Hotel Hāna-Maui Becomes Travaasa Hāna on June 30

By Wendy Osher

Hana panoramic photo by Wendy Osher.

The Hotel Hāna-Maui transforms into the Travaasa Hāna on June 30, 2011. Ohana Hotel Company sold the 70-room hotel last year to Denver-based real estate investment firm Amstar Group.  The company’s subsidiary, Green Tea, has been managing the hotel and will introduce the new Travaasa brand to the property later this month.

“It is our privilege to add a new chapter to this incredibly storied property,” said Mark Stebbings, general manager of Travaasa Hāna.

Located at the end of the famed Road to Hāna, the original property opened in 1947 and became a favorite retreat for travelers seeking unspoiled natural beauty and a Hawaiian sense of place.

The Hāna property is the second Travaasa location.  The other is the 70-room Travaasa Austin, in Texas that became the first Travaasa branded property in April 2011.

Company representatives say the Travaasa philosophy is to provide an escape for those looking to experience something new, enrich their lives and immerse themselves in local traditions.

“While we continue to rekindle the romance of old Hawai‘i with warmly appealing ambiance and gracious service, we have added new adventure, culinary, culture, fitness and spa/wellness activities that are authentic, fun and enriching,” said Stebbings.

A variety of programming includes guided coastal and garden walks, throw net fishing demonstrations, hula and ukulele lessons, lei making, coconut husking, bicycle tours, stand-up paddle boarding, outrigger canoe paddling, and landscape and digital photography classes.

The hotel also features an indoor/outdoor wellness center comprised of a lava rock whirlpool, relaxation room, private garden area, steam room and cold plunge pool.

The Ka‘uiki dining room showcases ocean-to-table cuisine with the majority of the produce, fish and beef on the menu sourced from Hāna and the island of Maui.  Executive Chef Barry Villiarimo, born and raised in Hāna, utilizes ingredients like taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, coconut milk and fern shoots in his menus to honor the traditions of the area.

Accommodations at Travaasa Hāna consist of 47 plantation-style Sea Ranch Cottages and 23 low-rise bungalow Garden View Suites.  To enjoy the sounds of nature, the rooms are free from radios, clocks and televisions.

All-inclusive rates at the Sea Ranch Cottages start at $499 per person, per night based on double occupancy, excluding taxes and service charges.  Rates at the Garden View Suites start at $400 per night, double occupancy.  Grand Opening special rates and packages are available at Travaasa Hāna through 2011.