Honua Spa Review - Maui

By Heather Riccio

      Many people make the trek around the Hana Highway, known for its long winding road, waterfalls, rainforest and picturesque scenery. Yet few people know about the hidden treasure nestled between palm trees and Hawaiian flowers, The Honua Spa.

For years, the only way to Hana was either by a commuter plane into the small Hana Airport or by car, if you could handle all the turns and potholes. By the mid 1990's though, Maui officials finally repaved the highway and widened the roads a bit, making it easier to trek to The Honua Spa at the Hotel Hana-Maui.

The relaxing spa is enhanced by Hana's own tropical beauty, which matches the spa's philosophy that balance comes from the elements of nature. The spa products use natural ingredients where possible, so guests can enjoy ingredients indigenous to the region.

Once you enter the Hotel Hana-Maui, you will be taken by golf cart to the front entrance of the spa, where you will be met by your spa therapist for your treatment. I would recommend the head to toe package, which includes the Honua Rainforest Mist facial, a massage and the 'Awa and Spirulina body wrap.

Your spa therapist will begin by tailoring the procedures to you specific needs, by asking a series of questions, the therapist pinpoints your exact needs in order to fix problems and avoid skin reactions.

I started out with the Honua Rainforest Mist facial and massage, which combined the best of facial, body massage, and reflexology treatments, using their own Honua blend that included native fruits and nut oils. The treatment also included a neck, head, arm and feet massage. My feet were wrapped in hot towels to loosen the muscles which enhanced the massage and reflexology.

Before heading off to the 'Awa and Spirulina body wrap, I was handed a cup of tea to top off the whole experience. I was excited to try the body wrap because although I've had many facials and massages in my spa lifetime, this was my first body wrap. The 'Awa and Spirulina body wrap combines the sedating effects of the native 'Awa and the nutrients of the Hawaiian Spirulina that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who receives this treatment. The body is first exfoliated using a scrub all over and then the paste is painted onto the body. The body is then wrapped up tightly to seal in the nutrients of the paste. After about ten minutes you are unwrapped, washed off and a finishing lotion is applied. You're left with soft supple skin and a feeling of refreshment.