The Whaler, located in the Ka'anapali resort area of West Maui, is perhaps the quintessential Hawaiian condominium. Built in 1976 it retains a vintage modern architecture while at the same time being completely modern inside and out. In ancient times, the village of Keka'a was located here with royal kano (taro) farms and important religious sites nearby. From the 1890s to 1918, the bustling Koko O Nä Moku Race Track stretched across the area. Today, The Whaler features expansive lawns and gardens bordered by low lava rock walls with many classic tropical flowers, impressive diverse palms, and brighly themed containers. A large koi pond, often missed by beach path walkers, anchors the central lawn. The phrase that comes to mind in considering what aspects of the management are reflected in the gardens is 'time-honored'. Many of The Whaler's condo owners have been around since the 70s so even though many owners and renters only visit once or a few times a year, one gets the sense of coming back home when walking the grounds. This feeling is complimented further by the staff who always have a 'its good to see you again' air about them, something you can never quite get if your staying at a hotel.
