Hawaii Island, a.k.a. the Big Island, stands out from its peers with alluring black-sand beaches, the volcano at Mauna Kea and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is home to Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. The island also offers a strong connection to its land and people, as well as its past, making it an ideal location for groups looking for natural beauty and a taste of Hawaiian culture.
Ranch Hands
In the Waimea hills, Anna Ranch, a 110-acre working ranch, offers groups both a site rich in history and a picturesque location. The ranch was originally acquired by Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske’s great-grandparents in 1848. Almost a decade later, Anna took it over and began implementing innovative ranching practices and introducing new breeds of cattle to Hawaii, which led to her earning the title “The First Lady of Ranching.”
Anna Ranch is now on the National Register of Historic Places, and the land and ranch house were given to the community by Anna. The Anna Ranch Heritage Center can accommodate up to 300 people outdoors and 60 seated indoors in Anna’s Hall, which is equipped with a full kitchen.
Maka Wiggins, ranch coordinator, explains that groups can arrange for a docent-led private tour of the ranch home, which was built in 1910 by Anna’s parents and has been restored to reflect the period. There are also other educational offerings, such as on-site artisans, a blacksmith and a saddlemaker, and groups can even learn roping. Groups are also able to bring in their own entertainment, activity options and catering.
A Cup of Buddha
Chris Coleman and her family own Buddha’s Sanctuary, located on an ohia forest refuge, and run five different coffee labels. One, Buddha’s Cup coffee company, debuted in 2004 and has been winning awards ever since. Coleman sits on the board of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association and takes great pride in her product and the land.
In addition to the Kona coffee farm in the Kailua-Kona area, which offers tours and tastings, they own Buddha’s Cup Retreat at Lelekaae Falls, just 20 minutes from Hilo International Airport. On 20 acres above Hilo Bay, the retreat property has views of the ocean, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa as well as two 70-foot waterfalls and a variety of fruit trees. The estate-style home is 3,000 square feet with a 1,200-square-foot lanai, two kitchens and six bedrooms, and can comfortably hold 50 people.
“We have had the privilege of hosting groups from NASA engineers to wellness retreats” says Anna Webb, property manager.
Groups having an on-site event or staying at the retreat center are offered complimentary tours and tastings, and are treated to Buddha’s coffee at the retreat center.
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Star Gazing
Located in Hilo, the Imiloa Astronomy Center combines exhibits and education on both Hawaiian culture and astronomy, with an emphasis on the Mauna Kea Observatory. Groups can use the venue to tour the exhibits and see the planetarium show before or after a meeting in one of its on-site spaces, or can rent out the entire facility for a prefunction in the 12,000-square-foot exhibit hall area.
In addition to the main exhibit hall, Moanahouku Hall can be used as a blank canvas. The venue accommodates up to 180 people, or for smaller groups, there is a classroom for up to 34 people classroom-style or 50 theater-style. Sky Garden Restaurant has ceiling-to-floor glass walls with views of Hilo Bay and can seat up to 100.
Outdoor Settings
For groups staying on-site, properties are well-versed in helping incorporate the “aloha” spirit into an event. The 62-acre Hilton Waikoloa Village, for example, offers outdoor venues that allow groups to experience the beauty and tradition of the island.
The Ocean View Terrace, a large lawn with ocean and sunset views, and the Grand Staircase, an outdoor space overlooking the lagoon and waterfall, are both used for receptions, dinners and entertainment. Another outdoor venue at the Hilton is Kamehameha Court, featuring a stage with space for up to 900 people. The hotel’s recently renovated MAKAI at Lagoon Tower offers guests personalized service and exclusive benefits like dedicated check-in, private cabanas and upgraded in-room amenities.
Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is situated on land sacred to the island and offers meeting and event spaces. King Kamehameha, who is credited with uniting all of Hawaii’s islands under one ruler, lived and ruled from this location. The 6,000-square-foot luau grounds is a great lawn that can be used by groups.
Also on-property is a temple dedicated to Lono, who was the Hawaiian god of peace, agriculture and prosperity. The temple, Ahuene Heiau, was restored by King Kamehameha in the early 1800s and is now on the register of National History Landmarks. This space, which can accommodate up to 500 and overlooks Kailua Bay, is surrounded by the Hualalai Mountains.
The hotel is also peppered with authentic and historical artifacts, like the large mural in the lobby depicting Kamehameha and his family.
