Press Kit

HAWAI`I’S BIG ISLAND INSPIRES GROUPS WITH SIZZLING NEW TEAM-BUILDING ACTIVITIES

Hawai`i’s Big Island (Summer 2007) — Meeting planners know effective business groups need quality time together, and being surrounded by stunning Hawaiian beauty and luxurious accommodations makes Hawai`i’s Big Island vastly appealing as a meeting site. But it’s the island’s diverse palette of group activities that keep attendees connected, invigorated and inspired to boost performance.

At Parker Ranch, even the most straight-laced CEO can kick up his or her heels at a group rodeo held at the historic ranch, one of the largest private ranches in the U.S. Located in the cool upcountry pasturelands of Waimea, Parker Ranch offers its Rodeo Arena to groups for the day, with horses, calf-roping, a racetrack, bandstands, and everything else cowboys and cowgirls need for a traditional rodeo – including a post competition hoe down. Also available are private open range rides on horseback or ATV, to boot. Contact Anthony Roberts aroberts@parkerranch.com or call (808) 885-5898, www.parkerranch.com/activities.

If your captains of industry prefer adventures at sea, start with breakfast aboard Alala, Hawai`i Ocean Sports’ sleek cruising catamaran. The Tradewind Breakfast Sail, complete with Bloody Marys and mimosas, is the perfect opener for a full-day beach blast at `Anaeho`omalu Bay, one of the island’s finest white sand beaches at Waikoloa Beach Resort. Participants can snorkel, sail, view the coral reef from a glass bottom boat, boogie board, windsurf, paddle a kayak or pedal a hydrobike – there are unlimited options for great group play. Contact Judith Jennett, jjennet@hawaiioceansports.com, (888) SAIL-234, www.hawaiioceansports.com.

The saltiest seadogs can hoist the skull and crossbones with award-winning Captain Zodiac’s Pirates of the Pacific excursion for up to 100 buccaneers. Cast off from Honokōhau Harbor near Kailua-Kona in 24-foot inflatable craft and zip along Kona’s stunning coastline, stopping to explore sea caves, and snorkel among Hawaiian marine life like green sea turtles and spotted eagle rays. Back on board, swap fish tales with the crew. Arrrggh! (808) 329-3199, www.captainzodiac.com

Seeking amusement for even the most serious group? Mark and Desire’e Watson of Executive Purpose™ Training and Retreats get the group rolling with their Laughter Yoga program, designed to ignite a sense of passion and mission in the lives of individuals and their professional agendas. Trainings open with pule (Hawaiian prayer) and an oli (chant) by a kumu hula (hula teacher). Then the work begins, with the giggles, which quickly erupt into guffaws, snickers, snorts and lots of LOL, guaranteed to help groups relax, release inhibitions and enjoy the experience more fully. www.executivepurpose.com, (808) 883-9838.

Hungry for some tasty group competition? Hilton Waikoloa Village offers a Cook-off Challenge where teams prepare soup, salad and dessert for a panel of judges (often celebrities), armed with Hawai`i Island’s most renowned ingredients. The icing on the cake is that Hilton – which was the locale for Bravo TV’s Top Chef finale in early 2007 – offers up one of its own phenomenal chefs as group coach. (808) 886-1234, www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/meetings

At The Fairmont Orchid in the Mauna Lani Resort, groups can work on their team-building skills, literally. At the sound of the pū (conch shell), each team starts building its Little Grass Shack from the sand foundation all the way to the grass-thatched roof, on the shores of scenic Pauoa Bay. Along the way, teams earn “dollars” to upgrade the property, rent tools, or hire Kimo’s Konstruction Kompany to finish the job. (808) 885-2000, www.fairmont.com/orchid.

Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, located in Kona, home of the Ironman World Triathlon Championship, offers its own take on the triathlon. With all the elements of a traditional triathlon (swim, bike, run), this mini-triathlon includes a swim in the resort’s enormous pool, a quick, hilarious pedal about resort grounds on tricycles, and a speed-walk along oceanfront pathways to the finish line. Of course, no triathlon would be complete without aid stations. But these aid stations are stocked with libations and snacks that make for a delicious event indeed! Contact Brad Doell, brad.doell@sheraton.com, call (808) 930-4872 or visit www.sheratonkeauhou.com.

Groups at the AAA Five-Diamond Four Seasons Resort Hualālai rock out together with a challenging Rock Wall Climb, created and coached by Ironman triathlete Thad Caliciolari and Olympic Gold Medalist David Oliver. (808) 325-8000, www.fourseasons.com/hualalai.

Hawai`i’s Big Island is home to Kīlauea, perhaps the world’s most active volcano. Intrepid groups can explore Kīlauea with Hawai`i Forest & Trail’s Lava Express hike, directly out to the molten lava – when it’s in the flow. Hawai`i’s 2006 Ecotour Operator of the Year, HFT tours are completely customizable, expertly guided and searingly unforgettable. Contact Ipo Dill in Group Sales, (800) 464-1993, www.hawaii-forest.com.

Want your group to experience something out of this world, yet firmly rooted in Hawaiian history? In Hilo, the new ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center offers a stellar group experience. Resident astronomers reveal the Hawaiian night sky via the cutting-edge full-dome planetarium’s star show. Attendees learn how the early Polynesians – master oceanic navigators and astronomers – ventured from the South Pacific towards unknown, uninhabited islands north, using the stars to discover Hawai`i Island and the rest of the Hawaiian archipelago. Contact U`ilani Arcangel at uarcangel@imiloahawi.org, call (808) 969-9739 or visit www.imiloahawaii.org.

At the newly renovated Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, the resort hotel brings the stars to incentive groups by setting up world class star gazing telescopes and bringing in astronomers for Hawaiian “talk story” star-gazing parties or merely as an interesting element to opening night receptions. For more information on this special meetings package or how to earn Marriott Million Rewards Points for booking meetings, contact Peter C. Thoene at (808) 886-8131 or
peter.thoene@marriotthotels.com, www.marriotthawaii.com

Hapuna Golf Course has the answer for sports-minded groups who want fun, organized competition without all the work. Let their golf team take care of all the details, from tee-time breakfast to post-tournament tropical drinks and trophies. Designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, Hapuna features awesome ocean views from almost every hole, with full-service Pro Shop, locker rooms and Fitness Center, group or private PGA lessons and Darrin Gee’s “Spirit of Golf” mental coaching, along with comfortable Arnie’s clubhouse restaurant for your favorite food and libations after play. Contact Lyanne Ching (808) 882-5401, www.princeresortshawaii.com/golf.

And that’s just the beginning of the Big Island’s action-packed options for groups on a mission: to deliver experiences that inspire and ignite the imagination, with “out of your world” natural wonders and plenty of aloha. To get started, visit http://meet.bigisland.org

Media Contact:
Jessica Ferracane
President, Irondog Communications LLC
Representing the Big Island Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 1093
Kurtistown, HI 96760
Cell: (808) 895-5740
Home office: (808) 968-0624
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