Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau Media Contact:
Cheyenne Maltezo, (808) 539-3409, [email protected]

Island of Hawaiʻi (July 12, 2021) – Ask island of Hawaiʻi travelers what brought them there and you’ll likely get a variety of answers. Some are looking for relaxation, while others are in search of adventure. For some, a family vacation is the island’s draw; for others, a romantic getaway for two is the main appeal. Some have long dreamed of the island’s sandy beaches, while others have long wanted to see its verdant tropical forests and waterfalls in person. No matter where you fall on the adventure spectrum, if you’re Hawaiʻi Island-bound you’re sure to find everything you’re looking for in a vacation and more.

Seeking some rest and relaxation near the ocean on your visit? Look no further than the white-sand beaches of the island of Hawaiʻi’s Kohala Coast. Consistently voted among the world’s best beaches — and this year’s No. 1 pick on Dr. Beach’s 2021 list of the Top 10 U.S. Beaches — Hāpuna Beach offers a real-life picture postcard experience with its luxuriously lengthy stretch of fine white sand and sparkling blue waters. The family-friendly spot is also one of the best beaches on the island to soak up the sun, swim, bodyboard and snorkel. For a contrast in sand color, check out the world famous black sand beaches of the island’s east and south side such as Punaluʻu and Pohoiki. While we donʻt recommend swimming at these onyx-hued beaches, they’re great locations for an oceanside picnic.

Our coral reefs face many threats, so be sure to pack, buy and use reef-safe sunscreen ONLY. We can all help keep Hawaiʻi’s coral reefs beautiful and healthy by choosing reef-friendly, mineral-based sunscreen and staying afloat when snorkeling – don’t stand on, step on or touch coral. In 2021, Hawaiʻi became the first state to ban the sale, offer of sale or distribution of any SPF sunscreen protection personal care product that contains oxybenzone and/or octinoxate, without a licensed prescription. In ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi we say, “E nānā pono i ke kai, ʻaʻole e huli kua iʻa,” or heed ocean conditions, never turn your back to the Pacific. For more safety tips, visit https://www.ponopledge.com/safety/. 

If waterfalls, rainforests and hiking trails are more your thing, Hawaiʻi Island has many for you to see and explore. With a cascade of 422 feet, ʻAkaka Falls is among the most spectacular waterfalls on the island, visible from an overlook on a 30-minute loop trail winding through an emerald rainforest chockful of tropical flowers and vegetation. Remember, ke loku mai ka ua i uka, e aʻo ʻae iʻa wai makamaka‘ole. Meaning, when rain falls ma uka (inland), remain high above ground, out of rivers and streams. 

Looking for an adventure that’s a bit more heart-racing? Take your pick of Hawaiʻi Island zipline courses, soaring over waterfalls, treetops, suspension bridges and more at speeds of up to 65 mph. Explore Hualālai volcano’s misty, less traversed upper slopes with an experienced tour guide. Or dive into an aquatic adventure to check out vibrant marine life.

Whether you’re the sunbathing or adventuring type, now is a great time and season to visit the island of Hawaiʻi. Read on to learn about even more sizzlin’ offerings to add to your Hawaiʻi Island hot list. 

Paradise Helicopters’ new Doors-Off Kohala Waterfalls and Remote Hike offers the first and only doors-off helicopter tour flying deep into the heart of the Kohala district’s spectacular valleys. Your helicopter flight touches down mid-tour at a remote location allowing you to take a moderate-level, half-mile, pilot-led hike through a forest. The winding trail immerses tour guests in the nature-born sights and sounds of Hawaiʻi Island’s rugged northeast coast and opens up to a dramatic coastline view of Mokupuku island seabird sanctuary. For more information, visit https://paradisecopters.com/tours/waimea-doors-off-kohala-landing-hike/#.YN4Ml-hKiMo. 

Exclusively for resort guests, Four Seasons Resort Hualālai introduced a private experience with Hawaiʻi master blacksmith Neil Kamimura. The experience takes guests on a journey to a secluded coffee farm on the slope of Hualālai volcano where Kamimura crafts his state-of-the-art knives and shares his distinctive techniques. Guests assist Kamimura in forging, pounding and adding a custom handle to a personalized knife. The day includes a bento lunch featuring local ingredients crafted by Kamimura's wife and a gourmet chef. Upon returning to the resort, guests are presented with their finished knives and participate in a knife-skills class with one of Four Seasons Resort Hualālai’s expert chefs. For more information, call (808) 325-8000 or visit https://www.fourseasons.com/hualalai/.
Link to Images: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1wio35hgvxa73i9/20210424_ARH-4880.jpg?dl=0 
Photo Credit: Four Seasons Resort Hualālai

Join the friendly crew of Ocean Sports for a fun family adventure on a three-hour snorkel adventure cruise aboard its stable and spacious catamaran. Departing from Kawaihae Harbor, the cruise explores the lesser-traversed, more pristine snorkel sites of the Kohala Coast. Cruises include gear, instruction, a marine-life briefing, and an in-water guided tour. When hunger strikes, enjoy a variety of sandwiches and crispy snacks, and quench your thirst with soft drinks, beers and wine. Ocean Sports is celebrating 40 years on the Kohala Coast. For more information and reservations, call (808) 886-6666 or visit www.hawaiioceansports.com.
Link to Images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k2u45bec2zen3bo/AABB6TbhMMTePCLST4xQ7xlCa?dl=0 
Photo Credit: Ocean Sports 
 
Improve your swing at one of the top tennis facilities on Hawaiʻi Island at Royal Kona Resort. The resort’s Tennis Club features four recently resurfaced, lighted Latexite tennis courts open for day or night play. In 2021, the resort’s tennis club, pro shop and tennis operations changed its management to U.S. Tennis Association Hawaiʻi Pacific Inc. and named certified U.S. Professional Tennis Association teaching professional Albert Murata its new director of tennis. Murata, a teaching professional since 1986, oversees private lessons, clinics, junior programs and the tennis club’s retail store. For more information, visit www.royalkona.com/tennis or call (808) 349-3455.

TASTY TIDBITS

Hilton Waikoloa Village’s signature dining experience, Kamuela Provision Company (KPC), reopened with a new chef-crafted prix fixe menu highlighting Hawaiʻi’s bounty of ingredients. Diners opting for the three-course chef’s menu are seated on the restaurant’s outdoor oceanfront deck, a large, open-air lānai offering panoramic views of the Pacific and evening dining in the glow of the Kohala Coast’s famous sunsets. Dishes on the menu highlighting Hawaiʻi’s local farms, fisheries and ranches include a triple-seared hanger steak, ginger-steamed monchong, lemon-dusted pan seared scallops and more. For more information, visit https://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com. 
Link to Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/amfwwegx132ulav/AABF7vmubhEpVvVz2Ghzv7u8a?dl=0 
Photo Credit: Hilton Waikoloa Village

ACCOMMODATIONS

In anticipation of the Kona Pride festival — set for September 17-19 — Fairmont Orchid is pleased to welcome the LGBTQ+ community and allies to Hawaiʻi Island for a luxurious getaway with the resort’s new PRIDE package. The package includes 20% off the resort’s daily rate, daily breakfast for two, and Fairmont Orchid will donate $20 from each package booked to Kona Pride Inc., a nonprofit organization serving to enhance the visibility of the LGBTQ+ and allied community through year-round events. For more information visit, https://www.fairmontorchid.com/offers/pride-in-paradise/ and https://www.konapride.com/.

New to Safe Travels Hawaiʻi
Effective July 8, any traveler who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United States or U.S. Territories can bypass the state’s mandatory 10-day quarantine by showing proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. This means two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson and Johnson, plus 15 days after the last dose. Accepted proof of vaccination documents include a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, VAMS (Vaccination Administration Management System) printout, Department of Defense DD Form 2766C, a SMART Health Card with your vaccine record (which can be uploaded via CommonPass), or proof of vaccination provided by a medical provider or authorized COVID-19 vaccination administrator. The documents noted above must clearly state: traveler’s name and date of birth, which must match the name in your Safe Travels account and official photo ID, vaccine type (i.ē. Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson), date(s) vaccination was administered, lot number(s) for each shot, vaccination site or location (which must be within the U.S. or its territories). All information must be clear and readable. 

Trans-Pacific travelers arriving WITHOUT proof of vaccination must participate in the Pre-Travel Testing Program and test with a Trusted Testing Partner 72 hours in advance of the last leg of their trip to bypass quarantine. 

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).

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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.