SIZZLIN’ SPRING NEWS FROM THE ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI

Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau Media Contact:
Cheyenne Maltezo, (808) 539-3409, [email protected]
 
Island of Hawaiʻi (February 7, 2022) – As you look forward to warmer months ahead, it’s a great time to start thinking of shaking off the winter blues and planning a stay on the island of Hawaiʻi, which will be in full bloom this spring. In fact, we’re ready right now to welcome travelers to the island for some warm weather and invite them to experience an array of new, exciting and engaging outdoor excursion, dining, lodging and volunteer opportunities. 

Looking for a romantic outing on Valentine’s Day? Botanical World Adventures has just the thing for you and your partner: a birds-eye view of nature as you both zipline through emerald treetops. Foodies can indulge in tasty culinary experiences at Fairmont Orchid, Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, and Royal Kona Resort. Mindful travelers seeking to preserve the island of Hawaiʻi’s breathtaking natural world can support the work of the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative by sponsoring the planting of a tree, then following its growth from wherever they are in the world, or embracing a cutting-edge approach to harvesting honey without disrupting the busy honeybees creating it at Mauna Kea Resort.

Check out the information below to take in the latest happenings, special offerings and events that are sizzlin’ this spring on the island of Hawaiʻi.
 
SPRING HAPPENINGS
 
As Hawaiʻi’s warm ocean waters in the winter provide a comfortable environment for sealife to care for their young, we welcome back the koholā, or Humpback whale, which roam the waters off the island’s coasts from now through May. Join Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for the resort’s brand-new program, Koholā Talk, to learn more about the marine mammals that inhabit Mauna Lani’s tranquil offshore waters. As you explore the resort’s oceanfront, perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of a majestic koholā or spinner dolphin skimming the water’s surface. To book, contact Mauna Lani’s Pre-Arrival Team at 855-439-4277 or by email at [email protected]. For more information, visit https://aubergeresorts.com/maunalani/culture-heritage/.

Link to Photo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yHq5ozteMi7UpOmTUJ6AUUUeBz-YDeY6/view
Photo Credit: Jay Greiner

Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf now offers a premier 27-hole golf experience comprised of three nine-hole loops: the Beach Nine, Lakes Nine and Kings’ Nine. Each nine-hole loop presents its own unique landscape for golfers along with awe-inspiring views ranging from ancient lava fields and emerald-green fairways to the magnificent Pacific Ocean. Players can choose to play any of several nine-hole combinations to complete an 18-hole round of golf. For more information, visit WaikoloaGolf.com or call 808-886-7888.
 
New York-based Nami Nori — which translates to "ride the wave" in Japanese — joins Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection for a culinary collaboration which seamlessly blends the fresh ingredients of Hawaiʻi with the dynamic flavors of Japan. Join Mauna Lani in their little slice of paradise for a collection of curated culinary events, including three-course temaki dinner experiences in the resort’s iconic Francis H. Iʻi Brown Suite, temaki kits available exclusively at the resort’s Surf Shack, and authentic temaki cooking classes, all taking place from February 11 to 24. To book these experiences and for more information, visit https://www.exploretock.com/maunalaniresort/.
 
Link to Photo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zgN7wZE6iLl-dJTLq7GI3uMKtESDzvop/view
Photo Credit: Sebastian Lucrecio
 
Bring someone special with you to experience Botanical World Adventures’ thrilling Zip Isle Zipline with the activity company’s Valentine’s Day 2-for-1 deal. Make reservations online and use the coupon code “Valentine,” or mention the Valentine Special when reserving by phone. Offer valid February 1-28, 2022. For more information, call 808-731-1160 or visit www.botanicalworld.com.

Back after two years off, the Panaʻewa Stampede Rodeo is back in the saddle again from February 19 and 20. The two-day rodeo highlights traditional rodeo skills and paniolo (cowboy/cowgirl) techniques including events such as the poʻo waiu and double mugging, both events of which are unique to Hawaiʻi rodeos. For more information, visit http://hawaiirodeostampede.com/

Mauna Kea Resort recently announced its monthly Icons of Wine weekend series, featuring a notable winery throughout the various restaurants of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and The Westin Hāpuna Beach Resort, culminating in a decadent wine dinner on Sunday. The Icons of Wine series in an ode to the art of fine winemaking while offering delectable food pairings and education with guest sommeliers. The next Icons of Wine event will take place February 19 and 20. For more information, visit https://maunakeabeachhotel.com/recreation/big-island-hi-events/.
 
Link to Photos: https://murphyobrien.smugmug.com/Travel/Prince-Resorts-/Mauna-Kea-Beach-Hotel  
Photo Credit: Mauna Kea Resort

On March 12, join in at Royal Kona Resort's Nohea Point pavilion as the sun begins to set for an unforgettable evening of dining under the stars and exploration of Cazadores tequilas. Resort Executive Chef George Gomes has created a five-course menu for the evening featuring flavor profiles that pair perfectly with the star of the night, Cazadores tequilas. This intimate tasting event will teach you that tequila is more than just a shot and can complement a wide variety of foods. Dinner is held from 6 to 9 p.m., and reservations will be required for the limited capacity event. For more information, call 808-930-3263 or visit www.RoyalKona.com/dining

Also happening March 12, the Kona Brewers Festival features craft breweries and island chefs showcasing locally grown eats and products unique to Hawaiʻi. Held at the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel's lūʻau grounds from 4 to 7 p.m., highlights include craft beers on tap, island style cuisine, live music by Future Tides and a fashion show featuring Dezigns by Kamohoalii and Wāhine Toa. For more information, visit https://konabrewersfestival.com/. 

The 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival is scheduled for the week immediately following Easter Sunday (April 20 to 23). Hosted in Hilo on the island of Hawaiʻi, the festival honors King Kalākaua and his contributions to the revitalization of hula. Same as last year, the evening competitions will be streamed live as in-person attendance at the festival may be limited (subject to change). Please visit https://www.merriemonarch.com/ for updates. 

TRAVEL PONO

Mauna Kea Resort guests can donate and support The Nature Conservancy’s Living Reef Fund, which ensures coral reefs are kept alive to support the 7,000-plus marine-life forms that call Hawaiʻi’s reefs their home. Guests can also support the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative, which allows guests to join in their effort of planting 100,000 milo legacy trees by sponsoring the planting of a tree or visiting the initiative’s Legacy Forest and planting a tree themselves. For more information, visit https://maunakeabeachhotel.com/overview/sustainability/.
 
Link to Photos: https://murphyobrien.smugmug.com/Travel/Prince-Resorts-/Mauna-Kea-Beach-Hotel 
Photo Credit: Mauna Kea Resort
 
Fairmont Orchid’s partnership with the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative resulted in the planting of more than 100 native wiliwili trees in the non-profit’s 275-acre lowland dry forest. Throughout 2021, the luxury resort partnered with the non-profit organization to help promote native forest conservation through outreach, education and advocacy. Fairmont Orchid guests were invited to book the property’s special 30th Anniversary Package, which donated $30 from each package booked toward benefiting the nature preserve. The property also encourages its guests to sign up for a day of service on the second and fourth Saturday of each month to assist in Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative reforestation efforts. Sign up to volunteer in the forest with the non-profit at www.waikoloadryforest.org/malama-aina-volunteer/.

Link to Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xb4gl3657o6hz1p/AABuXlQPmV8_IIi-cIggHcOVa?dl=0
Photo Credit: Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative

TASTY TIDBITS
 
Fairmont Orchid’s signature fine-dining restaurant, Brown’s Beach House, recently debuted a new vegan menu. Some of the mouth-watering plant-based dishes on the new menu include compressed watermelon salad with li hing mui and spiced pistachio; tempura tofu with shimeji mushrooms; and congee with kabocha pumpkin and rainbow swiss chard. Brown’s Beach House incorporates locally sourced plants and herbs in its dishes to offer a sustainable, elevated, fine dining experience. View the full menu at www.brownsbeachhouse.com/menus/#vegan.

Link to Photo: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3vgzatc7avby18z/Fairmont%20Orchid%20Brown%27s%20Beach%20House.jpg?dl=0
Photo Credit: Fairmont Orchid

The on-property apiaries of Mauna Kea Resort’s Bee Mauna Kea initiative use an innovative approach to harvesting honey without disturbing the honeybees’ activity. In addition to learning about the importance of bees in Hawaiʻi’s natural ecosystems, guests can enjoy honey-based cocktails and dishes at the resort’s Copper Bar and Meridia and Manta restaurants. For more information, visit https://maunakeabeachhotel.com/mauna-kea-beach-hotel-resort-honey/.
 
Link to Photos: https://murphyobrien.smugmug.com/Travel/Prince-Resorts-/Mauna-Kea-Beach-Hotel  
Photo Credit: Mauna Kea Resort
 

About the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau
The Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau (IHVB) is an island chapter of the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB). HVCB is contracted by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) for destination marketing in the continental U.S. IHVB supports our international marketing partners in Canada, Japan, South Korea and Oceania; and collaborates with island partners — government, hospitality and other industries — and the community to implement the island’s Destination Management Plan (DMAP). For more information, visit www.gohawaii.com/island-of-hawaii.

Be safe, responsible, and mindful while enjoying and exploring the island of Hawaiʻi. Please read, sign, and share the Pono Pledge and encourage others to do the same. #PonoPledge

E apo i ke aʻo a hoʻohana, a ē oi mau ka naʻauao.
Those who apply their teachings increase their knowledge.

Safe Travels Hawaiʻi information: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/
Create a mandatory Safe Travels Hawaiʻi account: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/
State of Hawaiʻi Trusted Testing and Travel Partners: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/ 

For questions, please call 1-800-GOHAWAII (1-800-464-2924).