Representatives from Host Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt joined representatives from Nordic PCL Construction and The John Hardy Group to participate in a cultural ceremony to bless the land for the new villas at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. The details of the blessing as outlined below are courtesy of Kalikolehua Storer, Hyatt’s Area Hawaiian Culture/Training Specialist.

Andaz Maui at Wailea is in the ahupua’a (land division) of Paeahu in the moku (larger land division) of Honua’ula. This place was home for both lawai’a (fisherman) and mahi’ai (farmers). In 1978 this landscape changed from kama’āina (those of the land) to malihini (visitors). So, if you can imagine what was once a dwelling place for kanaka maoli (native of Hawai’i) forever changed with malihini (visitors) that we hope carried the same aloha (love) for this land as they once did. Over the years, Aloha (love, kindness, compassion, affection) has changed for both kama’āina and malihini so the blessing was to purposefully bring honor to the people and place of Paeahu in the highest form of Aloha (love, kindness, affection). The kihei garment worn over the left shoulder covers the heart symbolizing ola (life). The garment is used during ceremony acknowledging something significant is happening. The o’o stick being held by all is a digging stick that is used by Hawaiians as a tool. The first oli (chant) conveys a message of Aloha in the way of ho’okipa or hospitality. The second oli (chant) welcomes our kupuna (elders) to witness life spoken over the land that we collectively agree to mālama (care) take as good stewards. The closing oli (chant) spoke about growth that it is here and how purposeful it will be in the growth of new life, new relationships and all that will be done with a culture of care. At the very end, everyone clapped three times which signifies the commitment we have to our kupuna (past), to you and I (present) and to the future or generations to come.

Learn more about the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.