Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows: The Beating Heart Of Kāʻanapali Beach
The Branches is the Royal Lahaina's new gathering place for music and community events. Kim Westerman
The community of Kā'anapali Beach has pulled together with its Lahaina neighbors to rebuild, literally and metaphorically, after the catastrophic fires of 2023. While The Royal didn't suffer physical damage from the fire, all properties closed to visitors during the early months of recovery. It re-opened in November 2024 with an amplified commitment to the people, the land, and its many visitors.
I visited the Royal Lahaina in May, just after the property-wide renovations were completed and The Branches, the resort's new outdoor gathering place for locals and visitors, with local musicians and casual snacks and drinks, opened to all. As someone who has considered Maui a spiritual home since I first visited in 2000, I was moved to tears by the experience of duende (in the poet Lorca's sense of that feeling). It was a grounding, healing, joyful evening, and it was evident that even first-time visitors gathered among old-timers under the century-old ficus tree, could access the power of the place.
My bungalow looked out on the lawn and the ocean just beyond. With the sliding glass door open, I could hear the drama of the Pacific whenever my heart desired.
Rainbow over The Royal Lahaina Resort. Kim Westerman
The other room experience at The Royal Lahaina is in the 12-story Lahaina Kai tower up above the sway of palm trees with unimpeded views of Molokaʻi and Lāna'i in the near distance. Service, Service, Service
Service is noteworthy for its authenticity and sincere helpfulness. Many employees have worked at The Royal for decades and are happy to 'talk story' if guests are interested. Food and beverage manager Ford Ushijima is an Oʻahu native who's been with The Royal for nearly 20 years and is a property anchor and one form its historical memory takes.
Chef Vanessa Castillo's shrimp and "taro grits." Kim Westerman
Lahaina Noon, the property's main restaurant (poolside) (named after the solar phenomenon in which the sun passes directly overhead at solar noon, causing vertical objects to cast no visible shadow) serves traditional American food alongside excellent renditions of Hawaiian classics by chef de cuisine Vanessa Castillo, whose garlic shrimp and 'taro grits' is a veritable breakfast revelation (and I recipe I continue to attempt recreating at home). Pineapple Moon is the adjacent open-air bar. Alana Spa, Myths of Maui Lūʻau & Hawaiian Cultural Center
Alana Spa was still undergoing renovation when I was there, but I had a nonetheless brilliant deep tissue massage by Cambria Russell, who restored me to my pre-jet lag somatic state of bliss.
Opening a coconut at the Myths of Maui Lūʻau. Kim Westerman
Don't miss the Myths of Maui Lūʻau, the island's longest-running show, with a solid buffet of traditional foods and performances that carry the audience through the history of Polynesia (with fire dancers!) with high audience engagement.
Makalapua "Maka" Kanuha, director of culture at the Royal Lahaina Resort. Kim Westerman
And at some point in your stay, you must stop into the Hawaiian Cultural Center to talk with Makalapua "Maka" Kanuha, director of culture at the resort. How to Help Maui's Recovery
When you visit Maui, the westside in particular, it's important to understand the island's recent trauma and to do something to actively contribute to its healing. Royal Lahaina works with Treecovery, a non-profit that allows guests to help plant trees that will be transplanted on the sites of homes being rebuilt after the fires.
Planting trees for Maui's newly rebuilt homes after the 2023 Lahaina fires. Kim Westerman
Guests can participate in seedling cultivation and learn how this work contributes to long-term reforestation. A New Chapter for an Iconic Maui Hotel
The Royal Lahaina has long been a beloved Kā'anapali destination. With its property-wide renovations and the opening of The Branches, it's a great time to revisit — or get to know — this pristine beach and groove into The Royal way of inhabiting the island.
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