You Wanna Stay Outta Whaler’s Village But You Cannot

Beach walkway from Whaler’s Village toward the Westin.

One of the reasons I wanted to stay at this particular stretch in Ka’anapali was because there are a bunch of other hotels to visit and a big shopping center. I was hoping it would be similar to Wailea, where I stayed with my team member Barbara Dow a couple of years ago. It is not.

Then I thought maybe it would be similar to the Kings Shops at Waikoloa when I stayed at the Marriot for 3 weeks last year. It probably has more in common with that particular resort area on the Big Island with one glaring difference: too many tourists in Maui.

Shops at Whaler’s Village from second floor, Ka’anapali, Maui.

There is also the fact I don’t need to buy anything. I have purchased all the gifts for my friends, family and coworkers at Na Hoku and the Mauna Kea Visitor’s Center on the Big Island. I have no particular need for anything, especially after committing to buy that orchid oil painting from Wayne Keeth. One thing I do not need is MORE STUFF. We all have too much stuff as it is.

I suspect my sister is saying, hey, speak for yourself!

Shops at entrance of Whaler’s Village from Ka’anapali Parkway, Maui.

Still, that did not stop me from hitting every jewelry store in Whaler’s Village. At Na Hoku, the saleswoman placed the most spectacular piece of jewelry around my neck. I should have taken a photo of the octopus. I considered it but then I’d study it for days, maybe months, and I don’t need that kind of temptation. It had tiny bits of sapphires embedded in the legs, and the head was a large white Tahitian pearl.

The octopus was displayed on a white gold necklace, a necklace I happen to own, so my thinking was, hey, at least I don’t have to buy the necklace. But the pendant was $6,200. I am not insane enough to spend that kind of money for a pendant, even if I do LOVE it, which I do. It’s the most beautiful piece I’ve laid eyes upon.

However, if a benefactor out there would like to buy it for me, by all means, go for it. I won’t stop you. Just call any Na Hoku store. It doesn’t have to be the Whaler’s Village and ask about the octopus pendant. Na Hoku is now located in California as well, which is the reason they don’t offer Kama’aina rates, I was informed.

Beach path near Westin at Ka’anapali Beach.

The beach path leads from the Sheraton all the way past Whaler’s Village to a point I have not yet been to. This shows the island of Lanai and the path just past the Westin. It’s a beautiful stroll, and not as suffering hot as the walk from The Fairmont to the Shops at Wailea.

Beautiful pools at the Westin Ka’anapali

I shot this photo just so you could see the pools at the Westin. It’s a beautiful layout at that resort, although the dining area was a bit crowded, this part of is not. Perhaps it’s part of a private residence which is why there are no horrid tourists there? The landscaping is particularly enchanting with lush vegetation, very pleasing to the eye and senses.

Meercats hawk Louis Vuitton at Whaler’s Village

While strolling through Whaler’s Village, I also perused many of the stores such as Louis Vuitton and Kate Spade. I noticed Louis Vuitton was pushing a lot of silver stuff a couple of years ago and seems to have switched to more gold accents. Kate Spade has a Hawaiian collection with a certain slant toward Asian clientele that I found very appealing. Lots of pinks and yellows and happy tones.

Upper gardens of Westin Ka’anapali

I climbed up the steps just to see what was up there. It was very deserted. Without a hotel card, one cannot gain access to the Westin. Which is too bad because I’m sure the Westin has shops and other restaurants to check out. But this view was spectacular, so I grabbed my iPhone and shot it.

The fellow standing there had a camera sitting on a tripod, waiting for the perfect shot, without realizing the perfect shot was of him.

Leaving Whaler’s Village to head toward Leilani’s and the beachwalk.

Walking toward the popular restaurant Leilani’s, where I had dinner last night, is this view of tourists coming off the beachwalk. I keep wondering why nobody ever says anything to me when I take photos of them. This woman looked at me and stopped chatting on her phone, but she didn’t stop to say why are you taking my picture? That’s what I would ask if I were her.

Tropical itch is no longer on the cocktail menu at the Westin Ka’anapali

One of the reasons I wanted to go to Whaler’s Village is because the Westin was right next to it, and I figured I’d go there for lunch. I asked for a Tropical Itch, and the bartender just laughed. Oh, we don’t serve those anymore, he chuckled, you mean the drink with the backscratcher? Yes, how about you keep the backscratcher, I asked. So voila. Here is your tropical drink of the day.