The classic image of paddlers flying over waves in an outrigger canoe will forever be emblazoned on Hawaii’s lineup of iconic and sought-after adventures. In the birthplace of surfing, flying under the curl of a wave is another. For groups, fortunately these and other great outdoor adventures on land and at sea are readily accessible and exceedingly popular.
Years ago, groups were doing things like beach Olympics,” says Lisa Nakamasu, director of sales for meetings, conventions and incentives at the Kauai Visitors Bureau. “Now, they’re doing things off-property and they’re looking for something different—something more active and more cultural.”
Oahu is seeing much of the same demand among meeting attendees.
“There is an increased desire for unique, authentic and local experiences,” says Marie Watanabe, director of sales at the Oahu Visitors Bureau.
From ever-popular standby adventures to hot new activities, both islands are magnets for the outdoor enthusiast in every group.
Oahu
Diversity is what sets Oahu apart as an outdoor mecca, according Watanabe.
“Oahu is home to both the cosmopolitan city of Honolulu and Waikiki and to the beautiful oceans, mountains and lush rainforests,” she says. “Our unique history and culture created and perpetuated some of our iconic outdoor activities, such as surfing, outrigger canoeing and farm-to-table tours.”
Groups are keen on those activities nowadays, in addition to hiking, horseback riding, ATV tours, ziplining and mountain biking.
Outrigger canoeing is a must for adrenaline junkies convening in Waikiki. Waikiki Beach Activities and Waikiki Beach Services are two of the companies offering small group excursions.
For attendees hoping to hang 10, Hans Hedemann Surf School has two locations: one in Waikiki at Park Shore Hotel and one on the North Shore at Turtle Bay Resort.
Hedemann’s group classes cover the basics on shore before attendees paddle out to learn surfing techniques from the pros, hopefully acquiring enough balancing skills to ride a few waves.
The North Shore, home to the famous Bonzai Pipeline and other stellar spots such as Turtle Bay, is a surfer’s dream come true.
Both guests and locals flock to Turtle Bay Resort to hang out along the rocky shoreline and watch the surfers and standup paddle boarders gliding over the water, especially at sunset.
The resort is renowned for its gorgeous natural setting and long list of outdoor pursuits, so adventure-minded groups would do well to head to this recently renovated meetings-friendly retreat.
“Turtle Bay Resort’s commitment to preserving the ecology, culture and history of their 800-acre property and their desire to share this with the visitors and the community led to the birth of some of the iconic outdoor experiences on the island,” Watanabe says. “Their horseback riding tours, surfing lessons, kayaking tours and Segway tours are some of the exciting ways to experience our island’s unspoiled natural beauty and the culture and history that surround it.”
Groups at Turtle Bay can enjoy watersports at neighboring Kawela Bay (famous as the film set of movies such as The Hunger Games, Saving Sarah Marshall and countless others), horseback riding and mountain biking through the verdant jungle trails of the resort’s new North Shore Bike Park.
Meanwhile, ziplining is another hot adventure pursuit on Oahu, and the North Shore is home to the new CLIMB Works Keana Farms. The property’s three-hour tour allows participants to explore a working agricultural farm via Oahu’s longest ziplines. Highlights include dual ziplines, skybridges and an ATV trip to the ridgetop, as well as learning about Hawaiian history and culture.
On the eastern side of the island, Kualoa Private Nature Reserve is a 4,000-acre, sixth-generation family-owned property that also has a working cattle ranch and an abundance of historic and cultural appeal. Established in 1850, it encompasses rugged peaks, green valleys and idyllic beachfront, and has been the setting for TV shows and movies such as Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Five-O, Jurassic Park and 50 First Dates. With its dreamy setting, outdoor adventure offerings and event venues, it is a favorite among groups. Kualoa has a new Treetop Canopy Zipline Tour, while groups can also partake in pursuits such as horseback riding, ATV tours, jungle expeditions and teambuilding programs on the beach of its “Secret Island.”
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Kauai
The “exhale effect” makes Kauai one of the best places for groups to retreat and recharge, according to Nakamasu of the Kauai Visitors Bureau.
“When groups come to Kauai, they disconnect from their iPhone and iPad and basically exhale,” she says. “Our tagline is ‘Rejuvenating.’ You come here to regroup, come back to center and get reenergized.”
Invigorating activities are easy to come by, and many of them take place in attractively remote wilderness areas that add to the feeling of having a true escape from life’s hectic schedule.
“Kauai is known for outdoor activities, mainly because we have a lot of private land. The interior of the island is pretty much untouched,” Nakamasu says. “The land owners’ priority is keeping their property pristine and to sustain that. They partner with activity companies to bring groups in, then part of the proceeds ensure the owner is able to maintain the land exactly the way it is.”
Another bonus: In return, the activity companies must incorporate the history of the land and the culture of the area into the programs.
Nakamasu says the best ways groups can enjoy the adventurous side of Kauai is via ziplining, ATV tours, catamaran trips along the Napali coastline and mountain tubing.
Ziplining is very popular with groups, and we have six zipline companies throughout the island, one of which is even doing moonlight zipping,” she says. “Combining ziplining and ATV tours to explore the private ranches on our island is a wonderful group activity.”
One example is Kipu Ranch, a 4,000-acre property where movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones have been filmed. The private working cattle ranch is a prime option for groups since the location is so remote and is event-ready.
“They will either ATV people in or helicopter them in to participate in the activities, then the group can have an event there,” Nakamasu says. “Because it’s in the interior, noise is not a problem, so we’ve actually had a concert until almost midnight during one event.”
Seeing the stunning Napali coastline is a bucket list experience on Kauai, and there are roughly five companies that offer groups the experience by water.
“The only way to see the Napali coastline is by air or boat,” she says. “You can do a sunset sail or a snorkel cruise, which is probably the most popular with groups because they can accommodate several people on the catamarans.”
Another waterborne adventure, mountain tubing, takes groups back on land for a truly memorable experience of Hawaii.
“We have very old irrigation flumes that were utilized to water the sugar cane fields,” Nakamasu says. “Since we don’t have sugar cane fields anymore, it is a fun activity now because you can meander down these waterways.”
The three-hour tours explore Kauai’s picturesque backcountry via tunnels, “splash zones” and a lazy river that is all part of the historic, 17,000-acre Lihue Plantation. Plenty of stories about the history and culture of the plantation are incorporated into the programs.
There’s nothing like a mountain tubing adventure through Kauai’s captivating backcountry to enliven the spirit.
“That’s what I love about Kauai, and that’s why we have so many repeat groups,” Nakamasu says. “Here, you can take a step back, disconnect from all the frenzy of the world and rejuvenate.”
