Cultural Activities
Embrace Hawaiian culture and learn the stories and traditions of our island home with our immersive experiences and activities. Dance the hula or play the ʻukulele, master the techniques of traditional Hawaiian crafts, or take a tour of our resort with our in-house cultural ambassador and see how the history, culture, medicine, and traditions of Hawaiʻi are intertwined in every part of our resort.
Activities are planned on a weekly basis; class sizes are limited to guests with confirmed reservations. Please click on the link below, or view our weekly Activity Calendar for a preview of cultural activities occurring during your stay.
*Prior cultural activities may be listed below for an overview of our broad offerings; please check the Activity Calendar to preview which activities are available during your stay.
E Ala E
Greet the rising sun with a rousing e ala e chant on the sands of Wailea Beach and feel the mana (energy) of Maui flow through your body.
Cultural Experiences
Cultural Tour
Take a tour of our resort with our in-house Hawaiian Cultural Ambassador and see how the history, culture, medicine, and traditions of Hawaiʻi are intertwined in every part of our resort.
Tours take place every Wednesday.
Art Tour
Join Grand Wailea's in-house Art Curator for an exclusive Art Tour experience of one of the largest corporate art and sculpture collections in the United States. Learn about the resort's curated collection, from the history behind the art to works from renowned artists’ from around the world as well as a step-by-step exploration of our Art and Chocolate feature made with 100% organic cacao grown on property.
Tours take place every Tuesday.
Garden Tour
Tour our grounds and gardens with our head of landscaping and discover the bounty of our tropical plants and species throughout our 40-acre property. Sample some of the fruit right off the trees and experience our “resort farm-to-table” philosophy in action.
Tours take place every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.
Hele Wai Eco Reserve Tour
Explore Maui’s native forest and the private conservation lands of Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve through the eyes of a local guide during this two-mile hike, and discover a side of Hawaiʻi you’ve never seen before. This personalized tour gives you the unique chance to gain deeper insight into Maui’s native landscapes, local flora and fauna, and water conservation efforts—all while enjoying the island’s vivid natural beauty and stunning vistas.
Grand Lūʻau
Immerse yourself in authentic Hawaiian culture with our spectacular lūʻau featuring traditional ceremonies, music, and dishes such as poi, kālua pig, poke, and haupia.
Cultural Activities
Hū Kukui
Hū is an ancient Hawaiian game made from the kukui nut (Candlenut tree). Come and make your very own kukui spinning top.
Hula Lessons
Tap into the ancient rhythm of our island home as you learn about Maui’s history and traditions through the basic steps of hula.
Kukui Nut Bracelet
Make a bracelet from the kukui nut of the Hawaiʻi state tree (Candlenut tree).
Lauhala Bracelet Weaving
Though many parts of the Pandanus tree are utilized, the most common in Hawaiʻi are the leaves. We invite you to a basic introduction of weaving a bracelet.
Papa ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
We will share words, pronunciation, and history about the language through fun and interactive activities.
Pipipi Bracelet
Let us introduce you to one of the most commonly seen tiny black snail shells on the rocky shoreline of Wailea Beach. Come learn about this interesting shell as you craft yourself a keepsake bracelet.
Hawaiʻi Land Trust Volunteer Days
Give back and connect with nature through volunteer opportunities with Hawaiʻi Land Trust, a 501(c)3 non-profit and nationally accredited land trust that is dedicated to protecting fragile lands. Volunteer Days are hosted on Maui at the Waiheʻe Coastal Dunes & Wetland Refuge and Nuʻu Refuge.
Volunteer opportunities with HILT are available most Fridays from 8am - 12pm and every 3rd Saturday of the month from 8am - 11am. Visit HILT's Volunteer page for more info and to fill out a volunteer reservation date once your package has been booked. In the volunteer waiver, please enter "Grand Wailea MĀLAMA".