Hawai'i means business
More than just a holiday-maker’s playground, these Pacific islands are the perfect location for your next corporate get-together.
Known for their natural beauty, the Hawaiian Islands have long attracted visitors with their combination of adventure and relaxation – and that welcoming “aloha spirit”. But the Hawaiian Islands are also a tropical backdrop for corporate meetings, conferences and incentives. From recognising staff achievement and loyalty to building relationships, delegates can meet, learn and – when the day's work is done – indulge in some downtime, all in one trip to any of the six islands: O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui, Moloka'i, Lāna'i and the Island of Hawai'i.
Beyond the conference room Whether your team prefers to soak up Hawai'i’s many natural wonders at their own pace or amp up the adventure, there are activities to suit a diverse range of groups when it’s time to take a break from the conference schedule. Treat delegates to a surfing lesson at O'ahu’s iconic Waikiki Beach or visit Kualoa Ranch – the backdrop for movies such as Jurassic Park – where you can go zip-lining and ride ATVs. Explore Kōke'e State Park or Waimea Canyon (the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”) on scenic Kaua'i or go whalewatching in the waters surrounding Maui. Teams can get off the beaten path on Lāna'i’s rugged four-wheeldrive trails or have a hit at Manele Golf Course, which is famous for its sweeping ocean views. For groups who want to participate in corporate social responsibility activities, each of the six Hawaiian Islands offer opportunities. You can connect and give back to the community by joining a tree-planting workshop, tending the land with sustainable farmers or helping to protect fragile marine ecosystems. Venues and hotels Enliven your company’s incentive program with an offsite event on a naval ship, ranch or plantation amid lush emerald-coloured mountains. The USS Missouri, the last United States battleship built and now housed at the working military base of Pearl Harbor, is one of the state’s truly unique venues. Intimate meals can be held in the Captain’s Cabin, while a former flight deck and the pier host larger gatherings. There's no shortage of function spaces with Pacific Ocean views and there are options to suit all occasions – think a champagne welcome for delegates in a fine art gallery at Maui’s Lahaina Loft or for a more dramatic setting, dine at Volcano House overlooking the Island of Hawai'i’s active volcano, Kīlauea. Renowned for its hospitality, Hawai'i also offers a vast range of accommodation options, including luxury resorts and boutique properties in inspiring locations. The elegant and newly renovated Mauna Lani, an Auberge Resort, is a standout, with 13 indoor and outdoor event spaces set along the palm-fringed Kona coast on the Island of Hawai'i. Meanwhile, the recently transformed Westin Maui Resort & Spa offers refurbished meeting spaces and an outlook over Kaanapali Beach. The resort is home to two ballrooms and multiple outdoor venues, including the oceanfront Aloha Pavilion. Only in Hawai'i The aloha spirit – that trademark Hawai'i vibe – is all about the warmth, kindness and generosity of locals, who embrace visitors from around the world. It’s just one more reason why Hawai'i is the ideal place to foster relationships. In Waikiki, give delegates a true taste of this spirit, and Polynesian culture, by adding an activity such as lei-making or hula dancing to your program. A lū'au – a traditional Hawaiian feast with music and dance – provides a memorable start or end to a conference. If your trip coincides with one of Hawai'i’s annual cultural festivals, join the festivities. In April, the Island of Hawai'i hosts the week-long Merrie Monarch Festival, a celebration of Hawaiian music, dance and art. Vibrant street parades take place across all six islands on King Kamehameha Day (11 June), a public holiday that commemorates the leader who united the islands in 1810. Or catch the Ukulele Festival held on O'ahu in July for some seriously good fun. For more information about booking a corporate meeting or incentive in the Hawaiian Islands, visit meethawaii.com.