Wailea, a Sanctuary of Beauty
South Maui’s Wailea is 1,500 acres of prime resort land and staggering
ocean views that include the stark red island of Kaho‘olawe and the quarter-moon
sliver of tiny Molokini islet, a popular snorkeling destination. Molokini,
a marine sanctuary, is the lip of a submerged volcano and one of the stellar
sights of Maui.
Wailea’s mile and a half of shoreline is notched into five crescent beaches,
fringed in palms and splashed by gentle surf. Five hotels are tucked into this
resort. Three times the size of Waikiki, exuding a sense of serenity, privacy
and freedom, Wailea also encompasses low-rise condominium villages and luxurious
private homes. All have been guided by a master plan that preserves and enhances
the natural beauty of the setting.
It was golf, however, that put this end of the island on the tourism map. Stretched
across Wailea’s gently sloping terrain are 54 Erin-green fairways that
make up the Wailea Blue, Wailea Gold and Wailea Emerald courses. The latter
two, designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones II, have been named
among the country’s best courses; and the Blue is consistently ranked
among the finest courses in Hawai‘i. Each winter, the Wailea Gold Course
is home to the ConAgra Foods Seniors Champions Skins Game and ConAgra Foods
LPGA Skins Game. Even Wailea Golf Club’s Gold and Emerald clubhouse is
an award-winner, and the state-of-the-sport training facility is unlike any
other in Hawai‘i. No matter how good the golf gets, however, players
are constantly distracted by the panoramic vistas of mountain, sky, and sea – and
the occasional whale.
Tennis is another big draw. Wailea’s 1,000-seat tennis stadium is the
site of one of Hawai‘i‘s largest local tournaments, and the Wailea
Tennis Academy offers state-of-the-art instruction. Both the tennis and golf
facilities include clubhouses, pro shops and instruction by resident professionals.
There’s a lot going on with the event scene in Wailea. In addition to
the televised Skins games, annual events include Whale Week in February, May
Day festivities in May, the Maui Film Festival in June, the Maui Writers Conference
in August, LifeFest Maui in September, and the XTERRA Championships in October.
Other activities are sailing, swimming, windsurfing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking
and whale watching. Guides and instruction are available in all sports. Hawaiian
cultural programs, art tours, and fitness programs are all available, as well
as prominent health and wellness facilities. For the ultimate in rejuvenation,
the resort houses five spas, some of which have been ranked among the best
in the world.
Maui’s newest shopping complex, The Shops at Wailea, is a destination
in itself, featuring world-class restaurants and shops with regular entertainment
programs.
There are dozens of restaurants in Wailea, including several national award-winners.
Ingenious, creative chefs highlight the celebrated products of Maui in
their exciting Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine. They serve fresh Maui seafood,
vegetarian fare, fine French and continental foods, steak, snacks and ethnic
cuisine. Some of the island’s finest Japanese and Italian restaurants
can be found in Wailea.
At night, Wailea is filled with music. The lounges and clubs of the hotels
pulsate with rock, dreamy cheek-to-cheek tunes, jazz, and the mellow, soulful
sound of Hawaiian music.
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