Meet Beloved Ka‘iulani Blankenfeld of Fairmont Orchid on Hawaiʻi Island
Our take
The story of Kaʻiulani Blankenfeld at Fairmont Orchid resonates deeply with the spirit of Hanalei Bay Country Club – a commitment to weaving authentic cultural experiences into the fabric of luxury hospitality. It’s more than just a job description; it’s a testament to the power of long-term dedication and the profound value of integrating local heritage into the guest experience. Her journey, spanning 25 years with the resort and culminating in her role as Director of Hawaiian Culture, highlights a shift within the hospitality industry towards a more meaningful and respectful engagement with the places we visit. This move away from purely transactional tourism aligns perfectly with our own ethos of discovery and connection. It’s a welcome counterpoint to the sometimes-superficial cultural offerings found elsewhere, demonstrating a genuine desire to share the richness of Hawaiian traditions, as explored in our piece on The Most Underrated Hawaiian Island, where we discuss the importance of venturing beyond the typical tourist trail to find authentic experiences.
Blankenfeld’s background as a lifelong *hula* practitioner and teacher is particularly significant. Hula is far more than just a dance; it’s a living oral tradition, a repository of Hawaiian history, genealogy, and spiritual beliefs. Having someone with such deep roots – and a commitment to its preservation and sharing – at the helm of cultural programming elevates the entire experience for guests. It transforms what could be a staged performance into a genuine glimpse into the heart of Hawaiian culture. This level of authenticity is increasingly sought after by discerning travelers who are tired of manufactured experiences. It also speaks to a broader movement within Hawai'i towards responsible tourism, acknowledging the importance of protecting and honoring the islands’ traditions and resources. The challenges of waste management, even seemingly mundane ones like those highlighted in Kapa‘a Refuse Transfer Station now accepting loose mixed waste, underscore the need for a holistic approach to sustainability and respect for the environment, which are intrinsically linked to cultural preservation.
What makes Blankenfeld’s story particularly compelling is her gradual ascent within the resort, moving through various departments before finally embracing her true calling. This highlights the value of internal promotion and recognizing the diverse skill sets within an organization. It's a rejection of the notion that cultural expertise must come from outside, affirming that genuine understanding often blossoms from a deep familiarity with the place and its people. Her long tenure allows her to build relationships and foster a sense of *ohana* – family – within the resort and the surrounding community, further enriching the cultural programming. This dedication to building relationships is a cornerstone of the elevated island lifestyle we champion, moving beyond surface-level interactions to forge genuine connections with the local culture. The sheer determination it takes to maintain a lockdown, as detailed in So… how did this guy escape?, speaks to the resilience and close-knit nature of Hawaiian communities.
Ultimately, Kaʻiulani Blankenfeld’s story is a microcosm of a larger trend: the growing recognition that luxury hospitality isn't just about opulent amenities and stunning views; it’s about creating meaningful connections with the place and its people. It's about offering guests a chance to truly *experience* the spirit of Hawaiʻi, beyond the postcard clichés. Her dedication to preserving and sharing Hawaiian culture at Fairmont Orchid sets a powerful example for other resorts and destinations seeking to provide authentic and enriching experiences. The question now is: how can more resorts actively cultivate and empower individuals like Blankenfeld, recognizing that the true luxury lies in the authenticity and depth of the cultural connections they foster?
It’s been more than two decades since Kaʻiulani Blankenfeld began her career at Fairmont Orchid. A lifelong hula practitioner and teacher, Blankenfeld brings invaluable knowledge to her role as director of Hawaiian culture at the resort on the Kohala Coast on Hawaiʻi Island, a job she’s filled since 2019.
Blankenfeld joined Fairmont Orchid 25 years ago as a part of its human resources team and has worked in multiple departments since then. “Part of my title always had ‘Hawaiian Culture’ in it because it’s always been important to the hotel that we had a strong cultural presence, that we’re authentic, that things are proper, and that we’re not doing anything in conflict with Hawaiian beliefs or culture,” she explains.
“I still pinch myself that it’s been 25 years that I’ve been here. It’s a really long time, but it doesn’t feel like it,” says Blankenfeld.
“My pilina (relationship) with this place is very deep, and anytime you build that kind of relationship, especially with place, you don’t want to leave. It’s been 25 years of developing relationships, 25 years of diving deeper into the history of this place, learning more so that we can share and teach more, as well as to mālama, to take care of this place,” Blankenfeld says. “So, I’m at a point where a big part of what I am focusing on is making sure that we continue to share this with others at a deep level because they need to become the new stewards of this place.”
Fairmont Orchid is well known for its cultural programming and commitment to educating visitors about Hawaiʻi, from māla (garden) to moana (ocean). It encourages guests to connect with the Islands’ heritage and natural environment through activities lei making, ʻohe kāpala (bamboo stamping), and outrigger canoe adventures that offer insights into ancient Hawaiian fishing techniques.
Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont Orchid
While Fairmont Orchid offers incredible sunset views, luxurious treatments at the Spa Without Walls and more, it’s Blankenfeld’s cultural programming that I look forward to most when I visit the resort.
I’ve had the privilege of participating in a variety of Blankenfeld’s programs, and spending time with her helps me to better understand—and connect to—this extraordinary place that I’ve called home for 10 years.
That connection is something I didn’t know I needed until my mom passed away a few years ago. For me, Blankenfeld embodies the natural warmth that comes with being a mother, and while her breadth of knowledge is vast, it’s her emotional connections with people that make her such an amazing kumu (teacher). A warm smile and a welcoming gesture are the first things that guests receive when they walk into a Hawaiian culture lesson at Fairmont Orchid, and it’s what keeps us, her haumāna (students), coming back for more.
The first hula lesson I ever had was with Blankenfeld; my ‘ohana and I were spending Father’s Day weekend at Fairmont Orchid a few years ago and we had the opportunity to take a class together. It was a fantastic introduction—laid-back and low pressure—and I highly recommend the class to everyone. It also happens to be Blankenfeld’s favorite thing to teach.
“Hula’s been my big passion. I’ve been dancing, studying and practicing hula since I was 5, and the privilege to teach now, all these years, is a thing that continues to fill me up,” Blankenfeld says. “I continue to learn as well. We will never stop learning so that we can grow and continue to inspire. … The things that I’m so thankful for with my years in hula is all the life preparedness and grooming that comes from being a part of an amazing hula school and hālau.” Teaching hula, she continues, is “never just about hula. … Without hula, you don’t really understand aloha and how we carry ourselves as Hawaiians.”
During the same visit, a friend and I got to explore the property’s culinary garden to learn more about canoe crops and other plants important to Hawaiʻi life and culture.
“I also really love our garden experiences. We teach about that whole concept of aloha ‘āina so that people understand our perspective as Polynesians, that we are the stewards of this earth. And if we’re not taking care of the land, if we’re not taking care of the ocean, it can no longer feed us, it can’t take care of us,” Blankenfeld explains.
Photo: Fairmont Orchid
Last fall, the Fairmont Orchid hosted a special dinner to kick off Makahiki season, a special time of rest and harvest across cultures in the Pacific. For the event, Blankenfeld and chef Maika‘i Coelho collaborated to create a culinary and cultural journey that highlighted Pacific ingredients and cooking techniques.
While most of the resort’s special activities are reserved for guests (booked through the concierge), some cultural and beach activities are open to people not staying at the Fairmont Orchid, through ResortPass. Options include Sip and Lei, a lei-making and mai tai-drinking experience, as well as the Kalahiki Canoe Experience hosted by Hui Holokai Beach Ambassadors. Blankenfeld works closely with the ambassadors, aka the Beach Boys, to curate new activities and learning opportunities throughout the year. Activities include hula lessons, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi classes and cultural walks that explore the history of Kalahuipuaʻa.
As someone deeply rooted in ‘āina and culture, Blankenfeld is a great resource for visitors looking to connect with Hawaiʻi Island.
For folks who want to explore beyond the resort, she recommends Hawaiʻi’s national and historic sites. “We always suggest that guests visit our national park sites,” including Pu‘ukoholā Heiau just up the coast. “There’s so much history and power there,” she says. “It’s a very authentic look into ancient Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian lifestyle. I also highly recommend Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.”
And on the property, she recommends guests visit Hale Kai for a Ginger Fizz, the resort’s housemade ginger ale. “That’s my absolute favorite because I find it both refreshing and healing. If they ever get rid of it, I’ll be so sad. I also love our taco truck, as well as the food at Binchotan. Every time we eat there, the food just wows!”
“We’ve also got some of the best snorkeling on the island in front of our hotel.” In the bay, she says, visitors will find huge coral heads, a healthy reef “and more fish species than they’re going to see anywhere in Kona.”
Blankenfeld says there is so much to be in awe of at Fairmont Orchid and its surrounding area: “I think the biggest blessing is really this location at Kalahuipua‘a. … I mean, right from here at this property, you know, you look around and you can see Kohala Mountain, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa , Hualālai and Haleakalā over on Maui, right?”
She adds, “It’s a pretty amazing place that we live. It’s just my favorite thing. … It’s hard to explain, but I love and will be a steward of this place as long as I can.”
Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku is a contributor to HAWAIʻI Magazine.
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