Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Adds Blacksmithing To Its Incredible List Of Experiences

For some travelers, a Hawaiian vacation begins and ends with beaches, beaches, and more beaches. But for those who have been visiting the Aloha State for many years, and even decades, it's always more about experiencing the unparalleled adventures and learning about the history and culture—you know, in between trips to the beaches. And if there's a property that goes above and beyond in promoting and planning such experiences, it's Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

If the brand-new Kuma Kai Marine Center isn't all the proof you need, then consider the latest addition to this stellar resort's blockbuster list of fantastically conceived experiences that, at bare minimum, qualify as magnificent. So many resorts offer cooking classes that incorporate beloved regional cuisine and even creative recipes, but how many allow the guest to first craft his own chef's knife? Just one, as far as we know.

This Four Seasons property has enlisted Hawaii Island-born master blacksmith Neil Kamimura for a private session in which he will pass along the same gifts he learned from his father and grandfather. The uber-talented third generation knife maker will welcome guests to his shop, located at an old coffee farm on Hualalai Mountain, for a day of learning, dining, and eventually forging not just a one-of-a-kind chef's knife and the ultimate vacation souvenir, but a piece of art that will never be topped by any vacation experience anywhere else in the world. (Hyperbole aside, this whole thing just sounds amazing.)

In between a consultation and the forging of the knife, Kamimura's wife, a gourmet chef, will make a bento lunch from local ingredients, which is fitting for the knife's basic purpose. Once the knife has been forged, pounded, and completed with a custom handle, guests will return to the resort and use it in a skills class with one of the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai chefs. It goes without saying dinner back home will never be the same again.

The blacksmith experience is merely the latest offering in the "Only at Hualalai" campaign that is unprecedented in terms of originality and downright awesomeness. Similarly, the Hualalai Golf Hale Retreat invites guests to completely overhaul their games with the help of the on-site professionals and state of the art simulator technologies (not to mention playing on one of the most amazing Jack Nicklaus courses in the world). Spa lovers will want nothing more than the 'Iliahi escape, while athletes can push themselves to the limits with the Dave Scott Triathlon Experience, which is only offered twice this year (the first session has already passed, so act fast).

Of course, if all you want is a phenomenal day at the beach, we won't judge. You just won't get an incredibly cool knife to bring home.