The Merwin Conservancy And Renowned Photographer Tom Sewell Partner With The Hotel Following “W.S. Merwin: To Plant A Tree” Documentary
WAIKIKI, HAWAII (September 2016) – Halekulani, one of the world’s finest and most acclaimed independent luxury hotels, pays tribute to the award-winning poet and world-renowned conservationist W.S. Merwin with a dedicated garden on property and an exclusive, photo exhibit by distinguished artist and filmmaker Tom Sewell opening in early September.
“Halekulani recognizes the extraordinary contributions Mr. Merwin has done in literature and sustainability largely in part to our partnership with The Merwin Conservancy,” said Peter Shaindlin, Chief Operating Officer of Halekulani Corporation. “Their dedication to carrying on his living legacy, plus Tom Sewell’s never-before-seen images of Mr. Merwin is enabling us to provide our guest with an experience unlike any other, anywhere in the world.”
The tribute W.S. Merwin Garden at Halekulani, located near the Veranda, contains native plants and palms replicated from the gardens of The Merwin Conservancy, Maui, including walking iris and the Hyophorbe indica, a rare, and nearly extinct palm species which Mr. Merwin was able to preserve. Tom Sewell’s “W.S. Merwin: A Remarkable Man” exhibit, which will be on display till the end of October, captures an autobiographical narrative of Mr. Merwin’s life and dedication through imagery. In addition, Halekulani’s existing Historical Walking Tour which takes guests through the grounds of the resort giving insight into hotel’s rich past will expand to include the W.S. Merwin Garden and the photo exhibit. Guests will also get to take home a momentum of Mr. Merwin’s poetry books.
Recently, Halekulani was the presenting sponsor of the one-hour documentary W.S. MERWIN: TO PLANT A TREE in conjunction with The Merwin Conservancy for the purpose of creating a lasting legacy for a sustainable future. W.S. MERWIN: TO PLANT A TREE focused on the extraordinary life and work of United States Poet Laureate, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and environmental activist. Mr. Merwin, who has been accorded almost every major poetry prize, including the National Book Award, has dedicated himself over the last four decades to preserving and regenerating native plants and palms at his home, The Merwin Conservancy, a 19-acre ecological preserve located on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii, that encompasses one of the most comprehensive private collection of palms in the world. W.S. MERWIN: TO PLANT A TREE is a production of Cicala Filmworks in association with THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET.
“W.S. Merwin’s living legacy is one that has the potential to touch many people and make a difference in how humans view the world, especially the natural world,” said Jason Denhart, Executive Director of The Merwin Conservancy. “Halekulani is a fine example of a business that embraces the values of W.S. Merwin and finds creative ways to infuse them into their everyday work, touching the many guests and visitors to their hotel. The Merwin Conservancy is proud of this meaningful partnership.”
**Images of the Merwin Garden at Halekulani ceremonial blessing on Friday, Sept. 2 are available for download here.
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About Halekulani
Since its inception in 1984 as one of the world’s finest and most acclaimed independent luxury hotels, Halekulani has received more than 500 accolades, awards and honoraria. The property was voted Best Hotel on Oahu in Travel + Leisure’s 500 World’s Best Hotels for 2015 and is one of The World’s Best Hotels on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2015 Gold List. Halekulani is home to SpaHalekulani, House Without A Key, Lewers Lounge, Orchids and La Mer, Hawaii’s longest, consecutively ranked AAA 5 Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Restaurant. For twenty years, Halekulani has maintained a strong commitment to arts and culture through exclusive alliances with Oahu’s most iconic cultural venues. Halekulani is operated by the Hotels and Resorts of Halekulani, a brand management division of the Honolulu-based Halekulani Corporation, which also oversees the Waikiki Parc. Halekulani is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and is aligned with Japan’s legendary Imperial Hotel.
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About The Merwin Conservancy
The Merwin Conservancy’s is a Maui-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a mission to preserve the living legacy of W. S. Merwin, his home and palm forest, for future retreat and study for botanists and writers, for environmental advocacy and community education. For more information on the organization, its palm forest, and programs, visit http://www.merwinconservancy.org
For Further Information:
Halekulani Corporation
Liana Mulleitner
[email protected]
808.535.0631
EVINS Communications
Ms. Kaymi Malave
[email protected]
212.377.3582
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