Travel Agent breaks down the latest selling points on the Hawaiian Islands from weddings and honeymoon offerings to green travel and more.
Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel announced the opening of its new weddings office, specializing in weddings, vow renewals, anniversaries, engagement ceremonies and other events. The newly-appointed wedding sales manager will be dedicated to helping with any special event planning needs, from selecting the perfect venue on property to menu planning and guest room accommodations. Conveniently located in the heart of Kona and adjacent to ancient Ahuena Heiau, the hotel offers unique oceanfront venues at affordable prices for intimate ceremonies to large parties of 250 guests. Visit http://bit.ly/1hYQYPE.
Maui's only oceanfront resort chapel, Wailea Seaside Chapel's newly whitewashed exterior welcomes wedding parties. Inside the solid oak floors were stripped and finished to their original sheen, the cherry alter and 10 pews were refinished and cushioned seats added. The warm sapele wood walls are balanced with colorful stained glass murals of a Hawaiian wedding created by Hawaii artist Yvonne Cheng while in Italy. Wedding celebrations include use of the chapel, grounds, officiant, florals, lei, music and exclusive services of a Grand Wailea wedding specialist. Visit www.grandwailea.com.
Spend the morning at one of Oahu’s most beautiful off-the-beaten-path locations and join a community workday at Kakoo Oiwi. Clearing invasive vegetation, weeding and maintaining existing taro, or building auwai (irrigation ditch) for new taro will give you a new appreciation for Hawaiian culture, farming and ecology. Visit www.kakoooiwi.org.
A group of surfers, divers, sunbathers and ocean lovers formed Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii (SCH) to give back to the coastlines that inspired them so much. SCH members organize fun beach cleanup days around various parts of Oahu, promoting community service and education along the way. Visit www.sustainablecoastlines.org.
In addition to the state’s only active volcano, not many people know that Hawaii Volcanoes National Park features endless acres of impressive rainforests. Volunteers can help keep these rainforests in pristine condition by signing up for the Stewardship at the Summit program. Tropical birds will provide a sweet serenade as you help clear invasive plants for a half-day. Visit www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm.
Photo Safari Hawaii is now offering weekly Kauai Photography Workshops in the Lawai Valley on Thursdays at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. This nearly four-hour photography workshop is a terrific opportunity to learn fine art photography skills and have exclusive access to Kauai’s hidden waterfall. Tours include an annual membership to the National Tropical Botanical Garden and round trip transportation from hotel. Visit www.hawaiiphotographyworkshops.com.
Pedal Bike Tours is rolling out a new form of sightseeing in Hawaii – tours of Oahu on two wheels. The Portland, Oregon-based company has opened Pedal Hawaii in Waikiki, offering bike rentals and tours of Honolulu and the North Shore designed for novice riders. Pedal Hawaii offers two family-friendly tours on Oahu – Hidden Honolulu and Explore The North Shore – taking clients off the beaten tourist track for an insider’s perspective of the island. Tours are offered in both English and Japanese, and are guided by local experts with local insights. Visit www.pedalbiketours.com.
Found nowhere else on earth, Hawaiian sandalwood was harvested nearly to extinction a century ago, and is newly available for planting in Hawaii's first Legacy Forest, established by Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods(HLH) on 1,000 acres above the historic Umikoa Village. HLH uses state-of-the-art technology backed by decades of experience to preserve thousands of years of history, culture, and natural resources. With new tours that allow visitors to plant their own tree and learn about these rare forests, participants can celebrate an event, honor an individual or memorialize a loved one, as well as offset their carbon footprint. Visit www.legacytrees.org.
The Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival on Oahu celebrates its 25th anniversary this year from June 10-15. One of the longest-running and well- respected LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) film festivals in the country, the Rainbow Film Festival presents documentaries, feature films, shorts, and animations from around the world, with special consideration given to Hawaii-based filmmakers. Visit www.HGLCF.org.
LGBT couples can look forward to saying 'I Do' in extraordinary settings at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. From the "Slide Into A New Beginning" wedding ceremony held atop the resort's 128-foot slide to the resort's lobby waterfall with its walkway hidden by cascading waterfalls, the choices are simply breathtaking. The 12-acre beachfront resort is also the first and only one in Maui to offer a weddings manager certified to process wedding licenses.
With the passing of the Hawaii Marriage Equality Act which legalized same-sex marriages, there's never been a better time to visit the Hawaiian Islands than now for clients to celebrate their special day. Visit www.westinmaui.com.
Visit www.gohawaii.com and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all the latest Hawaii news.