Smart Meetings

They’re the most isolated groupings of islands in the world—a fact that contributes to their magical mystique (see our Hawaii story in the September 2009 issue).

Among the six main islands of this tropical paradise are Oahu, the third largest in size (and first in population), and Kauai, the fourth largest and oldest, geologically speaking. The two have distinctly different personas, as evidenced by their nicknames: Oahu, The Gathering Place; and Kauai, The Garden Isle. Yet they complement each other with their unique Hawaiian essence as well as their proximity (it’s not uncommon for groups to start on one island and hop to the other).

Of course, both islands—like their  visitor-friendly counterparts—have not gone unscathed by the economic challenges this past year. “Like all destinations, we saw a drop-off in business at the outset of the year as many groups and organizations took some time to figure out what to do in the current economy,” says Michael Murray, CMM, CMP, CASE, vice president, sales and marketing, corporate meetings & incentives for the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, which represents the entire state. But, he says, “We are again seeing great interest in Hawaii because planners recognize what a tremendous motivator [the state] is for incentives, and also how powerful Hawaii is for drawing attendance to meetings and conferences.”

Both Oahu and Kauai are playing an important role in this uptick. In addition to the motivational  opportunities they provide for business groups, they’ve made a host of significant improvements to their meetings infrastructure and created new experiences for first-time and returning attendees.

They’ve also concentrated on the other lures that planners want, especially today. Many properties are offering lower guest room rates and added-value options, as well as special meeting packages. Some are unique to the venue, some are brand-wide. The end result? There’s never been a better time to revisit Oahu and Kauai—or to book them.

NEW AND RENOVATED PROPERTIES

It could be said that if you haven’t visited Oahu or Kauai recently, you haven’t been there. Oahu’s resort areas are enjoying a bounty of new and upgraded properties that have changed the meetings landscape, particularly in Waikiki.

Defined by its fabled beach, Waikiki has seen an unprecedented renaissance, led by the development of Waikiki Beach Walk. It led to the renovation or construction of new hotels such as the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk, the Ohana Islander and Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk with 462 hotel rooms is expected to open this month. The Royal Hawaiian reopened last December with 529 guest rooms and 77,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, after a multimillion-dollar transformation. Convention hotels also completed upgrades, including the Sheraton Waikiki, which added an infinity pool with nightly entertainment, while the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa debuted the historic Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon after a $15-million restoration project.

In the upscale residential area of Kahala, The Kahala Hotel & Resort completed a multi-year, $52-million renovation that included its 338 guest rooms and 11,500 sq. ft. of meeting space. At the master-planned Ko’Olina Resort, construction is underway on a new Disney resort with 1,066 guest rooms and 63,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space (completion is scheduled for 2011). Nearby is the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort, featuring 387 guest rooms and 70,000 sq. ft. of function space. And on the North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort continues to enjoy an earlier renovation, with 375 guest rooms and 31,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Kauai is seeing its own renovation revival. The really big news is the reopening in October of the St. Regis Princeville Resort, after a $60-million makeover. It features 252 rooms and 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and joins the newly renovated Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club, which wrapped up its own $50-million renovation. The Marriott has 345 rooms and nearly 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor space, plus a 16,552-square-foot ballroom. The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, which completed a multimillion-dollar expansion and renovation of its spa, offers 602 rooms and 65,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

STATE-OF-THE-ART CONVENTION CENTER

One of the most tech- and eco-friendly facilities in the nation, the Hawaii Convention Center on Oahu features 149,768 sq. ft. of meeting space, plus a 200,000-square-foot exhibition hall and 47 meeting rooms. Its strategic location is ideal not only for mainland groups, but also for those with delegates from Pacific Rim countries—a bonus for planners with corporate budgets to deal with or associations whose members foot the bill. For example, the American Dental Association’s 150th Annual Session last October drew an international attendance of 24,000, spurred in large part by Hawaii as the meeting site. According to Dr. Robert Skinner, 2009 chair of the Council on ADA Sessions, “Hawaii is a popular venue for our Annual Session attendees, and we [were thrilled] to return here again to experience its great warmth and hospitality.”

HELPFUL CVBS

In addition to the statewide Hawaii VCB, the Oahu chapter and Kauai chapter can help you access the islands’ full range of meetings services. Plus, “Planners can also take advantage of our Added Value Resource Center, which is located online at BusinessAloha.com,” Murray says. “We introduced this innovative program earlier this year, and it contains seven cost-saving and value-added initiatives that planners can utilize for their clients to make Hawaii an even more appealing and affordable experience.” The response to the program thus far has been fantastic, he says. “[Planners] appreciate the efforts we are taking to help them address the challenges of the current economy and stay within budget.”

SUN, SAND AND OTHER  FUN ACTIVITIES

As we learned from Terri Breining, CMM, CMP, of the Breining Group, at our recent The Smart Meeting (see our October issue for the recap), fun and ROI are not mutually exclusive. Built into the Hawaii experience are a mild year-round climate and pristine blue waters, factors that promote a wide range of activities for off-sites and pre- and post-event adventures.

On Oahu, your groups will head like lemmings for the beach, where surfing and water sports reign supreme. Whether you give them free time (free to you, as well) or organize a planned event, the beach is an anticipated perk that satisfies attendees’ picture-postcard vision of Hawaii as a meeting destination.

On the much-less developed island of Kauai, there are 50 miles of white-sand beaches and the state’s only navigable river. You won’t want to miss sailing and snorkeling excursions along the dramatic, 16-mile Napali Coast (check out Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures & Raft Expeditions).

For those groups who thrive on adventure, both islands offer hiking, biking and ATVing—plus, on Kauai, there’s the option to zipline, with companies such as Just Live! and Princeville Ranch Adventures offering spectacular views along with an adrenaline rush.

And for those attendees who golf, there’s no better place to tee off than these islands. Oahu offers 29 courses easily accessible to visitors, including three resorts that host LPGA and Champions Tour events. Kauai has nine challenging courses at seven golf venues, including Princeville’s 45 holes at two locations (Prince and Makai).

A SENSE OF PLACE

Hawaii’s ancient traditions and multi-cultural heritage contribute to its allure with attractions like luaus and music and dance festivals. Traditional luaus can be found at the Polynesian Cultural Center, which offers the uniquely Hawaiian entertainment in addition to its showcase of Polynesian cultures, and the Grand Hyatt’s version on Kauai. Oahu also offers two new evening shows: the Aha Aina, a Royal Celebration, a dinner and show at The Royal Hawaiian; and the Rockin’ Hawaiian Rainbow Revue, a music-entertainment event at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

For more information on properties, venues and attractions on Oahu/Kauai, click here. Back to Top

Getting There

• Honolulu International Airport, on Oahu, is Hawaii’s major airport. It’s served by all 23 major domestic carriers and 16 international carriers. Beginning December 5, Air Canada will offer nonstop seasonal service between Calgary, Alberta and Honolulu.
• Go!, the Hawaiian low-cost carrier, and Island Airways offer inter-island flights.
• Lihue Airport is Kauai’s gateway, with service from five major airlines (United, American, Alaska, US Airways and Hawaiian) from five major cities. WestJet, Canada’s low-fare carrier, will provide nonstop service from Vancouver twice a week starting next month.

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