On the foothills of a valley in Ahu Pohaku Ho‘omaluhia on the island of Hawai‘i, nearly two miles down from the nearest cafe, sits a cluster of sacred stones. Folklore has it that Kamehameha the Great, the conqueror and first ruler of Hawaii, was a frequent visitor, conducting council meetings at the stones.
These aren’t just any old rocks, the council meetings not just any old chinwag. These stones are believed to hold mystical powers, a connection between the people, the land and the ancestral spirits that protect the islands’ rich culture.
For Jeanne Sunderland, the stones provide more than a peaceful spot for meditation. They embody what is special about her Hawaii Island Retreat. “They have such life force,” she says. “It’s an important part of being here and feeling the land.”
Part healer, part hotelier, Sunderland built the oceanfront ecolodge with her family. The retreat, now on the market for US $19.95 million, offers a chance to own 14.5 acres on the tightly held Big Island coastline.
Origin story
Much like the land it resides on, the origin of the Hawaii Island Retreat is storied. It dates back to the 1980s, when Sunderland was tapped as spa director at what was then the Ritz-Carlton. There were 540 hotel rooms, but only three massage beds.
Without proper space indoors, she looked to take the enterprise outside. There, the sounds of crashing waves and the startling red fuchsia and other local flora immediately fed the senses – as did the traditional lomi lomi massage.
And so the now popular concept of “Spa Without Walls” was born. “It was created out of necessity,” Jeanne Sutherland recalls, “but I was also amazed that it had never happened before.”.
After seeing the impact the spa had on its guests – with its holistic healing treatments and afternoon tai chi – inspiration struck.
“I thought about what a difference it could make if people came with the idea of awakening themselves, to change their lives,” she says. “That was the impetus for starting the Hawaii Island Retreat. I came home to my husband and I said ‘Robert, we should build a retreat.’” So they did.
She, a healer and spa connoisseur. He, a physician with a passion for plants, landscaping and herbal remedies. Add an engineer-turned-contractor son, and you’ve got a perfect family picture of the hoteliers they became.
Sustainable tourism
The boutique lodge, now for sale, includes eight guest rooms, three oceanfront suites and five yurts. Recently approved plans have paved the way for a new owner to expand to 36 rooms, if desired. Currently, a bulk of the hotel’s revenue stems from corporate workshops and retreats.
A typical day for guests begins with an hour of vinyasa yoga, followed by an organic breakfast prepared by the chef using locally sourced herbs and produce. Expect similar delicious meals and meditation throughout the day. As the sun sets, several oceanfront trails offer plenty of spots for a leisurely evening stroll along the coastline. If you’re lucky, you could spot a whale out there in the distance.
With its solar panels, organic gardens and chemical-free saltwater infinity pool, Hawaii Island Retreat has always prioritized sustainable tourism. Long before it was cool. Earlier this summer, Hawaii’s governor signed a new bill into law aimed at enhancing regenerative tourism in the state. Beth Robinson, whose brokerage Hawai’i Life is representing the sellers, said the listing comes at an opportune time when Hawaii officials are strongly promoting tourism that safeguards the natural environment.
