What's New in Maui

Travel Agent breaks down the latest offerings for clients heading to Maui from new hotels to new flights and more.

 

Two Aston Maui Properties Receive Upgrades

Aston Hotels & Resorts creates a million-dollar look and perfect pools for two Maui resorts. At the Aston Kaanapali Shores, clients will find a million-dollar renovation at the popular beachfront condominium resort. New carpet, in greens and florals, is installed in the hallways and guest rooms, working in harmony with the tropical setting. At Aston Maui Banyan in Kihei, both pools have newly installed surfaces of Brazilian quartzite tile. The $400,000 renovation includes new cabanas and granite top sinks. ADA approved lifts have been installed for each pool, along with new restroom decor and easy-use outdoor showers. Visit www.AstonHotels.com.

 

Hawaiian Doubles Up on LA-Maui Service This Summer

For the first time, Hawaiian Airlines will offer twice-daily nonstop service between Los Angeles and Maui this summer in response to demand. Hawaiian is adding 34,000 seats to Maui over 10 weeks of service. Both flights will offer the comfort and roominess of Hawaiian's wide-body, twin-aisle Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, seating 264 passengers. Travelers will also enjoy Hawaiian's signature onboard hospitality program featuring island-style complimentary meals, made-in-Hawaii snacks, and its showcase of the culture, people, and Aloha Spirit of the islands. Visit www.hawaiianairlines.com.

Vinyasa Yoga Retreat returns to Four Seasons Resort Maui This Month

Kathyrn Budig, internationally known yoga instructor, returns to Four Seasons Resort Maui from February 19 - 24 for her popular Vinyasa Yoga retreat. New this year, paddle board yoga on the water. During this five-night, four day program, Budig will work with students on a number of poses designed to build and deepen a practice, teaching the correct ways to safely engage the body. Each day she will teach Vinyasa Flow, a combination of syncing movement and breath, with Wailea's beach as backdrop. Visit www.maui.fourseasons.com/2012/01/20/vinyasa-yoga-retreat.

Check out the New Nobu

Nobu Lanai, Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay's new restaurant, showcases chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa's signature new-style Japanese cuisine, as well as new creations infusing local ingredients. As a leader in innovative Japanese cuisine, world-renown Chef Nobuyuki has revolutionized the dining experience for epicureans and travelers alike and with his presence on Lanai has elevated the already vibrant culinary scene. Nobu Lanai is open for dinner nightly, from 6 - 9:30 p.m. Visit www.noburestaurants.com.

Popular Bakery Re-Opens

Kanemistu Bakery reopened last November to the delight of locals and visitors alike. A Molokai institution, the beloved restaurant and bakery offers breakfast, lunch and a wide variety of pastries and breads. Their "midnight bread run," where locals and visitors alike line up after hours to get piping-hot loaves of fresh bread, is legendary. Be sure to order their famous onion-and-cheese bread and slather your half loaf of bread with jelly, butter, cream cheese or cinnamon. It's a Molokai must.

Wailea Golf Club Upgrades Rental Clubs to RocketBallz

Wailea Golf Club has upgraded its rental program for 2013 with a new fleet of rental clubs featuring TaylorMade's wildly popular RocketBallz clubs. Clients can now play Wailea's award-winning courses with a full complement of top-rated RBZ clubs, including driver, woods, wedges and irons, plus the White Smoke putter. Renowned for helping players achieve greater distance, RBZs have received rave reviews for their performance, feel and looks. Wailea Golf's rental clubs are available for men and women at the Wailea Gold & Emerald for $60 plus tax. Visit www.waileagolf.com.

Oceanfront Yoga Classes Now Offered at Makena Beach & Golf Resort

The Makena Beach & Golf Resort has partnered with renown Maui instructor Juliet Lee to bring an oceanfront health and fitness program to Makena with free oceanfront yoga classes every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Each class looks to provide resort guests with a low impact and non-rigorous way to improve their health and fitness during their stay with both tai-chi and Pilates style yoga sessions. The yoga classes are free for all registered resort guests. Visit www.makenaresortmaui.com.

Culinary fun at Travaasa Hana

As part of Travaasa Hana's programming, the resort added several fun cuisine classes. Among the new additions are "Juicy Living," a class on discovering the benefits of juicing fruit and vegetables; "Name That Grape," a wine tasting experience; "Art of the Cocktail," a mixology lesson which includes the Mai Tai; "Feed Your Face," a class on "superfoods" for your body and face; "Hawaiian Salt Sampler," a salt tasting; and "Pineapple 101," a class on pineapple cutting
technique and uses. Visit www.travaasa.com/hana.

Restaurant Week Wailea returns in 2013

Wailea Resort recently announced the return of their popular bi-annual dinner promotion, "Restaurant Week Wailea" in May and November. This celebration of Wailea's finest cuisine takes place at participating resort restaurants throughout Wailea Resort starting Sunday. Wailea's acclaimed chefs will once again create remarkable three course, pre-fixe menus for just $29, $39 or $49 per
person. Participating restaurants partner with the Maui Food Bank and proceeds from the special menus are donated to the Maui Food Bank. Visit www.wailearesortassociation.com.

14th Annual Maui Film Festival at Wailea dates set for 2013

Mark your calendars now, June 12 - 16, for the 14th annual Maui Film Festival at Wailea. This five-day festival includes fabulous film screenings, award tributes, filmmaker panels, Taste of Wailea, Taste of Chocolate and many other gala parties and festivities throughout Wailea Resort. Wailea Gold & Emerald Golf Course is home to an open-air evening theatre, the Celestial Cinema. Visit www.mauifilmfestival.com or www.wailearesortassociation.com.

East Maui Taro Festival returns to Hana

The East Maui Taro Festival returns to Hana from April 20 - 21. This lively two-day event takes place at the Hana Ballpark, Kahanu Garden, Kapahu Living Farm and Hana Bay, and celebrates taro, a staple of the Hawaiian diet. Demonstrations of taro and poi production, as well as feasting, live entertainment, dance, and arts and crafts make up this free event. Visit www.tarofestival.org.

Four Seasons Resort Maui Announces its First Aloha Windsurfing Clinic

Maui's top windsurfing champions - Matt Pritchard and Shawna Cropas - will conduct a five-night, four-day "Aloha Windsurfing Clinic" March 2-7, 2013 at Four Seasons Resort Maui, as part of the resort's popular one-of-a-kind Unforgettable Events. The two windsurfing pioneers have years of coaching experience and they will gear the clinic to both beginning and more advanced students seeking to gain and sharpen skills while enjoying all the luxury services and amenities the resort offers. Visit www.maui.fourseasons.com/2012/01/19/windsurfing-camp.

Barber Services Now Available at Kapalua Spa

The newly opened barber shop at Kapalua Spa offers an indulgent and luxurious grooming experience to pamper men in a truly memorable setting - complete with barber chair and pole.  The spa's trained master barber provides a range of services using grooming products designed especially for men - traditional shave, head shaves and more. A complete range of time-honored rituals and instruments - straight razors, lathered shaving cream and hot towels - are also featured. Visit www.kapalua.com.

Four Seasons Resorts Lanai Gets Enhanced

Four Seasons Resorts Lanai recently completed several property enhancements at Manele Bay and The Lodge at Koele. The most notable enhancements include new décor and furniture, a new private fine art collection showcasing Hawaiian artists, Hawaiian themed tropical gardens and landscaping, and new restaurants and lounges, including the highly anticipated Nobu Lanai. Visit www.fourseasons.com/manelebay.

Visit www.visitmaui.com and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all the latest Hawaii news.