Welcome the fast-approaching summer season with the islands’ best new offerings.
Kaua‘i’s own Koloa Rum Company (koloarum.com) recently partnered with fifth-generation-family-owned Lydgate Farms to release its first flavored rum in five years. The result? Kōloa Cacao Rum, a creamy chocolate-flavored rum well worth the wait. The concoction is created through a steeping process that combines Lydgate Farms’ roasted cacao nibs with Kōloa Kaua‘i Gold Rum. “Kōloa’s Cacao Rum is quite complex as far as flavors go, in particular its subtle notes of almond, banana and spice,” says Bob Gunter, Kōloa Rum Company’s president and CEO. “Up front, the rum is creamy with shades of mocha, and even with an 80-proof ABV—which is part of what makes this rum so unique—it has a distinctive buttery smooth taste.” Gunter prefers to enjoy Kaua‘i Cacao Rum neat to experience the range of nuanced flavors. For a delicious cocktail, he suggests mixing it with Kaua‘i Coffee Rum and a splash of coconut milk for a “boozy iced mocha.”
Rest and relaxation just got a whole new meaning at the recently refurbished Ala Moana Hotel (alamoanahotelhonolulu.com). The Honolulu hotel is now home to Dada Spa, Salon & Cafe (dadahawaii.com), an ultimate one-stop shop for satisfying your every pampering need. “We offer high-quality services for women and men from hair, nails and aesthetics to full-body massages and Botox cosmetic treatments and fillers,” says Richie Miao, founder and top Hawai‘i hairstylist. “You name it and we most likely have it.” A few signature services to note at the spa are its Kérastase Fusio-Dose and Oribe Renewal Remedy deep-conditioning treatments that transform hair into its most luxurious and soft state. As if the experience couldn’t get any better, Dada Salon ensures maximum comfort and convenience with its built-in cafe, where guests can enjoy a cup of coffee or their choice of a signature menu item.
You’re invited to join the party as Fairmont Orchid breaks out the bubbly in honor of its 30th anniversary. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the resort welcomes Pau Hana, its new Champagne pop-up bar (fairmontorchid.com/dine/champagne-bar). With its cushiony oversized chairs, vibrant umbrellas and stunning views of Pauoa Bay, Pau Hana is the perfect spot to soak up the setting sun with a flute of Veuve Clicquot in hand. If you’re looking for something a little more complex, try one of its six handcrafted Champagne cocktails. “One of our popular signature cocktails is the Queen Bee, which is infused with a rare Kiawe honey made on-site, mixed with bourbon and Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label,” says Charles Head, Fairmont Orchid’s general manager. Another fan favorite is the Bellini in Bloom, “made with seasonal farmers market fruit puree and Veuve Clicquot Rich Rosé.”
In his first-ever dedicated Hawai‘i hotel series, fine art photographer Gray Malin (graymalin.com) collaborated with the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (maunakeabeachhotel.com) to produce a stunning 32-image collection. “With Gray’s expertise in curating vintage vignettes that honor the history of some of the world’s most beloved hotels and destinations, we knew from the outset that he was the perfect photographer to capture the timeless beauty of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel,” says Craig Anderson, vice president of resort operations. The collection flaunts Malin’s affinity for dreamscapes, showcasing sky-stretching palms, vintage cars and surfboards, and the sun-soaked landscape of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Malin’s exclusive access to the resort due to restrictions at the time allowed him to work closely with the hotel team to stage his own imagined “Gray Malin Beach Club,” a standout among the collection. Take a piece of Gray Malin at the Mauna Kea series home with you from the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel gift shop.
Photography by: Courtesy Of Brands; Photo By Gray Malin At The Mauna Kea © Gray Malin
