Black Meetings and Tourism

July/August 2019

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AREA GUIDES THE "PARADISE OF THE PACIFIC" GIVES YOUR MEETING TOP LEVEL HOSPITALITY ALONG WITH AN EXOTIC AMBIANCE B Y R U F U S M C K I N N E Y The Aloha State is an opus of six islands – Kauai, Oahu, Molokal, Maui, Lana and Hawaii. A lush and rejuvenating getaway, Kauai is known for its heavenly beaches, charming and historic towns, incomparable land and seascapes, and tranquil atmosphere. Kauai has more than 4,000 hotel rooms but retains a sense of "small-island" charm with relaxed towns and welcoming residents. There are a number of world-class hotels and resorts on Kauai, as well as excellent alternatives for group meetings, incentive programs, and special events, including botanical gardens and one of the largest coffee plantations in the United States. Meeting sites are plentiful, and each offers a special touch of Kauai with amenities that are made or grown on the island. For instance, the 216-room Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay offers 5,375 sq. ft. of indoor and more than 2,000 sq. ft. of outdoor function space. The Island of Oahu offers Hawaii's largest number of hotel rooms and meet- ing facilities, including the crown jewel of Hawaii's meetings' infrastructure – the 1.1-million-sq. ft. Hawaii Convention Center. Oahu, the "Heart of Hawaii," is Hawaii's political and economic center — home to Honolulu, the state capital, and iconic locations and attractions, including Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, Leahi (Diamond Head) and more. Oahu draws more meetings than any other island and offers a multitude of convention and incentive opportunities, including more than 30,000 hotel rooms, exciting activi- ties and iconic off-site venues to accom- modate any sized group and program. The Hawaii Convention Center is an event destination like none other — a stunning marriage of form and function, open to sky and sun between the shade of terraces and lanais, graced with court- yards, waterfalls and fishponds to create a meetings and convention backdrop that is at once tranquil and invigorating. The venue fronts Kalakaua Avenue, the boule- vard anchoring Honolulu's shopping, din- ing and entertainment scene. It's adjacent to Waikiki, Oahu's iconic resort area with 30,000 hotel rooms and a divine, cres- cent-shaped beach. In the other direction is the capital city's downtown area and some of Hawaii's top attractions. Honolulu International Airport is a mere eight-mile drive. The HCC measures up! Its 1.1 million sq. ft. of meeting space can accommo- date events for up to more than 13,000 people. There are 47 meeting rooms, a 200,000-sq. ft. exhibit space divisible into three halls, two tiered-seating theaters, a 35,000-sq. ft. ballroom and a Rooftop Garden. It's Hawaii at heart — in style and with service that's shaped by the spirit of aloha. The open-air design invites gentle sea breezes, sprawling panes of glass invite an abundance of light, and atten- dees can meet and mix in public spaces ornamented with works by several local artists and landscaping that includes gen- tly flowing waterfalls and mesmerizing fishponds. When it's time for F&B, the facility's 20,000-sq. ft. production kitchen incorpo- rates Hawaiian traditions into dishes and sources farm-fresh ingredients for meals guaranteed to delight your guests with island flavors and flair. Molokai is an island of contrasts, best known for a quiet lifestyle and an exten- sive menu of outdoor activities and cultur- al experiences. Molokai embodies Hawaii's past in a place where culture thrives, replete with historical accounts, island legends and breathtaking land- marks. Guests won't find skyscrapers or stoplights, but those seeking a true retreat atmosphere will find Molokai to be the perfect meetings destination and an ideal setting for team-building and pre- and post-meeting activities. With just over 360 rooms (most of them located in two luxury resorts), Lanai is perfect for small, executive gatherings. Spanning only 141 square miles and rela- tively small in population, Lanai is known for luxurious pampering, gourmet dining and unconventional outdoor activities. Seclusion and verdant beauty are the pri- mary draw for meetings hosted on Lanai, and the island is ideal for hosting small, Hawaii Convention Center Photo Credit: Vernon Brown B M & T ••• July/August 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 48 H AWA I I

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