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With all the hype around the eruption of Hawaii Island’s Kilauea volcano, it’s important to know that HAWAII IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Hawaii Island, also known as the Big Island, is the largest of the 8 major islands in the Hawaiian chain with the major visitor attractions far from any volcanic impact. The surface of the Big Island is 4,028 square miles, the area of the volcanic action is only 10 square miles. The resort areas of the island are about 100 miles away from the affected area. Visitors are encouraged to move forward with their travel plans to our beautiful state – it’s business as usual here in Paradise!
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, situated along Hawaii Island’s Kohala Coast, will be closing in October to undergo an extensive redesign and shares the exciting news they will reopen in late 2019 as Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection.
Located along the same coastline is the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, which has been transformed by a $46 million-dollar renovation into the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. The 232 guest rooms and 17 suites have new Westin features such as the Heavenly bed and Heavenly shower, as well as décor with touches of natural wood and stone. The oceanfront resort sits on Hapuna Beach, considered one of the best beaches on the island.
The Wailea Marriott Resort, originally built in the late 70’s and opened as an Intercontinental, completed a $100 million-dollar transformation and has a new name, the Wailea Beach Resort, Marriott Maui. The resort features a new dining concept by Roy Yamaguchi, Humble Market Kitchin, new pool environments, and redesigned rooms and suites. This is a great option for groups looking to be on the south side of the island.
The island of Oahu has been busy rebranding and rebuilding! The new Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach opened on May 8, 2018. This 4.5-star resort with interiors designed by the Rockwell Group, features 839 rooms and suites, a 12,000 square foot ballroom and a conference center – perfect for groups ranging in size from 50 to 600. Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto features two restaurants, Morimoto Asia and Momosan both available for private events. The O Bar features an Oceanarium and serves as the gathering place for attendees.
The Four Seasons Resort Oahu, at Ko Olina located in the westside resort community of Ko Olina, is celebrating its second anniversary. The luxury resort is the result of an extensive remodel of the former JW Marriott property and is home to 371 rooms and suites. Culinary offerings include Mina’s Fish House by James Beard Award-Winning Chef Michael Mina. The resort features over 14,000 square feet of space, five function rooms and outdoor lawn areas with beautiful settings.
Did You Know?
There’s a new activity on the east side of the Garden Isle of Kauai. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters newest offering, Discover Kauai Helicopter Tour, departing from the Princeville Heliport is an awe-inspiring aerial adventure over the island. Scenic views include Hanapepe Valley, Manawaiopuna falls (“Jurassic Park” Falls of movie fame), Olokele Canyon, and majestic Waimea Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”
Tasting Kauai Food Tours has a unique culinary option for groups! Guests will enjoy delicious foods from one-of-a-kind specialty stores, local restaurants, and food trucks. Your guides, Marta and Daniel Lane, are well versed in the local food scene and will share an insider’s view!
James Beard award winning chef, Michael Mina, has done it again!His latest concept, The Street, A Michael Mina Social House (The Street HNL) opened last year on the ground floor of the newly renovated International Marketplace in Waikiki.It spans 6,900 square feet, with 13 different chef-driven restaurant concepts. The space was designed to look like an urban neighborhood with cracks in the concrete floor and shadows of trees cast from the lighting above. The Street is the perfect place for a group event and is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime in between.
This past May, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines announced its intended service from the mainland United States to Hawaii. The carrier plans to fly from Oakland, San Diego, San Jose and Sacramento to 4 ports in the State of Hawaii – Honolulu (Oahu), Lihue (Kauai), Kahului (Maui), and Kona (Hawaii Island).While other airports in California are still under consideration, Hawaii-bound flights are expected to start as early as this year.
Fun fact! The tallest mountain on earth, from base to peak, is in Hawaii. Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano located on Hawaii Island, measures 33,500 feet from its base at the sea floor to the summit which makes it nearly a mile taller than Mount Everest.
Recipe from Hawaii – Fish Cakes with Wasabi-Ginger Tartar Sauce
Recipe description from Beverly Gannon, one of Hawaii’s most celebrated chefs: “Instead of crab cakes, which you see on so many menus, we do fish cakes. It is a great way to use up those small ends of fresh fish fillets. Just about any combination of fish will do. We usually use mahi, snapper, ahi, halibut, and sea bass.
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