Travelers heading to Waikiki have a host of unique activities to get their hands on, as Outrigger Reef on the Beach and Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach unveil its 2010 calendar of events. From a week-long celebration honoring legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku, to sand castle building and breakfast with a Hawaiian Santa Claus (we're not kidding), visitors have plenty of activities to choose from. Room rates at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and Outrigger Reef on the Beach start at $159 and $169, respectively.
May Day Lei Making -- May 1
In Hawaii, ‘May Day is Lei Day,’ and Outrigger Reef on the Beach is celebrating the state’s unique cultural heritage through an array of festive activities. Outrigger will host the annual Employee Lei Contest and guests have the opportunity to learn how to make traditional and modern-style lei. - Registered hotel guests only.
Displays of lei made from feathers, shells and seeds will be showcased in the hotel lobby and the 2009 and 2010 May Day court, including the Lei Queen and Princesses, will be in the lobby at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. respectively. – Open to the public.
Memorial Day Lei Making -- May 28
The giving of lei has always been a traditional Hawaiian way to welcome, congratulate or honor a person; what better way to spend Memorial Day than learning how to make commemorative lei to honor veterans? This Memorial Day, visitors to both Outrigger Reef on the Beach and Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach can learn basic lei making techniques and opt to donate their lei to the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. – Open to the public.
Summer Movie at the Pool, “Blue Crush” -- June 12
Watch the surf roll in during this summer screening of Blue Crush at Outrigger Reef on the Beach’s poolside lanai. Set in a sprawling open-air theater, overlooking the pool, guests can order food and cocktails from Kani Ka Pila Grille, as they relax on lounge chairs and enjoy the show. The free movie starts at 8 p.m. – Registered hotel guests only.
O Ke Kai Series, Canoe Restoration with the Friends of Hokulea and Hawaiiloa -- June 12
The Friends of Hokulea and Hawaiiloa will share Hawaii’s canoe-building legacy and restoration work on traditional Hawaiian canoes at a free presentation at Outrigger Reef on the Beach in Waikiki. – Open to the public.
Sand Castle Building Contest -- Every Friday from June 25 to July 30
This popular, ongoing contest runs every Friday throughout July and allows families staying at the Outrigger Waikiki to spend quality time together at the beach, while creating elaborate sand castles. Guests can design a traditional sand castle, or expand their sand creations to include sea creatures, movie characters or anything their imagination desires! The contest will take place in front of Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. – Registered hotel guests only.
Summer Movie at the Pool, “50 First Dates” -- July 10
Date night in Hawaii just got easier, with this July screening of “50 First Dates” at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach’s poolside lanai. With much of the film shot on Oahu, guests will have fun recognizing famous Hawaii landmarks while enjoying the outdoor ambiance, plus food and drinks from Kani Ka Pila Grille. The free movie starts at 8 p.m. – Registered hotel guests only.
“Reef in the Box” -- July 14 and 28
Guests can combine vacation with education this July 14 and 28 with Outrigger Reef’s “Reef in the Box” activity. In partnership with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, children and adults alike will learn about the coral reefs that make Hawaii’s ocean eco-system unique, and then create their own “Reef in a Box” to take home. As part of Outrigger’s commitment to the local environment, this free activity will start at 10 a.m. and run until noon. – Registered hotel guests only.
Summer Movie at the Pool, “Blue Hawaii” -- August 7
Revisit the romance and charm of old Hawaii with this end-of-summer screening of “Blue Hawaii.” Set in Waikiki in the 1950’s, “Blue Hawaii” stars a young Elvis Presley who is released from the army and returns to his island home. Guests can enjoy Blue Hawaii cocktails from Kani Ka Pila Grille as they watch “Blue Hawaii” on the big screen. The free movie starts at 8 p.m. – Registered hotel guests only.
Duke’s Oceanfest -- August 22 to 28
Local residents and visitors alike look forward to this annual, honorary festival that celebrates local hero and national surfing icon, Duke Kahanamoku. Duke’s Oceanfest challenges Hawaii’s best watermen to compete in a series of athletic competitions in Duke’s honor. The festival pays tribute to the sports of Hawaii that were loved by Duke including surfboard water polo, canoe paddling, swimming and paddle boarding. Duke’s Oceanfest is an unforgettable event that takes over Waikiki for an entire week in August, events will be held at both Outrigger Reef on the Beach and Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. For more information about Duke’s Oceanfest, visit www.dukefoundation.org.
Canoe Ride, Flower Scattering in Honor of Duke Kahanamoku -- August 25
Take part in a remembrance ceremony that commemorates the late Duke Kahanamoku. As a sign of honor and respect, the scattering of flowers is symbolic of the scattering of ashes, which is a customary practice in Hawaii's culture. The flowers will be scattered in front of Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Following the scattering of flowers, beach services will offer a complimentary canoe ride for guests. – Open to the public.
Lei Draping Ceremony at Duke’s Statue -- August 28
At the conclusion of the week-long Duke’s Oceanfest, in honor of Duke Kahanamoku, participants perpetuate his memory with a ceremonial lei parade and draping at his statue on Waikiki Beach. Fresh flower lei are made throughout the day at the Outrigger Waikiki. The lei are then placed on surfboards and carried in a colorful sidewalk procession along Kalakaua Avenue that concludes at the Duke statue. – Open to the public.
Summer Movie at the Pool, “The Ride” -- August 28
Coinciding with Dukes Oceanfest, Outrigger Reef on the Beach will be screening “The Ride,” a fictional story featuring the life of Duke Kahanamoku. Under a starry night, guests can watch Hawaii’s most famous waterman come to life. Food and cocktails from the poolside Kani Ka Pila Grille will be available for purchase. The free movie starts at 8 p.m. – Open to the public.
O Ke Kai Series, Canoe Restoration with the Friends of Hokulea and Hawaiiloa -- September 18
The Friends of Hokulea and Hawaiiloa will share Hawaii’s canoe-building legacy and restoration work on traditional Hawaiian canoes at a free presentation at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach in Waikiki. – Open to the public.
Santa’s Canoe Arrival -- December 11
Santa trades in his sleigh for a surfing canoe when he arrives, Hawaiian style, to Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. As Santa’s canoe surfs into the beach, courtesy of Outrigger Beach Services, he is greeted by hula dancers and cheering onlookers. Stick around for a complimentary photo with Santa to commemorate the experience of Christmas in Hawaii. – Open to the public.
Breakfast with Hawaiian Santa -- December 21 and 22
A buffet breakfast, balloon twisting and airbrush tattoos, plus a photo with Santa are all part of the annual Breakfast with Santa activities at Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Reservations are required; please call 808-924-4990. – Open to the public.
Calendar listings are subject to change; visit www.OutriggerReef.com for updates.
