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HAWAII WHERE HERITAGE MEETS HOSPITALITY BY MAYA HARVEY Hawaii is not a postcard setting, it is a dynamic confluence of ancestral wisdom, sovereign identity, and global hosting power. Here, venues are not merely booked, they bridge sacred land and executive function. Across the islands, event organizers will find not only state- of-the-art infrastructure, but also cultural insight, spiritual grounding, and excep- tional hospitality. This is not simply a place that receives. It is a place that gives. • •OAHU • • The Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu serves as the archipelago's business epicenter. Just eight miles from Daniel K Inouye International Airport, the center offers over 1.1 million square feet of event space, including a 200,000 square foot exhibit hall, 35,000 square foot ballroom, and 47 configurable meeting rooms. Rooftop terraces and open air lanais provide flexibility for sun- set receptions, while LEED Silver certifica- tion reflects the venue's environmental stewardship. With a consistent planner satisfaction rating above 95 percent, the center is known for operational excel- lence and adaptive service. Accommodations within walking dis- tance include the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Prince Waikiki, and Halepuna Waikiki, each with upscale meeting space and full- service offerings. Room blocks, executive lounges, and panoramic boardrooms are well suited for national conferences and corporate retreats. Honolulu also features The Equus and Queen Kapiolani Hotel for boutique group stays with artistic flair. For planners seeking culinary distinction, Ai Love Nalo in Waimanalo, recently reopened in 2024, is a standout Black owned café with a health forward, plant based menu rooted in Hawaiian ingredi- ents. Nearby, groups may explore cultural exhibits at the Bishop Museum, attend sto- rytelling programs at the Queen Emma Summer Palace, or schedule curated walk- ing tours that highlight African-American heritage in the islands. The Honolulu Museum of Art and the lively Kakaako dis- trict also offer unique offsite venues for receptions and creative activations. Planners can even incorporate cultural protocol ses- sions to ensure programs begin with respect and relevance to the host culture. • •MAUI • • Maui offers a refined retreat for execu- tive and incentive meetings. The Ritz Carlton Kapalua, Grand Wailea, and Wailea Beach Resort provide top tier hos- pitality with oceanfront venues, board- rooms, and spa integration. Planners can reserve hula workshops, indigenous well- ness sessions, or taro farm tours that merge cultural knowledge with group programming. Sunset cruises and snorkel- ing trips extend networking into the nat- ural world. Luxury accommodations include business class concierge support, on site audiovisual teams, and indoor out- door event platforms that accommo- date up to 1,200 guests. Maui's natu- ral beauty becomes a functional asset, offering visual serenity and experiential learning opportunities. Groups can take part in beach cleanups, Hawaiian language workshops, and artisan led lei making as part of values based pro- gramming. With consistent weather and year round airlift from major U S cities, Maui allows planners to design custom experiences that reflect both organizational mission and place based authenticity. Post conference relaxation at Lahaina's restored art gal- leries or small group luaus rounds out itineraries with creativity and care. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Meet Hawaii, Maui Office www.meethawaii.com/maui (808) 243 KINN(5466) 40 B M & T ••• July/August 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Hawaii Convention Center AREA GUIDES H AWA I I • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Four Seasons Resort Ohaut Ko Olina 383 Sheraton Waikiki 1,636 Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel 452 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Hawaii Convention Center Total Meeting Space 1.1 million sq. ft. Largest Hall 200,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 35,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 47 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Meet Hawaii Oahu Sales Office (808) 923-9300 www.meethawaii.com photo credit: Vernon Brown. •••••••••••••• • •••••••••••••