Epic landscapes are only part of the allure on Oahu and Kauai. Groups are increasingly seeking out the vast cultural riches of these two these Hawaiian Islands, from learning how to hula to basking in the glow of an ancient palace.
“One of the biggest trends we’ve been seeing are programs focusing on the sense of place and connecting with the local people, whether utilizing an iconic cultural or historic venue or incorporating corporate social responsibility into their agenda,” says Marie Watanabe, sales manager for the Oahu Visitors Bureau. “What sets us apart from other beach destinations is our Hawaiian culture and multicultural heritage.”
Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau, concurs.
“We have seen groups asking for more authentic cultural experiences,” she says.
Some of those options include incorporating Hawaiian music and arts into an event and using a unique cultural venue to host meetings or off-site functions.
Following is a selection of outstanding, group-friendly cultural venues on Oahu and Kauai.
Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum
Honolulu’s Bishop Museum is a mainstay for group business. Founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in memory of his wife Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last direct descendant of King Kamehameha I, the museum currently houses the world’s largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts.
“What makes the museum a great place to have an event or meeting is the unique opportunity to incorporate cultural activities into the experience,” says Brooke Wilson, public relations and marketing manager for the museum. “Groups can do a variety of activities like taking a hula lesson, lei making and storytelling.”
Docent-guided tours of the museum’s grand Hawaiian Hall Complex can be arranged for groups as well.
The museum recently completed renovations on the J. Watumull Planetarium and will be unveiling its newly renovated Pacific Hall, formerly the Polynesian Hall, in September, both of which are open to groups. When complete, the hall will explore the origins and cultures of Pacific Islanders over a 6,000-year period.
The museum can accommodate events of 5,000. Meeting rooms are available and can seat up to 45 people.PageBreak
Iolani Palace
Honolulu’s Iolani Palace, the only official royal palace within the U.S., in the late 1800s served as the residence of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani. Though it has since been renovated and converted into a museum, the palace still contains an important burial ground and a repository of cultural artifacts.
The palace complex has several distinct spaces available, with grounds suitable for up to 8,000 people.
“We had PCMA for 3,500 people and have had intimate groups of 12,” says Philip Richardson, special events coordinator, Friends of Iolani Palace. “There is incredible versatility.”
Groups can get creative when using the space. For example, royal guards can be set up at the entry gate and a red carpet rolled out for an awards ceremony or other special event.
“Before dinner the guards can perform a drill routine and march the group off to dinner,” Richardson says. “It’s a fun way to recognize the history of the palace.”
Another option is the Banyan Terrace, an elevated terrace surrounded by the roots of a large banyan tree, thought to have been planted by Queen Kapiolani.
“The roots can be up-lit magnificently,” Richardson says.
Other options include the Barracks Lawn and the Coronation Lawn.
Kauai Museum
The Kauai Museum features two buildings containing the museum’s artifacts and exhibits: the Albert Spencer Wilcox building and the William Hyde Rice building. The museum is home to an extensive collection of photographs, artwork, textiles and cultural materials concerning the islands of Kauai and Niihau.
The recently renovated Kauai Museum Courtyard is open to groups for after-hours cocktail parties and receptions.
Groups can also take advantage of a new program, Hawaiian Pa’ina, held for the public the first Friday of every month. The program can be arranged for groups of 50 or more upon request and offers live Hawaiian music in the museum’s courtyard, along with local culinary specialties.
Other museum programs can be catered to groups, including storytelling events featuring traditional Hawaiian lore told by elders. Attendees can also participate in hands-on cultural experiences such as coconut frond weaving and painting with local artists. PageBreak
Polynesian Cultural Center
Sprawling across 42 acres on the northern shore of Oahu, the Polynesian Cultural Center shares the heritage of the South Pacific through a series of re-created villages from the region. Attendees can take part in a number of authentic activities, everything from island games and crafts to food preparation.
Potential team-building options include learning how to climb a coconut tree, canoe racing in native-style canoes, and learning how to cook Samoan style, using sticks, stones, leaves, husks and local ingredients such as coconut milk, taro and fish.
“Current renovations at the Polynesian Cultural Center, specifically to the Gateway dining hall and our IMAX theater, have made the center an even more attractive venue to groups,” says Larie Manutai, the center’s sales manager for groups and events. “With an increased seating capacity, holding between 1,000 and 1,150, the Gateway dining hall allows entire groups to remain together during their event rather than having to split up due to space constraints.”
The revamped IMAX Theatre now houses the new Hawaiian Journey interactive theater experience. The theater can be used for presentations and guest speakers.
Queen Emma Summer Palace
Known in Hawaiian as Hanaiakamalama, Queen Emma Summer Palace was the summer retreat of Queen Emma, King Kamehameha IV and their son, Prince Albert. Located in Honolulu’s Nu‘uanu Valley, the home was built in 1848 and was later preserved by the nonprofit organization the Daughters of Hawaii, which currently maintains and operates the palace as a historic house museum.
“It is an incredibly intimate and beautiful experience in the evening with carriage lights surrounding the building and a chandelier within the museum,” says Kelly Hatzis, operations manager for Daughters of Hawaii at Queen Emma Summer Palace.
The interior is decorated with period furniture collected from Queen Emma’s numerous homes and includes a cabinet displaying a set of china from Queen Victoria, a baby grand piano and capes that once belonged to Hawaiian royalty.
There are two areas for groups—Emmalani Hale, which can seat 100, and the garden fringed Prince Albert Terrace, with a seating capacity of 50. PageBreak
Smith’s Tropical Paradise
For a true family flavor on Kauai, Smith’s family businesses date back to 1947 with the start of Smith’s Motor Boat Service. The company now also features Smith’s Tropical Paradise, a 30-acre botanical and cultural garden alongside the Wailua River, which can accommodate luaus for up to 500, replete with ceremonial cuisine and dancing.
“Our family business started with the river tours to Fern Grotto by my grandfather,” says Kamika Smith, general manager of Smith’s Tropical Paradise. “The luau came about later.”
Groups can use the garden for custom luaus or dinners.
“We have worked with local DMCs for large groups that want custom-type events,” Smith says. “Some DMCs have created a Jurassic Park theme party complete with dinos and jungle camouflage. Another party set up tables around the lagoon in the gardens and had a band on a canoe playing background music while they had dinner.”
Smaller groups can set up parties during the boat tours, serving mai tais en route and stopping for a short walk at Fern Grotto before the return trip.
The Hawaii State Art Museum
Located on the site of the original Hawaiian Hotel, built in 1872 during the reign of Kamehameha V, the Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM) was Honolulu’s leading hotel for 45 years, and at its height hosted foreign visitors and friends of the royal family.
Though the original wooden structure has since been replaced, the current Spanish Mission-style building is listed on the National Register of Historic Properties.
Now acting as a museum, the building houses a collection of works by local artists in four galleries totaling 19,500 square feet: the Sculpture Garden, the Sculpture Lobby, the Ewa gallery and the Diamond Head Gallery.
Groups can use the palm-fringed front lawn for up to 1,500, according to Scott M. Young, visitor services manager for HiSAM. Other options include the Sculpture Garden and the second-floor courtyard, as well as a multipurpose room for meetings.
Limahuli Garden and Preserve
Translated to mean “turning hands,” Limahuli Garden and Preserve boasts a spectacular setting overlooking the Pacific as well as an integral piece of history for ancient Hawaiians who at one time used the land to build agricultural terraces out of lava rock to plant their main food crop, taro.
Set on the northern end of Kauai, the garden was set aside for preservation in 1967 when the taro terraces were restored, and ended up being gifted to the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Another 1,000 acres now constitute the Limahuli Preserve, where conservationists and restoration biologists are working to preserve species native to this habitat.
Groups are welcome to the garden area, filled with placards describing the history of the gardens and specifics on the native species.
Marlene Goldman is a freelance writer and photographer who has mastered the art of mai tai sipping and is still working on her hula dancing and coconut tree climbing for her next trip to the islands.
