A touch of Hawaii – without going there 

“Ola,” a Hawaiian word meaning “life force,” is the name of a company that makes  beauty products sure to summon the life force in every globetrotter.  I discovered these beauties recently when I was on assignment at the spectacular Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, on Maui, – which is struggling to balance the need for tourist revenues with helping those left homeless in the wake of the Lahaina fires.

For years, the Grand Wailea was famous for having perhaps the world’s best spa – Spa Grande.  It was legendary. Now the resort is creating an even more breathtaking, $60 million spa that will open in the first quarter of 2024. If you are a lover of all things wellness and all-things-luxury, mark the Grand Wailea at the top of your Bucket List. (It’s also a Hilton Honors member.) 

Said Brian Kaufman, managing director at Blackstone Real Estate: “Since 2018, we have been focused on elevating and reimagining all aspects of the iconic Grand Wailea to ensure it remains a premier destination for decades to come. The Kilolani Spa is the latest addition to our ambitious project, and we are thrilled to bring this state-of-the-art wellness retreat to life in a way that honors its rich heritage.”  

In the meantime, there is an interim spa at the resort – the Mohalu Healing Garden & Beauty Lab, which has a lovely retail area of upscale beauty products, many of which are made locally.  Ola is one such brand – a woman-owned business that’s the brainchild of Robin Williams, who grows her organic botanical ingredients – aloe vera, lemongrass, hibiscus, taro, turmeric, ginger, gardenia, breadfruit and noni, among them – on a farm above Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. “We are growing ingredients using curated Hawaiian healing plants,” she told me. 

Ola’s showstopper is the best-selling Passion Fruit Body Butter ($40), a luxurious, creamy blend of coconut oil, aloe vera, macadamia nut butter, avocado and cocoa seed to repair, replenish and moisturize dry skin. It’s thicker and richer than regular body lotion, yet it absorbs quickly, leaving your skin nourished and radiant – never greasy.   To me, it’s Hawaiian joy in a jar – a little bit of heaven for your body, with a superb scent. Consider it for your favorite person’s Christmas stocking. 

I’m also crazy about Ola’s Passion Fruit Body Wash – but here’s a little secret:  I don’t want to limit it just to the shower and bath.  I actually keep a big bottle in my kitchen, so I can wash my hands with it frequently during the day and inhale the luscious aroma. Even my husband Bill has remarked, more than once, on the scent.  

There’s even more luxury in Ola’s $175 Tropical Luxury gift set, consisting of five full-size scents in pikake, coconut, passion fruit, rainforest and plumeria. 

For more, visit www.Hawaiianbodyproducts.com. And for more about my wellness travels, follow me on Instagram @DebbiKickham.