"DREAMS OF PARADISE"
by
Philip Barrington
"Kau ke keha I ka Uluna" - Work is done, don't worry. The Hawaiians of old didn't know their islands would become the world's number one playground. What they did understand of their untouched beauty and richness of the land was their magical spirit of Aloha. One may have to look a little deeper amid all the high rises and hordes of tourists, but this legendary feeling and ambience of old Hawaii still exists.
On Oahu your
choices are endless. What your travel agent might
not be so familiar with are the boutique hotels like the
new Colony Surf at the foot of Diamond Head on Waikiki's
exclusive Gold Coast. Its understated elegance of
cool marble and Koa wood-accented lobby, cream coloured
Balinese styled rooms and gracious dedicated staff make
this recently updated, sophisticated hotel one of the
most friendly and inviting places to lay your
head. David Paul's restaurant on the second floor
erupts with flavour as does his famed restaurant in
Lahaina on Maui. For other restaurants capturing
the essence of the Pacific Rim, Keo's, Roy's and newly
opened Indigo in the heart of downtown Honolulu - are
not to be missed.
For a day's escape
to one of the island's most beautiful beaches you need
to rent a car and drive to the windward side in search
of Waimanalo and the unlikeliest of signs - Bellows Air
Force Base. Off the main highway a half mile or so
through a forest of ironwood trees you'll come upon an
almost deserted beach that stretches for miles, with
powder-like white silk sand and soft turquoise
water. Further along and around the island you'll
come to the sleepy town of Kailua and its own
magnificent three-mile crescent beach. Look for
signposts pointing to Lanikai, just off the beaten
track, yet accessible. A private waterfront
residential area and gorgeous secluded beach fronting
the two Mokalua islands is yours to discover.
To experience the
vast expanse and volcanic majesty, there is nothing that
compares to the Big Island of Hawaii and her Waikoloa
coast. The Orchid at Mauna Lani, one of Sheraton's
World Luxury Collection hotels 
quietly awaits her guests
- like a pale sapphire surrounded by royal palms, jagged
onyx lava and a lapis blue ocean that stretches as far
as the eye can see. Formerly built by the Ritz
Carlton, this impressive resort typifies a spectacular
manor with its impressive orchid-laden lobby, caressed
by gentle tropical breezes, Polo lounge cocktail bar,
and the open-seating restaurant, 'Browns Beach House',
where awaits a creatively designed menu offering fruits
from the sea and sunset views that will take your breath
away.
Your personalized
helicopter flight will make you appreciate the immense
size of this island from the contrasting snow-capped
peak of Mauna Kea to the fiery-tempered vents of Madam
Pele's Kilauea volcano and the dramatic cliffs of the
Kohala Coast. The big island's magic can be felt
long after you leave. Like the legend of a lei
cast from a departing ship, should the lei reach the
shores, you are sure to return. This, too, is true
for Hawaii secretly woos all who visit her, gently back
again.
Maui boasts the
largest number of favoured places to say anywhere in the
world. From remote Hana to mini-city Ka'anapali to
the old-world charm of Napili. After being pampered
by personalized service and being embodied by the spirit
of Aloha hotel style, Napli Point Resort was to be our
home. Right on the water, this self-contained,
one-bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom unit with
private ocean front, was ideal for setting one's own
pace. Pristine beaches, a bay filled with gentle
green turtles and Humuhumunukunuku apua'a, breaching
whales in the distance; all this, eventually kissed by
red, orange and purple skies, then filled with a million
stars of light. Not hard to take as you sip your
sundowner Mai Tai and grill your lemon ginger-teriyaki
marinated Mahi Mahi.
Back at the Colony Surf, the night before we returned to reality, on our pillows lay a simple card He Manu Hanai Ke Kanaka Na Ka Moe - "Man is like a bird belonging to the realm of sleep... Dreams guide us and care for us." Dream on, for Aloha does exist and awaits you in paradise.
The author, Philip Barrington can be contacted at: philip@cpbw.net