A variety of Hawaiian activities are scheduled daily. Read below for descriptions of all the wonderful activities we have at the hotel! See our schedule of activities.


Ukulele Lessons

Although now identified as Hawaii's most popular instrument, the ukulele originated in Portugal, fashioned after the Spanish guitars of the vaqueros (cowboys). Ukuleles are provided for a complimentary class where our guests of all ages learn to play a fun Hawaiian mele (song). Come learn the parts of the ukulele, how to strum the strings properly, and how to tune it. Our guest services staff provides complimentary sheet music and ukuleles are available for purchase.


Poi Making Demonstration
Watch a traditional poi making demonstration and learn about its importance in Hawaiian culture and daily life. Once considered a sacred event, only men in ancient Hawaii were able to prepare poi. Made from the kalo (taro) plant, poi is the staple ingredient of the Hawaiian diet. Poi is made by mashing boiled taro roots with a stone poi pounder. Guests will learn about the taro plant, watch how it is made by hand, and enjoy sampling fresh poi.


Hula
Hula is perhaps Hawaii's best known cultural signature. A beautiful art form, full of grace, rhythm and vitality, hula is the living embodiment of Hawaii's heart and soul. Many of our guests enjoy their free hula lessons presented by our Guest Services Staff. They learn the popular "Hukilau" (group style net fishing) dance and song. Most can't wait to show off their new skills when they return home. Aspiring dancers can also learn to fashion their own ti leaf hula skirts.

Hula Show

For the less adventurous, our nightly Hula Show and Torch Lighting Ceremony showcases Hawaiian culture through its dance and music - traditional and contemporary.

Every night at sunset, the blowing of conch shells signals the beginning of the nightly hula show in the Tiki Courtyard. From 6:30-7:30 pm you'll enjoy a complimentary performance of Hawaiian music and dance followed by music for dancing under the stars until 9:00 pm. How romantic!

Lei Making
For many of us, a fragrant flower lei (garland) means Hawaii, an unique way to share love and aloha. The experience of sitting on our lawn, shaded by a towering palm tree, learning how to string the exotic and colorful flowers is a peak experience. Throw in a generous serving of Hawaiian story telling and you have all the ingredients for an afternoon beyond compare.

Cultural Garden Tour
Although our building is modern, with all the amenities, our grounds are a cultural resource. Free tours of the hotel grounds provide our guests with insights into Hawaii's unique native and introduced flora and fauna. Knowledgeable employee guides are always eager to linger and give guests a complete understanding of the role of nature in Hawaiian life.

Lau Printing
Lau printing is a skill that is the basis for Hawaii's popular and colorful fabrics. Using the dried seeds of the Hala (Pandanus or Screw Pine) tree as a paintbrush, tropical blossoms and interesting leaf and fern imprints are painted and pressed onto fabric. Our free classes offer another opportunity to experience traditional arts that have evolved into signatures of contemporary Hawaiian life.

Lauhala Weaving

Our guests often comment on the lovely lauhala mats, which are Hawaii's traditional floor covering. Woven from the leaves of the Hala (Pandanus or Screw Pine) trees in our gardens, the full-sized mat is usually a communal project. Guests rarely choose to commit to a project of this size, however samples of the art in the form of personalized bookmarks are produced as keepsakes or gifts.


Pineapple Cutting
Many hotel employees grew up in Maui's agricultural era. In some cases several generations were employed by Maui's sugar cane and pineapple plantations. Here the "melting pot" of many cultures - Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Caucasian, Portuguese, German and more -- produced the harmonious inter-cultural lifestyle envied around the world. Our pineapple cutting demonstrations highlight Hawaii's most popular export, the "king of fruits." In addition, guests learn about plantation life from Mauians whose lives are forever linked to these earlier times.


Hawaiian Music

Sparked by a desire to learn and share following a pookela class on Hawaiian music, the employees delight in serenading guests with traditional and contemporary favorites. Everyday, employees from different departments convene in various hotel locations (e.g., lobby, Welcome Breakfast, and hotel courtyard) to entertain with songs and hula. They raise everyone's spirits, with one of Hawaii's most joyous and heartfelt activities. The employees have even produced 2 award-winning CDs!  Click here to find out more about our talented staff.

Ukulele Club
Another unique program also directly enhances the enjoyment of Hawaiian music by our employees and guests. One of the distinctive features of Hawaii's musical heritage is the ukulele. Introduced by the Portuguese, the ukulele was developed to more closely fit the Hawaiian style. Aficionados of Hawaii's musical heritage treasure the "voice" of this instrument and are prone to spend hours enjoying the unique blend of the ukulele with Hawaiian falsetto melodies. To date, over 30 employees of Maui's Most Hawaiian Hotel have chosen to learn the ukulele and participate in the musical celebrations for which we are justly famous. Not so famous is the fact that the purchase of an ukulele by a hotel employee can be facilitated through a payroll deduction plan that spreads the purchase price out over time. A uniquely Hawaiian way to implement the "play now, pay later" philosophy.


E Komo Mai, Come Visit!
The enthusiasm and pleasure felt by our employees transfers naturally to our guests. It is clear from the first encounter that Maui's Most Hawaiian Hotel is different. Smiles are the currency of exchange. Taking the time to explain the Hawaiian way makes the visitor experience unique. Time and time again we hear from our guests how much they appreciate the special care, the natural hospitality, the desire to "go the extra mile". Our guests enjoy and treasure their time with us because they understand that is our mission, our goal, our way of life. From top management to our newest employee, the Kaanapali Beach Hotel mission is endorsed and owned by all.

This is what Hawaii was meant to be - a place to refresh and rejuvenate. A place to learn and experience the diversity and community that is the lasting hallmark of our island home. We are proud that our efforts have been recognized and honored by our peers in Hawaii's hospitality industry. However, these honors pale in comparison to the satisfaction we all feel by making our hotel a place to truly live aloha.

Click here to learn about other activities that Maui has to offer.
Click here to see our Top Ten Maui Activities.