The Font Nine

CLUB CONNECTIONS

The Hualālai Canoe Club reopened last December, fresh off of an upgrade to the oceanfront Membersonly retreat that included a second pool, spacious teak decks, expanded lounge seating, and a chic new Alaka‘i Nalu Ocean Adventures area. A year later, the enhancements keep coming. “Maki sushi and sashimi selections, as well as flatbreads, are now offered and are extremely popular,” says Hualālai Club general manager Debbie Casey. “And now, in addition to the traditional Hawaiian water sports offered by our Alaka‘i Nalu, or leaders of the waves, instruction in Hawaiian crafts and hula takes place here regularly throughout the year.” Presented by Club Ho‘okipa Ambassador Michelle Kaulu Amaral, sessions include lei making, hula lessons, shell-crafted jewelry designing, and ti-leaf-skirt making. 808.325.8450

The Journey Continues

Thought you missed the Ultimate Pop-Up Volcano Adventure? It’s back and not to be overlooked. “We actually launched this in 2017, and we were just going to do it in 2017,” says club concierge manager Enola Kaneta. “But we extended it to 2018, and we’re still customizing it now.” The helicopter expedition—created by the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai and priced at $39,500—lifts off from one of the fairways at the resort, taking as many as four guests on a 27-hour trip of a lifetime. First stop: a chopper landing in the Kohala Mountains, for views of black-sand beaches and the sparkling Kona and Kohala coasts. Majestic waterfalls and hidden valleys are also explored, but Kīlauea is the main draw. “They’ll actually fly above the volcano,” says Kaneta, “and pick up an expert volcanologist to go with them up to the volcano.” Overnight, guests stay at the Rainforest Cottage Hideaway, where, notes Kaneta, “everything is Four Seasons—from the beds to the linen to the plates to the chef to the staff—during the time that you’re there.” 808.325.8450

Holidays at Hualālai

This festive season, Hualālai Members will once again enjoy a host of exclusive events, from gala dinners to fun activities for the whole family. Favorites include the Holiday Party, on December 20, which kicks off the resort’s Festive Celebrations with a VIP guest from the North Pole. Also back this year: the Rock da Rock dinner and dance on December 28, and New Year’s Eve at the Hualālai Canoe Club on December 31. Mark your calendars, making sure to note the all-new Jingle Bell Run on Christmas Eve (the best costumes win prizes), followed by Coffee & Crepes at the Hualālai Canoe Club. 808.325.8450

5 WINTER TRUNK SHOWS

One of the headliners at Hualālai’s winter trunk shows (December 21–January 4) is the venerable Sidney Garber fine-jewelry house. The brand’s timeless yet modern jewelry—created to be worn effortlessly day or night—will take center stage at Seaside Luxe, the boutique located below the lobby at the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, from December 29 to 31. The event and others like it take place seasonally and showcase the latest in luxury apparel, accessories, and jewelry from top designers. Ramona Gulbransen, the resort’s director of retail, says that this season’s lineup of brands at Seaside Luxe and Seaside Beach also includes Ana Katarina, J/Hadley, Kai Linz, Arias, Nina Runsdorf, Jemma Sands, Via Eden, and Shylee Rose. 808.325.4765

Chef Fest Returns

Space is limited at the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai’s annual Chef Fest—and with good reason: The event’s intimacy makes for a most memorable experience. “Participants enjoy one-on-one time with the guest chefs and winemakers, including select recreational activities. That’s one thing that makes it so unique,” says Thomas Bellec, executive chef at the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai. Held in September, this year’s festive four-day event—presided over by Bellec— welcomed the Michelin-starred chef Michael Cimarusti, among other celebrity chefs, and included everything from cooking demonstrations to gala dinners. A Cristal Champagne tasting and a mixology class geared to the home bartender were among the all-new offerings. Details on Chef Fest 2019 will be announced in the new year. 808.325.8000

A CELEBRATED APPOINTMENT

For more than 16 years, Michelle Kaulu Amaral has been a fixture at Hualālai, highly esteemed not only for her many contributions as a professional hula soloist, but also for her work in the resort’s human resources department. In the fall of 2017, Amaral was named Club Ho‘okipa Ambassador for the Hualālai Club—a distinguished cultural position she continues to define daily. “Providing ho‘okipa, or hospitality, was second nature to our ancient Hawaiians, and I’m really passionate about sharing the beauty and culture of our islands as a native islander,” says Amaral. “I’m always delighted when I’m able to educate or be an inspiration to our new and returning visitors and Members who come to the Hawaiian Islands looking for a memorable lifetime experience.” This winter, on December 22, Members will find her once again forging a sense of community and spirit of aloha at Hot Hawaiian Night, an evening of dining and entertainment at the Ke‘olu Clubhouse. 808.325.4707

Beyond Fitness

This winter, Beth D’Angelo, fitness coordinator at Hualālai Sports Club, will welcome Members and guests at the athletic complex (shown: Boga yoga at the pool) for the debut of the Wellness Workshops Series. Launching mid-December, the new series features bodyand-soul-minded programs, including a Sweet Dreams session. “It will be talking about the benefits of getting a good night’s sleep, and how to prepare for that with sound therapy, color therapy, nidra yoga, and guided meditation,” says D’Angelo. Other sessions will focus on such topics as Ayurveda and smart nutrition. “All of our workshops are 90 minutes,” she adds, “talking about how to live inside the story that brought you to Hualālai and how to leave feeling more expansive in your awareness of who you are and what you contribute to humanity.” 808.325.8440

CHANNELING POSITIVE ENERGY

In March, longtime Hualālai banquet server Tia Ulufaleilupe (shown in front) will start training for the 2019 Na Wahine O Ke Kai outrigger canoe race—just six months after completing the prestigious race this fall. Ulufaleilupe crossed the Ka‘iwi Channel from Moloka‘i to O‘ahu for the 15th time this September, yet her approach was far from old hat. “I still walk to the same spot—same rock that sits in the ocean—and I kneel down, close my eyes, and say a prayer,” says Ulufaleilupe. “I say a mahalo to Moloka‘i, splash my face, and prepare myself for another epic crossing!” It was Na Wahine O Ke Kai’s 40th anniversary, and Ulufaleilupe and her team—who had never had a day of training together prior to the race—had even more to celebrate. “We finished ninth overall and second place in our division, with a time of 6 hours 12 minutes.” nawahineokekai.com