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

Island of Hawaiʻi (May 3, 2021) – The island of Hawaiʻi is an environmentally diverse treasure with exceptional year-round agriculture-friendly conditions and nutrient-rich volcanic soil making the youngest and largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago one of the best for growing, raising and tasting just about anything. It’s likely you’re already well-aware of the island’s world-famous, award-winning coffees – not just in Kona, check out Kaʻū, Puna and Honokaʻa too. But did you know Hawaiʻi Island also commercially grows avocados, macadamia nuts, papaya, jaboticaba, cacao, vanilla, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, kalo (taro), spices, heart of palm, tea and … well, we think you get the picture. With so much to see and do, and a limited amount of vacation time to do it all, here’s a few tasty suggestions to consider for your next visit to the island of Hawaiʻi. 

The first is easy. Visit one (or two, or three) of the island’s many community farmers markets for access to the freshest, most abundant selection of locally cultivated fruits and vegetables. These one-stop, open-air markets — where you can often meet and talk with the hardworking farmers in-person — also offer an assortment of prepared foods, including local plate lunches, poi, baked goods and Portuguese malasadas (think sugar-coated fried dough … mmm), mochi, coffee and tea. Pick up unique gifts to bring back home with you, such as art crafted by local artisans. There’s always lots to explore so arrive early and take your time perusing. For more information, and a list of community farmers markets throughout Hawaiʻi Island, visit, www.gohawaii.com/islands/island-of-hawaii/things-to-do/land-activities/farmers-markets. 

Travelers road tripping the island of Hawaiʻi will also find working coffee farms, bee apiaries, livestock ranches and aqua farms raising lobster, kampachi, abalone, octopus, oysters, clams and mussels, and producing salt. A number of these producers even offer guest opportunities to go straight to the source for behind-the-scenes tours of their operations. Culinary adventures include picking and roasting your own coffee, crafting chocolate, sampling local honey, creating your own tea blend, or cooking up meals and dishes utilizing locally grown or raised bounty. For more information, visit www.gohawaii.com/experiences/eco-tourism/farm-ag-tours - asset-aid-1752. 

Mauna Kea Resort’s newest addition to its popular Romantic Dinners program, the Sunset Ahaʻaina, offers a private oasis for proposals, micro-weddings, elopements and honeymoons. Guests enjoy a private four-course dinner with wine pairings at any of five prime outdoor venues, including the third tee at Mauna Kea Golf Course and Turtle Point at The Westin Hāpuna Beach Resort. Add-ons include a personalized bottle of La Marca Prosecco, handcrafted cocktails, photography and a solo guitarist. With 21 days of advance notice, couples can also request a customized menu. Ten-day advance booking is required for the Sunset Ahaʻaina experience. For more information, visit www.maunakeabeachhotel.com/dining/private-dining-1. 

Guests are in for a treat at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel’s newest restaurant, WSW (Whisky Steak Wine) The Steakhouse. Hilo’s only true steakhouse, the 5,600-square-foot restaurant features first-class steaks, an array of seafood, one of East Hawaiʻi’s best wine lists, and a tableside whisky cart. WSW The Steakhouse also offers daily specials and weekly features, including Surf and Turf Monday, Wagyu-Grade Tomahawk Tuesday, and Wednesday Live Kona-Cold Whole Lobster. In addition to its impressive wine list, WSW also features a menu of whiskies from around the world. WSW is open daily for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information and reservations, visit www.wswsteakhouse.com or call (808) 969-6470.

Did you know? May 18 is International Museum Day and in celebration and support of local museums, fill your itinerary with stops at a number of these museums located around the island of Hawaiʻi. In West Hawaiʻi, explore Huliheʻe Palace on Aliʻi Drive in Historic Kailua Village and Kona Historical Society’s Kona Coffee Living History Farm. In East Hawaiʻi, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Lyman Museum and Mission House. Visitors and residents can also enjoy Papahānaumokuākea.gov/education/center.html">Mokupāpapa Discovery Center, Pacific Tsunami Museum, The Hawaiʻi Plantation Museum, Pāhoa Village Museum and Laupāhoehoe Train Museum. New to the island’s museum collection, explore Pāhoa Lava Zone Museum, home to volcanic exhibits including items from Jaggar Museum (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park), which closed for safety reasons after the 2018 Lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea. A few of these gems may still be temporarily closed, so be sure to check-in directly with each museum for the latest updates.

TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Molten lava has returned to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and with it visitors seeking to witness Kīlauea volcano’s ethereal summit lava lake — especially its fiery evening glow against the dark night sky. Planning a visit, too? Know that while there are currently no park lookouts offering direct views of the lava lake, you’ll still enjoy your visit immensely. Make the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website your first stop for tips on peak visitor times, parking and keeping safe within the park. Face coverings are required outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained and at popular sites within the park like Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) and the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. A new National Park Service (NPS) app is available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, putting the wise advice and knowledge of a park ranger right in your pocket. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/index.htm. 
Link to Images: 
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/imkms37r17z05zm/AAAZr6drdgYNSfWaJ0B6H8qha?dl=0
Photo Credit: NPS Photo

Formerly known as Skyline Eco-Adventures ʻAkaka Falls, Hawaiʻi Zipline Tours offers the same great adventures with a fresh new look. Beginning June 1, the outdoor adventure company will again offer rides on its seven ziplines — all located on a working agricultural farm — with awe-inspiring landscape and ocean views. Soar high above Hawaiʻi Zipline Tours’ private 250-foot waterfall and learn about Hawaiʻi Island’s native plants and culture on this inspiring zipline adventure. For more information, visit www.ziplinetourshawaii.com or call (808) 963-6353. 
Link to Images: 
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vgmb5ywq58dkt9n/AAAe9wSVcV78x9xbKp-xICoXa?dl=0
Photo Credit: Hawaiʻi Zipline Tours

Inspired by the continuing travel trend of “workcations,” The Westin Hāpuna Beach Resort has unveiled a new Sunrise Massage ensuring guests working remotely at the property enjoy a stay as restorative as it is productive. Available by request, the treatment allows guests to greet the day — even before their first Zoom meeting begins — with a 30-minute poolside massage from the Hāpuna Spa by Mandara team. The Sunrise Massage experience must be reserved at least 24 hours in advance. For more information, visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/koawi-the-westin-hapuna-beach-resort. 

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Royal Kona Resort recently announced the completion of a $15-million renovation of its 436 guestrooms and suites, and oceanfront pool deck. Drawing inspiration from the tropical surroundings and beauty of the Hawaiian Islands, the resort’s new deluxe guestrooms and suites are designed with modern coastal inspired decor and finishes, teak furnishings, colorful natural fabrics and beautiful marble wet bars outfitted with coffee makers and mini refrigerators. The Royal Kona Resort’s newly refinished pool deck features new teak furniture, beach umbrellas and pool cabanas. For reservations, visit www.RoyalKona.com or call (800) 222-5642.
Link to Images: 
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zuzgn8t9txl6r5n/AAAh8jw2WIrAHnl-QQT-0tYXa?dl=0
Photo Credit: Royal Kona Resort

Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel recently unveiled brand-new rooms and upgraded hotel amenities inspired by the property’s island setting. Guests are enjoying the new tropical-accented decor and amenities, offered alongside the conveniences the hotel has long been known for. The property features a brand-new lobby, poolside patio, ocean-view cabanas and generous event space, all of it overlooking Kamakahonu Bay. Stop by the hotel’s Billfish Poolside Bar and Grille for tasty treats and al fresco dining from breakfast through dinner. The hotel’s award-winning Island Breeze Lūʻau has returned on Sundays and select evenings for food and fun, including hula lessons, special performances and fire-knife dancers. For more information, visit www.Marriott.com/KOACY or call (808) 329-2911.
Link to Images: 
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kf1lmue2gixfbll/AAAxfoBsMPb-j0YQKPhg3WSpa?dl=0
Photo Credit: Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

KUDOS AND ACCOLADES

Golf Digest recently named Fairmont Orchid the Best Golf Resort in Hawaiʻi in its 2021 Editors’ Choice Awards. The luxury resort, located along 32 oceanfront acres of the Kohala Coast, offers access to the award-winning, 45-hole Mauna Lani Golf course, including its famed North and South golf courses, as well as the WikiWiki short course. The resort’s courses are designed to satisfy every golfing level, appealing to both recreational golfers and players readying to meet the demands of tournament play. The resort’s course snake through dramatic volcanic rock formations, offering golfers up-close views of one of the most unique natural features of Hawaiʻi Island’s landscape. For more information, visit www.fairmontorchid.com/play/golf.

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About the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau
The Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau is an Island Chapter of the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB). HVCB is contracted by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) for marketing management services in the continental U.S. in the leisure and meetings markets. The Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau also supports HTA's international marketing partners in Canada, Japan, South Korea and Oceania. The state of Hawaiʻi’s tourism agency, HTA was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawaiʻi tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawaiʻi's economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, economic goals and visitor industry needs. For more information about the island of Hawaiʻi, visit www.gohawaii.com/Island-of-Hawaii.

Safe Travels Hawaiʻi
Whether you are a returning resident or a visitor to the Hawaiian Islands, we want to ensure that all travelers remain safe and healthy. For this reason, travelers are strongly advised to take a pre-travel COVID-19 test from a trusted testing and travel partner (see link below) PRIOR to the final leg of their trip to the State of Hawaiʻi. Trans-Pacific travelers arriving WITHOUT a confirmed negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure are subject to a mandatory 10-day quarantine.

All travelers must have a negative test result BEFORE beginning the final leg of their trip. Anyone without a negative test result PRIOR to departure must quarantine upon arrival.

The negative test result must be uploaded onto Safe Travels prior to departure or printed out prior to departure and hard copy in hand when arriving in Hawaiʻi.

Safe Travels Information: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/
Create a mandatory Safe Travels 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).

Important Note: Despite the CDC’s new guidelines issued on April 27, full vaccination still does not qualify for an exemption from Hawaiʻi’s mandatory 10-day quarantine for all arriving trans-pacific passengers and Hawaiʻi’s mask wearing policy remain in effect at the present time. For more information, visit https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/ and https://governor.Hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2104031-ATG_Nineteenth-Emergency-Proclamation-for-COVID-19-distribution-signed.pdf.