It’s been more than two decades since Kaʻiulani Blankenfeld began her career at Fairmont Orchid. A lifelong hula practitioner and teacher, Blankenfeld brings invaluable knowledge to her role as director of Hawaiian culture at the resort on the Kohala Coast on Hawaiʻi Island.
“I still pinch myself that it’s been 25 years that I’ve been here. It’s a really long time, but it doesn’t feel like it,” reflects Blankenfeld.
Blankenfeld joined Fairmont Orchid to be a part of the human resources team but eventually worked in multiple departments. “Part of my title always had ‘Hawaiian Culture’ in it because it’s always been important to the hotel that we had a strong cultural presence. That we’re authentic, that things are proper, and that we’re not doing anything in conflict with Hawaiian beliefs or culture,” she explains.
Since 2019, Blankenfeld has been able to devote her time and attention to Hawaiian culture, developing programming, hosting activities and representing the resort as a cultural liaison.
“My pilina (relationship) with this place is very deep, and anytime you build that kind of relationship, especially with place, you don’t want to leave. It’s been 25 years of developing relationships, 25 years of diving deeper into the history of this place, learning more so that we can share and teach more, as well as to mālama, to take care of this place,” Blankenfeld says. “So, I’m at a point where a big part of what I am focusing on is making sure that we continue to share this with others at a deep level because they need to become the new stewards of this place.”
Fairmont Orchid is well known for its cultural programming and commitment to education about Hawaiʻi, from māla (garden) to moana (ocean). It encourages guests to connect with the Islands’ heritage and natural environment through activities that range from lei making and ʻohe kāpala (bamboo stamping) to canoe adventures that teach ancient Hawaiian fishing techniques.
Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont Orchid
While Fairmont Orchid offers many amazing amenities on property, like incredible sunset views at Brown’s Beach House and luxurious treatments at the Spa Without Walls, Blankenfeld’s cultural programming is what I look forward to the most when I visit the resort. I’ve had the privilege of participating in a variety of programming taught by Blankenfeld.
Spending time with Blankenfeld not only affords me the opportunity to understand this extraordinary place that I’ve called home for ten years, but it has also given me a connection that I’ve missed in my life.
My mom passed away a few years ago, and spending time with Blankenfeld has given me a sense of connection I didn’t realize was missing. She embodies the natural warmth that comes with being a mom. And while her breadth of knowledge is vast, it’s that emotional connection that makes her such an amazing kumu (teacher). A warm smile and a welcoming gesture are the first things that guests receive when they walk into a Hawaiian culture lesson at Fairmont Orchid, and it’s what keeps us, her haumāna (students), coming back for more.
The first hula lesson I ever had was with Blankenfeld; my ‘ohana and I were spending Father’s Day weekend at Fairmont Orchid a few years ago, and we had the opportunity to take a class together. It was a fantastic introduction—laid back and low pressure—and I highly recommend the class to everyone. It also happens to be Blankenfeld’s favorite thing to teach.
“Hula’s been my big passion. I’ve been dancing, studying and practicing hula since I was five. And the privilege to teach now all these years is a thing that continues to fill me up,” Blankenfeld says. “I continue to learn as well. We will never stop learning so that we can grow and continue to inspire. Teaching hula, it’s never just about hula. The things that I’m so thankful for with my years in hula is all the life preparedness and grooming that came from being a part of an amazing hula school and hālau and really, you don’t really understand aloha and how we carry ourselves as Hawaiians.”
During the same visit, a friend and I got to explore the property’s culinary garden and learn more about canoe crops and other plants that are important to Hawaiʻi life and culture.
“I also really love our garden experiences. We teach about that whole concept of aloha ‘āina so that people understand our perspective as Polynesians, that we are the stewards of this earth. And if we’re not taking care of the land, if we’re not taking care of the ocean, it can no longer feed us, it can’t take care of us,” Blankenfeld explains.
Photo: Fairmont Orchid
Last fall, I had the privilege of learning more about cultures in the Pacific as Fairmont Orchid hosted a special dinner to kick off Makahiki season, a special time of rest and harvest across cultures in the Pacific. Here, Blankenfeld and chef Maika‘i Coelho collaborated to create a culinary and cultural journey that highlighted Pacific ingredients and cooking techniques.
While most of the resort’s special activities are reserved for guests (booked through the concierge), those not staying at the Fairmont Orchid can book a cultural activity or a beach activity through ResortPass. Options include Sip and Lei, a lei-making and mai tai-drinking experience, as well as the Kalahiki Canoe Experience hosted by Hui Holokai Beach Ambassadors. In addition to the land-based activities, Blankenfeld also works closely with the Beach Boys, as they’re lovingly nicknamed, to curate new activities and learning opportunities throughout the year. Activities include hula lessons, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi classes, ʻohe kāpala (bamboo stamping), lei-making workshops and cultural walks that explore the history of Kalahuipuaʻa.
As someone deeply rooted in ‘āina and culture, Blankenfeld is a great resource for recommendations that help visitors connect with Hawaiʻi Island.
For visitors looking to explore beyond the resort, she recommends Hawaiʻi’s national and historic sites. “We always suggest that guests visit our national park sites. They are sites that we have worked as a state to truly be able to not just protect, but to perpetuate. Pu‘ukoholā Heiau is just up the coast from us, and there’s so much history and power there. It’s a very authentic look into ancient Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian lifestyle. I also highly recommend Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.”
And on the property, she recommends guests try the Ginger Fizz at Hale Kai, the house-made ginger ale. “That’s my absolute favorite because I find it both refreshing and healing. If they ever get rid of it, I’ll be so sad. I also love our taco truck, as well as the food at Binchotan. Every time we eat there, the food just wows—simple ingredients that are elevated.”
“We’ve also got some of the best snorkeling on the island in front of our hotel. In the bay they’re going to find huge coral heads, a very healthy reef and more fish species than they’re going to see anywhere in Kona.”
Blankenfeld says there is so much to be in awe of at Fairmont Orchid and its surrounding area: “I think the biggest blessing is really this location at Kalahuipua‘a because we have such an amazing location. I mean, right from here at this property, you know, you look around and you can see Kohala Mountain, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualālai and Haleakalā over on Maui, right? And from sunrise to sunset, everything that happens here is, it’s like the world is like right here. Sunrise over the mountain and sunsets there on the horizon.”
She adds, “It’s a pretty amazing place that we live. It’s just my favorite thing, this place. It’s hard to explain, but I love and will be a steward of this place as long as I can.”
Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku is a contributor to HAWAIʻI Magazine.
