Hawaii Island is a place of ancient traditions, from luaus to lava flows, that have been enlivening visits for eons. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find anything new for attendees to experience in paradise.
“By land, air and sea, we continue to set the bar with new enhancements and activities that highlight the island’s farm-fresh cuisine, unique Hawaiian culture and exhilarating adventures,” says Debbie Hogan, senior director of sales for the Big Island Visitors Bureau.
Meetings Focus West thus put on its explorer’s hat and investigated some of the best new and recent group options on Hawaii, the Big Island, from awesome outings to dynamic dining to resplendent resorts. Here are the highlights.
Awesome Outings
Any group seeking some team-building excitement with a unique flavor should consider a recently introduced offering from a regal resort in the Big Island’s northwest corner.
“At The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii attendees are granted exclusive access to a taro farm set deep within Waipio Valley, where they learn about the Lo’i [taro patch], the Kalo [the taro plant] and Ohana [family],” says Jaisy Jardine, spokeswoman for the property. “Guests are then asked to separate into three groups, with one harvesting the taro plants, one cutting the stalk from the existing plant and the other replanting the stalk.”
Jardine adds that the experience serves not only as a great team-building activity, but also connects the group to Hawaii’s rich culture—as the taro plant (aka “kalo”) is a longtime staple on the island and used for poi, among other dishes. Taro is also seen as a symbol of life, family and sustainability on the islands.
For groups seeking an adrenaline rush amid spectacular scenery, the well-established outfitter Hawaii Forest & Trail launched a sister company, Kohala Zipline, in summer 2011. And, according to Chris Colvin, sales and marketing director for Hawaii Forest & Trail, it has received a fantastic response from groups that have experienced the adventure.
“The entire course is built into the canopy of a hundred-year-old eucalyptus forest. It consists of a series of zip lines, suspension bridges, tree platforms and rappels, so it’s pretty unique for Hawaii,” Colvin remarks. “We’ve even had a few DMC clients who thought they knew zip lines in Hawaii specifically ask to experience it firsthand after they visited the course during their client’s site inspections.”
Participants traverse the course in groups of eight, led by two certified canopy guides. The course can handle up to 24 people at one time, and current daily capacity is around 100, with the activity lasting just over three hours.
“North Kohala is becoming quite the hub for outdoor group activities on the Big Island—we now have zip lining, waterfall hikes, ATV rides, ditch fluming and horseback riding all within about a 10-mile radius,” Colvin says. “All of that is set on a backdrop of lush tropical countryside and two laid-back plantation villages.”
A brand-new seasonal offering launches this October at the Kohala Mountain Farm in Hawaii Island’s far-northern realms, home to the isle’s first and only locally grown pumpkin patch. The farm is building a massive corn maze, with the design chosen from a contest of area high school students. It will be open from Oct. 8-28, and hayrides and bee education chats are also available. Groups of up to 100 can be accommodated during the afternoon.
The “a-mazeing” attraction is expected to be an annual offering, and a large tent erected on the site is available for hosting catered events. PageBreak
Looking for a little less structure? The immensely popular Volcanoes National Park opened its new Kona Trail earlier this year in the park’s Kahuku section. The four- to five-mile loop is rated as “moderately challenging” and lopes along at about 4,000 feet above sea level past native plants, ancient pastures and a lava-ly landscape left over from the 1887 Mauna Loa flow. Ocean views are yet another bonus. For groups seeking a mellower meander, the less-challenging 2.6-mile Palm Trail opened in October 2011.
For planners desiring something a bit more hands-on, expert environmentalist Jane Howard—a pioneer of sustainable travel—has just launched Islandjane Eco-Tours, featuring fully customizable group adventures all over the Big Island, including some very popular Treasure Hunts. Possibilities include everything from oyster farm visits to helicopter tours, and satisfied clients of Howard’s include the Boeing Corporation and Bill Nye the Science Guy.
“Big Island Eco-Challenge Treasure Hunts present a brilliant and fun way to build cohesive team work, to launch a brand promotion, and to strengthen a collaborative win-win scenario while digging deeper into the cultural, historical and natural sweet spots of the island of Hawaii,” Howard remarks. “Through challenging clues, [groups] discover hidden secret spots and behind-the-scenes encounters. Each clue leads you to the next. You may find yourself swimming for a clue, decoding Hawaiian symbols or documenting your own Hawaiiana.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Hawaii, the Big Island without savoring some seagoing excitement, and a pair of promising new prospects has recently appeared in paradise to provide an ocean of adventure.
The acclaimed Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides have just debuted Snuba into its roster of saltwater sojourns, providing adventurous attendees with a taste of scuba diving without the requisite certification hassles or prior experience. Participants start with a quick safety briefing, then take to the sea aboard the Fair Wind II, where their Snuba adventure will take them as much as 20 feet deep in the inviting waters of Kealakekua Bay. A seasoned guide provides support and tips the entire time.
Groups can also head to the Kona Boys Beach Shack in Kailua-Kona, where the outfitter’s latest offering is Historical Wa’a (Canoe) Rides in Kailua Bay and its adjoining coastline. Also known as outrigger canoes, the time-tested vessels set out from the protected beach at Kamakahonu Bay with guides adding to the experience by imparting stories of local lore and insights on the many landmarks along the shore. Kona Boys offers plenty of other watersports options, from surfing lessons and snorkeling to stand-up paddle-boarding—an experience that’s really taking off around the country.
Dynamic Dining
With its bounty of fresh seafood and tropical flavors, dining on Hawaii Island has always been a highlight for groups. And some recent additions have brought tasty new flavors, settings and experiences to the table.
Under the direction of Chef de Cuisine Darren Ogasawara, Norio’s Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar at The Fairmont Orchid created a new menu concept featuring 21 to 31 dry-aged meats from Kulana Farms, free-range chicken and sustainable Hawaiian and Pacific seafood. Entrees are presented on a cedar plank with a choice of house-made sauces, accompanied by mouthwatering sides such as crispy macadamia nut-coated asparagus and truffle fries. An 18-seat area neighboring a lovely koi pond makes for an ideal group setting, and a 14-seat sushi bar serves up some of the best raw fish on the island.
Looking for a full-fledged eating adventure? At the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Executive Sous Chef Jayson Kanekoa leads hungry guests on an exclusive Chef Shuttle outing. Small groups are taken on a private “seed-to-table” adventure and escorted to the Waimea farmers market and select farms to meet local agriculturists such as Flavio Miche, who produces a wide variety of greens entirely for the resort. Aided by Kanekoa, groups shop for fresh produce, meat and seafood, which is specially prepared later and enjoyed by all.
“Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa offers groups from high-level board meetings to corporate and incentive meetings not only quality facilities to conduct business, but also engaging experiences that include the unique Chef Shuttle tour with Chef Jayson, who was born and raised in the Hawaii Island community,” says Bill Countryman, general manager at the property.PageBreak
Meanwhile, a brand-new beachfront eatery opened in June as part of the newly launched Lava Lava Beach Club, which also boasts four cozy cottages, a festive bar and a seaside lawn available for functions. The casual and colorful setting on Anaeho’omalu Bay is all about having a good time, and would be ideal for a group seeking to let their hair down and unwind. An eclectic menu showcases plenty of fresh local seafood and tropical flavors, but also blends in touches ranging from Italian to Japanese.
The gorgeously restored Four Seasons Hualalai has made some intriguing changes of which planners might want to take note. The Hualalai Grille is now serving traditional American steakhouse meals, while the resort’s shore-side Beach Tree restaurant introduced two special weekly dinners: a Friday night Tuscan-flavored beach barbecue and a communal chef’s table on Monday evenings.
And at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows’ CanoeHouse restaurant, up-and-coming culinary star Allen Hess was recently hired as the new chef de cuisine. The establishment is one of the island’s more-renowned farm-to-table restaurants, with a particular emphasis on the endless array of local seafood and fresh produce. While no private dining areas exist, buyouts of the entire restaurant are possible, with extensive seating inside and alfresco.
resplendent resorts
There’s plenty of new developments taking shape at Hawaii Island’s resort properties.
A new moniker is just the beginning at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay—previously the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa—which also just completed a dazzling $16 million makeover. Among the improvements are substantial room upgrades, in addition to the new Rays on the Bay restaurant. The snazzy new dining spot opened in early September, and its breathtaking views include the opportunity to see manta rays grouping offshore for their evening feedings. Free half-hour Manta Talks are given to the public every evening aside from Sunday, and live nightly music also adds to the ambience. (The property is not to be confused with the Keahou Beach Hotel, which is slated to close on Oct. 31 and be demolished shortly thereafter.)
Groups seeking a Hawaiian hiatus with some heritage and history will be pleased to hear the Volcano House and its adjoining cabins are undergoing a gradual “soft” opening expected to finalize by mid-2013. The hotel has been closed since January 2010 for the upgrades, which will take place in stages. The property will eventually offer 32 rooms in addition to several A-frame cottages. The property will begin accepting reservations this fall. The hotel has been around since 1846.
Hilton Waikoloa Village is continuing to pour serious energy into resort enhancements in 2012. The newly improved Boat Landing Cantina bar area, featuring tile, marble and HD TVs, recently opened in the Ocean Tower and specializes in Mexican Pacific cuisine. The main lobby is also getting a facelift, with new furnishings and rugs, as well as the replacement of the original chandelier at an expense of more than a quarter-million dollars. Additionally, the property’s Big Island Breakfast at Water’s Edge is getting a fresh look this year, including new carpeting, dining tables and chairs. Hilton Waikoloa Village features more than 235,000 square feet of highly flexible event space.
Meanwhile, at the charming Holualoa Inn on the island’s west side, the seductive 30-acre setting has just added a brand-new venue perfect for parties, events and weddings. The Malulani Pavilion features wonderful patio and lawn areas for ceremonies, has space for up to 120 seated guests, and boasts stunning ocean vistas—especially at sunset. Fees are flexible and depend upon the scope of the event.
