Smart Meetings

You can do business here, but you can also combine business with pleasure. In addition to top-notch golf, you can snorkel pristine reefs, hike trails through rainforests or mountainous terrain, dine oceanside and stretch out on sandy beaches that come in as many colors as a rainbow.

That’s not to say, however, that all the islands are alike. Each of the six main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago has its own distinct personality, forged by its geography or size or history. Oahu, for example, is the hub—an island with centuries of commerce underlying its beach allure. Kauai, on the other hand, is smaller, less populous and carved more ruggedly by nature.

Groups can meet and retreat on either isle—or mix and match them, with Honolulu’s international airport streamlining the process and Kauai’s new flights adding accessibility.

OAHU
If you haven’t traveled to Oahu recently for a site or a meeting, you’ll be surprised and excited by the changes you’ll fi nd. Waikiki has reinvented itself; Honolulu properties—even its historic landmarks—have renovated or are
in the process, all with an eye on capturing, through decor and ambience, the original spirit of Hawaii. Along with the renewed interest in Hawaiiana, hotels have added cultural off erings that steep visitors in a sense of place. Th e ultra-deluxe Trump Tower is going up at Waikiki Beach Walk, a $460-million renaissance of the old tourist location; it’s scheduled to debut in August 2009. The Royal Hawaiian hotel, the famed “Pink Palace” welcoming guests for 80 years, has closed until early 2009 for a multimilliondollar transformation that is bringing the property up to date and including Hawaiian design elements like vintage koa seating and historic photographs.

In addition to Waikiki, planners should check out two other resort areas—Ko Olina and Turtle Bay, plus the Kahala district, an exclusive enclave just minutes from Waikiki. On the North Shore, Ko Olina encompasses the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, 18 holes of Ted Robinson golf, a marina with 330 slips and several private residential communities. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is set to build a large luxury hotel and timeshare on 21 acres next to the Marriott, with a planned opening in 2011 (no theme park attached—a departure for the company).

Turtle Bay, farther along the North Shore, sits on fi ve miles of beachfront that includes picturesque Kawela Bay. Accommodations throughout the resort run the gamut from guest rooms and suites to beach cottages and villages. The posh Kahala district hosts The Kahala Hotel and Resort, a 343-room, newly renovated property located on a secluded beach. Among its attractions is a 26,000-square-foot natural lagoon that is home to six Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins.

Dolphin Quest trainers give education programs daily, but you can also arrange for your VIPs or incentives to have a face-to-face, in-the-water experience with these intriguing, fun-loving mammals.

MAJOR MEETING VENUES
Oahu’s (and the state’s) large-meeting venue is the Hawaii Convention Center (hawaiiconvention.com), a glass-fronted architectural gem that encompasses just what these groups need: an exhibit hall with more than 200,000 sq. ft. of space, a 35,000-square-foot registration lobby and 149,768 sq. ft. of total meeting space (including a 35,000-squarefoot ballroom and 47 meeting rooms, plus two theaters with tiered seating). Part of its uniqueness are the 2.5-acre rooftop garden, a $2-million Hawaiian art collection and outdoor function spaces that are lined with
towering palm trees. Adding to its appeal is its close proximity—literally a mile—to 10,000 committable hotel rooms.
Th e large meeting hotels read like a litany of brand names: the Sheraton Waikiki, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hyatt Regency Waikiki and Waikiki Beach Marriott, among others.

Each of these properties has upgraded recently and has its own conference facilities, sometimes in the form of a dedicated conference center. The Sheraton, for example, recently reopened its second-floor conference center, with 45,000 sq. ft., including a 26,000-square-foot ballroom. In September the property hosted the Textile Society of America for an annual conference of nearly 300 attendees, many of whom extended their stay—as meeting-goers are likely to do when Hawaii is their destination.

“Attendance was exceptional, far beyond our expectations. It was even larger than most previous symposia,” says Thomas Klobe, cochair. “When you consider that the majority of the foreign delegates had to travel half-way around the world, it clearly shows that distance was not a hindrance to attendance.” His committee chose the Sheraton as their meeting site as it off ered them the best meeting accommodations, plus the hotel was “generous in off ering the symposium rates before and after the [event],” he says.

An added draw for TSA attendees was that the Honolulu museums presented 30 textile exhibitions in celebration of the symposium. The organization worked with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (businessaloha.com; hawaiivcb.org) early on, to help determine the best venue for their group; you’ll find the bureau and its individual island chapters equally helpful for your needs as you research this destination.

UNIQUE VENUES AND ACTIVITIES
Oahu’s unique spaces and activities not surprisingly refl ect the island’s roots—geographically and culturally. Sea Life Park is a beautifully designed park with reefs, lagoons, pools and theaters. Watch dolphins, penguins and sea lions—or interact with them through various programs. Companies such as American Savings Bank and Crystal Cruises have used the venue, which can host from 800–2,000 for events.

The site of Japan’s surrender—and thus the end of World War II—the Battleship Missouri in Pearl Harbor is an American icon. While groups of as many as 3,300 attendees have gathered here, smaller groups have come aboard as well. But smaller could be relative: the fantail can host up to 850 for receptions; the Portside Veranda Deck can accommodate up to 100 (evenings only); and the Pier, up to 1,800. If you’ve a smaller number to plan for, the very exclusive, very elegant Captain’s Cabin can seat 16 at the historic conference table or host 22 guests for a reception.

Minutes north of Turtle Bay Resort, the Polynesian Cultural Center has a new $2.65-million facility, Halau Wa’a, used for cultural presentations. Th e center showcases authentic representations of seven Polynesian cultures and features luaus and a popular Polynesian night show.

Speaking of evening activities, as Waikiki is nightlife-central for the island, check out Waikiki Nei, an innovative theatrical production that off ers an entirely new take on cultural performances (think along the lines
of Cirque du Soleil). It’s held at the Waikiki Nei Theatre, which, after each evening’s show, turns into Level 4, a contemporary nightclub and ultralounge, complete with DJs, dancing and interactive tables. There’s also a 7,000-square-foot lanai with an outdoor bar and cabanas—and yes, Level 4 can be bought out.

For a new twist on surfi ng instruction, the North Shore Surf Girls Surf School offers surf lessons for women (and men) with a group of female experts.

Another outdoor option is trekking with Mauka Makai Excursions, a cultural eco-tour company off ering hikes that explore many sacred sites, including temple ruins, bathing pools, tidepools and petroglyphs. There are half-day and full-day hikes with local guides who are steeped in the myths and legends
of the sites.

Established in 1850, Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre working cattle ranch on the northeast coast that spreads from the mountains to the ocean. (If some of the settings seem familiar, you may recognize them from Jurassic Park and the TV show Lost.) Try an adventure tour on horseback or ATV, followed by a customized catered meal at any number of scenic spots. Entertainment can also be arranged.

If giving back is a part of your corporate culture, Oahu has several signifi cant opportunities. Among them are restoration work at He’eia Fishpond (808-236-6178) and Waikalua Loko Fishpond, two remnants of the ancient aquaculture system. In Kailua, on the windward side of the island, Kawai Nui Marsh (ahahui.net) is the state’s largest natural wetland, and there are volunteer opportunities to help its rebirth.

KAUAI
Lushly verdant, rugged and seemingly remote due to its lack of urban bustle, Kauai enjoys a history as the oldest of the islands and the northernmost. It boasts the daytime temperatures that make Hawaii so sought-out as a destination (from the 70s to the 80s, slightly warmer in summer), and the same pattern of trade winds. A point of difference with Oahu, say, is that only 3 percent of its land area (533 square miles) has been developed for commercial and residential use, the remainder divided between agriculture and conservation.

Another is that no structure can be built more than four stories high, which is the approximate height of a mature coconut palm tree—but there’s no need to go higher. The fi ve major resort areas sprawl leisurely over the circular-shaped island, which makes a meeting on Kauai a retreat from the get-go.

“We welcome groups to experience the natural beauty, the culture and the special aloha spirit that Kauai is known for,” says Edie Hafdahl, CMP, CTC, director of sales and marketing for the Kauai Visitors Bureau. As an added incentive, Kauai hotels are off ering very competitive rates—many of which can be found for short-term business, she says.

RESORTS AND MEETING SPACES
With no convention center as its meetings focus, the island’s resort properties fill in beautifully for small and mid-sized groups. They’re tucked into scenic areas with villages and towns that reflect the island’s plantation history.

The North Shore/Princeville is just a 45-minute drive from the airport in Lihue. The area features a topography that ranges from mountains to pasturelands, plus it’s home to picturesque Hanalei Bay. Princeville Resort, a long-time meetings favorite, is currently undergoing a metamorphosis that will see it emerge next April as the St. Regis Princeville Resort, with 252 guest rooms and 12 meeting spaces.

Poipu Beach—located on what’s called the sunnier side of Kauai—puts the South Shore on the map. The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, overlooking Keoneloa Bay in Koloa, has 602 guest rooms to accommodate 65,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Properties throughout the islands are greening their venues, and the Hyatt has just completed a new photovoltaic solar panel system, providing clean, renewable energy for the resort, as part of its sustainability eff orts. The Sheraton Kauai off ers 394 rooms and a 5,900-square-foot ballroom.

Lihue/Kalapaki encompasses Lihue, the island’s gateway city (population 5,674) and center of activity. Here you’ll fi nd museums, shopping, dining and resorts such as the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club, which fronts Kalapaki Bay and has 345 guest rooms, plus nearly 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space. To the east, the Royal Coconut Coast showcases a large percentage of the island’s lodgings, shops and historical sites. On the West Side/Waimea are small, old-fashioned plantation-style towns that serve as a reminder of the island’s agricultural history.

FUN ACTIVITIES
With 43 white-sand beaches, Kauai off ers plenty of towel and sunscreen opportunities for those who just want to kick back after the meeting is over. But there’s plenty more to do here, with unforgettable vistas and experiences.
A golfer’s paradise, Kauai showcases fi ve of the state’s top courses. Of particular interest are Princeville at Hanalei, which features two championship courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.; the Kauai Lagoons Golf Club, with two 18-hole courses designed by Jack Nicklaus; and Puakea Golf Course in Lihue, designed by Hawaii’s Robin Nelson.

Kauai has the island’s only navigable rivers, which fl ow from the center of the island outward. You can kayak or fl oat them, or take a tour boat on the Wailua River fringed by cascading waterfalls. Thanks to an old plantation
irrigation system, you can tube down miles of ditches, tunnels and flumes with Kauai Backcountry Adventures (kauaibackcountry.com).

The best way to explore the island’s Na Pali Coast, with its volcanic, emerald-green cliffs, is on a sightseeing/snorkeling cruise with operators like Captain Andy’s (napali.com) or Blue Dolphin (kauaiboats.com). Or try a sunset cruise aboard Holoholo Charters (holoholocharters.com), which can accommodate groups of up to 45
on their 65-foot catamaran. An absolute must-see is Waimea Canyon, a dramatically carved canyon that exposes the island’s geology with crags, buttes and gorges painted in stunning rainbow hues. Dubbed “Grand Canyon of the Pacifi c,” it digs 3,000 feet down to the canyon floor. Your ziplining fans will find plenty of opportunities here, with several companies offering their own unique perspective of the landscape below—check out Princeville Ranch Adventures (adventureskauai.com) or Outfitters Kauai (outfi tterskauai.com) as a starting point.

For the flavor of Hawaii, several hotels feature luaus on-property, including the Grand Hyatt, the Sheraton Kauai and ResortQuest Kauai Beach at Makaiwa (resortquesthawaii.com). Other options are Smith’s Tropical Paradise Luau (smithskauai.com), which, despite its ubiquitous name, has a long history in Hawaii, and Luau Kalamaku at Kilohana (luaukalamaku.com).

Reflective of the island’s lush greenery is Na Aina Kai Botanical Garden (naainakai.org), with dazzling formal and wild gardens that contribute Kauai’s nickname as the “Garden Isle.” Once a private estate, the garden harbors numerous settings for private events from 20–200 guests.

Another option is Kilohana Plantation (kilohanakauai.com), which features not only beautifully manicured grounds, but also the popular plantation railway. Your events for up to 800 can be held on the grounds; there’s also one of the island’s most authentic luaus.

Getting There