Anne Lee with Zane Lawson Sr., otherwise known as Dr. Mai Tai by Four Seasons Resort Oahu guests, chills poolside with different mai tai concoctions.
ANNE LEE speaks with pool attendant ZANE LAWSON SR., aka DR. MAI TAI
It’s not always so easy to pick up and go on an off-island vacation. But lucky for us, Hawaii is paradise and there are a plethora of resorts to choose from and one great destination for a staycation is at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina.
The resort has kamaaina rates that will put island residents at ease when it comes to the ultimate rest and relaxation. For the remainder of 2019 locals may call Four Seasons Resort Oahu’s reservations department at 679-0079 to learn more about its available kamaaina rates. Nightly rates are based on availability and season and start at $359 a night.
Additionally, kamaaina rates include reduced parking for $22 a day (normally $45 a day) and 15 percent discount on spa treatments. All hotel guests receive full access to Naupaka Spa and Wellness Center, plus access to all pools and Four Seasons beach, and more.
Kohana Mai Tai ($26)
Speaking of pool access, guests can also enjoy the perks of Dr. Mai Tai poolside, who prescribes just the right mai tai cocktails — aka “prescriptions,” as guests know it. The doctor, whose real name is Zane Lawson Sr. goes around the pool with his “medicinal cart,” or bicycle cart, to personally deliver drinks to the adult pool hotel guests every day from 2 to 3 p.m. (However, the mai tai drinks are also served at the Waterman Bar & Grill just a few feet away from the pool).
When you catch yourself chillin’ along the water’s edge, here’s how to catch the attention of the sought-after Dr. Mai Tai:
AL: How did your name catch on?
ZL: At the start of my career I was just known as the Mai Tai Guy, however, the name I have now was coined after meeting a couple here at the resort. A husband and wife were guests here at the resort; the husband was in crutches, as he had an injury after landing in Oahu. For six days he was at the adult pool and always sitting down in the same chair in the corner of the pool area. He couldn’t get into the pool so I would always tend to them and he and his wife would always receive a mai tai from me. On the seventh day, he wasn’t in the chair and the wife said, “Oh he is there, swimming! He came out of the pool, hopped back onto his chair, and the wife told me, ‘Doc! Your mai tai prescriptions were so good, that they healed my husband!” To my amazement all the guests nearby looked over at us, and they all started to say, “Hey doc, I have to get one of those mai tai prescriptions, too!” Before you know it, all the guests were receiving my prescriptions and it caught on.
Mai Tai “Hawaiian Style” ($21)
AL: What beverages are offered?
ZL: As a guest staying at the resort, you are able to take advantage of the medicinal cart that is ridden by Dr. Mai Tai. I have this original bicycle cart that I ride in, I call it my medicinal transport, we have three, 7-ounce options for the guests out of the cart that is only available at the adult pool — we always check ID. There are two drinks that are “stronger” prescriptions: the Classic mai tai known as Hawaiian Mai Tai (this is always on the menu), or another option that mixologists on staff will create that day. It’s all created incorporating a beverage with local taste added to the cocktail such as the Posh Hawaiian Mai Tai. The third is always a non-alcoholic refresher such as a root beer float — this is different every day, we like to surprise our guests. We are the only resort globally with Dr. Mai Tai offerings; there is no other Doctor in the house anywhere else! The prescriptions that are served at the pool, are only available at the pool area.
AL: What are some of your unique interactions with guests?
ZL: One time I had a Hollywood star as one of my “patients.” He and his wife, had a brief stay here, and he was like, “Get out of here, you’re really a doctor?” They experienced each amenity that we offered and he was so pleased with the experience that he told me, “I am not going to say no to any amenity or prescriptions you provide, because they have all been great.” It was interesting to see him turn around from a serious side to he and his wife really enjoying their time and coming together. (Eventually we found out they were celebrating an anniversary.) They loved their time here so much that they vowed to come back again to escape a hectic work schedule. It was rewarding; we cured them!
Mai Tai “Hawaiian Style”
Ingredients
• 2 ounces pineapple juice
• 2 ounces orange juice
• 1/2 ounce lime
• 1/2 ounce orgeat
• 1 1/2 ounces Bacardi Rum
• 1 1/2 ounces Old Lahaina Rum (dark)
Method
Place all the ingredients in a shaker except for the dark rum and fill the shaker with ice cubes. Shake well until the ingredients are chilled. Add some ice cubes to a highball glass and strain the mixture over it. Float the dark rum on top. Garnish with a pineapple slice.
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