I first visited Hawaii when I was a kid. My parents came for the Pacific waves, waterfall hikes, and tapestry of flora, from sweetly perfumed plumeria to yellow hibiscus as large as Frisbees.
I’ve returned to Hawaii scores of times and never stop marveling over its natural assets.
I’m equally drawn to its customs and traditions.
Under colonization, Hawaiian culture and language were suppressed nearly to the point of extinction. Today, locals embrace the resurgence of their ancestral folklore as both a connection to their past and a road map into their future.
Unfortunately, many travelers miss the opportunity to dive deep into this culture, instead making a beeline for the sand and surf.
But a few hotels are doing their best to meet travelers where they are, creating robust programming intended to entice visitors to learn about their surroundings as part of their overall resort stay.
Here are five hotels that blend breathtaking beaches and amenity-filled accommodations with opportunities to explore homegrown traditions without leaving the property. Learn to hula, strum a ukulele, and make a flower lei all between dips in the swimming pool.
In this article
The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay on Oahu
I’ve traveled all over the Hawaiian Islands. Admitting I have a favorite location is like choosing a favorite child but I’ll go out on a limb as Oahu’s North Shore beaches are legendary.
There, I gravitate to The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay, where an open-air lobby overlooks two fabulous beaches. If you prefer dry land, a network of trails is surrounded by fragrant gardenias and delicate wild orchids.
There are 450 rooms and suites including 42 oceanfront bungalows, each with a lanai that’s as large as my living room back home.
The resort tempts vacationers to go beyond the North Shore’s natural gifts and cultivate a connection to authentic Hawaiian cultural practices. Join a lei-making class and you’ll learn that this garland has been a vital part of important ceremonies for generations. Tour the resort’s regenerative farm and glimpse how age-old agricultural practices are still utilized. Dive into Hawaii’s musical heritage with a ukulele class, where the instructor had me strumming simple chords on a four-stringed guitar in minutes.
And if you’re visiting on a Wednesday, book the weekly Cowboy Luau celebrating Hawaii’s ranching legacy.
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki on Oahu
In the heart of Waikiki Beach, The Royal Hawaiian has embodied oceanfront elegance since 1927. The pink stucco exterior earned it the nickname "Pink Palace of the Pacific," and there are 528 rooms spread between the original Historic Wing, and the contemporary Mailani Tower, which was added in 2015.
The hotel emphasizes sharing island customs via hands-on guest experiences. Join a lei-making class, craft a hair ornament out of an orchid, and string a bracelet with nuts or shells.
You may also pound poi, the mashed taro root that’s a culinary staple, or try your hand at kapa making, which is the ancient art of creating fabric from tree bark, during the twice-weekly luau.
I also always wake up early for the daily oceanfront Hiuwai, an ancient sunrise ritual that gets my day started on a serene note.
Outrigger Ka'anapali Beach Resort on Maui
Ka'anapali Beach is a mile-long crescent of golden sand dotted with resorts. I often see colorful fish and sea turtles in the calm water.
Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Resort enjoys a beachfront location not far from Black Rock, a popular spot for watching cliff jumpers and Instagram-worthy sunsets. Each of the 432 rooms and suites displays a handmade, traditional Hawaiian crafting tool, adding sense of place.
The resort’s dedication to preserving Hawaiian culture runs deep. Led by an expert team of cultural practitioners, guests may participate in a variety of workshops, from traditional fiber arts to Hawaiian music classes, at the onsite cultural center.
Hula is also taken seriously. Along with group lessons for guests, the hotel hosts an annual children’s hula competition each October that draws talented young contestants from across the islands and spectators like myself who journey from the mainland.
Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island
The Fairmont Orchid is one of the most luxurious resorts on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, where a striking landscape of jet-black lava contrasts with lush greenery.
The hotel enjoys a plum position on a cove of pristine turquoise water with white sand fringed with tall coco palms.
There are 540 guest rooms, including 54 suites. All are spacious, with a private lanai and practical touches such as suitcase storage and twin sinks in the bathroom.
Kaʻiulani Blankenfeld is the hotel’s director of Hawaiian Culture. She aims to give guests a window into traditional island folklore with a robust schedule of programming, from Hawaiian language classes to coconut frond weaving.
During my last visit, I joined a sunrise paddle on an outrigger canoe. Crafted from koa wood, these seaworthy vessels played a crucial role in fishing, trade, and intra-island transportation and are a beloved heritage symbol.
The Twin Fin on Oahu
I’m a fan of the Twin Fin’s Honolulu location, which is positioned across the street from the sand on the mellower Diamond Head side of Waikiki Beach. Here, a laidback vibe rules at the doorstep of Waikiki’s vibrant energy.
Each of the 645 uncluttered rooms and suites are furnished in a simple, up-to-date style with accents of sea and sky blue.
Daily cultural programming, from lei-making to hula classes, is designed to give a meaningful understanding of venerable traditions.
The hotel’s partnership with Parley for the Oceans facilitates ocean stewardship through twice-weekly poolside lectures and art activations, plus periodic volunteer opportunities such as beach cleanups.
Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing; the predictable shore-break and consistent swells at Waikiki Beach are excellent for learning to catch a wave. Book a lesson at the on-site Jamie O'Brien School of Surf Waikiki and you’ll be hanging ten in no time.
The Shortcut
Hawaiian culture and language were nearly lost to colonization. The resorts on this list are actively working to keep both alive through guest programming built around ancestral traditions.
Activities like lei-making, ukulele lessons, outrigger canoe paddles, and kapa weaving are available on property at these resorts.
The Royal Hawaiian has been an Oahu landmark since 1927, and its twice-weekly luau includes activities most visitors never seek out, like pounding poi and kapa making.
The Ritz-Carlton Turtle Bay's weekly Cowboy Luau is one of the more unexpected cultural offerings on the island, celebrating Hawaii's ranching history.
If you're on the Big Island, the Fairmont Orchid's sunrise outrigger canoe paddle on a traditional koa wood vessel is a standout cultural experience.
