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Hand Carved Canoes

The Westin Maui

The Westin Maui has increased its Hawaiian and Polynesian feel around the property by acquiring two traditional hand-carved Polynesian canoes and a hand-carved mural of Maui Capturing the Sun. 

This year marked the first year The Westin Maui sponsored a canoe carving team participating in Lahaina's annual International Festival of Canoes.  During the two-week festival, the master canoe carvers from The Cook Islands hand-carved the two canoes and mural using traditional methods and tools. 

The signature canoe is around 12 feet long and named "Hinaikamanaiakalani."  She is now home in the lagoon surrounding the lobby for guests to view.  Her name means "Hina on the fish hook of the heavens" and was named so from the intricate carvings on the both sides of the hull.  In Hawaiian Mythology, Hina taught Maui how to raise the other islands with a fish hook - exactly what is carved on the canoe.

The new mural depicts "Maui capturing the sun," another story in Hawaiian Mythology in which Maui lassos the sun to slow it down and make the day longer to aid the fisherman and islanders.  The mural will be placed in the front lobby area, near the concierge.

The International Festival of Canoes is a two-week long event held every year in May in historic Lahaina Town.  Master canoe carvers from all over Polynesia, including Hawaii, Tahiti, Cook Islands, New Zealand and Tonga share their skills and canoe carving traditions for both the visitors to Maui and the local residents.

Located on 12 oceanfront acres directly on Kaanapali Beach, The Westin Maui is nestled between the shimmering Pacific Ocean and verdant West Maui Mountains.  Each of the newly renovated 759 guest rooms and suites features The Westin's signature Heavenly Baths and luxurious Heavenly Beds.  The property features strolling gardens, meandering streams, breathtaking 15-20-foot waterfalls, exotic wildlife and an 87,000-square-foot pool area.

The Westin Maui
"Where Heaven and Aloha Meet"
2365 Kaanapali Pkwy.
Lahaina, HI  96793
Ph:  (808) 662-2753   Fax:  (808) 661-5831
www.westinmaui.com

Edited by Dave Shultz

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