“In terms of the design of Montage Kapalua Bay, the original architects here in Honolulu drew from their understanding of Hawaiian culture,” says designer Michael Crosby, principal at Dallas-based Wilson Associates, which handled the redesign to the former Ritz-Carlton Residences on northwestern Maui. The first phase of the revamp is to the property’s main building—housing the lobby, restaurant, and bar. “They created a story, which we tied into.”
Ahupua’a was the overriding phrase used throughout the redesign. “It represents a hierarchy and references respect of the islands and stewardship of the land,” Crosby explains. Ahupua’a refers to a strip of land that starts at the top of the island and goes down to the sea, connecting the mountains to the fishing villages in a circle-of-life concept. “Everything is strongly connected in the resort,” he adds. “These references layer into the design in order to create a timeless environment.”
Because the foundation for a luxury property was already established, the design team looked to translate it into a destination resort. “For them to really operate effectively, they needed to have a three-meal restaurant,” says Crosby. The space allocated for the restaurant used to be an open-air lounge, while the bar previously held the owner’s lounge.
Amid the cream palette of the bar, polished wood floors and column cases create a tropical residential feel. A Hawaiian tray ceiling, typical of grand coastal homes in the islands, adds a subtle traditional detail. A selection of different furniture pieces, including a carved pool table, and a local art collection, give the space an eclectic feel. “It’s the energy for the bar that really supports the restaurant itself,” Crosby says.
The restaurant, Cane and Canoe, “became more of a destination,” he explains. “The restaurant is the heart of resort, representing the seaside village where everyone would gather to feast on harvest from the land and the sea.” The enormously tall, signature roof structure contains a woven trellis that echoes a ceremonial canoe or fishing boat, a miniature version of which reappears in the private dining booths.
“When you have a strong connection to the outside, and you’re creating a private dining environment, you don’t want to create something behind closed doors,” Crosby says. Set in the form of a pavilion, the private booths are divided by decorative screens that help direct guests through to the restaurant’s main area.
For the restaurant’s general seating, the open-air atmosphere is enhanced with a neutral background accented by the colors of Maui flowers—the bird of paradise and the orchid. “It’s not crazy, bright Hawaiian,” he explains. “It’s more of a timeless Hawaiian environment because of the details.”
The first phase of the redesign “really does take your breath away,” Crosby says. “It’s a completely different feel to any other Montage resort and it really is classic Hawaiian.”
