer meant I could actually hang my clothes up for a change. I decided in that instant that I liked this resort and over the next four days in Lanai, Hawaii I discovered just how much the two properties had to offer – and how very different they were.

The Lodge at Ko’ele has been carved into a verdant forest of Cook Island Pines that march halfway up Kolo’iki Ridge, which stands statuesque behind the lodge. We tackled the trail to the top first thing after checking in, taking a circuitous path through gorgeous manicured grounds and crossing Ko’ele’s signature golf course – The Experience – on our way to the trail head. Just beyond the golf course the pine needle padded path climbed steeply before descending sharply to connect with the Munro Trail, perhaps the most famous trek on Lana’i. We followed the Munro for a while before veering off to the left and pushing upward to the top of the ridge. Wishing I had more time to soak in the beauty of red volcanic hills crowned with apple-green bushes and herds of spotted Axis deer munching on nearby tender grasses, I snapped a few photos from the top and turned to leave, as I was due back at the lodge for a massage. Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii travel |

Tagged #visitlanai, blogsherpa, cultural travel, culture, Four Seasons Resorts, Hawaii, Lanai, maui, Travel, USA |

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