It was an overcast day in January as I trotted along Hana Bay in Maui. My companion for the afternoon was Andrew, an expert waterman who has been fishing these waters for more than 30 years using a throw net, a handmade contraption with an intricate interweaving of strands. It’s an age-old tradition that has been passed along for hundreds of years.
Lucky for me, my hotel, the Travaasa Hana, an all-inclusive resort on the eastern side of Maui, has a program that gives guests the chance to try their hand at it. First, Andrew showed me how to “load” the net, which is tricky in itself. Basically, you hold it in three parts to allow the net to open at a wide angle. This involves looping part of the net over your shoulder, lunging and placing another part of the net over your leg — all very awkward for the newbie. (SEE THE VIDEO BELOW)
Wading into the water, Andrew coached me, “It’s just like throwing a frisbee.” As the whitewater rushed toward me, I slung the net as far as my toothpick arms could manage. And, Voila! it sank to the bottom quickly.
It’s a method that requires patience and skill, no doubt, but often lands groups of 20 to 50 fish at a time. In fact, it’s not unusual to track a school of fish for 30 minutes before making the decision to skillfully toss the net. It also requires stealth. The fish will surely scurry away if they see the net coming.
As Andrew scooped up the net, my hopes were high, but the net was empty. No problem, though, I still got what I was looking for: the chance to connect with a local Hawaiian and learn to love the ecosystem in a whole new way.
“Hana lends itself to really interesting experiences,” says Mark Stebbings, Travaasa Hana’s general manager. “It’s priceless Hawaii; one of the things we try to do here is keep it real.”
That’s exactly what I love about this resort; the experiences all felt authentic. I had the chance to take ukelele lessons from a local, learn to properly husk a coconut, relax at a yoga session, take a guided bike ride and generally learn about the daily lifestyle. There was plenty to do. And when I wanted to retreat, my sprawling sea-ranch cottage was perfectly secluded.
If you go:
5031 Hana Hwy
Hana, HI 96713
855-868-7282
www.travaasa.com/hana
www.facebook.com/Travaasa
@travaasa (Note: During the holidays, Travaasa is hosting #HolidayProblems, a collective resource of tips and tricks designed to celebrate healthy living. Check it out for workout ideas and recipes from their fitness experts.)