Nestled on the sun-drenched shores of Oahu, only minutes from the pulse of Waikīkī, is a haven of understated luxury for discerning travelers looking to escape the ordinary, and recharge and connect with the natural beauty that surrounds them.
Words by Marc Graser
Images courtesy of The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Sponsored by The Kahala Hotel & Resort
With its secluded beach setting, manicured lawns and swaying palms, The Kahala Hotel & Resort is a tranquil oasis that enables its guests to discover and renew with luxury accommodations and transformative culinary and cultural experiences.
When it opened in 1964, The Kahala was a vision of mid-century modern elegance, rising from the sand with clean lines and expansive windows reflecting the optimism of a time when Hawai‘i was synonymous with paradise. This wasn’t just another hotel; it was a destination.
The resort’s reputation is still unmatched, and its renowned service continues to make it a refuge for royalty, heads of state, and the A-list seeking solace beneath the Hawaiian sun. While the notable names may have changed, modern-day tastemakers and jetsetters are creating their own narratives.
The Kahala’s commitment to timeless elegance remains. Whether it’s indulging in a bespoke shopping experience within the hotel’s curated boutiques, mastering the art of surfing, or simply basking in the golden glow of a sunset, The Kahala caters to the individual’s desire for a truly personalized experience.
That includes learning the art of hula dancing from local instructors, participating in traditional lei-making workshops, or embarking on guided hikes through the island’s lush rainforests, and securing a coveted tee time at the adjacent championship golf course
The Kahala Hotel & Resort is a tranquil oasis that enables its guests to discover and renew with luxury accommodations and transformative culinary and cultural experiences.
Tranquil Setting
Its setting is clearly one of The Kahala’s biggest draws. Removed from the cacophony of tour buses and throngs of tourists on Waikīkī Beach, but still close enough to all the metropolitan life of Honolulu has to offer, the resort is situated in an upscale neighborhood close to the intricate tile work, patterned textiles and tropical gardens of the Shangri La Center for Islamic Arts and Cultures, and right next to the Waialae Country Club, which starts the year with the annual Sony Open tournament, the PGA Tour’s first event.
Mornings are meant to be spent sipping Kona coffee on a private lanai with views of the turquoise expanse of the Pacific, or the dormant volcanic sentinel that is Diamond Head. Stroll through the resort’s lush gardens and admire the vibrant flora and exotic birds. Afternoons could include a spa treatment, with the expert hands of therapists easing away the stress of city life.
Enjoy a memorable swim in the lagoon with bottlenose dolphins, seen just outside your room. Lounge by the pool or on the private beach, and take in hues of vibrant orange and pink at sunset with cocktails on the oceanfront terrace before returning to a light and airy suite with splashes of the tropics.
Amplifying Local Flavors
Given that the resort’s executive Chef Jonathan Mizukami has spent the past 20 years cooking at renowned restaurants like Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry, in Napa Valley; Spain’s three-star Michelin starred El Bulli; Alinea, in Chicago; and Per Se, in New York City, guests and locals are presented dishes that amplify local flavors.
Decadently rolled pancakes, fried ahi poke musubi, broiled misoyaki butterfish, and The Kahala Signature Bento are popular standouts at The Kahala’s restaurants, including the beachside Plumeria Beach House. Hoku’s is the resort’s signature restaurant with an incredible course menu and wine pairing, and acclaimed Sunday Brunch and seafood buffet.
To celebrate its 60th Anniversary this year, The Kahala introduced a modern twist on popular cocktails from the 1960s, including a Millennium Star diamond martini, Pink Sunrise gimlet and The Florentine margarita.
Decadently rolled pancakes, fried ahi poke musubi, broiled misoyaki butterfish, and The Kahala Signature Bento are popular standouts at The Kahala’s restaurants, including the beachside Plumeria Beach House.
For the anniversary, the resort’s spa also introduced an exclusive Nineteen Sixty Four Diamond Glow treatment. The relaxing four-hour experience includes the property’s signature Ho’omaka Foot Ritual, followed by an exfoliating foot scrub, 30-minute soak in an infinity bath, 80-minute customized massage, and an 80-minute customized or Glo2 Facial.
Community has always been important to The Kahala, as the largest private business within the area. It strives to offer a taste of authentic Hawaiian culture that provides a glimpse into the heart and soul of Hawai‘i to enrich stays and leave guests with a deeper appreciation for the island’s unique spirit.
Community Minded
The resort provides financial support through its KISCA program to non-profits within the area that foster education about Hawaiian culture and sustainable environmental practices.
Its on-property programming tries to differentiate itself from other resorts with Kūpuna (elders) available to educate guests about the Ahupuaʻa (hawaiian marker for land) of the area and the significant events that occurred, such as King Kamehameha’s first landing along the shores fronting the resort when he began his quest to successfully unify the Hawaiian islands.
Cultural offerings include expected favorites like hula and lei making, but also unique experiences such as fish net throwing. Here, guests can be transported back to how native Hawaiians crafted their nets, and together with the practitioner, throw them to catch fish right on the beach in front of the resort.
“We have a kuleana (responsibility) to the community we are in,” says Joe Ibarra, General Manager of The Kahala Hotel & Resort, and VP of Resorttrust Hawaii, the hotel’s owner.
But community also means considering the needs and understanding the expectations of the LGBTQ+ community, various cultural and ethnic groups. When it comes to inclusivity, the word that comes to mind is ohana, or family.
We treat The Kahala as our home, and the guests that visit The Kahala are treated as part of our ohana.
— Joe Ibarra, General Manager of The Kahala Hotel & Resort, and VP of Resorttrust Hawaii.
All Inclusive
“We treat The Kahala as our home, and the guests that visit The Kahala are treated as part of our ohana,” Ibarra says. “There is genuine love and care that touches every interaction because our colleagues have a sincere interest in the guest experience striving to create experiences that create memories that last a lifetime.”
For The Kahala’s management, inclusivity isn’t an extra, it should be a standard practice in how it treats its guests—all of its guests, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
For Ibarra, being an open representative of the LGBTQ+ community, has enabled him to view and analyze the overall guest experience in a different way. “I often ask myself, how can I create services and experiences that cater to me, and what I have learned is that I expect the same level of service as any other patron, no more no less,” Ibarra says. “I wanted to be included and treated as family, and that is what we focus on here at The Kahala.”
Like most travelers, especially those visiting Hawai‘i , Ibarra gravitates to a serene setting that promotes wellness, the discovery of culinary delights of the locale and ways to learn about the culture and history of the destination. “Allowing our guests to relax and be transported away from their day to day life and stress is everything that we embody at The Kahala,” Ibarra says.
Embracing LGBTQ+ Travelers
Over the years, The Kahala has taken the initiative to make notable efforts to embrace change in how it treats LGBTQ+ travelers. For example, intake forms for registration are gender inclusive, allowing for recognition of same sex married couples and domestic partnerships. Staff is trained in providing respectful and inclusive service to all guests.
The resort’s retail operations have made an effort to represent local LGBTQ-owned businesses, including apparel from Honolulu-based fashion designer David Shepard, and art by photographer Trevor Robert Isabel.
“When we don’t see us there, we don’t see ourselves there,” adds Monji Mohammad, Director of Retail, Spa, Wellness & Merchandising at The Kahala Hotel & Resort. “Because I am part of a societal minority group, I am more sensitive to the diverse needs of our guests.”
Since many same sex couples choose not to have children and consider their fur babies as their children, The Kahala pampers its furry guests with a lei upon arrival, a customized bowl and personalized cookies (with the dog’s name), as well as a special dog pillow for use during the visit.
“As diverse as our colleagues are, we always seek to learn and grow and welcome every aspect of the community, including LGBTQ+ travelers,” Ibarra says. “It helps us reinforce who we are as a company and how we engage with our community.”
Explore The Kahala Hotel & Resort and book your next stay at KahalaResort.com