I had hit an errant tee shot and was busily searching for it in a wooded area on THE EXPERIENCE, a golf course on Lanai, when I noticed Arnold Schwarzennegger sitting in a golf cart. I wasn't sure what to make of THE TERMINATOR as he sat there contemplating who knows what....but figuring I might not get another chance I grabbed my camera and attempted to catch him before he scurried off. There was hardly a soul on the golf course but there I was in the woods staring at Arnold. As I prepared to shoot this pre-Govenator photograph, Arnold turned toward me with a menacing look, every muscle fiber in his body fully clenched, and gave me an "I'll be back stare" as my camera clicked!
"The Experience at Koele Lodge was designed by legendary golfer Greg Norman and architect Ted Robinson. Part of the pair of world-class golf courses offered by the Four Seasons resorts on the island of Lanai, this inland golf course offers different obstacles for golfers. While the Challege at Manele offers sweeping ocean views and dramatic cliffs, the Koele Lodge Golf Course has a cooler climate and wooded slopes. Terraced water hazards have proven especially challenging for those golfing on Lanai.
The course begins on a plateau at 2,000 feet above sea level. Maui can be seen across the channel from this starting point of The Experience at Koele Lodge. The front nine proceeds through ravines lined with pine and eucalyptus trees. Seven lakes, streams, and waterfalls periodically come into view throughout the course. Golf at Four Seasons Lodge at Koele is further challenged by a range of architectural and terrain obstacles. An incredible combination of highland landscape makes the Koele Lodge Golf Course unique from other Hawaiian options"
I didn't stay at the Lodge at Koele but instead took a water taxi from Maui over to play THE EXPERIENCE on Lanai. Our accommodations, The Grand Wailea, a sprawling masterpiece of a Hotel located on the Wailea side of Maui, is a memorable place, and I understood very quickly why it is so grand when I sat down for a drink in the cavernous lobby, an open-air centerpiece, that immediately displays the magnificence of this place! That night we had dinner at Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, Humu for short, one of the Resorts' restaurants, and an amazing place for dinner especially for fish dishes. And, from there, almost every night we visited a new place on Wailea for dinner. Nick's Fishmarket at The Fairmont at Kea Lani stands out as another great dining experience and probably the best service I've ever had anywhere. On the surface, that may sound like a great time but after awhile I would easily have settled for just a home cooked meal; proving the old adage of "too much of a good thing ain't always that great," but what was great was the inclusiveness of the entire resort. From the water slides to the running track to the proximity to great golf courses; THE GRAND WAILEA is a pretty remarkable place to stay on Maui!
In addition to the golf, I made a trek up to Mount Haleakala to ride AT V's on the hilly slopes of the Mountain. Be prepared to get dirt drenched riding up there. But, it was a lot of fun and certainly something I would try again! And, swimming with the sharks at Molokini Crater, is certainly a can't miss experience unless, like me, you choose not to be shark bait!! It's a popular spot near Maui and tour boats take passengers out to the crater and diving right in with an array of fish is the thing to do. Small sharks are part of the package but appear oblivious to human encounters.
Overall, my experience at THE GRAND WAILEA and the Wailea side of Maui was like many experiences at vacation spots throughout the world; it is a very inclusive experience. In other words, once on that side of Maui, there is little reason to leave since every want or need is available there except for the aforementioned treks.
So, I was captured by Wailea and all the luxury that encompasses this beautiful place. But, deep down I knew that the decadence of this place was not necessary for me to have a good time. I was fortunate to have that experience on Maui but I learned it's really about whom you share your experiences with rather than all accouterments that make a place extra special. It was a special time!
Later, I ran into Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Pro Shop after our respective golf rounds were completed; he was buying a shirt. He wanted the salesman to confirm the exchange policy with him prior to his buying the shirt. After several assurances, Arnold admonished the salesman with these parting words "if the shirt doesn't fit--I'll be back!"
