Going on a vacation—or even a staycation—can help travelers and residents find balance in their usually hectic daily lives. With so much going on, from finishing those deadlines for your job or getting your kids dressed and to school on time, it’s easy to lose yourself in the day-to-day. However, at Royal Lahaina Resort on Maui, you can achieve that feeling of rested balance with its new cultural education and wellness initiatives. From yoga to learning how to husk a coconut, there’s something for everyone seeking mental and physical rejuvenation while enjoying their stay at the Royal Lahaina Resort.

            For those looking to find their breath and work on flexibility, guided yoga classes are offered every Tuesday and Thursday from 8 to 9 a.m., and are recommended for yogis of all skill levels. It’s a gentle—but active—way to start your morning and will get you in the right mindset for anything the day has in store for you. If you’re looking for something a bit more active, Polyfit classes are just one of the ways the Royal Lahaina Resort is blending culture with fitness. Hosted every Saturday and Sunday from 8 to 9 a.m., Polyfit focuses on getting guests moving by mixing Polynesian dance moves with a fitness class. If you find the dancing side of the Polyfit class appealing, then you may want to also check out the Zumba courses offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 to 9 a.m.

            With fitness courses being offered literally every day of the week—and weekend—there are more than enough opportunities for those staying at the Royal Lahaina Resort to move their bodies. But to find that true sense of physical and mental harmony, that balance we all strive for, challenging yourself to learn new things is also vitally important. So it’s a good thing that the Royal Lahaina Resort has reached out to Hawaiian cultural experts and stewards of the land to teach guests invaluable lessons and courses on various aspects of Hawaiian culture.

            The Coconut Husking and Weaving workshop is your dream come true. Guests can learn how important the coconut was, and still is, to the Hawaiian community through a two-part class, with one hour being devoted to showing attendees how to husk a coconut and the second hour being used to teach what the husk can be weaved into. A staple resource for ancient Hawaiian communities, the coconut—or niu in the Hawaiian language—is absolutely worth learning about, as they were used in so many ways, from using the coconut fiber for ropes and fishing lines to creating musical instruments and fertilizer with the empty shells.

            The resort also offers hula lessons to guests, taught by experienced dancers. Rich in Hawaiian culture, hula is a fantastic way to learn more about Hawaiʻi, its stories and its values all the while engaging your body and mind. ʻUkulele lessons are available as well, which is a great way to get keiki (kids) involved as the small instrument perfectly suits their tiny hands. And who doesn’t like hearing the pleasant, musical strum of the ʻukulele?

            Starting before any of the other programs at 7:30 a.m., daily, a hiʻuwai cleansing ceremony precedes the day. A traditional Hawaiian cleansing ceremony, hiʻuwai comes from the water purification festivities that would occur on the second night of the month of Welehu in the times of ancient Hawaiʻi. Kanaka maoli (native Hawaiians) would bathe and frolic in a stream or in the sea before putting on their finest tapa (barkcloth) and ornaments for feasts and games. The ritual was seen as a cleansing, and the practice still thrives at the Royal Hawaiian Resort.

Royal Lahaina Luau, Myths of Maui

            For a truly immersive cultural experience, the Myths of Maui Luau showcases the traditional Polynesian lūʻau that the Royal Lahaina Resort began in the early 1970s, which puts the cultural and culinary spirit of the Islands on a grand display. Hosted on location at the resort, guests will receive a lei greeting, which is then followed by the unearthing of the pig and a bountiful Hawaiian feast—as well as a kids buffet. While sipping tropical drinks, you can enjoy live Hawaiian music and see the journey of Polynesians, from Aotearoa to Tahiti, Hawai‘i and Samoa.

            For more information on activities, or to book a reservation, visit the Royal Lahaina Resort’s website here, or call (808) 661-3611. Class schedules are subject to change. For most up-to-date schedule please visit Royal Lahaina Resort website.