World famous Hilton Waikoloa art creates intriguing walk-through museum in resort
- Christene Meyers
- Feb 17, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 20
MAGIC OF PACIFIC OCEAN LIFE INSPIRES UNIQUE HOTEL ART COLLECTION
STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER
A RESORT WITH its own museum.
That's an apt description of Hilton Waikoloa Village, where a unique art collection awaits.
We found the 1,800 pieces of the hotel's "Museum Walkway" so enticing that we spent an hour of each of our days there discovering and appreciating it.
Like many of our readers, we're museum aficionados, true devotees, having toured many of the world's great art houses -- from Russia's Hermitage to New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Madrid's Prado, London's National Gallery, the Louvre in Paris, Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, and more.
But even in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Singapore, we had never experienced such an immersive look at Asian, Western and Oceanic cultures. While the emphasis is on Asia and the Pacific, there's a nod to classical European art in bronzes, sculpture and elegant fountains.
We've not seen a more artful and beautifully displayed collection anywhere in our travels.
IT HELPS TO have a background of palm trees, waterfalls, orchids, perfectly manicured hedges, ponds and pretty buildings. All that and more form an enhancing backdrop for this splendid collection.
We discovered this eye-popping art bonanza during a brief visit a few years ago and vowed to return to give it more
time. The collection includes more than 1,800 unique pieces with emphasis on celebrating the cultural heritage of the Pacific Island life. In so doing, it encourages an appreciation of all the world's great art, helping tourists gain specific insight into life in the islands whose people and culture settled in Hawaii.
Like great museums, the pieces are thoughtfully placed in separate areas. Four divisions are skillfully woven together so that one gets a cohesive experience.
THE "MUSEUM WALKWAY'' demands a good three or four hours to enjoy it all. We divided our "tour" over several days. We spent an hour with the Oceanic Art, which features art and artifacts from the Oceanic Region: Polynesia and Melanesia. It was right out the door of our Makai Tower, beginning near a modern train that navigates the resort from the main lobby. We also enjoy stays at Palace and Ocean Towers, all with art to admire.
The Asian and Southeast Asian Art tour covers works from China, Thailand, Burma and Indonesia, plus a variety of Hawaiian galleries. Again, we spent nearly an hour beginning at the lobby and walking toward Palace Tower, another building in the center of the 62-acre resort. Located as it is on the renowned Kohala Coast, this gorgeous playground -- Hilton Waikoloa Village -- is more an elegant theme park than a hotel.
EAST MEETS West in another portion of the exhibition with art from Asia, Japan, Polynesia and Europe. Again, 45 minutes to an hour to fully appreciate the collection between Palace Tower and Ocean Tower.
Finally, the "Side Trips" tour includes artwork found along the Ocean Walkway along such stopping places as Buddha Point. A grand staircase and entrances to the resorts restaurants are also tastefully accented with artwork -- bronzes, paintings, sculpture, wall hangings, musical instruments, oars, clothing.
EVERYTHING in the Makai Tower, the tower with prime beachfront, is designed to incorporate the elements of island life. Dark lava rock tile
floors, cheery coral bathroom counters, with wall paper to mimic tapa -- the delicately designed Hawaiian paper bark cloth.
The showpiece of all the hotels within the complex is Makai Tower. Here Polynesian heritage and Hawaiian life are artfully honored. We in turn were honored to be part of this magnificent art -- if only for a few treasured days.
UP NEXT: If you've not experienced the
wonders of the "Big Island," as the island of Hawaii is known, you're in for a treat. We'll take you there to view two of the world's most active volcanoes. You'll soon see why tourists, scientists and students have been making it a research, holiday and vacation stop for decades. Both Kilauea and Mauna Loa are located on the island, largest in the Hawaiian chain, thus its moniker. Both volcanoes are on the Big Island and well worth investigating. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh look at nature, family, travel, the arts and more:
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