Hawaii MICE market: Latest selling points for corporate clients

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

HONOLULU, Hawaii – The new 50-suite Montage Kapalua Bay has opened on the northwest coast of Maui following a $15 million renovation of the former Residences at Kapalua Bay.

HONOLULU, Hawaii – The new 50-suite Montage Kapalua Bay has opened on the northwest coast of Maui following a $15 million renovation of the former Residences at Kapalua Bay. The all-suite resort is a private oceanfront property providing comfortable luxury, gracious service, and regionally inspired dining. Montage Kapalua Bay also offers enriching cultural programs including educational talks, lei (necklace of flowers) making, spa rituals and more.

Outrigger Enterprises Group has announced a $100 million investment to revitalize the oceanfront Outrigger Reef on the Beach in Waikiki. The planned renovation will open up vistas at Outrigger Reef on the Beach by razing an existing five-story structure located on the beach and replacing it with a 34,000-square-foot open recreation space, including enhanced swimming pools, landscaped lounging areas and open-air dining facilities. A new tower, set back from the shoreline along Kalia Road, will add more than 200 full-service hotel rooms to the property. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2017 and is slated for completion in 2019.

The Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay unveiled another phase of its multi-million dollar renovation with redesigned guest rooms and suites. The rooms feature extraordinary commissioned artwork, reflecting the tones and textures of the island. Clients will be greeted with contemporary interiors including rosewood, leather, iron and linen furnishings.

Hilton Waikoloa Village continues to improve its property through updates and renovations and will unveil 235,000 square feet of upgraded meeting, convention, and outdoor function areas by September. The Hilton Waikoloa Villageโ€™s conference center is receiving several updates, including additional hang-points to better facilitate technical audiovisual productions, enhanced lighting with flexible applications, and new wall and ceiling coverings to minimize audio reflection and provide clear acoustics.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort announced the opening of a new business center and hospitality suite. The center will assist guests with any communications needs including short-term use of personal computers and printers. In addition, guests with early arrivals and late departures may take advantage of the shower and changing facilities at the suite located on the first floor of the resortโ€™s tower wing.

The Royal Hawaiian Theater, where the popular Legends in Concert Waikiki show is held, has been renovated and is available for high-profile events including award shows and incentive trips and conferences. The venue features a $1.7 million state-of-the-art lighting system and will cater the event to its clientโ€™s requests.

Activities and Dining

The Hawaii Convention Center unveiled a new student art exhibition in its Pa Kamalii Courtyard. The competitive annual exhibition honors more than 90 local elementary school students whose juried artwork illustrates the theme โ€œCelebrating Hawaii With My Family and Friendsโ€ and will be displayed for a year.

To celebrate its Golden Jubilee, The Kahala Hotel & Resort has developed a cultural awareness program with complimentary daily activities in Hawaiiana for its guests. Popular activities include participating in a keiki (child) hula halau (group) program and experiencing the art of hula. The Kahala continues its 50th anniversary celebrations including offering a glass of sparkling wine and gold dipped chocolate strawberry upon arrival for all groups booking its โ€œPerfect Meeting and Incentiveโ€ promotion with arrival in 2014.

Pacific Historic Parks has announced a breakfast and lunch Pearl Harbor speakers program for association and incentive groups to learn more about the infamous attack that occurred on December 7, 1941. Programs are offered at the USS Arizona Memorial or at properties in Waikiki, Turtle Bay or West Oahu. In addition, Pacific Historic Parks has opened its new Diamond Head Crater Visitor Center, which offers specialized programs for groups that visit the Diamond Head State Monument.

Destination adventure company CLIMB Works opened a new zipline experience at Keana Farms on Oahuโ€™s North Shore to offer guests breathtaking panoramic views on seven dual lines, unique sky bridges, and boardwalks. The tour also includes a birdโ€™s eye view of a working commercial farm and the opportunity to learn more about Hawaiiโ€™s agricultural practices, culture, and history.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort will unveil CabaRAE, a stunning two-hour spirited show with music, acrobatics, magic, and more in a new 10,000-square-foot showroom and cocktail lounge this summer. The world-class entertainment option is a collaboration of former Cirque du Soleil director Alan Goldberg and award-winning nightlife developers, RMD Group.

Fourever Fab, The Beatles tribute band with shows at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel in Waikiki, performs The Beatlesโ€™ hits live in concert on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The group is now available for booking at private events and meetings.

JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina offers a new feature for dining under the stars at its outdoor fire pit, ideal for smaller groups looking for the ambiance of a beachfront location surrounded by lighted torches. Clients may reserve the space for special occasions and are required to reserve at least 24 hours ahead. A minimum $500 order on items from the resortโ€™s specialized fire pit tapas menu is required.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai recently named Massimo Falsini as its executive chef overseeing all restaurants and culinary operations including menus for meetings, conventions, and events at the Hawaii Island luxury resort. Falsini most recently served as executive chef of Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. His earlier experience includes positions in Jordan, Rome and Italy. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai focuses on culinary sustainability.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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