Wailea, Maui, Maui (August 13, 1997) - As part of Aston Wailea Resort's ongoing effort to create a more Hawaiian guest experience, the resort has given its "Wailea's Finest Luau" entertainment stage a more natural look. The stage was redesigned by Hoonan, who developed the new design based on his dream.

"We had been discussing restructuring the stage to have rnore appeal and give the audience better views from our grounds," said Rob Hoonan, Aston Wailea Resort's director of engineering. "I went home thinking about the project and the present design. So in a very real way, this is truly a dream come true."

The new stage is 30 feet long and 20 feet wide and stands nearly 4.5 feet off the ground. The renovated stage is 2 feet higher, 6 feet wider and 6 feet deeper than the original. Its hollow tile wall in the front area has been covered with moss rock, creating a more natural look. Both sides of the stage offer grassy, sloping mounds with central pathways paved with smooth river rocks. The back railings are fashioned from ohia logs.

"Aston Wailea Resort is built on an ancient ahupua'a [land division] with a ku'ula [fishing shrine] on the makai [ocean] side and remnants of a heiau on the mauka [mountain] side," said Bill Boyd, the resort's director of Hawaiian activities. "We wanted the design to be appropriate to the surroundings, and Rob's design, sketched from the details of his dream, was perfect."

A blessing ceremony for the new stage was performed by culturist Lyons Naone on July 31, 1997, with 600 luau guests in attendance.

Nestled within 22 acres of lush gardens with sweeping views of the West Maui mountains and the islands of Molokini, Kahoolawe and Lanai, Aston Wailea Resort has the distinction of being Wailea's first and "most Hawaiian" resort. Tiki torches, private lanais and wide expanses of green lawns perfect for strolling create an understated Hawaiian ambiance. The resort also boasts three swimming pools with world-class golf and tennis nearby, the famed Hula Moons and Lanai Terrace restaurants, and the popular "Wailea's Finest Luau."

Based in Honolulu, Aston Hotels & Resorts operates condominium resorts and hotels with more than 5,000 rooms on the four major Hawaiian islands. For more information, visit Aston's web site at http://www.aston-hotels.com or call (800) 922-7866 from the U.S. Mainland and Canada for reservations. From Hawaii, call (800) 321-2558. For group reservations, call (800) 336-5599. Aston's TDD telephone number is (800) 441-2344.

Contact:

David Sayre/Aubrey Hawk PR Works 444 Hobron Lane, 4th Floor Honolulu, HI 96815 Phone: (808)955-8411 Fax: (808) 942-4688