Pasadena magazine - May/June 2021

Page 32

TO DO

THE TRIP

ON THE FLIP TIDE Beyond the crowds of Waikiki, Oahu offers secluded beaches lost among the lagoons and eroded volcano on the island’s leeward coast. BY S H E E A N H A N L A N

A

fter nearly a year of being closed off to visitors, the Hawaiian Islands—and their sought-after resorts—are reopening. However, vaccinated or not, post-pandemic travel still has us all looking at things differently. Crowded beaches, packed pools, and group activities are far from most people’s wish lists. If you’ve been overlooking Oahu for the state’s more resort-focused Big Island and Maui, it’s time to discover the 642-acre Ko Olina resort community, just 35 minutes from downtown Honolulu. The relaxed destination, whose name translates as “place of joy,” was a favorite getaway of Queen Lili‘uokalani, the last monarch of Hawaii, who resided in the Iolani Palace until 1893. Here, the turquoise waters, once thought to be sacred by Hawaiian royalty, ebb and flow in a melodic ripple suitable for swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling. Three perfectly crescent, swimmable coves dot the coast, where only a handful of

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hotels occupy the shore, including the preeminent Four Seasons. This less developed west coast is also home to the largest native Hawaiian population in Oahu and has all the idyllic white-sand beaches of Waikiki and the North Shore—only unspoiled by the tourist crowds. Instead, respected artisans, watermen, and cultural storytellers continue ancient traditions in these rural parts, imbuing the area with meaning. While the region’s isolation from urban life is a major draw, there’s no shortage of experiences to be had at the Four Seasons Ko Olina itself. Originally designed by architect Edward Killingsworth in 1998, the resort underwent renovations by Philpotts Interiors in 2016, when it reopened as a Four Seasons. The resulting 371 rooms and suites fall in line with the timeless decor and Hawaiian accents of the public spaces—banana-leaf wall coverings, hibiscus throw pillows, and wood furnishings, along with garden-side lanais and ocean-view balconies. Four swimming pools and the expanses of coastline mean that there’s never a wait for a lounge chair. The circular main pool is as welcoming as it is architectural, while the kids pool invites play. A spa pool accommodates lap swimming, and the adult pool feels like a resort in itself. The sleek, lava rock–colored infinity pool extends along the property’s northern end. Just beyond it is an extended grassy lawn for lounging, and then the ocean. A teak deck, ample chairs and cabanas, and


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Articles inside

The Work of Adrienne DeVine

1min
pages 106-108

Pasadena Home Design Guide

9min
pages 61-68

Jaguar E-Type

1min
page 58

Classic British Sports Cars

3min
pages 59-60

Trends: Saso, Bento Boxes Women from the Pasadena Food Scene

9min
pages 55-57

Gardening: Yvonne Savio

3min
pages 52-53

Home Tour

3min
pages 46-51

The Ingredient: Hog Wild

3min
page 54

On the Market

5min
pages 38-41

Vacation Homes

3min
pages 42-43

Organize It: Clear Space Clear Mind

2min
pages 36-37

Cuixmala

2min
page 34

Sunwink, AbilityFirst M/Y NJORD, Chantal Donnelly

2min
page 35

5 Ways to Experience Water

4min
pages 26-27

Central Coast

5min
pages 28-31

Oahu

4min
pages 32-33

PGA Tour: Going Green

2min
page 25

NEWS AND NOTES

8min
pages 11-16

CONTRIBUTORS

1min
page 8

FAMILY

7min
pages 18-20

Ceramics: Down to Earth

3min
page 24

DIALOGUE

2min
page 21

MY PASADENA

2min
page 17

Games: Already Winning

2min
pages 22-23

EDITOR’S NOTE

5min
pages 6-7
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