For close to 10 years now, Naupaka News has been sharing news and articles of interest about Waikoloa Beach Resort. From the inviting Pacific waters to the treasured cultural experiences to the remarkable culinary experiences, sharing Waikoloa Beach Resort with visitors, guests, and owners has been a true privilege and pleasure.
Yet with uncertain current conditions prevailing in Hawai`i and around the world, and an inability to know exactly when and how travel will get “back to normal,” we wanted to stay in touch and offer a relaxing glimpse of the place we all know and miss, Waikoloa Beach Resort.
So, until we meet again at “the gathering place of the Kohala Coast” (hopefully soon!), please enjoy the images and remembrances of this special place in the world.
THE NAUPAKA FLOWER
The logo for Waikoloa Beach Resort — the naupaka flower — is at its core a symbol of hope and eternal love. Like many stories from Hawai`i’s mythology, the story of the naupaka flower is one born of loss, but buoyed by the possibility of eventual reunion. Two lovers, it is said, one from nobility and the other a commoner, tore a naupaka flower in half to remember one another as they parted forever. And ever since, the naupaka flower that blooms in the mountains (naupaka hiwa) only bears petals on the upper half of the flower, while those that grow near the sea (naupaka kahakai) only bear petals on the lower part of the flower. The enduring hope is that the two star-crossed lovers — and the two opposite blooms of the flower — will one day be reunited and thus become whole. “As a symbol for Waikoloa, the naupaka legend and the idea of becoming whole through eternal belief in the positive is very strong,” says Scott Head, vice president, Waikoloa Land Company. “We strive to deliver experiences to our guests that not only make their vacations more enjoyable and memorable, but that will have positive impacts on their lives long after they leave. That is what the naupaka legend and the flower symbolize.”
LAVA TO LUXURY
Visionary developer Ronald F. Boeddeker first laid eyes on the land that today is Waikoloa Beach Resort in 1972. Back then, it was not much more than lava fields as far as the eye could see, fronted by a magnificent stretch of ocean, some palm trees, and a gentle bay. Its transformation from lava to luxury seemed unlikely, but through the efforts of Boeddeker, Thos Rohr (president and CEO of Waikoloa Land Company 1988-2010), hotel developer Chris Hemmeter, and others, Waikoloa Beach Resort slowly shaped into the delightful destination resort it is today. Guests have their choice of hotel accommodations at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, and the Hilton Waikoloa Village; oceanfront cottages at Lava Lava Beach Club; and several privately owned homes and condominium communities. It’s the perfect place to stay … and play!
A CULINARY TALE
Memorable cuisine adds greatly to any vacation, and at Waikoloa, dining is one of the true pleasures of your stay. There are more than 30 dining options scattered throughout the resort, serving everything from deliciously prepared and exceedingly fresh seafood to authentic Italian pizza to sushi to local-style barbecue and ethnic favorites. Venues range from sit-down meals in scenic settings, to grab-and-go snacks and fast food for busy schedules. Flavor influences match the various immigration waves that populated Hawai`i over the decades, including Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese, and many others. Cuisine in the Hawaiian Islands is as tasty as its population is diverse.
CLASSIC GOLF
Players of all caliber enjoy equal parts beauty and fun on the two classic, resort-style layouts at Waikoloa Beach Resort, the Beach and Kings’ golf courses. Both dish up signature holes that typify golf on Hawai`i Island: ocean and lava. On the Beach Course (1981), it’s No. 7, a par-5 with the Pacific Ocean straight before you off the tee. Lava fields border the left and right. From the landing zone, the hole doglegs hard to the left, and a smart layup will leave you a short wedge to a putting surface ringed by swaying coconut palms and crashing waves. Putt out for par and then pose for a selfie with your companions on this most scenic hole.
On the Kings’ Course (1990), the signature hole is the driveable par-4 fifth. Though it plays just 277 yards from the white tees, the putting surface is perched eight feet above the fairway and tucked behind a massive sand trap that stretches almost from the tee to the green on the left, with a large lava boulder smack dab in the middle. Anything less than a solid drive can land players in trouble on this seemingly mild-mannered hole, and what may have seemed like a birdie or eagle opportunity suddenly becomes a struggle for par.
CONNECTED TO THE SEA
Anaeho`omalu Bay, fronting Waikoloa Beach Resort, was an important center of life on Hawai`i Island long before a modern resort was ever dreamed of. Remnants of an ancient fishing village are still visible adjacent to the saltwater ponds near the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, where the old Hawaiians practiced aquaculture and likely traded with upland farming communities. Having access to such a lovely, protected bay had other advantages too: `Anaeho`omalu is known as one of the better surfing spots along the Kohala Coast, and it boasts the perfect beach for launching a paddling canoe, something the Waikoloa Canoe Club still does regularly today. Swimming, snorkeling, and lounging on the beach are also popular activities.
A COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE
The tagline for Waikoloa Beach Resort is “The Gathering Place of the Kohala Coast” and it is well earned. With more shops, restaurants, musical concerts, sporting events, and cultural experiences than anywhere else on the famed stretch of coastline, there’s always something going on at Waikoloa. Over the years, everything from taping “Wheel of Fortune” to concerts by world-renowned musicians; and from culinary festivals to golf tournaments have been staged here. “Everything we do at Waikoloa Beach Resort is geared toward both enhancing the guest experience and supporting the local community,” says Head. “Whether it be the many authentic cultural programs found here on a daily and weekly basis, or high-quality entertainment that comes in for special occasions, resort visitors and the Hawai`i Island community alike benefit.” p