Doreen Nagano holds up an 18-by-24 inch stained glass window panel she calls The Tropical Garden. Sunlight ignites the oranges, greens, reds and yellows of the heliconias, birds of paradise, and ti leaves in the lush, lovely vignette. It took a month for the self-taught artist to create the piece from 203 pieces of hand-cut glass. So fine is her craftsmanship, it mirrors the magnificence of nature.

Kobe beef is to meat lovers what Dom Perignon is to those who appreciate fine spirits: the ultimate pleasure for the palate. Rich, velvety and succulent (some gourmets compare it to foie gras), it is, not surprisingly, high in caloric content. A 12-ounce Kobe beefsteak reportedly contains 674 calories from fat alone, but the good news is that fat from Kobe beef contains a higher percentage of health-promoting Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids than you’d normally find in beef.

Timeless, Traditional Island Massage Therapies
Blend With Beauty And Contemporary Comforts
At The Four Seasons Resort Maui At Wailea

In a place where even the most relaxing hotels can seem stressed over efforts to modernize with WIFI, hi-speed, iPod docks and flat screen TVs, it’s refreshing to see one resort indulge in the simpler side of guest amenities. That’s exactly what the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea did recently, just months after its own major makeover when they quietly rolled out a trio of hand-made, open-air, thatched-roof massage huts known locally as “Hale Hau.” In the process they’ve shown how to balance high-tech upgrades with low-tech authenticity, all while breathing new life into ancient Hawaiian practices.