Our travel editor found all the new reasons to love one of the most popular destinations on Earth.
Tour Group: Traveling alone is part of my job, and so it's always nice when a trip requires me to travel with colleagues or friends. I spent my Maui days with BAZAAR's contributing fashion market editor and styling assistant, Tennille Yamashita, photographer Harold Julian, our stellar drone operator and director of photography, Jeremy Hansen and Josh Brede, hair stylist Linh Nguyen, makeup artist Moani Lee and the gorgeous models Robin Holzken and Alecia Morais. We also had our stellar producer, Angel Lenise, on site to organize our entire trip to a tee. While we were most definitely traveling for work, to produce Girl x World: The Maui Edition for BAZAAR.com, it was great to feel like I was also traveling with friends.
Flight Plan: We all flew Virgin America (now Alaska Air) to LAX, and then on to Maui. The layover is barely-there, switching planes takes only a few minutes, and there is no navigating through an airport to make your next flight. I flew Economy en route to Maui which (unlike most carriers) was a pleasant experience. In-flight entertainment on Virgin is some of the best out there, and the food and drink options do not disappoint. Food and specialty beverages on domestic flights are not complimentary on Virgin America flights, so be sure to plan ahead if swiping your credit card for a protein plate, a Mediterranean wrap or some candy isn't something you're up for. On the way home, I upgraded to first class–and am afraid I can now never go back to traveling any other way. I knew that I was traveling like a VIP when I boarded first, and noticed that Common (yes, Grammy and Oscar award-winner Common) was seated directly behind me.
Virgin America's first class cabin does not include lay-flat seats for domestic travel, but I slept soundly on the longer leg home from LAX to JFK–after I enjoyed a meal so delicious I questioned whether I was actually 30,000 feet or more in the air. I slowly learned that Virgin's first class cabin in-flight meals are themed according to the local cuisine of their destination or departure location; I started with a seaweed salad, followed by the option of a vegetarian eggplant dish or a chicken and rice entrée, both with Hawaiian flavors. I was lucky enough to get to share with our makeup artist, Moani, so I tried both and (while I cannot believe I am raving about plane food) they were both delicious and flavorful. Dessert was a refreshing two-scoops of passionfruit sorbet; I paired the entire meal with a glass of white wine and could not have been happier. And when I say I slept through the night, I could not be more literal. Plush blankets and pillows were handed out upon boarding, and I cozied up and settled in for a six-hour night sleep.
Where I Stayed: Wailea, Maui's luxury haven, is jam-packed with luxury resorts, and our team split up between two of them: the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort and the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui. Similar to most top destinations with key hotel strips (Miami, Las Vegas, etc.), Wailea features outposts of all the top names in hospitality all along one row, including the Andaz, The Four Seasons, and more. Visitors are encouraged to hop between them for restaurant offerings and events, like lively luaus at night and delicious restaurants unique to each property.
The Grand Wailea welcomes you with an open atrium, with a fountain at its center and paths that lead the way to its various suites, shops and restaurants. While I stayed at Kea Lani for most of my stay, I did get a chance to spend our first night at Grand Wailea, where the rooms are bright, each with its own balcony—perfect for taking in the Maui landscape with your morning coffee. Our team felt strongly about enjoying authentic Hawaiian cuisine, but staying healthy throughout the week to keep our energy up. Everyone raved about the delicious açai and poke bowls at Grand Wailea's on-property coffee shop, they were delicious and ideal for casual, group lunches. The décor at Grand Wailea feels natural to the location without feeling too kitsch—and the vast property is pretty much a village in itself, with a shopping center, a variety of dining options and multiple pools to choose from.
The Fairmont Kea Lani had a similar feel, but wasn't as large overall, which gave the property more of an intimate feel. My bathroom was to die for, with Le Labo products that featured a signature rose scent made for the Fairmont. If Maui wasn't so gorgeous, I definitely would have spent more time soaking in the hotel's super-large tub. The rooms were very impressive in size, although slightly darker in color palette than the Grand Wailea, and our balcony overlooked the hotel's multiple pools and beachfront for the same enviable morning views. Kea Lani is home to some of Maui's best dining options, with a chic cocktail bar, a delicious Asian fusion high-dining concept, an Italian pizzeria, a fresh fish eatery, a hotel restaurant, and more available to guests. When traveling with a large group, it's always nice to have a wide variety of dining options, and our group had fun planning the night's meals after making sure to sample Hawaii's local fare at lunch. Picking a favorite was hard–everything we tried was absolutely delicious.
Best Thing I Ate: Don't judge me...but, Spam was the best thing I ate. Yes, Spam. Hawaii's love affair with the canned meat (I know, it sounds absolutely revolting) began in WWII, due to its long shelf life. The affinity for its salty, almost-sausage or bacon-esque qualities stuck around, and Spam is consumed more on the islands of Hawaii than anywhere else in the country. My team was determined to have me try Spam Musubi, a sushi-style way of enjoying Spam where the meat is crisped, spiced or sauced and then placed between sticky rice and crispy nori.
One afternoon, when we were having lunch en route to a gorgeous patch of sunflowers and my lunch of greens, grilled chicken and brown rice proved too messy to consume mid-drive, I was offered a musubi instead. Reluctantly, I went for it–and subsequently enjoyed two more. Set aside your stereotypes of the low-brow meat being canned and and just dig in—I could go for some even now that I'm back in Manhattan.
Second to this surprise encounter with canned meat were the wide array of poke bowls we tried across the island. These greens and protein-filled options are equal parts fresh, spicy, salty and crunchy; they give you just the right amount of energy while still feeling light and healthy. My favorite was a spicy ahi bowl I had at the adorable Jaw's Country Store, which I enjoyed outside in their back garden along with a dessert of vanilla shave ice.
Best Hang Out Spot: The beaches in Hawaii live up to their reputation of being some of the best in the world. If ever you have a moment (or a day) to enjoy the sun and sand, beach lounging is a must. Here, piña coladas are fresher (literally, the pineapples and coconuts are usually grown locally) and the sun sets late, just in time for a luau on the beach where fire dancers, music and barbecue make for some of the most memorable nights.
Best Night Out: KŌ restaurant and Luana at the Fairmont Kea Lani. KŌ has been recognized for the past five years as the best Hawaiian Regional Cuisine on the island, and for good reason. Our team dined out there not once, but twice, due to the extensive menu options.
My favorite dishes included their Ahi on the Rock, where you sear lightly salted, perfectly cut pieces of ahi tuna on a hot rock at the table, and finish it off with a ginger miso sauce in addition to their Lavender Honey Macadamia seasoned shrimp, fried rice and fresh takes on sushi. After dinner, a smaller group of us headed to Luana for a night-cap.
Luana is Kea Lani's cocktail bar, and while as a born and bred New Yorker, I didn't expect too much from hotel mixologists, the options here were exciting, refreshing and bright. I'm not one for a sweet cocktail, but I could not resist trying their drink dubbed the 'whippity-do-dah,' a whiskey, coconut, mint and lime blended drink served in a penny cup. The mint and citrus made the cocktail more tart and herbal than sweet, and it was the perfect, fresh cap-off to a long day in the sun.
Trip Highlight: This one is easy: Girl x World. Team BAZAAR.com went to Maui to explore the island with the help of our stellar scout, Randy Jay Braun, for an in-depth understanding of all there is to love about the island that Americans visit more than any other for vacation domestically, but don't tend to take full advantage of. We learned that in addition to being an ideal backdrop to Spring's best runway fashion, Maui is packed with natural wonders, breathtaking vistas, gorgeous beaches and some of the best food we've ever eaten.
Could not Leave Home Without: I wanted to make sure I took the best pictures possible in Maui, without having to tote around a heavy camera. I fell in love with the Huawei Mate 9—a smart phone with a built-in Leica camera, which is much lighter than my usual go-to, the Leica Q. I don't travel to a beach location without some basic black maillots—I am a one-piece girl, using them as bodysuits even when I am not on the beach for easy, day-to-evening styling. I love to keep my hair back when I am in hot climates, and rely on a great earring to avoid looking too drab. These hoops by Anita Ko are equal parts dainty and statement, and would pair perfectly with anything I wore. For night time, I am obsessed with Ilana Ariel's geometric earrings—perfect for anchoring the breezy look of flowy sundresses.
I love using utilitarian beauty products as makeup: spray sunscreen is my favorite for protection and also to give my skin a nice glow (fun fact: we use it onset to make our models' skin look luminous!) and I layer Glossier's coconut balm dot com on top of all my lip colors, which gives my creamy lip shades a semi-matte finish and makes bold lip color fade more naturally. Lastly, a day-to-night flat sandal is key for me on trips when I'll likely never want to be in heels.
Most Inspiring Aspect: On our third day in Maui, our group took a drive to the bamboo forest, where we hiked for about 20 minutes to a gorgeous bamboo trail, which lead us to a couple of hidden waterfalls. Not only did that trek produce one of my favorite photos we created all trip, pictured above, but it's pretty difficult not to bond with your travel buddies when you're making your way through a rainforest and swimming in waterfalls, with some of the Spring collection's best looks in tow.
I Wish We Had…extended our trip and headed to Lanai. It's one of the more lush, less-touristy islands in Hawaii and it would have been an exciting contrast to experience after the bustle of Maui.
Why Maui? American travelers have often considered Maui in the past for its convenience, and its ability to offer stress-free relaxation and industrialized hospitality in the middle of paradise. These are the types of travelers who never leave their resorts, spending all of their well-deserved R&R; on a pool lounger or in a hotel spa. While there is undoubtedly a time and place for poolside lounging and a body scrub, we felt there was more to explore on an island most Americans feel they know all too well—and we were right. Hawaii has a culture of its own, and this island is not only full of some of the most luxurious properties, restaurants and shopping around, but it also has much to offer for the nature-lover, the foodie and the adventure seeker. Rather than looking to an off-the-beaten locale or far-flung shores, we took a second look at one of the country's most frequented destinations.