It’s easy to understand why the phrase “Maui no ka oi” (Maui is the best) is so popular when you visit this Hawaiian gem—a trio of islands known for everything from Haleakala crater to quaint upcountry towns to breeching humpback whales, not to mention some of the best resorts around.
“You have just about everything you need to satisfy any group in one destination,” said Randy Parker, director of sales, international, convention, meetings and incentives for the Maui Visitors Bureau. “We have several very unique resort areas, hotels across all levels and activities that range from watching the sunrise at the top of Haleakala to taking the 620-curve drive to Hana to discovering hundreds of species of flora and fauna on land and sea. And it just gets better every year.”
Indeed it does. The destination, which encompasses the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai, has unveiled impressive renovations at several hotels, while the list of intriguing diversions is ever-evolving. From distilleries, wineries and breweries to organic farms and estates, the unique ways for groups to experience Maui continues to surprise attendees.
Parker said two special off-site experiences for groups are Lona Ridge and O’o Farm.
“Lona Ridge is a private residence on a mountain, and it’s spectacular,” he said. “The whole estate is an agricultural reserve, so there are very unique things that are being grown there, including some of the rarest trees. We had a group there for a tour, lunch and a honey tasting.”
Lona Ridge is located atop Wailuku Heights and offers tours and lunches for groups of up to 50 people.
In the upcountry farming community of Kula, O’o Farm is another standout for group tours and customized events of up to 100 people. The farm is nestled on eight acres and grows fruits, vegetables and coffee for several upscale restaurants in Lahaina. Garden and food workshops, luncheons and tours, and wine dinners are among the offerings.
“We brought a group of 15 meeting planners there recently and had a blast,” Parker said. “We toured the farm, met with the chef in the kitchen and picked the vegetables for our lunch right from the gardens and put them in a basket. It’s these unusual experiences that are so memorable for groups, and three of those planners have already booked programs there.”
Kula is also home to two other unique group options that Meetings Today had the opportunity to experience on a recent visit: Hawaii Sea Spirits Organic Farm & Distillery and Surfing Goat Dairy.
The cool and distinctive round blue bottle that holds Ocean Organic Vodka is reason enough to head to Hawaii Sea Spirits, and once you arrive, the setting overlooking the slopes of Haleakala is the perfect complement to outdoor tastings following a tour of the distillery. Ocean is the only vodka in the world distilled from organic sugar cane (several types grown right on the farm) and blended with deep ocean mineral water.
The company also produces Deep Island Hawaiian Rum, but the vodka steals the show, particularly when there’s a fun “Martini Garden” to explore, including local lavender, citrus, passion fruit and pineapple. The venue is available for group events, and the views are spectacular.
PageBreak
Just down the road, Surfing Goat Dairy is the perfect spot for an uplifting afternoon tour and tasting. What could be more jovial than hanging out with giddy goats then sampling some of the delicious cheese and truffles produced at the dairy? The gourmet chevre comes in a variety of interesting flavors. Ole!, with jalapenos, artichokes, cilantro and lime juice, and Mandalay, with apple, banana and curry were two of our favorites.
The venue’s name is an ode to the countless surfboards that decorate the dairy and cafe. When the owners first purchased the land and started the dairy, they discovered the area was a repository for old, unwanted surfboards, which they repurposed. Today, any surfer wanting to get rid of an old board can drop it off at the dairy in exchange for some free Surfing Goat cheese.
Meanwhile, the less-developed island of Molokai is a treasure where groups can embrace Hawaiian heritage and hospitality, according to Parker.
“Molokai is a deep part of our Hawaiian heritage and culture,” Parker said. “You can take a group there in small planes for one of the most unique experiences: a tour showcasing Father Damien.”
The priest was canonized by the Catholic Church for his commitment to helping those suffering from leprosy in the late 1800s.
While Lanai is also less-developed among Hawaiian islands, it was acquired by Oracle’s Larry Ellison in 2012. The island has two upscale properties that are ideal for groups seeking a remote escape: The Four Seasons Resort Lanai, which recently received a major renovation, and sister property, The Lodge at Koele, currently undergoing a major renovation.
Back on Maui, several other renovations have also taken shape.
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa on Ka’anapali Beach recently completed a stunning redo of its meeting facilities.
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Wailea recently invested $30 million to upgrade its guest rooms, meeting venues and pool areas. In December, the property unveiled a redesigned Humu Humu, the popular thatched-roof overwater restaurant named after the Hawaii state fish. The upgrades are a welcome enhancement to the opulent waterfront resort.
Next door, a remarkable renovation was just unwrapped at Wailea Beach Resort– Marriott, Maui. The $100 million makeover has resulted in a hip, casually sophisticated ambience inside and out, with minimally modern guest rooms with every tech amenity imaginable, trendy eateries, sleek meeting venues and reimagined pool areas sporting inviting lanais overlooking the ocean.
Also in Wailea, The Four Seasons Resort Maui just unveiled its newly redesigned guest rooms with art, furniture and amenities designed to provide a luxurious personal sanctuary while paying tribute to the beauty of the Maui coast.
