Seven Elements for a Fine Wellness Experience

A Healing Hawaii Home

The Big Island offers a wide range of accommodations that can provide you a nurturing nest. From 5-star spa resorts to rustic retreats offering a hot tub in the forest, these places to lay your head and rest your heart can be as different as the beach, desert, rainforest or mountain on which each lies.

Sacred Sites

A pilgrimage to one of Hawaii Island’s ancient spiritual sites can leave you with a much deeper understanding of the island—and yourself. Among the most powerful places: the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Puuhonua o Honaunau and Puukohola Heiau.

Eco-exploration

All of nature is sacred, say the Hawaiians. Any search into the wilds can be a path to self-discovery or simply a balm to soothe the soul. Snow upon black lava rock, frothy blue sea rushing toward soft sand, liquid lava finding the path of least resistance—lessons are everywhere.

Guides

Native Hawaiian elders may share ancient indigenous wisdom, the great-grand-children of early Christian missionaries may offer communion, and New Age believers may center your chi, returning full-circle to ancient knowledge. With the help of the practitioners you choose, you can set the intention for your journey and connect to the ultimate philosophical concept that unites these islands— Aloha.

Treat Yourself

Hawaiian lomilomi massage, hot stone therapy, a ginger facial, a reiki session on the beach—the body and soul treatments you can find on Hawaii Island will make your imagination smile. Wondering about watsu? Curious about cleansing? Here you can experience treatments you’ve never tried before.

Eating Well

Those organic greens on your plate may have been plucked from the field just hours before. That tomato, avocado, mango or papaya may have grown just up the hill. Small certified organic farms continue to bloom around Hawaii Island. This is why great chefs have opened restaurants here and created what is known as Hawaii Regional Cuisine. And when you’re on the road and looking for a great lunch, check out the local health food store, where you’ll find sandwiches, smoothies and other healthy treats served up fresh and delicious.

Take a Deep Breath

Relax. Be where you are, not already thinking ahead to the next place on the list. The Big Island is bigger than all the other Hawaiian Islands combined, so don’t exhaust yourself trying to go everywhere and see everything. Focus on a few places that you feel will really matter, and explore from there.

(Adapted from Healing Vacations in Hawaii.com , by Susanne Sims)