If you’re flying across the vast Pacific Ocean to Honolulu, you’ll miss out if you don’t fly a few more miles to see the “Neighbor Islands” of Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i. Differences in geological time and human history have shaped each island’s landscape and culture in particular ways, making them distinct but linked together like the colors of the rainbows that so frequently adorn Hawaiian skies.
Hawai'i Island
Hawai‘i Island, justly nicknamed “the Big Island,” is the youngest in the volcanic archipelago at a mere million years, and is the only one with active volcanoes. Two of them, Hualālai and Mauna Loa, provide the rich soil that gives Kona coffee its special flavor, while Kīlauea is revered as the home of the deity Pele. Massive Mauna Loa and its dormant sister Mauna Kea are so tall — nearly 14,000 feet above sea level, and more than twice that when measured from the ocean floor — that they are often snow-capped. Along with the extinct Kohala volcano, they divide the island into an east side of lush rainforests and waterfalls and a west side of sandy beaches amid ancient lava flows.
The island is also known as the birthplace of King Kamehameha I, who began his conquest to unite the Hawaiian Islands here, and later ruled at a compound in Kailua-Kona until his death in 1819. One of his sons, King Kamehameha III, was born at Keauhou Bay, renowned for nightly visits by manta rays and home to the OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa. The recently renovated resort celebrates the island’s cultural and natural history in several ways, including complimentary activities such as manta ray talks, historical walking tours and the monthly Under The New Moon series of family-friendly evenings honoring a variety of ali‘i (royalty and chiefs.) Presented by Kumu Keala Ching and his hula hālau (school) Nā Wai ‘Iwi Ola, the events feature live music, cultural performances and workshops.
The resort’s Escape to Kona package offers special rates for stays of four nights or longer, including complimentary self-parking and daily breakfast for two in Piko Cafe & Wine Bar. Those who book a club room may enjoy breakfast in the Voyager 47 Lounge and receive two tickets to the Feast and Fire Luau, offered Monday and Thursday nights. The OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa also has an epic flash sale starting on September 30th and runs through October 22nd, with rates starting at $199 and including access to newly renovated rooms, use of paddle boards and other outdoor activities, and historic and cultural activities.
Maui
Maui’s skyline is also dominated by two massive volcanoes. Dormant Haleakalā, “the house of the sun,” is 1.2 million years old. Home to Haleakalā National Park on its lunar-like summit, it towers over the sunny beaches of South Maui and the gorgeous greenery of East Maui, while providing fertile soil and wide pastures for the farms and ranches of Upcountry Maui. The extinct volcano of Mauna Kahālāwai (“meeting place of waters”), whose deep green clefts are also known as the West Maui Mountains, is some 400,000 years older and overlooks more sandy strands, including 3-mile-long Kā‘anapali Beach. In between the two volcanos lie former sugarcane fields where workers from China, Japan, the Azores and the Philippines, among other countries, once toiled, adding their cuisine and customs to those of Native Hawaiians.
OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort showcases one of the most beloved Hawaiian arts, hula, by hosting the annual Hula o Nā Keiki competition. Boys and girls ages 6 to 17 compete as soloists in hula kahiko (traditional hula) and hula ‘auana (modern hula) over two days, preceded by an evening hō‘ike (show) with live music and accompanied by two days of workshops, exhibits and a marketplace with artisan vendors. This year’s event takes place Nov. 7-9.
Hawaiian music also has a welcome home at the resort, where its beachfront restaurant Maui Brewing Co. presents nightly live music from 6 to 8 p.m. OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort additionally features its own hosts in monthly #AlohaFridayLive performances, which can also be watched online on the resort’s Facebook page. The next Aloha Friday shows are at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 11 and Nov. 15.
The resort’s Escape to Maui special offer includes breakfast for two and a one-time $100 activity credit for excursions and experiences booked through the concierge desk. Guests staying three nights or more may choose to book the Return to Paradise package, which includes a $100 activity credit and makes the third night complimentary.
Kauai
The Garden Isle’s greenery grows atop an extinct volcano thought to be 5.6 million years old — plenty of time for erosion to create the brightly hued crevasses of Waimea Canyon, the numerous rivers and waterfalls flowing from Wai‘ale‘ale and other emerald peaks, and a ring of sandy beaches and vibrant reefs. A wealth of botanical gardens, historic taro fields and modern farms contribute to its verdancy, while the many mom-and-pop restaurants and stores, small plantation-era towns such as Hanapēpē and Kīlauea, and the famously free-ranging colorful chickens add to the rural appeal.
Līhu‘e, the county seat on the east side of the island, makes the perfect home base for seeing its attractions linked by the highway from Hā‘ena on the North Shore all the way to Polihale State Park on the West Side. An 11-mile hike or a boat ride will let you view some of the rugged Nāpali Coast that lies between Polihale and Hā‘ena, but to see most of it, you’ll need to reserve one of the helicopter tours that depart from Līhu‘e.
Conveniently close to the airport in Līhu‘e, yet in a tranquil 25-acre world of its own, OUTRIGGER Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa lies along 2-mile Nukoli‘i Beach. At the other end of the beach are two public treasures, Kamalani Playground at Lydgate Park and Wailua Golf Course; two outdoor shopping malls and numerous restaurants and cafes are also within a short drive. The resort’s Escape to Kaua‘i package includes rooms starting from $349 for a premium garden-view (inclusive of daily resort charge), breakfast for two and self-parking; enter promo code ESCAPE when booking.
OUTRIGGER Discovery Members also have access to a 10 percent discount, plus special perks and offers, at all of OUTRIGGER’s Neighbor Island resorts through Discovery Rates.
