Where to Find Hawaiʻi’s New Era of Wellness

The wellness industry has evolved dramatically over the past few years. Contrast therapy has surged in popularity, fueled in part by tech bros touting the benefits of hot and cold exposure on podcasts. Despite the fact that I hate being cold and jumping into frigid water, it’s hard to deny how good I feel after submerging myself in 55-degree water.

Merriam-Webster defines wellness as “the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal.” Traditionally, the term implied eating well, exercising and engaging in practices such as meditation and walks in nature to support mental health. Today, with the rise of new wellness technologies, it’s that and much more.

Modalities such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, immunity IV infusions and red light therapy are popping up in spas and wellness centers across Hawaiʻi. Wellness is no longer solely about feeling good in the moment — long live the classic relaxing massage! — but about supporting longevity.

Here are some of the emerging services I've been seeing beyond traditional steam rooms, saunas and massages and where to find them.

Steele Dubar has been an athlete his entire life and played college football. He was born in Orange County, where several wellness centers offer modalities such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy. He grew accustomed to using these services to recover from football injuries and concussions, but after moving to Oʻahu, he found few options for similar treatments.

Seeing a gap in the market, Dubar decided to open Lava Wellness. Inspired by how the islands were formed from lava, he chose the name for its symbolism of creation and new life.

“The hyperbaric chambers are super cool because that is by far the most healing service we offer,” he said. “They use oxygen therapy in a pressurized environment to saturate your blood with oxygen, which in turn helps heal the body at a cellular level.”

Essentially, you are breathing pure oxygen in an enclosed space at higher air pressure than normal. Doctors use this medical-grade technology to treat patients with serious conditions such as decompression sickness, a condition caused by rapid changes in air or water pressure, traumatic injuries and carbon monoxide poisoning. But hyperbaric therapy is no longer limited to hospitals. At wellness studios like Lava Wellness, anyone can hop into a hyperbaric chamber.

Dubar recommends waiting at least 24 hours after flying or before an upcoming flight to avoid discomfort in the ears or sinuses. Those with sinus infections or ear or lung conditions should consult a doctor before booking a session. Inside the chamber, air pressure is two to three times higher than normal. Oxygen levels increase by about 37%, while pressure drops to roughly 52 kPa, allowing the lungs to absorb more oxygen than is possible under normal conditions.

Health benefits

• Helps remove trapped air bubbles in blood vessels

• Aids healing of injuries and wounds by supporting the growth of new blood vessels and tissue

• Helps fight infections

• Supports the immune system

What it’s like

At Lava Wellness, each chamber includes a bed and/or chair, air conditioning and a TV with Netflix. Guests can read, meditate, watch TV or bring a laptop to work during the session. Two of the chambers are large enough to accommodate two people.

I felt pressure in my ears almost immediately after the door closed, similar to the sensation during airplane takeoff or landing. Each chamber is equipped with a speaker and call button, and an attendant checks in regularly. If the pressure becomes uncomfortable, staff can adjust settings from outside. After about 15 minutes, my ears mostly adjusted. I did experience slight lightheadedness and a mild headache, but when I came out I felt light and euphoric.

Pro tip: Use the restroom beforehand. Once the chamber is sealed, you will remain inside for about an hour.

Where to find it: Lava Wellness (Oʻahu), Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (Kauaʻi)

Another medical treatment now offered at spas and wellness studios is IV infusion therapy. Clients can choose from a variety of formulations delivered directly into the bloodstream. This method allows the body to absorb vitamins and nutrients quickly and efficiently.

Health benefits

Benefits vary depending on the formulation chosen and may include immune support, enhanced athletic performance, increased energy, improved muscle recovery or mood support.

What it’s like

I had the opportunity to try the Immunity IV infusion at Vitality Kauaʻi, which includes vitamin C, zinc and lysine, touted to "boost your resilience to environmental stressors and accelerate healing." The nurse who administered the IV also works as an emergency room nurse at two hospitals on Kauaʻi.

I sat in a soft leather chair with a pillow supporting my arm and a cozy blanket draped over me. The body, particularly the arm, can feel cold during the 30- to 45-minute treatment, so they want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. Aside from that, I felt completely normal throughout the session.

Where to find it: Drip Hawaiʻi at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, Vitality Kauaʻi at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (Kauaʻi)

Depending on the location, a contrast therapy session may begin in a sauna or hot tub before transitioning to a cold plunge — a tub filled with water around 55 degrees designed to shock the body. The recommended time in a sauna is 10 to 15 minutes. Time spent in the cold plunge varies based on tolerance.

Dubar of Lava Wellness recommends staying in the cold plunge for one and a half to three minutes. Some people who practice contrast therapy regularly remain in for up to 10 minutes. I have seen others stay in for five minutes and feel fine.

Health benefits

• Reduces inflammation

• Improves recovery

• Lowers cortisol levels

• Triggers the release of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine and endorphins, which can increase clarity, focus and mood

• Supports detoxification.

What it’s like

I am sensitive to extreme temperatures. I can manage the sauna for 15 minutes, but after about one and a half minutes in the cold plunge, I am ready to get out. At The Hiʻilani Spa at Kukuiʻula, the hot tub and cold plunge are paired and used after the sauna. The staff recommended rotating between the hot and cold tubs three times each.

The more I repeated the cycle, the more accustomed I became to the cold and the longer I was able to stay in. I always feel energized and uplifted afterward.

“I’ve been using sauna ice for years,” Dubar said. “It’s a really easy way to feel better quickly. You can completely change your mood.”

Where to find it: The Hi'ilani Spa at The Lodge at Kukui’ula (Kauaʻi), Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (Kauaʻi), Lava Wellness (Oʻahu), Scape (Maui), Kilolani Spa at Grand Wailea (Maui)

Infrared saunas use near-infrared wavelengths (around 800 nm) to go deep into the cells to support muscles and joints. According to Bamford Wellness Spa, it stimulates collagen and elastin, rejuvenates skin and supports cellular regeneration.

Red light therapy uses low level near-infrared light to support skin health, improve cognitive function and ease chronic pain, according to UCLA Health.

Where to find infrared therapy: Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (Kauaʻi)

Where to find red light therapy: Lava Wellness (Oʻahu)

At Sensei Lānaʻi, a massage therapist may use thermographic technology designed exclusively for the resort to create a visual map of your body. The images reveal asymmetries, muscle tightness and areas of discomfort, allowing the therapist to tailor a massage that specifically targets your needs.

Where to find it: Sensei Lānaʻi

For this therapy, you enter a cryo chamber, similar to a walk-in freezer, where temperatures drop to −166°F or lower. After remaining in there for two to three minutes your external skin temperature decreases by 30–40°F. According to Bamford Wellness Spa, this rapidly increased blood flow, "delivering fresh, oxygenated white blood cells to the areas of your body that need them most."

Health benefits:

• Support muscle recovery

• Chronic pain relief

• Improves sleep

Where to find it: Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (Kauaʻi)

The Somadome offers you a private space that includes light therapy, sound healing and a guided meditation. Great for anyone new to meditation.

Health benefits:

• Relaxation

• Improved focus

• Reduces stress

• Boosts mood.

Where to find it: Lava Wellness (Oʻahu), Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (Kauaʻi)

Float tanks, also known as sensory deprivation tanks, allow you to relax in a zero-gravity environment free from external stimuli, helping reset the nervous system.

Health benefits:

• Reduced stress and axiety

• Boosts mood

• Supports chronic pain

• Increased sleep quality

What it’s like

The water is warm and saturated with Epsom salt, making you buoyant, and the space is completely dark and quiet. At Bamford Wellness Spa, staff provide earplugs to protect your ears and a flotation pillow to support your head. I focused on releasing tension throughout my body and paying attention to my breath. The 30-minute session passed surprisingly quickly, and I felt refreshed and deeply relaxed afterward.

Where to find it: Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (Kauaʻi)

The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Wellness services and experiences described may not be appropriate for everyone. Always consult a qualified health care professional before beginning any new wellness treatment, especially if you have underlying health conditions or concerns.

Disclosure: Some of the wellness services and experiences featured in this article were provided to the author at no cost for editorial consideration. All opinions expressed are the author’s own.