SIZZLIN’ SUMMER FUN HAPPENINGS FROM THE ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI
SIZZLIN’ SUMMER FUN HAPPENINGS FROM THE ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI
Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau Media Contact:
Cheyenne Gomez, (808) 539-3409, [email protected]
Island of Hawai‘i (April 3, 2023) — While the island of Hawai‘i can essentially boast of having summer weather all year round, the actual summer season brings with it the bonus of longer days to enjoy it all. That means more time to really take in all that extra sun and warmth, the island’s breathtaking natural world, its many towns and national parks, and enjoy its wonderfully blue waters and white sand beaches. From canoe races and food festivals to island-wide tours and cultural activities and experiences, the summer offers plenty of time to celebrate all the seasonal fun it brings to Hawai‘i Island.
Read on to learn about upcoming events and exciting new activities for everyone to enjoy this summer on the island of Hawai‘i.
UPCOMING EVENTS
In celebration of Earth Day, Honua Hawaiian Skincare is partnering with Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection’s Kainalu Ocean Sports team to host an SPF Swap on April 22. Hotel guests are invited to stop by the resort that day to exchange sunscreens containing harmful chemicals such as Oxybenzone and Octinoxate for Honua Hawaiian Skincare’s reef-safe MALU Day Cream, broad spectrum SPF 30. A percentage of proceeds from MALU sales benefits Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping our oceans clean and inspiring communities to practice coastal stewardship. For more information, call (855) 550-5008.
Nonprofit disability support organization, The Arc of Hilo, has set June 4 for its second annual King Kamehameha's Awesome Athletes Inclusive Canoe Race for youth and adults with special needs. The Hilo Bay outrigger race is hosted by The Arc of Hilo in partnership with inclusive canoe clubs ‘Ohana Wa‘a Laulima and OSMD Hawai‘i Foundation. More than 100 athletes and volunteers competed in the event’s 2022 races and organizers expect even more participants this year. Registration is open now at www.hilocanoerace.com for participants and volunteers. Come celebrate the warrior spirit of the event’s awesome athletes.
In celebration of World Oceans Day, Mauna Lani will host a beach cleanup and SPF sunscreen swap with Project Reef on June 8, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., for guests of the resort. Also on World Oceans Day, Mauna Lani will hold a workshop, led by ocean plastics jewelry maker A.B. Seas founder Alice Birnbaum, on creating resin-made products using recycled microplastics from the beach cleanup. Later that evening, Mauna Lani will host a free, open-to-the-public film screening of “My Octopus Teacher” at 6 p.m. on its Milo Tree Lawn. For more information, call (855) 550-5008.
Every King Kamehameha Day, the North Kohala Kamehameha Day Celebration celebrates and honors Hawai‘i’s first monarch. On this year’s holiday, June 11, the North Kohala community’s original King Kamehameha statue will be draped with a 20-foot lei, followed by a blessing ceremony, hula and music performances, and sharing of history. A parade following the ceremony will include traditional pāʻū riders (women horseback riders) and horses adorned in flowers and colors representing each Hawaiian Island. For more information, visit www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org.
The Hawai‘i Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival is an annual celebration of the island of Hawai'i as a multicultural melting pot. This year’s three-day event promises fashion, food, cultural presentations, a hula hō‘ike (show), a fireknife competition, a culinary event and more. The festival is set for July 9 through 11 at Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort. For more information, visit https://www.hikuauli.com.
The Experience Volcano Festival is a celebration of the culture, people and traditions that make the Volcano Village area of the island of Hawai‘i unique. Set for July 29 and 30, the fest aims to give attendees a taste of everything Volcano Village offers, showcasing Hawaiian culture, local music, area art and artisans, tours, keiki (children) and ‘ohana (family) activities, restaurant happy hours and specials, food trucks and more. For more information, visit https://www.experiencevolcano.com/experiencevolcanofestival.
Join the Volcano’s ‘Ōhiʻa Lehua Runs on July 29. Beginning and ending in Volcano Village, the event’s course takes runners along the community’s Wright Road through a beautiful ‘ōhiʻa forest with scenic views of Maunakea and Maunaloa. For more information, visit https://www.ohialehuahalf.com.
ACTIVITIES
Kahalu‘u Beach Park in Kona will be closed from May 5 - May 12, 2023, due to coral spawning. The closure aims to enhance the spawning of cauliflower coral, a vital process for rejuvenating the coral reef ecosystem. The Kohala Center’s Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center (KBEC) and the Division of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources (DLNR-DAR) are asking the public to voluntarily refrain from swimming and snorkeling in Kahaluʻu Bay during the closure to enhance the spawning of cauliflower coral. Coral gametes will more likely be able to find suitable reef areas to recolonize within the bay if given a chance to settle undisturbed by human activity and/or pollutants. KBEC and its ReefTeach program are encouraging proper reef etiquette to mitigate negative human impact on coral reef ecosystems. The Department of Parks & Recreation and KBEC appreciate the public’s understanding and respect for this vital coral recovery and replenishment process. For more information, please get in touch with the Kahalu’u Bay Education Center at (808) 895-1010.
Now open at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Loa Trail is now accessible from the trailhead near the park’s Mauna Loa Lookout to Puʻuʻulaʻula (Red Hill) as well as Red Hill Cabin. Mauna Loa Trail and the backcountry wilderness above Red Hill Cabin remain closed due to hazards from the Maunaloa volcano’s most recent eruption which started November 27 and ended December 10, 2022. Be aware, the steep 7.5-mile hike from Mauna Loa Lookout to Red Hill Cabin at Maunaloa volcano’s 10,035-foot elevation is for skilled hikers only. Hikers are advised to know their skill limits as it is a very difficult hike. Overnight use of Red Hill Cabin requires a backcountry permit. For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hike_maunaloa.htm?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.
Kailani Tours recently added a menu of separate island of Hawai‘i private tours for travelers interested in a more intimate tour experience with family, friends or colleagues. Guests have the option of making Kailani’s signature tours private or working with a private and charter tour specialist to create a brand-new offering specific to the group’s interests. Offering Mercedes-Benz Smartliners and an array of SUVs for these outings, Kailani Tours can design private tours for large and small groups. Its private and charter tour specialists are keenly aware of the island and leverage their relationships with vendors island wide to curate the perfect day of touring the island. For more information, visit www.kailanitourshawaii.com.
Hawai‘i Island’s eco-friendly sailing charter company Kohala Blue has gone electric, recently upgrading its 34-foot Gemini sailing catamaran with two sun- and wind-powered electric propulsion motors that run silently and peacefully while the watercraft is moving. For passengers, the result is a sailing experience with no engine noise, vibration, air or water pollution and no fumes associated with gas or diesel power. Guests can be confident their choice to snorkel, sail and observe marine life aboard Kohala Blue’s Dolce Vita catamaran protects the marine environment. For more information on Kohala Blue’s sailing and sunset charters, snorkel trips and whale watching, visit kohalablue.net or call (808) 556-7469. Connect with Kohala Blue on Instagram and Facebook at @kohala_blue.
Mauna Lani is offering its guests a new hands-on creative workshop centered around Hawaiian cultural dyes. In the Hawaiian culture, dyes are made from much that is found in nature, including fruits, leaves, bark and soil. The most common colors of these dyes are shades of green, brown, black, red, yellow, orange and purple. Guests participating in the workshop learn how to process native and non-native plants into dyes, as well as other uses and stories behind these beautiful floras, most of which are found on property. For more information, call (855) 550-5008.
TASTY TIDBITS
Supporting its ongoing commitment to food sustainability and cultural education, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort’s signature restaurant, Meridia, boasts a 10,000-square-foot garden and two apiaries directly supporting the property’s “zero kilometer” mindset by bringing part of its farming in-house. Originally conceived by resort Executive Chef Peter Abarcar Jr., a Hawai‘i Island-native, development of the onsite garden was part of Meridia’s multimillion-dollar renovation. The expansive garden now produces ‘ulu (breadfruit), okra and kalamungai — in addition to fresh honey from onsite beehives, all of which are showcased across Meridia’s award-winning menu. Chef Peter shared his deep island knowledge with Meridia’s new Executive Chef Junior Ulep to ensure ingredients on the restaurant’s menu were raised eco-friendly and conscientious of the surrounding landscape. For more information, visit maunakearesort.com.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Mauna Kea Resort recently unveiled a brand-new Moku Pūlama Fund offering guests the opportunity to directly contribute to the property’s efforts toward creating a sustainable future simply by staying at the resort. In the true spirit of moku pūlama, which means “to care for, cherish and treasure our district and island,” a small daily charge is accrued from every hotel reservation to directly support, give back to, and care for local communities through nonprofit partnerships. ClimbHI and Charlie Cart are two of the fund’s newest nonprofit partnerships joining longtime resort partnerships with Hawai‘i Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy. For more information, visit www.maunakearesort.com/culture/sustainability.
Royal Kona Resort recently created a Hawai‘i Island resort training video to help travel advisors and their clients learn more about activities and experiences available on the island. The training video also provides an overview of Royal Kona Resort’s newest room renovations and property upgrades. In addition to showcasing hotel updates, the video highlights all of the property’s amenities and activities, including daily yoga classes and a new Hawaiian cultural activities program featuring hula, ‘ukulele and lei-making lessons. For more information and to view the video, visit http://hhrtravelagents.com/Training.cfm.
Mauna Kea Resort — which encompasses the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Residences — recently expanded its resort-wide cultural program to incorporate more community recognition within the tourism industry. New programs feature community and environmental givebacks that are deeply rooted in Hawai‘i’s sense of place and spirit ran by a newly expanded team of cultural ambassadors. This newly expanded team includes a new cultural director Grayden Haʻi-Kelly who heads the resort’s cultural initiatives and develops daily activities as well as the recently hired new aloha ambassador Zayden “Mihiʻula” Mokiao who oversees all cultural programming at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort including a new curated collection of activities and events. Other efforts in the expansion of the resort’s cultural initiative include the restoration of Native Hawaiian art and kapa (bark cloth) and an onsite Mana Up pop-up shop supporting and elevating local artisans. For more information, visit maunakearesort.com.
Hilton Grand Vacations Clubs at Waikoloa is promoting a special offer, from April 1 through May 31, giving guests 15% off two-bedroom suites. The property’s amenities include sand-bottomed pools, waterfalls, lava-rock scenery and a lush lawn area for events. For more information, visit https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink?&ctyhocn=koaklgv&srpCodes=P4&flexibleDates=true.
HELPFUL HINTS
Hele-On, the Hawaiʻi County Mass Transit Agency, has launched a refreshed, user-friendly website that offers easy access to information on all Hele-On services. The ADA-compliant site which aims to promote sustainable transportation choices and support low-impact green rides features tools including a trip planner, real-time bus tracking, weather updates and accessible schedules. In addition, a new "Get Around Hawaiʻi County" page has been launched to inform visitors about safe, reliable and easy to access transportation alternatives on the island. The website includes transportation options, regional walking guides and tips for getting around the island of Hawaiʻi without a car. It also includes a "How to Travel with Aloha" section to encourage responsible tourism. The new site can be accessed at heleonbus.hawaiicounty.gov.
KUDOS AND ACCOLADES
A commemorative U.S. quarter honoring a Hawaiian cultural icon, Edith Kanakaʻole, was released into circulation by the U.S. Mint this past March. The late kumu hula (hula teacher) is printed on the backside of the 25-cent piece as the seventh coin in the commemorative series for the American Women Quarters Program. Edith Kanakaʻole was an indigenous Hawaiian composer, chanter, kumu hula and a custodian of native culture, traditions and the natural land. Her moʻolelo, or stories, served to rescue aspects of Hawaiian history, customs and traditions that were disappearing due to the cultural bigotry of the time earning her place as a key influence in the Hawaiian renaissance. If you would like to purchase an Edith Kanakaʻole quarter or for more information, visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/american-women-quarters-2023-rolls-and-bags-edith-kanakaole-MASTER_AWQEK.html?cgid=american-women-quarters-program-cat#start=1.
Hawaii Forest & Trail is celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2023. Owners Rob and Cindy Pacheco founded Hawaii Forest and Trail with a mission of sharing the splendor of Hawai‘i’s outdoor spaces and inspiring a deep connection with our natural world. They continue to follow the same mission today, inspiring guests on their tours to be responsible stewards of our island home. Through its ‘I‘iwi Fund, Hawaii Forest and Trail supports many of Hawai‘i Island’s nonprofit organizations focused on conserving the island’s natural and cultural resources. Expanding on the fund, Hawaii Forest and Trail will be adding new stewardship programs and initiatives to its tour offerings throughout 2023. The Pacheco family is deeply grateful for Hawaii Forest and Trail’s industry and community partners as well as guests and valued employees who have made it possible for the company to survive and thrive since 1993. For more information, visit www.hawaii-forest.com or call (808) 331-8505.