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TheBuzz Erika Engle |
Paul Brown soon
to be stylin’ in Waikiki
with Olakino SalonSalon and spa owner and stylist to the stars Paul Brown is at it again, expanding into Waikiki and location scouting on Maui.
Late this fall he will open Spa Olakino Salon at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort.
Brown is president and chief executive officer of Paul Brown companies, including salons, day spas and Paul Brown Hawaii and Hapuna lines of hair care products. However, Olakino is the first of Brown's undertakings that won't bear his name, as he has long considered a Hawaii brand.
Brown's concept for the spa and salon was implemented by Honolulu architect Brian Fujiwara, who also worked on Brown's Waikele location.
"It was kind of a collaboration for both of us, coming up with ideas and seeing how we could get something that's sort of unique for a spa, and yet keep the Hawaiian feel," Fujiwara said. A focal point of the 6,000-square-foot space will be a faux lava rock wall with water cascading from top to bottom.
The natural stone, water feature and furnishings are being supplied by local companies.
Olakino will be on the second floor of the Waikiki Beach Marriott's Kealohilani Tower, overlooking Waikiki Beach -- literally. Windows across the 75-foot-long lounging area will put one of the world's most famous images in full view.
Of the 10 treatment rooms, the couples' room will include a Japanese furo bath. Hair, manicure and pedicure and makeup stations, men's and women's locker rooms and a steam room round out the facility. A 24-hour fitness center is adjacent to the spa and salon.
The Hawaiian concept of olakino, or wellness, is behind the spa's treatments. Hawaii-grown papaya, Kona coffee beans, awapuhi and Hawaiian salt are among the ingredients that will be used.
"In the course of my 33 years in Hawaii I have grown to respect the benefits traditional plants, from the land and the ocean, provide us," Brown said.
A Maui location isn't nailed down, but Brown is looking at establishing an independent location or setting up shop a resort.
Brown's other locations are his flagship salon and day spa at Ward Centre, salons in Kailua and Waikele, and a salon and spa at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.
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Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com