A Resort Inspired by “Art and Nature,” as Envisioned by Rockefeller: The first leg of our stay was at the prestigious “Mauna Kea Beach Hotel,” nestled on the Kohala Coast. Developed in 1965 by American businessman and environmentalist Lawrence S. Rockefeller under the theme of “Art and Nature,” it was the first full-scale resort on the Big Island of Hawaii. Spanning approximately 1,800 acres on a lava plateau about a 30-minute drive from the airport, the property is vast—to put it in perspective, that’s roughly the size of 155 Tokyo Domes. With two hotels and two golf courses within these grounds, you can truly appreciate the grand scale of the resort.
During the magic hour, you’ll have the best seats at the seaside restaurant. The beach stretching right in front of the hotel features coral in some areas, where you can encounter colorful fish. Have a towel laid out on a beach bed, borrow snorkeling goggles and fins (free of charge), and head into the ocean. If you’re not confident in your swimming ability, they’ll also lend you a life jacket. You can spend the day in the ultimate luxury—napping on a beach lounger, reading a book, or taking another dip in the ocean. Although I’d heard reservations were required for dinner, I’d been so relaxed during the day that when I tried to book a table at “Copper Bar” on the same day, the only available time slot was late in the evening. They suggested we could sit at the counter or get takeout to eat at a spot with a great view, but when we tried “Howtree Cantina,” a casual restaurant and bar right on the beach, it turned out to be the perfect choice. We enjoyed our meal right on the beach while watching the sunset dip into the ocean. Even though it’s located within a luxury resort, the prices are reasonable. The sunset was so bright that we chose a seat in the back, but I highly recommend the seats closest to the ocean. That way, you’ll have a front-row seat to watch the sky transform from orange to pink to purple after the sun goes down!
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