I didn't go outside of the resort during my recent stay at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, but I still felt like I was missing out on something.
There's little pressure to leave the 15-acre, 383-room oceanfront property when the alternative is relaxing in an oceanview cabana with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot on ice or sampling cocktails and fresh ahi tuna Appetizers at Spago Maui.
I was expecting a small voice in the back of my brain to say that I didn't experience enough of the island.
At the Four Seasons Resort Maui, the island arrives to you. Even during the shortest of stays, it's almost impossible to not see Hawaii's famed "aloha spirit" in some way.
The Four Seasons Resort Maui has become a cultural hub due to the fact that it offers everything from traditional fire knife dances to ukulele performances on a weekly basis.
Wendy Tuivaioge is the Director of Hawaiian Programs at the Four Seasons Resort Maui. The photo was taken at the Four Seasons Resort Maui.
The director of Hawaiian programs at the property is Wendy Tuivaioge, also known as Aunty Wendy.
Tuivaioge said that they had to look at what they were giving their guests. They were staying at the resort because they wanted to be in their own bubble.
The early phases of Hawaii's tourism rebound made it difficult to book off-property experiences.
The Live Aloha initiative was launched last fall to bring some of the best experiences Maui had to offer to the resort.
No moment was too small for Tuivaioge.
She said that they brought in strolling musicians. A lot of our guests would come in before their rooms were ready so they could sit by the pool or have lunch in the lobby." Musicians were hired to play music while guests were waiting.
The Live Aloha market, where local vendors sell goods as part of an on- property, open-air bazaar, was born out of the program.
The dancers are participating in the "Behind the Scenes of Hula" experience. The photo was taken at the Four Seasons Resort Maui.
Tuivaioge said that the programs have provided an economic boost for the community.
She said that musicians were hit hard because they weren't working during the Pandemic. The vendors are not being charged for their space. Everything they make is theirs.
Management extended the program because of overwhelmingly positive feedback. The initiative is at least through the end of the year.
The competitive hula group Halau o Ka Hanu Lehua was brought to the resort by Tuivaioge as part of a "Behind the Scenes of Hula" experience. Guests are invited to watch as the group practices.
Tuivaioge describes it as rare.
Tuivaioge said that if you are not a dancer and part of the Halau, you are not allowed to enter. Guests aren't seeing a performance, they're seeing an actual practice.
There is a "Teatime with Aunty Wendy" session that is under development.
Cultural touch points have become an increasingly prominent part of the Four Seasons Resort Maui experience.
Tuivaioge said this push is a major differentiating factor for the property as the competition for tourists increases.
Mexico and Costa Rica both have beautiful resorts and beaches. She said that they do not have our aloha spirit and Hawaiian culture.
It's important that our guests feel that, because they will want to come back.
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