Ritz-Carlton Magazine - Summer 2011 - (Page 30)

fa l l i n g i n l o v e w i t h . . . UNHURRIED aND DROP-DE aD GORGEOUS Clockwise from top left: A view from the winding, two-lane road to Hana, Maui; a sea turtle at Kekaha Kai State Park, Hawaii (Big Island); a bird’s-eye view of the road to Hana. in the late 19th century for King Kalakaua and his wife, Queen Kapi’olani, reminds you that Hawaii has a storied history, one that began long before statehood in 1959. The present is very much alive here as well. Once exclusively an immigrant enclave, Chinatown is taking on a new life with trendy restaurants like Indigo; shops like Chinatown Boardroom, where surf culture and art come together; and First Friday Hawaii, a monthly gallery walk that draws thousands. And, of course, there is the food, from Waiola Shave Ice, an unassuming storefront where locals line up for the ice shaved extra-finely and drizzled with homemade syrups, to Alan Wong’s, a bustling restaurant that specializes in Pacific Rim cuisine made from ingredients sourced from local ranchers, farmers and fishermen. As a water hound, I’m constantly seeking out new places to take a dip. The first time I saw Lanikai Beach, on the east side of the island, I knew it would be my go-to spot. Remarkably secluded, the beach is as picturesque as they come: white sand, swaying palms, calm waters and twin islands about a mile offshore that you can kayak to — or, if you’re more ambitious, swim to. But nothing can top my favorite spot on all of Oahu. The North Shore is a mecca for surfers, and their laid-back vibe permeates the place. Flip-flops (“slippers” to the locals) and swimsuits are the attire of choice, whether at the beach or strolling through the surf shops of Haleiwa, the main town. But the real draw is the beaches. In the summer, Waimea Bay is like a giant swimming pool, complete with a high dive provided by Mother Nature herself. Fearless kids take turns jumping off the cliff all day long while adults peer tentatively over the edge. In winter, Waimea and its neighboring beaches, Sunset and the world-famous Pipeline, come alive with monster waves, luring the best surfers in the world. Maui One of the first things I noticed when I moved to Hawaii was that everything happens on “island time” — a nice way of saying WAIMEA BAY IS LIKE A GIANT SWIMMING POOL, COMPLETE WITH A HIGH DIVE PROVIDED BY MOTHER NATURE HERSELF. 30 w w w. r i t z c a r lt o n . c o m http://WWW.RITZCARLTON.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ritz-Carlton Magazine - Summer 2011

Ritz-Carlton Magazine - Summer 2011
Table of Contents
Contributors
Editor’s Letter
President’s Letter
Falling in Love with … Hawaii
On the Boulevards
Design
Shopping In New York City
Jewelry
Watches
Wine
Wellness
Sports
Portugal
Moscow
Fashion
Culinary
The Guide
Heritage

Ritz-Carlton Magazine - Summer 2011