[ISLAND HOPPING]
Thai massage on Big Isle
The Kohala Sports Club & Spa at Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island recently added Thai massage to its list of therapeutic services. The treatment is provided by Judith Langton, certified as a doctor of Thai massage from the Old Medicine School in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Langton also is certified in lomilomi, Swedish, shiatsu, aromatherapy, deep tissue, neuromuscular therapy, reflexology and stone therapy massage.The art of massage was introduced to Thailand from India some 2,500 years ago. Until recently, the massage was only given in temples by Buddhist monks. Sometimes referred to as the "yoga" massage, with treatment is completed on the floor. The therapist places the client in yoga-like positions and performs stretches. Like other Eastern forms of massage, Thai massage opens energy pathways, allowing energy to flow through the body.
The cost for an 80-minute Thai massage is $157.
The 25,000-square-foot Kohala Sports Club and Spa offers a blend of modern therapies, ancient healing wisdom and the latest health and fitness technology, in a serene, sensuous setting.
For more information or reservations, call (808) 886-2828 or visit www.kohalaspa.com. For information on Hilton Waikoloa Village, call (808) 886-1234 or visit www.HiltonWaikoloaVillage.com.
Free golf on Lanai
A free round of golf is being offered when you book a room at The Lodge at Koele on Lanai. Kama'aina room rates, starting at $250 per night for a Koele/Garden room and $295 per night for an oversized, luxury Plantation Room, include a round of golf for two players per day at the Experience at Koele. The "Kama'aina Play Through" offer is valid through Feb. 28, 2002.This offer celebrates the re-opening of The Experience at Koele, the 18-hole championship course designed by Greg Norman and Ted Robinson.
The award-winning course has been completely regrassed. "We used a superior Bermuda hybrid to improve the playing surface," said golf pro Brendan Moynahan, adding, "These fairways are on par with the best in the world."
The Lodge at Koele has won numerous awards. Most recently, it was ranked by Condé Nast Traveler as the No. 1 resort in Hawaii in the "Top Pacific Resorts" category.
For reservations, call Lana'i Resorts at 1 (800) 321-4666 or visit www.islandoflanai.com.
Cruise with the whales
On Oahu, the Star of Honolulu has introduced a new two-and-a-half-hour Hawaiiana Lunch Cruise.The cruise will depart from Aloha Tower Marketplace Pier 8 at 10 a.m. daily with an opportunity to enjoy such traditional Hawaiian arts as lei-making, palm frond weaving, playing the ukulele and dancing the hula, with the additional attraction of a whale sighting or two through April.
After you've learned about the dances, see a professional performance in the vessel's "Enchanting Waikiki" show.
There will also be a Hawaiian buffet featuring kiawe-smoked roast beef, poi and macadamia nut breads, mahimahi with ginger-butter sauce, lomilomi salmon, Loco Moco, Waimanalo salad with Hana papaya seed dressing, fresh tropical fruit and haupia for dessert.
The ship will sail past Diamond Head and the Kahala Gold Coast.
The Hawaiiana Lunch Cruise deluxe ticket is $39.95 for adults and $19.95 per child ages 3 to 11. Each child will receive a free, inflatable whale beach toy.
The standard ticket, without meal, is $27.95 and $13.95 respectively. If no whales are spotted, passengers will receive a free standard ticket for a return trip, with hopefully, better luck.
For reservations , call 983-STAR (7827). From the mainland, call toll-free at 1 (800) 334-6191. Or go online at www.paradisecruises.com.