What would a visit to Sands of Kahana be without a hula lesson or a nature walk? Your home resort has an abundance of interesting activities and a great team to help you enjoy them to the fullest.
Leona Nahooikaika leads activities fulltime at Sands and four of our sister properties, Kahana Beach, Hono Koa, The Gardens at West Maui and Maui Beach. Leono, or Ona as she’s known, is a newcomer to the company. She was hired two months ago and loves her job. Ona, a Hawaii native who was born and raised on Oahu, enjoys interacting with guests and imparting interest facts about her native land. We are lucky and happy to have her!
Bill Sayles, better known as Captain Billy Bones from his days running a chartered sailing company, is a familiar face at the resort. He joined the company in 2003 as an activities agent and worked fulltime until 2010, when he slipped blissfully into semiretirement.
He still roves among Sands and our various Maui sister properties three days a week, captivating audiences with his congenial personality and ever-present ukulele. On any given day you can find Bill leading a nature walk, presiding over an orchid lei making class, heading up a hula class, enlivening a barbecue, overseeing an ice cream social or teaching the ukulele, which he also incorporates into his hula class and plays at the barbecue.
“I love hanging out with these folks,” he says, referring to the owners, their families and guests who participate in the resort activities he leads. “I think of my job as an opportunity to make happy people happier. Everybody’s in a good mood. I hang out with happy people every day.”
Misty Watanabe joined Sands in 2006 as a front desk agent. In 2009 she accepted the same position at Kahana Villa, our sister resort, before returning to Sands this year as a part-time activity coordinator. We are delighted to have her back! In a short time Maui native Misty has distinguished herself as a natural for the job. An enthusiastic and engaging personality makes her ideally suited to lead our activities at Sands, Kahana Beach and Hono Koa. Thank you, Misty!
As you can see, our activities coordinators are committed to helping you make wonderful vacation memories during your time with us. Activities are Monday through Friday. Please check with the front desk for times and locations.