All of Hawaii is beautiful. So, why should a planner select Maui over another Hawaiian island? In addition to Maui's stunning landscape, it has great airlift, second only to Honolulu, a wide range of fantastic accommodations -- from one- to five-star hotels -- and well-tested infrastructure to support groups, excellent transportation, restaurants, shopping, and activities.
Randy Parker, director of sales, international conventions, meetings, and incentives for Visit Maui, explains: "Maui has great logistics, plus the 'wow' factor. Watch the sunrise from the top of the Haleakala volcano, see humpback whales frolicking in the ocean, and sunbathe on one of our more than 80 beaches." But the area is hardly resting on its laurels, as a wealth of new property upgrades and activities can attest.
The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa recently completed a major renovation of all its meeting and event spaces, remodeling the Monarchy Ballroom, adding a new outdoor space -- the Halona Kai -- and relocating and upgrading the Regency Club.
In addition to a new name, the Wailea Beach Resort--Marriott Maui recently completed a resort-wide renovation: new meeting space, guest rooms, and grounds, along with reimagined pool areas and new restaurants.
The Four Seasons Maui reopened last year, after completing floor-to-ceiling renovations of all guest rooms and suites. New art and furnishings create a sense of island sanctuary, while luxurious linens and enhanced in-room technology ensure guest comfort. It also has renovated its conference center and expanded it with a new terrace area that can accommodate gatherings of as many as 500 attendees.
That's not the only property that has undergone extensive changes recently. The Fairmont Kea Lani celebrated its 25th anniversary with a $70 million renovation of its all-suites/villas property. Visitors can luxuriate in the on-site Willow Stream Spa, three swimming pools (including an adult-only pool), and enjoy a 140-foot waterslide, not to mention championship golf and tennis, and boutique shopping. Those looking for a bite to eat can stop by one of the property's four restaurants, whether they feel like a breakfast buffet or high-end sushi.
Beyond the venue and hotel offerings, Maui boasts plenty of group-friendly activities. Maui's newest activity for men and women of all ages is Hawaii Mermaid Adventures in which participants actually don tails and learn how to swim like mermaids/mermen while exploring Hawaiian marine life, and learn about ocean conservation in the process.
For those less interested in getting wet, there's the Maui Ocean Center, where attendees can discover Hawaii's fascinating marine life at over 60 indoor-outdoor exhibits. The aquarium also offers a special program on the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle.
December through April is prime whale-watching season, and there are several exciting ways to get a glimpse of these wondrous creatures: an outrigger canoe tour through Hawaiian Paddle Sports; a kayak tour through Maui Kayak Adventures; and the Pacific Whale Foundation stations, manned by marine naturalists at key points along Maui's coast to help visitors learn about and spot whales.
Watch the sunrise at the summit of the Haleakala ("House of the Sun") volcano -- though be sure to book a spot through its new reservation system.
Another worthwhile outing is the Haiku Mill, where groups can take an historical, botanical tour of the lush, tropical vegetation and gardens surrounding a 150-year-old former sugar mill.
Legends say the demigod Maui pulled the Hawaiian Islands from the sea and lassoed the sun atop Haleakala. Once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Lahaina became an historic whaling village. This fascinating history coupled with the natural beauty of the island, enhanced with luxury resorts, make Maui an ideal destination for groups. As a pre-trip gift, be sure to send attendees a copy of James Michener's fabulous historical novel, Hawaii.
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This article appears in the February 2017 issue of Successful Meetings.