Hana-Maui Resort – Where to Go to Unplug and Reconnect

Hana-Maui Resort is not your typical luxury hotel. It’s better. If your life seems overwhelming and you need time to think and stare at the ocean, then Hyatt’s Hana-Maui Resort is for you. Formerly known as Travaasa Hana, this resort in the laid-back town of Hana on the island of Maui is where to go to unplug from technology and stress. Here you will connect instead with people, nature and the spirit of Hawaii.

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Unplug at Hana-Maui Resort

There are no televisions, WiFi, or air conditioning in the rooms at Hana-Maui Resort. When I realized my hotel room had none of these things, a small panic washed over me. But the absence of these modern conveniences forced me to live in the moment and take notice of the beauty of the moon shining in the sky and the smell of fresh, clean air tinted with a hint of tropical blooms.

With the breeze flowing through the screen doors on either side of my Sea Ranch cottage, air conditioning was not necessary. I fell asleep to the sound of waves and felt very much a part of nature and Hana. If you must, there is a television and complimentary guest WiFi in a common room off the lobby.

Guided Meditation

To ease into the slow pace of Hana, I recommend attending a meditation session at Hana-Maui Resort. After a relaxing guided meditation, my auburn-haired youthful instructor, Ruth, told me she wasn’t originally from Hana. I asked Ruth what she does for fun as a single gal in this sleepy town. She said, “I’m from a small town so I knew what I was getting myself into. If I want to have an improv class, I need to organize it. If I want to have smoothies, I need to invite my friends over for smoothies. I can’t expect to find a smoothie bar here. But I chose this place. This is where I want to be.”

Throw Net Fishing Lesson

I had never considered net fishing in my life so when Hana-Maui Resort’s concierge suggested I attend the complimentary Throw Net Fishing class, I said “Really?!” She assured me this is one of the coolest activities available, so despite my doubts, I signed up.

Later in the day, I met with my throw net fishing guide, Andrew. He has been fishing since he was 8 years old and knows all there is to know about this traditional Hawaiian method of holoholo (fishing).

First of all, you should never eat bananas or whistle when fishing…it’s bad luck. Don’t ask someone with a net or rod if they’re going fishing either, unless you want to spoil their chances of landing a big fish.

You might think net fishing consists of simply throwing a net in the water. You would be wrong, oh so very wrong. It’s a multi-step process of holding the net properly with one hand, looping it over your shoulder, gathering up the filament over your knee, and tossing the net with the right arc over the water at just the right moment for your best chances of snaring a fish or two.

I caught a mullet that Andrew estimated was over a half pound in weight, but it slipped away before my trusty teacher was able to snare it. He also caught a baby kupipi (damsel fish), but let it go because it was too small.

The Spirit of Hana

Andrew is also a Hawaiian culture and nature aficionado. He shared with me with me knowledge that goes way beyond fishing. I loved the tales about his childhood, when he and his friends fashioned mini sail boats and nature-made squirt guns from beautiful orange African tulips. He told stories about Menehune, Hawaiian mythical creatures who like to play tricks. I learned about canoe plants — like the Kukui nut that can burn like a candle, which was brought from Marquesan ancestors in 700 AD.

During my solo fishing lesson, Andrew spotted his aunty and uncle, sitting nearby in their pick-up truck. They brought us two cans of passion fruit juice. (Aunty and uncle are terms of respect and familiarity among Hawaiian friends. These two, however, were actually Andrew’s blood relatives.) I asked Andrew why his family members were at the beach that day. “Oh they just come here to sit and look at the view and talk story and stay away from the TV.” That’s how it is in Hana.

If you’re looking for nightlife and dining options aplenty, then Hana is not for you. Hana is where you come to slow down, way down. There are but a small handful of restaurants in town. One night I had dinner at Ka’Uiki Dining Room at the resort with Hana-Maui Resort’s marketing manager, Hubert. He had recently moved to Hana from fast-paced Atlanta with his wife and children. He said, “I moved to the middle of nowhere, where no one cares about anything but love.”

Horseback Riding

If you’re ever lucky enough to visit Hana-Maui Resort, I hope you will sign up for a horseback trail ride. It is a peaceful, beautiful experience you won’t soon forget. With all the wonderful things I experienced here, my Hana trail ride with my guide, Jolyn, stands out as the most meaningful. There’s something about connecting with an animal, and a horse in particular, that forces me to live in the present moment and connect with my true self.

Exploring Hana

You’ll find two mini grocery stores in Hana that offer necessities like milk and goodies like banana chocolate bars. There’s also a florist peddling Hawaii’s finest flowers, a post office with very limited hours, and a couple of gift shops.

Be sure to get a homemade popsicle from the bright green Shaka Pops tricycle cart parked outside the Hasegawa General Store. Choose from flavors like Lava Flow, Coconut Lime, Pineapple Ginger, Passion Orange Guava, and Maui Mocha.

To party down like a local, it seems everyone in Hana heads to the high school to watch the big game on Friday nights during football season. It’s the talk of the town.

When venturing into town at night, bring a flashlight (supplied by the hotel). Street lights aren’t abundant in Hana and it gets very, very dark.

Why Book a Hana-Maui Resort Vacation

I was welcomed with a glass of tropical juice, a kukui nut lei, and a cold cloth for freshening up after a long drive on the Road to Hana. Plus, the infinity pool at Hana-Maui Resort was one of the most beautiful hotel pools I’ve ever seen. I was also wowed by the gorgeous fresh-cut flowers in my room, as well as the private hot tub on my lanai. But Hana is about so much more than luxurious accommodations and fabulous hotel amenities.

On my last night in town, I caught a ride back to my room aboard a Hana-Maui Resort golf cart driven by Hana native, Patrick. He said, “Want to know my philosophy on life? I got three things: love, honesty, and respect. I treat you the same way I want to be treated. I don’t care what color you are or where you come from. I treat everyone with love.” And that’s what Hana-Maui Resort is all about.

Want to bring your kids to Hana-Maui Resort? Although this resort caters mostly to adults, children are welcomed here in summer. The slow pace may be just what your family needs!

Learn More

Discover the 25 best activities for families in Maui, recommended by family travel experts.

Be sure to read my about one of my other all-time favorite resorts, in my Hyatt Regency Maui review.

If you’re open to visiting other Hawaiian islands, then I highly recommend exploring Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.

For travel without kids, take a look at another fabulous destination spa with a similar pace and programming to Hana-Maui Resort in my Miraval Arizona review.

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A Note from The Travel Mama: I received complimentary accommodations at Travaasa Hana Resort for the purpose of this review. All opinions are mine, as always.

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