There’s something about Hawaii that inspires serenity. Maybe it’s the gentle trade winds, fragrant with the sweet scent of tropical flowers; the sun-warmed waters of the Pacific; the verdant mountains lush with rain forests; or the red clay fields of sugar cane. Then again, it could be something as simple as an aromatic cup of Kona coffee.

Some Hawaii spas draw upon this natural bounty, employing methods that have been used in Polynesia for generations. Here is a sampling of what you’ll find:

Lomi Lomi

Hawaii’s traditional healing massage is lomi lomi, a technique passed down by the kupuna (Hawaiian elders).

“Lomi lomi was originally used as a healing therapy,” said Robin Desha, director of Ihilani Spa on Oahu. “There’s a lot of spiritual healing involved.”

During the 50-minute massage at the Ihilani Spa, long strokes using the upper forearms and kneading are used to ease muscle pain, increase circulation and promote relaxation.

The Ihilani Spa also calls upon the ocean’s healing elements with its Thalasso therapy treatments. Seawater is pumped directly from the Pacific into a hydrotub. Spa-goers customize their 25-minute bath bath by choosing the essential oils used.

“It’s great for circulation,” Desha said.

Ihilani Spa at JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa, 92-1001 Olani St., Kapolei, Oahu, (808) 679-0079, www.ihilani.com

Healing Techniques

The boutique-style SpaHalekulani at the Halekulani resort on Oahu has put modern-day twists on some of Hawaii’s ancient healing traditions.

Foot pampering at SpaHalekulani

“We researched healing cultures throughout the South Pacific and adapted them to a spa setting,” said spa director Tony Young.

One ritual used before every treatment is foot pounding, in which a spa-goer’s feet are cleansed with manoa mint and tea tree oil. Next, the feet are covered with silk, and reflexology points are lightly pounded by a puili, a percussion instrument used in hula.

The Samoan-inspired Polynesian nonu massage involves applying a poultice of nonu, a tropical fruit considered to have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits, to the body through lomi lomi massage. Hot rocks are applied to help the skin absorb the substance.

Many of SpaHalekulani’s treatments use essential oil made from Hawaiian plants such as lavender orchid, limu, manoa mint, hibiscus, papaya pineapple, coconut passion fruit and maile (a vine with fragrant leaves.)

“All seven are presented in their raw state,” Young said. “Each has benefits from purifying to detoxifying.”

SpaHalekulani at Halekulani, 2199 Kalia Road
Honolulu, (808) 923-2311, www.halekulani.com

Salt of the Earth

Evoking memories of old Hawaii is the open-air Anara Spa with its private lanai treatment rooms at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, where a favorite treatment is the Hawaiian salt glo scrub.

A primary ingredient used is alaea, red clay harvested from Mount Waialeale, the shrouded mountain peak at the center of theisland.

“Red clay is rich in iron and minerals and highly valued for its medicinal qualities,” said assistant spa manager RoseHiro.

The alaea is mixed with Hawaiian salt, gathered from sun-baked ocean rocks during low tide. The duo is used as an exfoliant. The treatment concludes with a body massage using keala lotion, a blend of essential oils from sweet orange, bougainvillea and pakalana flowers.

“It’s great for the skin,” Hiro said. “It sloughs off dry patches and prepares you for days in the Hawaiian sun.”

Anara Spa at Grand Hyatt Kauai, 1571 Poipu Road, Koloa, Hawaii, (808) 240-6440, www.anaraspa.com

Java Eye-Opener

Flanked by five sacred mountains and not far from the coffee fields of Kona, the Fairmont Orchid’s Spa Without Walls is located in an area of the Big Island held sacred in Hawaiian legend.

“The energy here is very therapeutic,” said spa director Natalie Epenesa. “It relaxes, rejuvenates and creates inner balance.”

A couple’s massage hale at the Spa Without Walls.

The spa takes advantage of this, locating 10 of its treatment rooms outdoors. Hales, thatched-roof huts, are situated next to relaxing waterfalls, with two of them offering glimpses of swimming koi through windows in the floors.

The island’s famous coffee is the headliner in the spa’s Big Island vanilla coffee exfoliation treatment.

A mixture of organic Kona coffee, raw Hawaiian sugar and grapeseed, orange and kukui nut oils is vigorously massaged over the body, exfoliating the skin. The caffeine is meant to detoxify and be an antioxidant, Epenesa said. “It stimulates circulation and tones and firms skin.” Next, a lotion handmade locally from vanilla, grapeseed and kukui nut oil is applied during a 25-minute massage.

Guests leave invigorated and ready to explore paradise.

Spa Without Walls at The Fairmont Orchid, 1 N. Kaniku Drive
Kohala Coast, Hawaii, (800) 441-1414, www.fairmont.com

In A Seashell

The Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa on Maui drew upon Hawaii’s healing traditions when formulating its hydrotherapy circuit. Roman tubs, cold plunge pools, a eucalyptus steam room, redwood sauna, Japanese Furo Bath, five aromatic baths and cascading showers allow guests to enjoy water’s recuperative and healing elements.

A perfect follow-up is the spa’s Seashell Massage. “It recaptures a long forgotten wisdom of the ancient people of Hawaii,” said Cecilia Hercik, the spa director.

Small tiger cowry shells are placed between the toes, in the hands and on the third-eye chakra. Larger shells are cupped over the body in hopes of drawing out unwanted energy and then filled with scented oil and moved over the body using lomi lomi techniques.

“The treatment is a mix of body and energy work that’s very spiritual,” Hercik said. “It brings about relaxation of the mind and body.”

Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, 3850 Wailea Alanui, Wailea, Maui, (800) 888-6100, www.grandwailea.com

Lava Power

The Kohala Coast on the Big Island is comprised of several vast lava fields, fringed at the seashore with white sand beaches and tall palm trees. The Mauna Lani Spa makes use of the lava’s beauty and purported healing properties in its lava sauna treatment. Spa-goers apply sunscreen, followed by volcanic mud, then bask under the sun in a lava pit.

The spa believes that volcanic mud detoxifies and draws impurities out of the skin, said spa director Crystal Poe-Cabatbat. “The lava sauna is a great way to ground yourself before a treatment.”

Volcanic mud treatment at Mauna Lani Spa.

A popular follow-up is aquatic body therapy in Kahi Kikaha. Tucked between two lava tubes is a pool snuggled under a dome and heated to body temperature, creating a cave-like atmosphere.

“Hawaiians believe the womb of the land is reached through lava tubes,” said Poe-Cabatbat.

During the aquatic massage, a therapist keeps the body afloat, using massage techniques to loosen and stretch.

“The body is weightless, allowing the therapist to do more in the water than on a massage table,” said Poe-Cabatbat. “A sense of heightened relaxation is created.”

Mauna Lani Spa at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows, 68-1365 Pauoa Road, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, (808) 881-7922, www.maunalani.com.

Bekah Wright is a freelance writer based in Sherman Oaks.

Top of Page | Home