News and reviews of made on Maui products and Maui-based companies and success stories. Also featuring island shopping guides

Posts tagged ‘Spa’

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa Goes Green

Are you one of those people that takes a hot shower at a big hotel and wonders exactly how large their hot water heater must be?  Wonder what happens to all those tiny soaps and shampoos when you leave?  Crank down the air conditioning and then shudder at the size of their electric bill?  Ok, so I’m probably among the few, as a holder of an environmental studies degree and an avid recycler, but it makes me proud to know that Maui now can claim title to Hawaii’s first LEED EBOM certified hotel or resort, and only one of four in the world!  (That’s a lot of acronyms, so to clarify the award is from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance (EBOM) rating system.)

Last month, while being blessed under the very last moments of sunny skies before Tropical Storm Ana arrived, Mayor Arakawa presented the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa with the official proclamation, the culmination of a two-year project by the Hyatt team and my new client, Green Building Hawaii.

John Bendon - Hyatt Goes Green

John Bendon presents his speech at the Hyatt Regency Maui

According to John Bendon, Founding Principal of Green Building Hawaii, “LEED is points based rating system that looks at whole building performance.  Category areas cover energy, water, material purchasing, site development, transportation, and indoor environmental quality.  The more points you earn in the different category areas, the higher your overall rating of Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.” (The Hyatt earned a respectable Silver!)

L-R John Bendon Founding Principal at GBH, Mayor Alan Arakawa, Gary Bulson, Senior Engineer at Hyatt Regency Maui, Allen Farwell, General Manager Hyatt Regency Maui, and Rick Werber, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Sustainability at Host Hotels & Resorts

L-R John Bendon Founding Principal at GBH, Mayor Alan Arakawa, Gary Bulson, Senior Engineer at Hyatt Regency Maui, Allen Farwell, General Manager Hyatt Regency Maui, and Rick Werber, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Sustainability at Host Hotels & Resorts

Following the speeches and requisite photo ops, the Hyatt’s Senior Engineer, Gary Bulsom, and Marketing Manager, Jessica Kapoor, gave a brief tour of the property and one of the newly renovated guest rooms, as they highlighted some of the projects and achievements that helped earn their LEED status.  Here are some photos and notes from the tour: (click on each photo for the corresponding eco-friendly project represented)   – But I’ll be honest, I forgot to ask about what actually does happen with all those tiny soaps and shampoos!!! Maybe I need to stay there to find out…. 

Local, recycled or other-wise eco-friendly items make up over 70% of purchased items.
Motion-sensing air conditioning turns off when the lanai doors are open and when guests leave the room
Recycling Bins in each room
A weather-based irrigation system and grey water irrigation have reduced landscape water use by over 27%
Low- flow shower heads save 6 million gallons of water a year!
Digital Signage welcomes guest – Replacing Print Signage and Can be Updated Instantly!
Complimentary digital newspapers are available for guests through mobile devices and computers! More choices – less waste!
Non-turf landscaping is 100% native! (John with his honored guests – his parents!)
Over half a million pounds of leftovers and scrap food are donated to local pig farms for feed and compost!

Want more?   Follow Green Building Hawaii on Facebook and Twitter, and Hyatt Maui on Facebook and Twitter 

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News

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Wailea News and Upcoming Events

Each town on Maui has its day, but 2014 is turning out to be the Year of Wailea.

The swanky Andaz Maui at Wailea was just named one of the ‘Best New Hotels in the World’ – one of only 33 to make the 2014 Hot List by Conde Nast Traveler.

The restaurants in Wailea racked up a number of awards at the recent Maui no ka oi Magazine’s Aipono Awards, with Kaana Kitchen (at the Andaz) winning Best New Restaurant, Capische? awarded Most Romantic and Nick’s Fish Market earning Best Service.

Speaking of Capische?, The Market by Capische is now open at Wailea Gateway Center.  The Market has an extensive selection of wine, prepared foods, fresh produce, gourmet desserts, coffees and much more! Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.  (scroll down to bottom for even more pics of this visually and gastronomically stunning gourmet deli!)

fresh produce from maui
breakfast menu

panties in paradise maui wailea hawaii Also coming soon to Wailea Gateway, Nadia Toraman, one of Maui’s most popular yoga instructors, will be opening a new yoga studio in May (at the current Lululemon, which is moving to Whaler’s Village). Wailea Gateway is home to two Maui Made favorites already, Otaheite and Sweet Paradise Chocolatier. We appreciate that these shops are truly geared towards both locals and visitors. Maui Zen Day Spa has closed their Wailea location (they are open in Lahaina).  Spa Maui Wailea has opened in its place!  A new lingerie shop, Panties in Paradise, is opening soon, and my Wailea insider promises even more exciting retailers to come!

As a sidebar, I was unable to find a current list of Wailea Gateway merchants, so if you are also wondering what is there – here’s the list:

Building A : Fabiani’s (with sister location in Kihei), Destination Resorts, Kai Kanani, Panties in Paradise, Sweet Paradise Chocolatier, Pita Paradise (also has sister location in Kihei), Old Republic Title, Wells Fargo, Coldwell Banker, and opening next month – Yoga Shala 

Building B: Postal and Office, Subway, Maui Memories, Otheite, Jere Fine Jewelers, The Market by Capische, and Monkeypod Kitchen.  

And if you are looking for retail space in this desirable location, there’s only one space left, a 1073sf on the second floor, as there’s already a lease pending on the last ground floor space! (click for more info) 

And speaking of awesome restaurants, returning this May is the popular Wailea Restaurant Week, happening May 25-31. Participating restaurants create a three course, pre-fixe menu for just $29*, $39* or $49* per person (*depending on the restaurant – beverages, tax and gratuity not included).  Some restaurants have enhanced this promotion with optional wine pairings.  Restaurant Week Wailea is also a fundraiser for the Maui Food Bank. This is a hugely popular event, go ahead and make your reservations NOW!   For an example menu – click to see what they are offering at Alan Wong’s Amasia at the Grand Wailea, the 2013 winner of the Aipono Best New Restaurant!  

Wailea is also soon to be abuzz with film lovers, celebrities and anyone looking for a great time! The 2014 Maui Film Festival takes place this year June 4-8, and the preliminary schedule and event passes are now available online, with the schedule of film premieres and honored celebrities soon to come!

And now for the exciting part: Photos from The Market by Capische?!

the dirty hippy
fresh produce from maui
gourmet items
love a grilled sandwich
take it to the beach!
breakfast menu

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Event, News, Uncategorized

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Valentine’s Gift Suggestion #1- Awili Spa at Andaz

Let’s just say you have a lovely wife, with two kids, who could use a little pampering and quiet time.  I’m about to make your wife (and life) very happy.  Present her with a day at the Awili Spa at the new Andaz hotel in Wailea for Valentine’s Day.   From the friendly greeting by the complementary valet, to the dramatic, but simple entry and non-lobby lobby, your princess will feel like a real princess.  (I wish I had fancier words to describe how wonderful the Andaz is, but all I can say is this – just go.  Even to just walk around, grab a drink at the poolside Lehua Lounge during sunset, or enjoy a full meal at one of their several spectacular restaurants).

andaz maui wailea hotel spa

Entry to Heaven… The Andaz Maui at Wailea

sand floor zen rock garden maui hotel

An unexpected little room in the hotel ‘lobby’ – a zen garden with a sand floor!

Back to the Valentine’s gift – included with treatments at the spa is access to the sauna, steam room and hot tub in the spa area, snacks (which are worth staying for alone) in the spa’s lounges, and access to the adult-only tranquility pool.  I had the good fortune to be able to get a massage at the spa recently, and the whole experience is so magical, that while being shown around the spa area, my guests and I kept giggling at our disbelief that we could spend the whole day there… ( “we close at 8pm, so you can stay until 7:59” we were told with a smile, we giggled again).   The hot tub room (with steam room, sauna, and very well appointed showers and locker room) is just a really relaxing area on its own, I can only describe as modern and zen-like.  The massage was one of the best I’ve ever had.   The entrance to the spa is also a fun area, you are surrounded by hundreds of drawers of herbs and other magical ingredients for the apothecary consultants to brew up cures for whatever ails you.

Also in the entry/apothecary room is an unexpected boutique filled with designs from Maui’s top clothing and fashion designers, including clothing by Maggie Coulumbe and jewelry by Debbie Mack and Sophie Grace.  This spot is worth a stop just for the shopping.

Tamara Catz clothing available at the Spa
Sophie Grace and Debra Mack jewelry at the Spa
Hula Hoops Jewelry at the Spa

Sadly, though we were not able to stay until 7:59 (due to one daddy staying at home with all four children) – we did have time to enjoy a delicious meal at the Lehua Lounge, with a stunning view of the humpbacks breaching in the ocean.  A momentous end to a thoroughly  relaxing day.

andaz maui valentines gift pool spa day

Next time, I will stay ALL day at this pool…

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Accessories, Activity, Bath and Body, Clothing, Gift Guide, jewelry, Rain Day, Shop Local

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Tips for enjoying Maui in the Rain – Safely

Tropical Storm Flossie is heading towards Maui tomorrow – but these tips go for anytime there is rain on Maui (which luckily, is rare).

Tips for Enjoying Maui in the Rain – Safely

Activities:

Maui Ocean Center is a great activity during the rain – most of the exhibits are indoors.  Here’s a tip: The aquarium opens at 9am.  During my many years of working there, the lines during rainy days wouldn’t extend the front gate until 10:30 or 11am.  Get there early to avoid the lines and crowds.  Or, go late.  (If you are reading this in regards to Tropical Storm Flossie) – It’s July, so it’s still open until 6pm. It takes around 2 hours, so arriving at 3 or 4 is still OK.  If you need more time, you can always upgrade that day to a week pass)

There’s also the usual malls and movies.  Lahaina Cannery Mall is completely enclosed (Maui’s only) – the other ones are open air- and I know from experience, the floors at The Shops at Wailea are slippery.

And while you are at Lahaina Cannery Mall – grab some games and toys from Maui Toy Works- which also has a brand new location at Pioneer Square on Front Street and at Whaler’s Village.  Personal fave: Spot it! the card game.

There’s also lots of great spas and salons – maybe time for a massage or facial?

Safety:

And now for the safety tips- and these go for any rain activity, not just a storm:  (now i’m starting to sound like a mother, which I am, so here goes)

maui waterfall dangers in the rain tips

Rain forecasts of 6-10 inches could make this waterfall dangerous

Stay WELL away from streams and waterfalls.  Even if its not raining where you are, if its raining up the mountain, the stream could be building up and torrents of rain could come down at any time. With rocks.  It would be bad.

Don’t cross flowing water, by foot or by car : this tip goes for anywhere, but is worth a reminder.

The storm is expected to bring big waves, so stay away from the beaches… always check with the lifeguards first.  No lifeguard?  Find a beach that has one, if you have any doubt.

maui rain tips things to do hawaii

This waterfall has a warning sign – most don’t

Even after the rains – Stay out of the ocean if its murky or there’s debris floating.   I’m just going to say it: dead animals could get washed down the stream, attracting sharks.  But, even if you don’t believe me about dead animals and sharks, there could be bacteria in the water… Just stay out of the water until its clear.

What’s your favorite activity in the rain on Maui?

maui ocean advisories

Big Waves, Runoff- not a good time to go to the beach

Any other safety tips to add?

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Rain Day

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