Hawaii’s
Back yard
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi
Maui catches
health wave
with LifeFestMaui public relations and marketing executive Yvonne Biegel grew up eating whole-wheat bread, taking vitamins and snacking on fruit and veggies long before being healthy was hip.
"I grew up in an alternative health family," explains Biegel, whose mother is a chiropractor in Texas. "We didn't have aspirin and other medicines in our home. If we had a cold or fever, we would get adjustments from Mom and take vitamin C. We always had a garden where we grew green beans, tomatoes, corn, potatoes, carrots, lettuce, eggplant and more. I remember Mom telling us that our plate should look like a rainbow -- very colorful."
Fast-forward more than 30 years. In 1998, Biegel reviewed a study conducted by the administration of Linda Lingle, who was then mayor of Maui County. "It discussed the economic impact of health and wellness on Maui," Biegel recalls. "I was amazed by the number of alternative health practitioners on Maui: chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, naturopaths and others who were making a living here by helping people."
When: Sept. 12 to 14
Call: 808-875-8411 on Maui
Admission: Most lectures and panels are free. Admission to lectures by keynote speakers ranges from $20 to $35 per person. The $165 Lifefest Maui at Wailea Power Pass includes admission to all lectures, panels and the Celebrity Power Walk. Tickets to individual events may be purchased separately, at $20 to $175 per person.
E-mail: info@lifefestmaui.com
Web site: www.lifefestmaui.com
Biegel discovered that such practitioners, including 748 massage therapists, were running 17 percent of the health-care offices on Maui. They generated approximately $7 million in revenue during the first quarter of 2002.
She also learned the United States market for healthy lifestyles, alternative health care and personal development is estimated to be worth nearly $70 billion annually; about 34 percent of Americans routinely seek alternative health care; more than 25 percent of U.S. travelers (24.7 million adults) use a fitness center or gym while traveling; women who exercise two or more times a week are 80 percent more likely to be frequent travelers than nonactive women; and readerships for active lifestyle magazines grew 51 percent between 1995 and 2000.
"I thought, 'There is an event here!'" says Biegel. "I kept talking about it and doing research, and eventually the timing was right. The consumer is ready for this, the sponsors understand the health and wellness market better and Maui is primed to bring them all together."
Biegel partnered with Luly Unemori and Linn Nishikawa, two other successful Maui public relations and marketing executives, to introduce a new event designed to educate the mind, revive the spirit, encourage physical fitness and highlight indigenous cultural practices. Thus LifeFest Maui was born.
LIFEFEST MAUI
Reconnect with your spirit and life force at the LifeFest Maui taking place Sept.12 to 14 in Wailea.
Biegel's mother, Yvonne Landavazo, a former Texas Chiropractor of the Year, was the first lecturer to be booked for the inaugural three-day event taking place Sept. 12 to 14. She will be joined by more than 30 distinguished health and wellness experts, including:
>> Dr. Deepak Chopra: Physician, philosopher, renowned pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine and founder of the Chopra Center at La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.>> Bob Greene: New York Times No. 1 best-selling author, nationally acclaimed exercise physiologist and certified personal trainer to the stars, including Oprah Winfrey.
>> Jacob Liberman: A doctor of optometry who is an authority in the field of light and color therapy.
>> Dr. Howard Murad: One of the nation's leading dermatologists and owner of a dozen anti-aging and skin health patents.
>> Dr. Julian Whitaker: Longtime practitioner of alternative medicine and nutrition, director of the Whitaker Wellness Institute in Newport, Calif., and editor of the Health and Healing newsletter.
>> Michio Kushi: An authority on macrobiotics and founder of the Kushi Institute in Becket, Mass.
>> Dr. Makaala Yates: Hawaiian medicine specialist and founder of the Hawaiian Healing Institute.
LIFEFEST MAUI
Relaxation is one of the keys to well-being and you'll find yoga classes and massage sessions available.
SEMINAR SUBJECTS run the gamut from ancient Hawaiian healing practices, vegan diets and the healthy benefits of wine, to the vitamin revolution, learning to meditate and preventing sports injuries.
LifeFest Maui also features a 5K Celebrity Power Walk; yoga, Pilates and tai chi classes on the beach; the Maui Canoe Regatta Challenge; a Fit for Life Health Expo spotlighting innovative health care products, practitioners, screenings and services; fitness activities for golf and tennis buffs; the Hale Aina Maui reception featuring many of Honolulu magazine's Hale Aina award-winning chefs on Maui; and the LifeFeast Benefit Dinner, a lavish four-course meal prepared by Mark Tarbell, of Tarbell's and Barmouche restaurants in Phoenix, who was the James Beard Foundation Award nominee for the Southwest in 2001. LifeFeast will raise funds for Hana Maui Trust, an organization that assists Hana youths with medical needs.
"We want people to come to LifeFest Maui and learn how to live a healthier and fuller life," says Biegel.
"The recent boom in spas throughout the world indicates this is a hot topic. But this trend is about more than just a massage or decompressing by the pool or on the beach. People are looking for a vacation that helps them feel better, look better and be better."
Biegel says she, Unemori and Nishikawa have spent years gathering data and identifying health care concerns. "We know the segment of the population that's interested in personal health and wellness is growing, and LifeFest Maui will grow with it," she says. "We'll keep looking for the newest alternative therapies and preventive health issues, and bring them to light in a public forum where people can become empowered to make healthy decisions for themselves."
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Where to stay
Two Wailea resorts are offering Lifefest Maui packages:>> Fairmont Kea Lani Maui: LifeFest Maui Body and Soul Package provides three nights in a one-bedroom suite; two LifeFest Maui Power Passes; buffet breakfast for two daily; choice of four rejuvenating 55-minute spa treatments (two treatments per person); daily use of pool or beach cabana (must be reserved at time of booking); unlimited access to Spa Kea Lani's Fitness Center; morning power walks and yoga or tai chi classes; wellness amenity basket upon arrival; and a 10-percent discount at the Fairmont Store. Rates start at $589 per night, based on a three-night minimum. Call 800-659-4100.
>> Diamond Resort Hawaii: Diamond Retreat Package includes three nights' suite accommodations, free use of the Hydrotherapy area and one Power Pass. Prices begin at $675 per night, single or double occupancy. An additional $24 will be charged per person for up to two more guests. The hotel's Diamond Spa Package pairs three nights' suite accommodations with free use of the Hydrotherapy area, one standard facial or massage and one Power Pass. Rates begin at $750 per night, single or double occupancy. An additional $24 will be charged per person for up to two more guests. Call 800-800-0720.
Call the other Wailea properties' 800 numbers for details regarding their offerings: Destination Resorts Hawaii (367-5246), Four Seasons Resort Maui (334-6284), Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa (888-6100), Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort (9-WAILEA) and the Wailea Marriott (367-2960).
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based free-lance writer and Society of American Travel Writers award winner.
