LUMERIA RETREAT MAUI:
A N I N TE RV I E W W I TH
XORIN BALBES
BY MICHELLE WINNER
Tucked up around a sharp curve on the way to the paniolo (Hawaiian
cowboy) enclave of Makawao, Maui, a special place called Lumeria has
been created for spiritual exploration and learning.
The journey to create this place has been quite an enlightening experience
for owner and designer Xorin Balbes. The project has not been an easy
one but he lights up when he explains what he has gained from it. I tell him
I admire his perseverance and I see that he has the rare ability to create
from a dream. Sitting in a local restaurant in Paia, Xorin and I have lunch and
talk about Lumeria.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU ABOUT THE ISLAND OF MAUI?
Specifically, Maui has an energy that feels divinely feminine. There is a
beauty and an abundance that I have not experienced in many places.
There is magic all over this beautiful island – and a deep sense of love and
welcome from its people. I love the way Hawaiians respect and honor their
ancestors. The beauty and wonder of NATURE inspires me to want to love
and respect all of life more and more.
WHAT PATH LED YOU TO LUMERIA MAUI AND
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR IT?
My design and real estate path combined with my spiritual path. It came
together in the creation of this vision. My mission is to inspire people to
live a more soulful life that includes a deeper self love and respect which
will naturally becomes a deeper respect and love for each other and our
planet. Embracing the true spirit and meaning of Aloha – sharing the one
breath of life that we all share.
HOW DID YOU APPROACH THE DESIGN OF
LUMERIA AND ITS INTERIORS?
First it was important to do ceremonies on the land to respect her before
we started. Then I wanted to restore the building so that the history and
the architecture was totally honored by restoring it with the exact same
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products – wood, moldings and fixtures – as the original. I wanted to
embrace the Spirit of Aloha through the interior design by welcoming and
representing people from all over the world with furniture and decorations from all over the world. I believe that “Aloha” is welcoming to all
people – that its deepest and truest expression and meaning includes all
people – and that “Aloha” is what can connect all people.
WHAT DISTINGUISHES LUMERIA MAUI FROM OTHER
RETREATS IN HAWAII?
We are luxurious and “barefoot elegant:” grounded and yet not gra