26 Oct 2022The Skies Above Us
Despite a reputation for hot, dry weather, Wai‘anae attracts rain and houses groundwater. “Wai,” in fact, refers to fresh water. Traditional poetry and lore speak to the famed wai o Lualualei, or the pools of Lualualei, that reframes Wai‘anae as a unique hydrological ecosystem.
12 Aug 2021Summer Treats Featuring Moana and Friends
Now at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, new Dole Whip soft-serve desserts are just the beginning to a summer of delicious treats. Mickey Shave Ice take on a refreshing local dessert with flavors like mango, pineapple, coconut, lilikoi, orange and guava.
12 Feb 2021Of Plants and Progeny
Kalo, or taro, has been integral to the Hawaiian diet. Alongside mai‘a (banana), niu (coconut), and ‘ulu (breadfruit), kalo was one of the canoe plants, the original plants brought to the Hawaiian Islands by the first Polynesian settlers.
23 Jan 2021Visit ‘Olu Mel a Friend of Duffy at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Now you can see ‘Olu Mel, A Disney Friend of Duffy, playing endearing and uplifting music on his ‘ukulele as well as other favorite Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Stitch on your next trip to Aulani Resort.
24 Sep 2020Aulani Resort Will Plan to Begin a Phased Reopening on November 1
Given Hawaii’s recent announcement of a pre-arrival testing program for those traveling from out-of-state, we are working toward a phased reopening of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa beginning on Sunday, November 1. And just like our other Disney destinations that have re-opened, we are using a measured approach that focuses on the health and safety of our guests, cast and community.
12 Dec 2019Disney in Paradise
Source: 425magazine.com Swaying palm trees, vibrant native Hawaiian flowers, white sand beaches, and pristine ocean views are fairly standard Hawaii vacation sights, but at Aulani, these tropical hallmarks come with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and more touches of Disney magic. The family-friendly resort is tucked away on Oahu’s western coast.
24 Nov 2019Nathanael Endo: The West Point Graduate
Growing up in Wai‘anae, fires were frequent during the summer. At age 4, I witnessed firefighters put out a fire behind my house, and I decided that I wanted to be like them. Then, in sixth grade, my older brother, who was in the U.S. Army, told me about military firefighters.
20 Nov 2019A Creative Turn
For years, the 150-foot, streetfacing exterior of Nānākuli Super was the site of repeated vandalism that included graffiti, curse words, and lewd pictures. Everyone who drove into Nānākuli saw it. “It was an eyesore,” says Kris Okimoto, one of the family owners of the store.
19 Nov 2019Ladies of the Lineup
In the childhood home of Keānuenue and Puamakamae DeSoto on the west side of O‘ahu sits a shining, gobletshaped trophy engraved with the logo of the World Surfing League. In 2010, when the sisters were 6 and 4 years old respectively, their father, Duane DeSoto, raised that trophy high above his head at Mākaha Beach.
15 Nov 2019Busy Bees
On O‘ahu’s leeward coast, miles of sky kissed sand meander alongside the two lane highway. Cars slow as drivers, in no hurry to make their turns, crawl through Nānākuli, Mā‘ili, Wai‘anae. The pace of life on the West Side, like the traffic, is languid. It’s as if the heat makes everything as slow as syrup. Or honey.
03 Jul 2019Kawehi Namu‘o: The Guardian
As a teenager, I hung out at Nānākuli Beach Park often. There, I’d see the lifeguards come and go on their work day. That’s when I knew I wanted to become a lifeguard. Because when I see the ocean, I see God’s creation. And I truly love playing in God’s creation. It’s where I feel at home, happy, and at peace.
29 Jun 2019Dancing In The Deep
Following a long night of collaborating to catch lantern fish, shrimp, squid, and other deep-ocean prey, nai‘a (spinner dolphins, or Stenella longirostris) seek refuge at spots along Wai‘anae’s coastline like Mākua Bay and Pōka‘ī Bay. The sandy-bottomed bays offer more safety from predators and respite from big swells and wind.
26 Jun 2019Character Arcs
The cofounders of Ho‘okipa I Po‘okela, an afterschool golf instruction program for students in the Nānākuli district, believe that underneath the science of the sport lay the keys to character-building, including sportsmanship, patience, perseverance, and integrity.
14 Jan 2019Ticket Sales, Special Room Rates for The 6th Annual Ko Olina Children's Festival
Exclusive room rates available at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa and Four Seasons Resort O’ahu for early ticket purchasers, with 100 percent of ticket proceeds benefiting Kapi‘olani Medical Center O‘AHU, HAWAI‘I (January 2, 2019) — Ko Olina Resort is gearing up for the 6th Annual Ko Olina Children’s Festival on Saturday, April 27
19 Sep 2018Ko Olina Launches Ticket Sales for the 5th Annual Ko Olina Children's Festival, Saturday, September 22, 2018
100 Percent of Ticket Proceeds Benefit Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children; Exclusive Room Rates Available at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa O‘AHU, HAWAI‘I (May 18, 2018) – Ko Olina Resort invites guests, family and friends to celebrate the 5th Annual Ko Olina Children’s Festival on Saturday, September 22, 2018. This family play day
22 Jul 2018Plantation Stroll
At Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village in Waipahu, visitors get a glimpse of a bygone life among sugarcane fields.
“Thank you for coming to Hawai‘i’s best kept secret,” Ken Kaneshige, a docent, tells the group standing near the entrance to Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village. Up the hill, lined along a narrow lane, are replicas of a traditional Japanese furo
21 Jul 2018Sam Kapoi: My Journey to Voyaging
I grew up in Waiʻanae and, on paper, I'm nine generations deep—I’m sure there’s more prior to that. I went to public school: Waiʻanae Elementary, Intermediate, and High School. In 10th grade you selected your career pathway, and I selected Hawaiian studies and natural resources. I was really interested in a side program in voyaging.
21 Jul 2018Healing Garden
On 50 acres in Lualualei Valley, Kahumana Organic Farm and Community grows more than just greens. At Kahumana Organic Farm, which is hidden within Lualualei Valley at the base of Mount Ka‘ala, monkeypod and mango trees tower over buildings alongside fields of produce, an aquaponics system, and quiet, lush areas marked by small temples.
26 Mar 2018Prince Kūhiō’s Legendary Racing Canoe to be Showcased at Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina
Ko Olina, Hawai‘i – In a unique partnership with Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina is honored to showcase the Aa, Prince Kūhiō’s legendary racing canoe, built in 1902. Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole (1871–1922), born to Kekaulike Kinoiki II and David Kahalepouli Piʻikoi, was a prince of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
07 Feb 2018Searching for Mana: Where to See the Real Hawaii
Source: travelandleisure.com<br />Standing in the hot sand at the tip of Ka‘ena Point, La‘akea Perry, master teacher at Kei Kai o Kahiki, an all-male hula school, begins to chant, his voice trembling in a lilting vibrato. The words of the oli impart a greeting, one that conveys both a deep love for O‘ahu’s west side and an inherent responsibility to the land.
12 Dec 2017Ko Olina Golf Club Completes Extensive Bunker Renovation Debuts Mickey Mouse Inspired Bunker
Ko Olina Resort, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, December 12, 2017 – Ko Olina Golf Club, host of the LPGA’s LOTTE Championship, has completed a three-month renovation of its greenside and select fairway bunkers. The project included reshaping the bunkers and the addition of new silica sand.
26 Jun 2017Take a Luxe Beach Vacation in West Oahu, Hawaii
Source: nymag.com Ko Olina, the resort on the western coast of Oahu, offers a reprieve from the traffic and crowds of Waikiki, with predictably better weather, a slower pace, and natural beauty in spades — plus plenty of high-end, seaside, worth-the-splurge accommodations. Where to Stay A series of new or freshly renovated properties on Ko Olina share public.
23 Jun 2017Talent Lineup and Ticket Sales Announced for Seventh Annual Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival
Celebrated Chefs, Rare Wines, & Top Mixologists Headline #HFWF17 HONOLULU, HI (June 2, 2017) – More than one hundred world-class chefs, fifty winemakers, and a dozen mixologists will bring their talents together in paradise for the seventh annual Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival (HFWF). The premier epicurean event in the Pacific will showcase Hawai‘i cuisine
12 Apr 2017Ko Olina Resort Announces 4th Annual Children’s Festival Saturday, September 23, 2017
Festival Proceeds To Benefit Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children; O‘AHU, HAWAI‘I (April 10, 2017) – Ko Olina Resort invites guests, families and friends to celebrate the 4th Annual Ko Olina Children’s Festival on Saturday, September 23, 2017. The event will feature interactive video and music activities, live stage performances, family-friendly movies from Disney/Pixar
25 Mar 2017Disney’s Aulani Resort offers spectacular Hawaiian luau
Source: hawaiimagazine.com From Laniwai, the first-ever spa created by Disney, to the elevator music with Disney classics sung in Hawaiian, there are unique features to find peeking around every corner. Sure, there are other family-friendly resorts in Hawaii. And sure, there are other places around the world to experience Disney’s legendary immersive storytelling
22 Mar 2017The Strangeness and Delight of Taking Your Parents on Vacation
Source: afar.com A Disney vacation, no less. “When do we get leis?” my mom asked as we disembarked our flight to Honolulu. “Usually, at the hotel,” I informed her. She was disappointed—she had expected a flowery greeting right at the gate, with beauties in grass skirts draping her, my dad, and me with fresh orchids.
08 Mar 2017Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival Raises a Record $394,000 for 14 Nonprofit Beneficiaries
HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival (HFWF), the state’s premier culinary event, raised a record $394,000 for local beneficiaries following another successful year. Fourteen nonprofit organizations received checks during a Mahalo Reception for the 2016 festival held on March 7th at Neiman Marcus’ Mariposa Restaurant. The $394,000 contribution brings the total giving
07 Mar 2017The Coast in West Oahu is Beginning to Boom, with Accommodations Rivaling Waikiki’s
Source: latimes.com Oahu’s once-sleepy town of Kapolei, about 20 miles west of Honolulu, is enjoying a growth spurt in resorts that could turn it into a rival of the popular Waikiki Beach. The Ko Olina coastline, home of Kapolei, already has a Four Seasons resort and Disney’s Aulani.
Now Atlantis, a name associated with water-themed resorts
16 Dec 2016T&C Travel Guide: Oahu, Hawaii
Where to stay, dine, shop, and relax on Hawaii’s most-visited island. Choosing between Hawaiian islands may be the ultimate one-percent problem. There’s the Big Island, the one for adventure; Maui has the volcanoes; Kauai is the oldest, rainiest, and most lush. But when it comes to sheer fun, killer cocktails, farm-fresh food, and the best surfing
25 Nov 2016Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina presents ‘Moonlight Market’
This year, add an artisanal flair to festive gift giving and enjoy shopping while sipping champagne under the stars with some of Hawaii’s most acclaimed artists and designers. On Friday, November 25, 2016 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm, Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina presents Moonlight Market, a magical evening
01 Nov 2016From Honolulu To The North Shore, The Four Best Spas In Oahu
The pleasures of Oahu, Hawaii’s third largest island, are diverse and aplenty. While most visitors flock here for the natural beauty, beachy offerings (like surfing, fishing, and boating), original cuisine, and refreshingly low-key vibes, the spa scene is also world-class, and not to be missed. Here, I share the four best spas in Oahu
29 Aug 2016Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa Introduces New Entertainment & Dining Experiences this Fall
During its 5th anniversary celebration, Hawaii's top family beach resort unveiled plans for a new
luau experience and special appearances by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” KO OLINA, Hawaii (Aug. 28, 2016) Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa today announced new, creative guest experiences that will debut later this year.
09 Aug 2016The Best of Hawaii: The Stunning $17,000 Penthouse at the New Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
Life is really a celebration in Hawaii. The Aloha spirit is everywhere, and on the diamond shaped island of Oahu, home to Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor, there is much more to discover than just a stunning landscape, tropical winds, and brilliant sunshine. Oahu is enjoying a massive surge in new development with huge modern
11 Jul 2016Hawaii’s Five Best Oahu Golf Courses – From Waikiki Beach To The North Shore
Hawaii isn't exactly known as a buddy’s trip destination among golfers. It’s a long haul from the U.S. mainland and flight costs alone are enough to dissuade most golfers from lumping in Hawaii with places like Myrtle Beach, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes and, well, much of Florida. The Aloha State is more frequently a spot
02 Jun 2016Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival Announces Ticket Sales and Lineup for 6th Annual Event
HONOLULU, HI (May 31, 2016) The Premier Epicurean Event in the Pacific Returns October 14-30, 2016
Culinary masters from East and West will come together for the 6th annual Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival from October 14-30, 2016 to showcase the Islands’ cuisine and culture. In addition to popular signature events on Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu
27 May 2016E Komo Mai: Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu At Ko Olina On The Hawaiian Island’s Spectacular Sunset Coast Now Open
May 26, 2016, Hawaii, Oahu, U.S.A. It’s never been like this before. Offering Hawaii’s most memorable vacation experiences for the past 27 years, Four Seasons continues to innovate with the opening of its fifth location, the spectacular new Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina. Situated on a pristine stretch of coastline on Oahu’s rugged western coast in the community of Ko Olina
01 May 2016Community Raises $55,000 for Kapi‘olani Medical Center at Ko Olina Children’s Film & Music Festival
KAPOLEI, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i (May 1, 2016) The third annual Ko Olina Children’s Film & Music Festival, a benefit for Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children, was held Saturday, April 30, and drew more than 2,000 people for a day of family-friendly movies from Disney•PIXAR and special appearances by Jake Shimabukuro and Auliʻi Cravalho, the voice
02 Mar 2016Ko Olina Childrens’s Film & Music Festival To Be Largest Yet
The 3rd Annual Ko Olina Children’s Film & Music Festival, Saturday, April 30, 2016, will be the largest yet with young local performers, interactive audio and video studios for aspiring artists, and a fan favorite collection of Disney•PIXAR and Hawaii International Film Festival films.
26 Feb 2015Second Annual Ko Olina Children’s Film & Music Festival Features Frozen at Sunset & Young Local Music Line-up
The second annual Children’s Film & Music Festival (CFMF) at Ko Olina, Saturday, March 7, will be even bigger than the first with hot, young local performers, interactive audio and video studios for aspiring artists, and nine films ranging from family-friendly Disney to Hawai‘i International Film Festival favorites. The feature film, Frozen, will be screened on the beach
05 Feb 2015Ko Olina Resort to Host 2nd Annual Ko Olina Children’s Film & Music Festival
Ko Olina Children’s Film and Music Festival to benefit the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women. Ko Olina, O‘ahu, HAWAI‘I – (February 3, 2015) Ko Olina will host the second annual Ko Olina Children’s Film & Music Festival on Saturday, March 7, 2015. The entertaining schedule features local live stage performances, interactive music and video studios
16 Oct 2014Ko Olina Resort to Host 16th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach
Four thousand holiday meals, complete with turkey, gravy, stuffing, pie and more, will be distributed to Leeward residents through Ko Olina’s 16th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach, Saturday, November 22. What began modestly with just 1,000 meals in 1999 has grown to be the holiday’s largest outreach program on Oahu.
17 Apr 2014Bridging Heaven and Earth, Nurturing the cultural ties of Lanikuhonua
Lanikuhonua, “Where Heaven Meets Earth,” is the cultural refuge at the entrance to Ko Olina, where kupuna, the respected elders, teach a variety of Hawaiian arts from singing, hula and music to knowledge about medicine plants and other natural resources.