Travel Agent rounded up some of the hottest offering for clients heading to Hawaii this summer, including some of the most enticing offers from both Hawaii Island and Oahu. We also included some Memorial Day events since it is considered the unofficial beginning of the summer.
Fresh Summer Selling Point to The Big Island
This summer, guests can take advantage of extra savings with the popular "Family Fun Activity" package at Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. The package includes a $50 resort credit, which may be applied to dining on property at Honu's on the Beach Restaurant, Billfish Poolside Bar & Grille, or water sports activities with Kona Boys at Kamakahonu Bay. The package is based on a minimum three-night stay and is subject to availability.
For more information, call 808-329-2911 and inquire about the "Family Fun Activity" package.
Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel will host Hawaii Island's first Hawaii Songwriting Festival from June 11 to 13. In partnership with Kauai Music Festival, the festival aims to connect songwriters of all levels with some of the music industry's most successful, chart-topping songwriters, including Jason Blume, an award-winning songwriter who has written hit songs for popular musicians including Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys; Gary Burr, a Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member who has written hits for artists like Kelly Clarkson and Ringo Starr; and John Keawe, Hawaii's very own multi-NaHoku Hanohano award-winning artist.
Participating songwriters will learn and expand their networks through songwriting workshops, seminars, small group sessions, panels, one-on-one meetings, open mic events, and more. Music lovers not participating in the workshops and sessions can enjoy special concerts featuring well-known local entertainers on June 12 and the songwriters on June 13.
In Hilo, the Big Island Slack Key Festival will be held at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium from noon to 6 p.m. on September 20, celebrating the art of the unique Hawaiian acoustic guitar art form.
Kalani presents the Puna Culinary Festival, to be held from September 2-7, for visitors to experience the abundant harvest of Hawaii Island and interact directly with the region's growers, farmer's market purveyors and food enthusiasts. Throughout the eight-day festival, attendees will enjoy meals prepared by top chefs, cooking classes, sustainable farm tours, market visits, thought-provoking workshops and more. This not-for-profit festival is helping to revitalize Puna and surrounding areas by sharing sustainability and permaculture practices championed by its innovative residents.
New Pitches for Summer Travel to Oahu
Every year on Memorial Day, more than 40,000 residents of Hawaii and visitors gather at Ala Moana Beach Park to honor loved ones and generate hope toward the future with a lantern floating event. This year’s ceremony will commence at 6 p.m. and will be officiated by Head of the Shinnyo-en Buddhist Order, Her Holiness Shinso Ito. The event will include music and a ceremonial lighting of the Light of Harmony, leading up to the floating of lanterns onto the Pacific Ocean. Those wanting to personally float a lantern may receive one at the Lantern Request Tent on the event day on a first-come, first-served basis. The public is also invited to write remembrances ahead of time at the Shinnyo-en Hawaii temple through May 19. These messages will be affixed to Collective Remembrance Lanterns and floated by volunteers. Remembrances may also be submitted online at www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com.
For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call (808) 942-1848.
For fitness buffs, the 9th annual Hibiscus Half Marathon is a fun, family-friendly way to spend Memorial Day weekend. The event is the 2015 RRCA Hawaii State Half Marathon Championship race. The course starts and ends at Kapiolani Park at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki. There are half marathon, 15K or 5 miler options - if guests walk a 17 minute mile or slower, organizers recommend they do the 15K course to ensure their safety and an official time. The finish line closes promptly at 9:30am.
There will be awards for the top three males and females in 16 divisions for the half marathon, and the top three males and females for the 15K. Chip timing is by Pacific Sport Events.
For more information contact Tropical Triple Crown at 808-348-0634.
Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a number of special room, golf and restaurant promotions throughout the year.
Clients will receive one-time vouchers for the following: 25 percent off of the Prince Court Seafood Buffet for two and 25 percent off tee times at Hawaii Prince Golf Club, a 27-hole championship golf course, for two golfers.
This offer, which originally expired in April, will be extended through September 30 for clients booking the "Spring Into Summer" promotion, which includes every third night free, as well as complimentary self-parking or Wi-Fi when booking an Oceanfront Vista category or higher. Kids eat and golf for free.
Also, clients get 25 percent off best rates of all suites, starting at $277 for a one-bedroom Ala Moana Suite, through May 31.
Visit www.hawaiiprincehotel.com/25years.
Visit www.gohawaii.com and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all the latest Hawaii news. Follow Travel Agent's Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike.