Black Meetings and Tourism

July / August 2021

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B M & T ••• July/August 2021 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 44 AREA GUIDES H AWA I I 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. With more than 50,000 overnight rooms throughout Hawaii's major islands, you're certain to find the perfect host property for your Hawaii event or program. From sprawling, self- contained resorts to soaring skyscrapers, modish boutique properties and value-dri- ven sites, Hawaii offers a range of hotel venues that create a home away from home: exceptional with amenities and ambient with the warmth and welcome inherent to the spirit of aloha. A lush and rejuvenating getaway, Kauai is known for its heavenly beaches, charm- ing 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 meet- ings, incentive programs, and special events, including botanical gardens and one of the largest coffee plantations in the United States. Meeting sites are plen- tiful, 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 func- tion 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 facility is welcoming guests with industry- leading protocols for meetings and events, including the implementation of health and safety technologies, new food and beverage options, revised layouts for socially distanced gatherings, and exten- sive staff training. The Center is working with event organizers to ensure that all gatherings meet the latest COVID-19 requirements. The HCC measures up!, with 1.1 mil- lion sq. ft. of meeting space, 47 meeting rooms, a 200,000-sq. ft. exhibit space divisible into three halls, two tiered-seat- ing 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- Hawaii Convention Center Photo Credit: Vernon Brown

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