Kekoa Cazimero and the Four Seasons Oahu Just Launched a New Half-Day Surf Experience at Wai Kai

If the higher end of the budget spectrum is on the table, I'll throw out a recommendation. I had the privilege of staying at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina for a night in early March, just before the storms hit, and the place lived up to every bit of the reputation. Tucked away on the west side of the island, far from the busy streets of Waikiki, Ko Olina is the kind of place that gives you a different kind of set up. Quiet beaches. Sunsets that don't disappoint. A property with endless options for all sorts of interests and that knows how to execute across the board.

The Four Seasons is, of course, a luxury proposition — let's call it what it is. Not everyone is going to drop the cash for a stay here, and that's fine. But for those who can, the resort is currently offering a Fourth Night Free deal, and they've just launched something that may beckon certain readers: the Nalu Surf Experience with Kekoa Cazimero. Surfing in Hawaii is intimidating, especially for beginners, what Kekoa's offering is a way to start slow and get the hang of standing sideways in a controlled environment before hitting beach.

Kekoa is a professional surfer and Native Hawaiian waterman whose connection to the ocean runs as deep as the island itself. "Growing up here in Hawaii has been nothing short of a blessing," he says. "The ocean has given me everything that I hold near and dear to my heart. It has provided a platform for me to do amazing things for my community and my Ohana, which mean everything to me. To now have the opportunity to share that feeling of Aloha with our guests is something I am truly excited and grateful for."

The half-day experience pairs guests with Kekoa for a private surf session at Wai Kai — Hawaii's first and only standing wave, and the largest of its kind in the world. The 100-foot-wide wave is programmable, which means it can adapt to whatever level you're at, whether you're standing up for the first time or trying to push your technique on a controlled, predictable face. It's not like surfing in the ocean, but it is an interesting way to get started. The property at Wai Kai is expansive and has something for the whole family.

The day starts at the resort with a warm-up and a Four Seasons x AVVA kit (jersey, hat, boardshorts), continues with VIP transportation to Wai Kai for the session itself, and lands at Highway Inn — one of the most beloved spots on the island for traditional Hawaiian food — for a meal at the end. Guests leave with photos, a signed keepsake, and a different kind of surf memory than the usual rental-board crowd-fest at Waikiki. Pro tip, plan a massage for afterwards as you will be sore after some hours in the pool. The FS spa is a great place to recover and restore.

It's $3,000 for two guests. That ain't cheap and is going to land differently depending on who's reading. If it's not in the budget, that's fully understandable — the point isn't that everyone should drop three grand on a half-day surf lesson. The point is that there are now more reasons than ever, across every budget, to actually get on a plane to Hawaii right now. (We'll be dropping more Hawaii recommendations in the weeks to come.)

Obviously, the wave pool is not the only option. A stay at the Four Seasons will put you in striking distance to a myriad of waves on all sides of the island. Less than one hour by car will lead you to either the Seven-Mile Miracle of the North Shore or to the famed breaks of Waikiki. A quick convo with the valet guys will put you on to some local knowledge and, of course, surf guides are available and encouraged. In this sense, Kekoa is hard to beat.

Whether you can swing a suite at the Four Seasons or if you're crashing on a friend's couch, just go. Remember, the locals have been through a lot so show respect and support small businesses along the way.

For more on the resort or to book the Nalu Surf Experience: fourseasons.com/oahu or call 808-679-0079.

The author was a guest of Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina in March 2026.