Lono Ono: Hotel Hana-maui's Harvest Moon Weekend Celebrates Local Flavor, Farms And Culture
This October, the first Hawaiian retreat, Hotel Hāna-Maui, in the secluded village of Hāna, on the lush eastern coast of Maui, will celebrate the Hāna Harvest Moon throughout the weekend of October 2-4, 2009 with feasts and festivities worthy of Lono, the ancient Hawaiian god of fertility whom it is believed made the crops flourish.
The Hāna Harvest Moon Weekend highlights the sustainable, symbiotic relationship Hotel Hāna-Maui enjoys with the local farmers of Hāna. The arrangement developed purely out of necessity and product availability, and throughout the years the farmers have blossomed to provide an abundance of local Hawaiian produce. The Harvest Moon festivities grew out of the ancient Makahiki harvest festival which began in late October or early November when the Pleiades constellation was first observed rising above the horizon at sunset. The celebrations at Hotel Hāna-Maui begin the evening of Friday, October 2, and culminate on Sunday evening, with the rising of the Harvest Moon, and include:
� Welcome reception with executive chef Robert McCormick, local farmers, growers and fishermen, as well as Hāna "Kapuna" - elders from the hotel and community.
� Chef led tour of Kahanu National Tropical Botanical Garden for a look at examples of "Canoe Crops" brought to the islands by the first Polynesian settlers.
� Hawaiian cultural food discussion, Poi pounding demonstration and picnic lunch at Hamoa Beach.
� Papa ˊAina Dinner at the Plantation Guest House featuring culturally significant and locally grown foods served family style.
� Chef led tour of Ono Farm - providers of exotic fruits for the hotel.
� Picnic lunch at Laulima Farm, an organic farm which grows the majority of produce served at the hotel.
� Harvest Moon Food & Wine Dinner celebration under the moon and the stars on the grounds of the wellness pool featuring authentic entertainment, telescopes and astrology readers.
Tickets may be purchased a la carte or as part of a package. Individual event tickets range in price from $50- $180. Food and Beverage package tickets are $430* per person and include all five events and tours. Special room rates are available starting at $395* per night, and all inclusive packages for three nights and all meals are available from $2186.00*.
*Prices exclude all taxes. Room rates are based on availability and double occupancy.
For reservations please call 1.800.321.HANA
Simone Rathle
703.534.8100
simone@simonesez.com
Melissa Harris
703.534.8102
melissa@simonesez.com