A Gentleman’s Recharge at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
In an interview with master barber Johnny Mangrubang and lead therapist Bronson Salazar of the Naupaka Spa & Wellness Centre at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina in Hawaii, we dug into the ultimate relax and recharge itinerary for the traveling man ready to unplug, disconnect, and renew.
How would you describe the Ali‘i (Royal) Shave at the Barbershop and what makes this treatment so unique?
Mangrubang: The Ali’i Royal Shave is a signature service for men and honors the royal chief known as Kamehameha the Great who established the Kingdom of Hawai’i. A luxurious combination of shave and facial, It includes the ultimate precision straight razor hot lather shave combined with a thorough deep cleansing, exfoliation and moisturizing treatment. As the Salon’s master barber, I deliver a distinctive service that unites classic barbering traditions in an upscale modern men’s grooming lounge tucked into the Resort’s 35,000 square foot Naupaka Spa & Wellness Centre. The surf inspired barbershop is a true gentlemen’s haven where the sartorial experience is elevated by the serving of craft beer in a 30 minute recharge. A little more time will yield a gentlemen’s cut and style that includes a shampoo and conditioning treatment, or a head shave with hot towel cleanse and moisturizer.
What other services might you recommend?
Mangrubang: Head upstairs to the 5th floor for a more transformational styling experience. As a devoted practitioner of feng shui—the Chinese philosophy of harmonising oneself with one’s surrounding—international and celebrity stylist Billy Yamaguchi is personally on site every 4 weeks. At the heart of this service is Yamaguchi’s ingenious adaption of the long-held traditional principles of this ancient art, and he was the first to apply feng shui’s ideas to modern Salon techniques.
Tell me a little bit about the Nō Ka ‘Oi Hawaiian healing therapy. What are the different stages of the treatment and the key ingredients being used?
Salazar: Nō ka ‘Oi translates from Hawaiian to English as “the best”, and it is Naupaka Spa’s 110 minute Hawaiian healing journey performed in three parts. The service begins with an exfoliation, followed by a hydrating body wrap that includes a tropical hair and scalp treatment, finishing with a full body lomi lomi massage—Hawaii’s very own healing practice. The treatment is performed using our Ola product line from the Big Island, in Hilo. Ola products harness the healing properties of Hawaiian plants, oils, and roots.
At the beginning of the service, the feet are cleansed with a sweetly fragrant passion fruit cleanser. Next is the process of exfoliation, where we apply a sugar-based scrub blended with kukui, macadamia, and coconut oils to polish the top layer of skin, removing any dead and dry skin cells, and stimulating new skin growth, leaving the body with a silky touch and glow. The body is then cleansed of excess polish with a series of warm compresses. Following the exfoliation we apply an aloe-coconut cream and ‘cocoon’ the body to nourish and hydrate the freshly polished skin. During this ‘cocooning’ a warmed concoction of tropical oils is drizzled and massaged into the hair and scalp.
As the culmination of the journey is a 50 minute Hawaiian lomi lomi massage, which is spiritual, nurturing and loving at its core. The massage is performed using a choice of lilikoi oil, rich with natural fruit sugars to further hydrate the skin, or a lemon grass and ginger oil to re-energize the body and mind. This treatment is a definite must try if you are seeking rest, rejuvenation, and relaxation. It is also well paired with our Samadara Facial.
