Outside the meeting room, Hawaii Island packs in plenty of options for memorable experiences. Following are a few of the many opportunities for groups.
Perhaps the most spectacular of the island’s natural attractions is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a must-visit member of the country’s National Park Service, starring Kilauea Volcano and the Halemaumau Crater.
“You can easily view the crater from the Jaggar Museum overlook, and if you stay after dark, or arrive pre-dawn, you are treated to a gorgeous glow from the lava lake deep within the crater that reflects upon the clouds and plume of gas and ash coming from the crater,” says Jessica Ferracane, spokeswoman for the park.
She adds that groups shouldn’t miss Thurston Lava Tube, Kilauea Iki Overlook and trail (a moderate hike), and the entire Chain of Craters Road, which takes visitors from the summit of Kilauea to sea level, where they can see the Holei Sea Arch.
“People should always make the Kilauea Visitor Center their first stop to inquire about current eruption conditions and what’s happening in the park,” she says.
Beyond a tour through the park via local bus operators or bicycle outfitters that lead group rides, planners might check out KapohoKine Adventures, which offers a package itinerary including a Zipline Through Paradise over rainforests and waterfalls before venturing into the park to view its best sites.
And according to Elizabeth Fien, education and outreach coordinator for Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s Hawaii Volcanoes Institute, private tours of varying lengths lead by expert guides for groups of two to 50 people are built around a group’s interests.
“We do photo tours where we use a photographer who is famous for her work here in the park, to a geology tour or our combined rainforest and volcanology adventure,” she says. “We also do tours exploring the old lava sites, new lava flows, cultural and historical interpretive tours as well. We also can include a service project—removing invasive species or planting, depending on the time of year.”
And if planners are interested in having a meal or cocktail function at the park in conjunction with a tour, the 33-room Volcano House hotel recently reopened on the rim of Kīlauea caldera following a multimillion-dollar upgrade. On-site venues include The Rim restaurant and Uncle George’s Lounge.
