ThirdHome Curated the Perfect Vacation for Our Family ❤️

Some journeys leave you fundamentally changed. Our stay at Mauna Lani — made possible through the extraordinary gift of Third Home — was precisely that kind of journey. A week spent between ancient lava fields and the turquoise Pacific, learning the rhythms of the Big Island, its people, and its wild, humbling beauty.

This is our love letter to that week — to the friends made, the waves ridden, the fires lit, the mantas that glided silently beneath us at dusk. And above all, to Third Home, without whose inspired vision none of it would have been possible.

Mahalo nui loa, Third Home

Nestled within the iconic Mauna Lani Resort on the Kohala Coast, our Third Home property was a masterclass in Hawaiian luxury living. Floor-to-ceiling glass framed the Pacific horizon at every turn. The gentle scent of plumeria drifted through open lanais. The resort’s signature blend of modern elegance and deep Hawaiian cultural pride was everywhere —from the restored fishponds at our doorstep to the ancient petroglyph fields just steps away.

One unforgettable evening, the resort hosted a traditional fire-lighting ceremony on the beach — a deeply moving ritual that traces its roots to the earliest Polynesian settlers of the island. Standing barefoot on warm volcanic sand as the flames rose against a violet sky, we understood something profound about this land and its people.

“The home wasn’t a backdrop to our adventure — it was the adventure itself.”

The Kohala Beach Buggy golf cart became our chariot — a delightful way to explore the sun-drenched paths of the resort, hop between coves, and arrive at the beach with everything we needed in tow. Pure, unhurried island living. ( Kohala Beach Buggy: (808) 315-6060)

Few things connect you to a place like learning to read its waves alongside the people who grew up on them. We paddled out into the warm Pacific with local surfers who had been riding these breaks since childhood — generous, patient, and deeply proud of their ocean. The Big Island’s surf scene is unlike any other in Hawaii. Less crowded, more authentic, more raw. The waves here demand respect and reward it. Under the guidance of our local guides, we found our footing on the board and, more importantly, our footing in this extraordinary place.

Just up the coast, Mauna Kea Beach is arguably the most beautiful stretch of sand on the entire island. We arrived in the late a!ernoon to watch the sun descend toward Maui on the horizon — a slow, golden spectacle that turned the sky every shade of amber, rose, and deep violet.

And then, as dusk gave way to dark, came the mantas. The manta ray experience at Mauna Kea is one of the genuine wonders of the natural world. These ancient, graceful creatures — wingspans wider than a person is tall — circle in great sweeping arcs just beneath the surface, drawn by plankton and light. To float above them in warm water, watching their silent ballet in the darkness, is to feel the full, humbling mystery of the ocean.

“In the darkness, the mantas moved like living shadows beneath us — silent, vast, utterly unhurried”

CanoeHouse

A U B E R G E  C O L L E C T I O N · M AU N A L A N I

The pinnacle of Kohala Coast dining. Oceanfront, Japanese-inspired, built on locally sourced ingredients and breathtaking views. The premier evening experience on the island.

Napua Resturant

BEACH CLUB · FAMILY-OWNED

Upscale Hawaiian cuisine with a warm, family-run soul. Fresh, locally sourced, with a front-row seat to the Pacific. The kind of meal that reminds you food is always better by the ocean.

Lava Lava Beach Club

WA I K O L O A · C A S U A L B E A C H F R ONT

Toes in the sand, cold drink in hand, live music dri!ing across the water. Lava Lava is pure joy — the perfect casual evening a!er a day of adventure.

Merriman’s

UPCOUNTRY · CHEF PETER MERRIMAN

Twenty minutes away in the upcountry, Chef Merriman’s flagship is a pilgrimage worth making. Over 90% of the menu is locally and sustainably grown or caught — Hawaii’s farm-to-table pioneer.

Tommy Bahama

THE SHOPS AT MAUNA LANI

An upbeat, cocktail-forward a!ernoon stop with regional cuisine and a lively atmosphere. Perfect for a lazy lunch or sundowner between adventures.

GOOD TO KNOW — OUR NOTES FOR FUTURE GUESTS

Kohala Beach Buggy — Book early. Your golf cart is non-negotiable. (808) 315-6060

Pool Safety — Baby gate available for pool. Contact: (808) 226-1775 — a thoughtful touch for families traveling with little ones.

Manta Rays — The evening manta experience at Mauna Kea Beach is a must. Book a guided excursion for the full experience.

Surfing — Ask locals. The Big Island’s surf scene rewards those willing to explore beyond the obvious breaks.

Until the Next Aloha

We are endlessly grateful to Third Home for making this extraordinary experience possible. Homes like this exist to be lived in fully, and we did exactly that.

Mahalo, Third Home. We’ll be back