And here's the thing. We were there with my wife's Samoan relatives. They, like many other locals, often visit the top resorts when they have relatives or other visitors in town or just for a birthday or other special event. And to get from the airport to Sinalei, you drive though many villages, where the locals will pause a volleyball game or a machete wielding gardening effort to wave a welcome Talofa. In fact, the largest and most impressive suite at Sinalei was built in honor of a visit by "The Rock" who is lauded by everyone here because he grew up on the island, made it big, and still embraces (with a hell of a grip) his Samoan heritage. You don't go to Sinalei or anywhere else on the island without being with Samoans or without the experience being about Samoa. And that's the great thing about this place.

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