The Soul of Andaz Maui
Where Mana Meets Modern Luxury
December 2025. Issue #26
When I stepped into the open-air lobby of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, the scent of salt and plumeria carried through the trade winds, soft against the rhythmic sound of the ocean. Staff greeted my wife and me with cool towels and a welcome drink—a small gesture that felt less like hotel protocol and more like a return to family. On the table in our room sat a handwritten note and local treats, a reminder that hospitality here begins with heart. From our Ocean View King suite, the horizon stretched endlessly, where the Pacific shimmered in layers of sapphire and silver. It was quiet, intimate, sacred—a space that held the energy Maui locals call mana.
In conversation, General Manager Richard Elliott spoke of mana not as a concept, but as a way of leading. “You feel it in the people, the land, and the ocean,” he told me. “Our job is to honor it—to let it guide how we care for guests and how we give back.” His leadership extends beyond management; one of his most distinctive offerings is the Run With the GM—a morning jog along Wailea’s coastal trail that doubles as both community connection and cultural immersion, a reminder that Maui moves to its own heartbeat, and every sunrise brings a chance to feel it.
A Design That Breathes Aloha
Designed by the Rockwell Group, Andaz Maui’s architecture reflects the flow of the island itself. The lobby opens like a modern hale—minimal, yet rooted in natural textures of wood, stone, and light. It spills into a series of cascading infinity pools that appear to pour directly into Mokapu Beach.
From the water’s edge, the view feels cinematic—swaying palms, the scent of salt air, and distant laughter carried by the breeze. Each pool terrace is intentionally separated, offering privacy without isolation. The adult tranquility pool, hidden near the spa, becomes an unspoken sanctuary—its silence broken only by the rustle of palm fronds.
The Land, the Ocean, and the People
Every element of Andaz Maui feels like a collaboration with the island. Guests can take outrigger canoe voyages, guided by locals who share the history and pride of this sacred place. As we paddled beyond the shore into the glass-blue waters of Mokapu, our guide spoke of Maui’s great warriors, including King Kamehameha, whose unification of the Hawaiian Islands began through courage and respect for the sea. His stories gave life to the waves around us—the same waters that once carried voyagers across the Pacific by the stars alone.
Morning yoga sessions face the ocean, grounding participants in breath and balance. At night, the Feast at Mōkapu Lūʻau transforms the beachfront into a stage for storytelling—dancers, firelight, and live narration honoring ancestral voyages.
Behind these programs is Kalikolehua Storer, the resort’s Hawaiian Culture and Training Specialist, who ensures that every experience—from lei making to hula lessons—carries authenticity. The resort’s partnership with Pu’u Kukui Watershed also highlights its commitment to malama, the Hawaiian principle of caring for the land and its people.
Dining as Connection
Mornings at Ka’ana Kitchen begin unhurried, bathed in soft light spilling through open-air windows that frame the ocean beyond. The breakfast buffet feels less like a hotel spread and more like a local celebration of the island’s abundance. Plates brim with tropical fruit—sweet pineapple, papaya, and guava—alongside taro pancakes, island-style fried rice, and fresh poke prepared with the same care as dinner service. There’s Kona coffee strong enough to stir the senses and pastries. Every dish tells its own quiet story of Maui’s farms and fishermen.
As the sun dipped below Wailea’s horizon, the open kitchen at Kaʻana Kitchen came alive with the hiss of skillets and the low hum of conversation. The scent of grilled seafood mingled with the ocean breeze drifting through the open-air dining room—earth, salt, and flame converging in rhythm. Dinner here feels less like a reservation and more like a homecoming. Tables are meant for sharing, dishes passed between friends and strangers alike, echoing the Hawaiian belief that food binds community.
Under the steady hand of Chef Ritchard Cariaga, the menu moves gracefully between land and sea: ahi tataki layered with lilikoi and burrata, grilled octopus salad bright with lemon oil, and seared scallops paired with pork belly and parmesan gnocchi. Each course arrives like an offering—alive with color, balanced in flavor, and deeply rooted in the island’s seasonal rhythm. It’s a meal that hums with Maui’s mana—intimate, generous, and unforgettable.
As sunset draped over Wailea, Bumbye Beach Bar came alive—the quiet heartbeat of the resort turning vibrant. Guests lingered with cocktails in hand as the sun slipped into the Pacific, the water glowing like molten bronze.
Beyond Luxury: Responsibility and Renewal
In the wake of the Maui wildfires, Andaz’s mission carries new gravity. The resort continues to support local recovery efforts through partnerships with World Central Kitchen, American Red Cross, and the Maui Strong Fund. Guests are invited to take part in malama initiatives—from volunteer programs to educational experiences that deepen respect for the island’s fragility and resilience. Activities—from outrigger tours to hula lessons—carry stories, not just sights. The resort fee covers many of these immersive experiences.
The Andaz Legacy
The Andaz brand, part of Hyatt’s global collection, is defined by storytelling through design, food, and culture. Yet, in Maui, that philosophy finds its purest expression. Here, modern design coexists with ancient spirit. Each stay becomes an exchange—between guest and host, ocean and land, self and soul.
As we checked out, the sky over Mokapu shifted from rose to gold. I thought back to something Elliot said: “The real luxury isn’t the view—it’s the feeling you take home.”
At Andaz Maui, that feeling is the island’s mana—alive, generous, and unforgettable.
A Southern California Drive Through Elegance Matching Iconic Cars to the Roads They Deserve.
June, 2025. Issue #25
There’s a particular feeling when a car and the road sync in perfect rhythm. It doesn’t happen often—maybe on a cliffside turn above Malibu or under the amber glow of Sunset Boulevard. But when it does, it’s kinetic poetry. For the rare machines that define automotive excellence—Aston Martins, vintage Mercedes-Benz builds, McLarens that hum like symphonies—it’s not just about horsepower. It’s about place, emotion, and history.
This June, ahead of the Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance, we’re looking not just at cars, but the settings that elevate them. From hypercars to heritage sedans, here’s a Southern California drive-through of what makes these vehicles more than just machines.
Aston Martin DB12 + Pacific Coast Highway
An Aston Martin DB12 carving through the Pacific Coast Highway isn’t transportation—it’s theater. The ocean crashes just yards away as you command a V8 coupe engineered with Bond-level poise. Start your morning at Point Dume, catch a sunrise surf at Zuma, then wind your way through the coastal bends to Neptune’s Net for oysters and octane. Windows down, soundtrack up, and maybe a detour into the hills of Topanga for that extra taste of elevation. It’s not a car you drive. It’s one you wear.
Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing + Mulholland Drive
The gullwing doors lift like a Hollywood premiere, and suddenly the 300SL becomes more than a collectible—it’s a character in a noir film. Winding along Mulholland Drive, this postwar legend, born of motorsport DNA and German precision, feels perfectly cast against L.A.'s most cinematic road. Pair it with a golden-hour cruise past Laurel Canyon, wrap up with espresso at a tucked-away café on Ventura. Each corner whispers nostalgia.
Pagani Huayra + Angeles Crest Highway
The Huayra doesn’t ask for attention—it demands it. There’s nothing subtle about a twin-turbo V12 encased in carbon fiber that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi opera. Drive it into the clouds along Angeles Crest, and you’ll swear you’re navigating the edge of another planet. Pull off at Inspiration Point and watch the sun throw shadows over the valley as your engine ticks cool. It’s otherworldly—and yes, totally street legal.
Rolls-Royce Phantom + Rodeo Drive
Nothing says presence like a Rolls-Royce Phantom gliding silently down Rodeo Drive. This is where luxury gets subtle, where power becomes a whisper. You’re not just driving through Beverly Hills. You’re curating an image, even if no one sees you step out. But they will. Pull into the Beverly Wilshire for afternoon tea or cruise past the designer storefronts as if you’re floating. Because in a Phantom, you are.
Bentley Continental GT Speed + Ortega Highway
If the PCH is for Aston and elegance, the Ortega Highway is for the bruisers in velvet gloves. The Continental GT Speed is brutish in the best way—a luxury grand tourer with fists of fury and a massage seat. Wind inland from San Juan Capistrano through sweeping mountain passes. Stop at Lookout Roadhouse for pie and coffee before hammering back toward Lake Elsinore, every turn a test of grip and grace.
Lamborghini Temerario + Sunset Strip
Lamborghini’s newest beast, the Temerario, is debuting its attitude for North America at this year’s Concours. But imagine it prowling the Sunset Strip. Hybrid-powered, futuristically styled, and bred for drama, it looks like it should have a guest list. Park it outside the Chateau Marmont, drift past the Viper Room, then light up the night in West Hollywood. It’s not just about being seen—it’s about being unforgettable.
Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance — Where Dreams Idle
On Sunday, June 15, Rodeo Drive becomes the showroom of fantasies. Celebrating its 30th year with the theme "Luxury in Motion," this open-air museum of automotive legends is the ultimate Father's Day dreamscape. From Aston Martin to McLaren, Rolls-Royce to Pagani, the lineup curated by O’Gara Coach Beverly Hills promises power, rarity, and precision design.
Also making waves: the North American public debut of Lamborghini’s Temerario and PHEV Urus SE, plus bespoke merch, food trucks, and a performance by the Beverly Hills Police Motor Unit. More than a car show, it’s a celebration of style, speed, and story—and it’s free to attend.
With proceeds benefiting the Beverly Hills Police Foundation and Firefighters' Association, the Concours isn’t just about chrome and curves. It's about community. And this year, it also raises funds to restore a 1975 Cadillac ambulance, a piece of Beverly Hills fire history.
And for film fans: keep your eyes peeled. The upcoming F1 movie, starring Brad Pitt, will undoubtedly add cinematic adrenaline to the car culture conversation.
So come for the horsepower, stay for the harmony. Southern California was made for machines like these, especially for this upcoming summer, designed to be driven with purpose, along roads that are as unforgettable as the rides themselves.
Learn more. ▶︎ Food and Beverages Guide ▶︎ Map ▶︎ Message from Founder Bruce Meyer ▶︎
Photo Credit: 2023 green Aston Martin DB12 V8 courtesy of Sue - stock.adobe.com. Pagani Huayra courtesy of Brandon Woyshnis - stock.adobe.com. Mercedes Benz Gullwing courtesy of Mike Mareen - stock.adobe.com Rolls Royce Phantom courtesy of art_zzz - stock.adobe.com. Bentley Continental courtesy of Виталий Сова - stock.adobe.com. Lamborghini Temerario courtesy of Mathias Weil - stock.adobe.com
About Lorenzo Dela Rama:
I am a storyteller forged in coffee shops, cultural collisions, and curiosity. A marketer who doesn’t just chase trends — I decode them. With a Design Thinker’s lens, I map out the why behind the wow. My words carry weight, my stories travel light, and my ideas stick because they’re built from real human moments. I don’t just design narratives — I live them, break them open, and let them breathe.
ISSUE 25 AVAILABLE
In this 25th edition of the ACCA Journal, we are honored to shine a spotlight on outstanding artists and entrepreneurs who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields. Read the Issue. Purchase the Issue.