Forbes.com – October 15, 2020
Carrie Coolidge – Contributor
Kukui’ula, the exclusive club and resort community on the south shore of Kauai, is welcoming back members and guests now that Hawaii Governor David Ige has approved Trans-Pacific travel to resume throughout the state. Starting on October 15, a new pre-travel testing program will allow visitors to avoid the mandatory 14-day quarantine if they have a negative NAAT COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their flight arrival.
“We are ready to welcome back members and guests to their island home on the South Shore of Kauai,” says Richard Albrecht, president of Kukui’ula. “We will continue to provide the ultimate family retreat while offering a safe and enjoyable experience utilizing the luxury of our 1,010-acre property, unforgettable adventures, breathtaking beaches, and an abundance of private resort amenities to help guests unwind, rejuvenate and explore our outdoor playground.”
The state of Hawaii has set up agreements with CVS Pharmacy, Kaiser Permanente and others for the pre-testing program. This process will complement the state’s enhanced contact tracing, temperature monitoring, and traveler health interview screening procedures put in place when inter-island travel was opened in June. Travelers unable to complete the testing protocols will still be required to quarantine. Masks and social distancing requirements are still in place in Hawaii.
Situated on the site of a former sugar plantation on the South Shore of Kauai, Kukui’ula, a 1,010-acre exclusive club and resort community, is the only club on the island that offers both residential real estate and a lodging component. The property was developed by Kukui’ula Development Company, an affiliate of A&B Properties, a subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin, one of Hawaii’s largest private landowners. The club is so exclusive only members of the club (who are required to own property) and a limited number of guests who rent one of the Clubhouse bungalows have access to its impressive array of luxurious facilities.
A family-friendly club where all ages are welcome, Kukui’ula offers a cashless experience, so there’s no need to worry about carrying a wallet or having cash on hand for tips, including when you drop off your car with the valet or when you have a spa treatment or eat at one of its restaurants (click here to see Forbes’ “Nirvana In Hawaii: Kukui’ula On Kauai”).
With homes, guest accommodations and activities spread out across the vast property and the wide-open space of the island beyond, Kukui’ula is a safe haven for exploration, restoration and relaxation, both for a short visit or as a home-away-from-home.
Kukui’ula offers everything a person who is looking to buy or build a home or simply vacation on the island could ask for. A pristine property, it is well-managed and has plenty of world-class amenities, from a Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course to a full-service spa and multiple dining options. The golf course, pools, tennis courts and pickle ball courts are open on a first-come-first-serve basis.
The Club at Kukui’ula has resumed operations from Tuesday-Sunday and activities such as outdoor fitness classes, sunset sailing excursions, take home “meal-kit,” recipes and ingredients to create Club favorite dishes at home and more. ‘Umeke Kitchen + Bar is currently open at a limited capacity for dining and pool service. To ensure a pleasant and safe experience, seating is adjusted to allow six feet between tables as well as heightened sanitation and mask wearing among all staff.
Now more than ever, travelers are valuing the outdoors and Kukui’ua’s expansiveness and naturally social distanced environment allows members and guests to experience the best of Kauai in a safe setting. As Kauai enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine, there’s never a shortage of things to do. The club offers saltwater pool for adults and a sand-bottom saltwater pool for families complete with waterfalls, and whirlpools. There is also a beach volleyball court, two tennis courts, a Bocce Ball court and a pickle ball court and mountain bikes available (including electric mountain bikes).
An outfitter, called Huaka’i Guides & Outfitters Shop located at the Clubhouse, can book all types of outdoor adventures, from canoe sailing excursions with a picnic lunch to a hiking tour along the Kalalua Trail.
Another amenity that sets Kukui’ula apart from most other developments is Kukui’ula’s 10-acre upcountry organic farm. The farm grows a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers—all available on a complimentary basis for members and guests of the property. Simply drive, walk, hike or bike to the farm and collect what you need, from tropical fruits such as pineapple, banana, passion fruit, papaya, lilikoi and mango as well as tropical flowers, a wide variety of vegetables and herbs. If you are in a hurry, just go to the clubhouse where a refrigerator is stocked daily with complimentary produce from the farm. “The farm is an important part of the club,” says Albrecht. “It informs the food and the menu of our restaurants. It informs everything we do in terms of being a grounded place.”
The Lodge at Kukui’ula, which is managed by Destination Residences Hawaii, offers accommodations with expansive, full-service kitchens, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, private outdoor lanais and spacious living areas. All units have private access and do not require the use of public elevators or hallways.
The resort has implemented enhanced cleaning and safety standards guided by the Hyatt Care & Cleanliness Commitment to ensure a healthy and safe stay. The team is sensitive to the ever-changing situation and will be extending a flexible booking policy and no fees or penalties for altering a reservation. Those coming to Kukui’ula unable to complete the current testing protocols will be required to quarantine in a reduced ‘Resort Bubble’ area at the property. The ‘Bubble’ will allow for movement beyond a guest’s room in a limited space with restrictions on activities.
Kukui’ula features spectacular homesites, ranging in size from one-third to three acres, and multi-bedroom-built product located on and near the desirable Kaua’i coastline. Designed by such renowned architects as Shay Zak, Olson Kundig and Bing Hu, the collection of stunning homes is on hillside slopes and ocean overlooks. Club Cottages, Bungalows and Villas provide unique opportunities to experience all Kukui’ula has to offer as they are located steps away from the Clubhouse.
Click on this link for more information on real estate or membership opportunities at Kukui’ula.
Kukui‘ula embodies Ho‘okipa—heartfelt Hawaiian hospitality. We invite you to join us by staying connected. And don’t worry! We promise to only send you the good stuff.
Kukui‘ula embodies Ho‘okipa—heartfelt Hawaiian hospitality. We invite you to join us by staying connected. And don’t worry! We promise to only send you the good stuff.
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