WHAT'S NEW ON O'AHU APRIL - JUNE 2018
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WHAT’S NEW ON O‘AHU APRIL – JUNE 2018 O‘AHU – The Island of O‘ahu, known as the Heart of Hawai‘i, sets the rhythm of the islands with exciting, new improvements, changes and additions on an ongoing basis. Below is a glimpse of new and dynamic updates with O‘ahu’s hotels and resorts, activities and entertainment, restaurants and cuisine, shopping, and festivals and events. Hotels and Resorts The Island of O‘ahu has a variety of hotels and resorts for travelers of all ages with varying budgets, and a multitude of packages to make any trip unforgettable. • The former Pacific Beach Hotel debuted as the all-new Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach in December 2017 following an extensive $115 million transformation. As O‘ahu’s sophisticated, new resort in the heart of Waikīkī, Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach will offer a stylish new way to stay and play in Waikīkī, which is transforming with new cultural, culinary and shopping offerings. The resort will feature star-studded collaborations with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, acclaimed New York architecture and design firm Rockwell Group, which designed the resort’s lobby, restaurant, pool deck, guestrooms and suites; and architectural firms WATG and Pacific Asia Design Group. The 839-room modern resort will feature five new culinary concepts and a destination pool deck, along with authentic design touches inspired by O‘ahu’s lush landscape and rich cultural heritage. AlohilaniResort.com • Aqua-Aston Hospitality offers guests a sustainable way to discover O‘ahu. In partnership with Honolulu’s newest transportation system Biki by Bikeshare Hawaii, Aqua-Aston Hospitality now offers a free Biki bike rental package to guests who book a four-night minimum stay at select O‘ahu properties. The package is inclusive of two Biki Free Spirit 1|Page
WHAT’S NEW ON O‘AHU: APRIL – JUNE 2018 bike rentals featuring multiple trips up to 300 minutes. With 100 convenient Biki bike stops from downtown Honolulu to Diamond Head, guests staying at an Aqua-Aston-managed property such as Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki, Aqua Oasis, Pagoda Hotel, and Aqua Palms Waikiki will be able to use Biki to discover O‘ahu’s varied eateries, shops and activities at their own pace and in a sustainable way. Aqua-Aston.com • The Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is pleased to introduce Camp Kohola at the Hideaway, and a plethora of cultural activities for keiki that celebrate Hawaiian traditions and encourage kindness and empathy. From hula dancing to lauhala weaving to "Glamping" under the stars or racing a mina Tesla Radio Flyer, kids have a five-star resort experience of their own while parents indulge in some R&R at Four Seasons ocean front adults only infinity pool or visit the Resort's 35,000 square foot spa. Camp Kohola features a media room, Creativity Zone and computer area – but kids quickly realize that the entire Resort is their playground! FourSeasons.com/Oahu • The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel has finished the final stages of renovations to their Diamond Head Wing this past December. They are currently offering the “Leahi Package” to honor this accomplishment which includes 30 percent off one bedroom and studio units when guests book a minimum of three nights. The package also includes Waikiki Aquarium tickets and a $50 dining credit. Kaimana.com • Queen Kapiolani Hotel will relaunch following a transformation this summer. The transformation will include updates to guest rooms and public spaces and introduce a new restaurant. The Queen Kapiolani is a full-service, urban resort offering a retro-chic vibe, a fun Hawai‘i lifestyle and unmatched views of the beach, Kapi‘olani Park, and Diamond Head. QueenKapiolani.com • The Spa at Trump has introduced two new wedding package offers: The Blissful Beginnings Couples Massage allows newlyweds to relax in a private couples’ suite for $250 for 60 minutes or $375 for 90 minutes. The Spa at Trump Buyout Package gives an exclusive experience for the bride-to-be and bridal party to relax and rejuvenate before the special day. The package includes five 60-minute services, hors d’ oeuvres, and private access to the entire spa for two hours for $1,250. TrumpHotels.com/Waikiki 2|Page
WHAT’S NEW ON O‘AHU: APRIL – JUNE 2018 Activities & Entertainment The Island of O‘ahu is brimming with fun-filled activities for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can explore Hawai‘i’s special culture and iconic history, or choose from a wide variety of outdoor and indoor activities to energize the spirit. • Bike Hawaii is now offering a new tour called Rainforest to Reef Adventure. The tour combines a waterfall hike at the base of the majestic volcanic Ko‘olau Mountain cliff line and a kayak adventure in the tranquil cobalt and turquoise ocean waters of Kāneʻohe Bay. BikeHawaii.com • Since 2013, Hawaiian Legacy Tours located on the Island of Hawai‘i, has offered visitors a unique experience in which guests are invited to plant a native Hawaiian tree with their own hands. Hawaiian Legacy Tours in partnership with the non-profit Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI), recently announced its first O‘ahu Legacy Forest, located at Gunstock Ranch in the Lāʻie/Mālaekahana area. The initial project will span more than 500 acres of land slated for permanent reforestation. The forest will support over 600,000 newly planted Legacy Trees and be home to numerous rare and endangered species. It will be the third Legacy Forest of its kind in Hawai‘i, and will soon offer milo planting tours through Hawaiian Legacy Tours, available via horseback, ATV or helicopter. LegacyTrees.org • In addition to their location at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaiian Ocean Adventures is proud to announce their newest location on the eastside of O‘ahu near Kualoa, Hawaiʻi’s Private Nature Reserve. Visitors can share in the history of sailing canoes and the natural history of the islands as they explore O‘ahu’s coastline and marine life. HawaiianOceanAdventures.com • The “Holo Moana: Generations of Voyaging” exhibition at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum celebrates the resurgence of the centuries-old, ancestral practice of long-distance ocean voyaging. Closely following the Hawaiian sailing canoe, Hōkūleʻa, and its return to Hawaiian waters, the exhibit is based on a collaboration between Bishop Museum and the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) and is on display in the J. M. Long Gallery through June 24, 2018. Cultural objects from Hōkūleʻa’s voyages are on display along with a variety of interactive stations. Visitors can step into a wind-based immersive experience that uses digital sensors and electronics to bring to life the winds used by voyagers and told of in 3|Page
WHAT’S NEW ON O‘AHU: APRIL – JUNE 2018 Hawaiian cultural stories. Visitors can also enter a full-dome projection theater with audio narrated by PVS president Nainoa Thompson, master of the traditional Polynesian art of non-instrument navigation. BishopMuseum.org • Kualoa Private Nature Reserve introduced its most eco-friendly tour, the eBike Adventure Tour. Guests can explore Jurassic Valley on electric bikes and see popular landmarks from a unique vantage point. The tour guide takes guests on a leisurely 90-minute trek through Ka‘a‘awa Valley to experience unspoiled natural beauty while seeing the movie sites of Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, Kong Skull Island, 50 First Dates, LOST, and more throughout the valley. Kualoa.com • Scheduled for the third Friday and Saturday of the month, Pa‘akai Marketplace showcases unique local products and Hawaiian culture at SALT at Our Kaka‘ako. The monthly event, held in in collaboration with PAʻI Foundation, features live music and is a free, family and pet-friendly event, starting at 5 p.m. SaltAtKakaako.com • Pacific Historic Parks is happy to announce its new group tour: Pearl Harbor Visitor Center Tour. Delegates wear a wrist band that allows them access to all the tours at the WWII Valor in the Pacific’s Visitor Center including the USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour, admission to the USS Bowfin Submarine Tour, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum Tour, and admission to the new Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center. PacificHistoricParks.org • Visitors can celebrate Huki, the Polynesian Cultural Center’s newest lagoon experience this June. Performances will feature new stories about Polynesian Voyaging, seafaring, surfing, as well as the legend of Maui and the history of Lāʻie pulling fishing nets at its world-famous hukilau. Polynesia.com • On the third Saturday of every month, the popular SALT Bar Crawl starts at 5 p.m. with Village Bottle Shop and Tasting Room, Moku Kitchen, Pitch Sports Bar and The Boiling Crab at SALT at Our Kaka‘ako. Participating bars feature different breweries each month. SaltAtKakaako.com • travel2change is a 501(c)(3) Hawai‘i-based nonprofit that offers travelers a unique opportunity to give back to Hawai‘i’s nature and culture. travel2change activities include guided waterfall hikes with native tree planting, outrigger canoe paddling, treks through a botanical garden while removing invasive species, as well as beach cleanups and more. In an 4|Page
WHAT’S NEW ON O‘AHU: APRIL – JUNE 2018 effort to provide locals and visitors with fun volunteer opportunities, travel2change offers an array of unique experiences that leave a positive impact on the surrounding community. www.travel2change.org • Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa has launched a new “Waikiki by Moonlight” event series, which will take place once a month—on the Saturday closest to the full moon—at the nearby Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound to honor inductees to the Hawaii Music Hall and Walk of Fame through a music and dance performance. Waikiki.Regency.Hyatt.com • On April 28th, Waimea Valley kicks off the 35th Moon Walk. On the full moon come down to Waimea Valley after dark to experience it like never before. For this special night the Proud Peacock will reopen with a dinner buffet of fresh local ingredients by Ke Nui Kitchen. Dinner buffet is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., $34.95 for adults and $17.50 for children 4- 12 years old. Moon Walk admission is $10. There will be to set times to enter beginning with a protocol and oli at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. WaimeaValley.net Restaurants, Cuisine & Chefs O‘ahu is known for its diverse culture, which is exhibited by the assortment of cuisine found throughout the island. With wonderful choices and an array of culinary options, there’s a restaurant fit for everyone. • Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa recently opened its newest dining venue, The Buffet at Hyatt. With a focus on sustainability and delicious, organic options only available in Hawai‘i, The Buffet will be available at SHOR from 5:30-9:30 p.m. daily. Menu highlights include a made-to-order poke station, fresh sushi, kalua pig, Kaua‘i shrimp, prime rib, crab legs, kiawe smoked dishes, ‘ulu hummus, chia shots and more, with gluten free and vegetarian options throughout and an expanded seafood selection on weekends. Waikiki.Regency.Hyatt.com • Time-tested drinks like the Manhattan, martini and Moscow mule that shaped the cocktail revolution take center stage with Mahina & Sun’s “7 for 7,” featuring seven classic libations at $7 apiece. Complemented by craft beer and wine options as well, “7 for 7” is available from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and from 9-10 p.m. daily. The collection was designed as a nod 5|Page
WHAT’S NEW ON O‘AHU: APRIL – JUNE 2018 to the forever-stylish drinks of history infused with the local-twist Mahina & Sun’s has become known for. MahinaandSuns.com • M.A.C. 24/7 Restaurant and Bar in the Hilton Waikiki Beach launches the Wiki Wiki Lunch menu featuring delicious food that is served in 10 minutes or less from the time of order. The menu is ideal for residents on business meetings or travelers with minimal time between activities or heading to the airport. Lunch items include kalbi style short ribs, soy- ginger chicken, pulled kalua-style pork sandwiches, hearty beef stew, smoked salmon, grilled cheese and tomato soup, and soup and salad or sandwich combinations. Lunch includes complimentary valet parking. Mac247Waikiki.com • Peter Merriman will expand his namesake brand to O‘ahu this summer with the opening of Merriman’s in Kaka‘ako. Visitors can anticipate the chef’s signature local and seasonal Hawai‘i eats. WardVillage.com/places/merrimans-coming-soon • Whole Fish is the “heart and soul” of Michael Mina’s Signature Line-to-Table venture with Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina. The luxury oceanfront property and James Beard award-winning chef have partnered to create a new wave of Hawaiian inspired cuisine at Mina’s Fish House, now open at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina. Paying homage to a traditional Hawaiian fish house, Chef Mina’s original Hawaiian dream restaurant concept has come to life: a fish restaurant in Hawai‘i where local fisherman can come to the back door of the restaurant with the fresh bounty from pristinely clear Hawaiian waters daily. Menu highlights include Kona Cold Lobster & Coconut Bisque, Hawaiian Abalone Spaghetti, Butter-Basted Swordfish with Pono Pork Portuguese Sausage and a few classic fish dishes from Chef Mina’s repertoire such as his signature Ahi Tuna Tartare reimagined as a contemporary poke, his celebrated Lobster Pot Pie and a Phyllo-Crusted fish with crab brandade. The menu will change seasonally to reflect the best local products Hawai‘i’s producers can deliver. FourSeasons.com/Oahu • Kualoa Private Nature Reserve announced a revamped Taste of Kualoa Tour beginning on April 1, 2018. Guest can enjoy the delicious farm fresh products grown and harvested by Kualoa, on their 4,000-acre ranch spread across three valleys on the windward coast of O‘ahu. This farm-to-table tour will see the ranch operations for cattle, sheep, pigs, and chickens, and will be guided through the rich agricultural lands where cacao, banana, papaya, and other seasonal fruits are grown. The tour visits the oyster and shrimp farms for an 6|Page
WHAT’S NEW ON O‘AHU: APRIL – JUNE 2018 interesting look at aquaculture operations, and finally guests will end their tour at the vegetable farm, where a farm-to-fork meal awaits them. Inspired by Kualoa ingredients, local chefs will craft a special menu for this experience. Kualoa.com • Wai‘olu Ocean Cuisine at Trump International Hotel Waikiki has introduced a new seafood menu that includes Kona abalone, fresh Maine lobster, Alaskan king crab, and moi, or pacific threadfin. The newly-designed menu fully compliments the restaurant’s new sushi bar that serves traditional nigiri sushi and new wave maki sushi. TrumpHotels.com/Waikiki • The world’s largest open-air shopping center recently unveiled a new foodie destination. Lanai @ Ala Moana Center now features Agave & Vine, Ahi & Vegetable, BRUG, Da Spot, HiTEA Café, Mahaloha Burger, Sobaya, Musubi Cafe Iyasume, and Teppanyaki Farmer. The remaining eateries, including Ike’s Love & Sandwiches and Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha are opening soon. Lanai @ Ala Moana Center is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. The contemporary food hall offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and grab-and-go options, and features indoor and outdoor seating for up to 450 customers. AlaMoanaCenter.com Shopping O‘ahu is home to hundreds of high-end designer stores, as well as local boutiques carrying locally- made products. • International Market Place will host its second annual Grand Lanai Restaurant Week, April 9-15. The weeklong celebration highlights the Grand Lanai’s chef-driven restaurants and features special menus and events. In addition, the popular free nightly hula and storytelling performance “O Na Lani Sunset Stories” will now occur from March to August at 7 p.m. International Market Place continues to welcome new stores including Brookstone, National Geographic Fine Art Galleries, Surf Line Hawaii and Robin’s Jean. ShopInternationalMarketPlace.com Festivals & Events O‘ahu is home to the largest number of festivals and events throughout Hawai‘i. Visitors can connect with the local community and experience renowned events showcasing the island’s rich arts 7|Page
WHAT’S NEW ON O‘AHU: APRIL – JUNE 2018 and culture, the world’s top amateur and professional sporting competitions, and the many ethnic celebrations exclusive to O‘ahu. • The World Surf League (WSL) Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region will wrap the 2017/2018 winter competitive surf season this Mar. 27 – Apr. 3 at world-famous Pipeline on O‘ahu’s North Shore with the Wahine Pipe Pro and Pipe Pro Junior. A 2-day event, the Women's Qualifying Series and Men's Junior Qualifying Series will see top placing athletes gain a lead on the regional rankings and also one step closer to a slot in the highly-coveted 2018 World Junior Championships in Australia. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the event for free from Ehukai beach, or follow along with live scoring at WorldSurfLeague.com • Honolulu Biennial Foundation debuts “Food Future Visions” as part of its annual program between the Honolulu Biennial Festival. This new, contemporary artistic programming series launches in Waikīkī this spring, running from March-May 2018 and examines the relationship between food, climate change and sustainability in the future. HonoluluBiennial.org • Kumu Kahua Theatre presents world-class theatre by and about Hawai‘i’s people in the heart of downtown Honolulu. Kumu Kahua Theatre will present the world premiere of Demigods Anonymous by Noa Helela March 22 - April 22, 2018. In this fanciful, adult comedy, contemporary Kupua are like most people in their 20’s, except for their ability to manifest ancient demigod powers and transform into animals. Also Dead of Night by Hawai‘i’s beloved playwright, Edward Sakamoto, will be playing from May 24-June 17, 2018. This drama will take audiences back to pre-statehood Honolulu in 1956. Celebrated and ground-breaking, Dead of Night is a suspenseful thriller about economic reality and the death of idealism in Hawai‘i. KumuKahua.org • The 8th Annual Mele Mei Celebration features music and hula events held from April through June at various hotels, venues, on the beach and statewide. From ‘ukulele to steel guitar, traditional Hawaiian music to slack key, island reggae to rock-and everything in between, Mele Mei has something for everyone. MeleMei.com • The Hapalua Half Marathon, sponsored by Honolulu Marathon Association, is expected to draw more than 5,000 runners on race day April 8, 2018. The start of the Hapalua is by the Duke Kahanamoku statue in Waikīkī and the race finishes in Kapi‘olani Park. Both walkers and runners are welcome. TheHapalua.com 8|Page
WHAT’S NEW ON O‘AHU: APRIL – JUNE 2018 • Back for its third year, the Honolulu BBQ & Blues Festival at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort brings authentic southern barbecue to Waikīkī. The festival happens on June 16, 2018, just in time for Father’s Day weekend and will feature an impressive spread of barbecue favorites from Hilton’s skilled culinary team including the finest cuts, classic sides and southern-inspired desserts. The event happens on the resort’s beachfront Great Lawn where attendees will also savor the sounds of Hawai‘i’s top blues and rock artists. HiltonHawaiianVillage.com • Sea Life Park hosts the Makapuʻu Twilight Concert Series, scheduled on April 14, May 12 and June 9, 2018. Family and friends are invited to gather and experience Sea Life Park, listen to award-winning local musicians and enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian night. Sea Life Park is also home to many of the ocean’s most treasured animals, offering both children and adults a chance to see and learn about these magnificent creatures. SeaLifeParkHawaii.com • The Waikiki SPAM Jam on April 28, 2018 is an exciting annual street festival that takes place on Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī. The event celebrates the unusually high consumption of SPAM in Hawai‘i and features a variety of Honolulu’s finest restaurants serving up SPAM-inspired creations. Two entertainment stages provide non-stop entertainment consisting of several of Honolulu's finest restaurants which will be serving up Spam in many different ways for attendees to experience the enormous variety of its applications. A variety of Hawaiian craft booths will also be set up on the street. SpamJamHawaii.com • On April 29, 2018, the annual John B. Kelley Haleiwa Metric Century Ride begins and ends in Kaiaka Bay Beach Park on the Northshore of O‘ahu. The course takes riders through Hale‘iwa Town, out towards Ka‘ena Point, then back along the shores past Waimea Valley, Sunset Beach, Kahuku, and Ka‘a‘awa. All skill levels and ages are welcome. HBL.org • The 91st Annual Lei Day Celebration will be held on May 1, 2018. Visitors shouldn’t miss this special Hawaiian celebration of lei including entertainment by the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, food vendors, craft booths and a lei-making contest that takes place at the beautiful Queen Kapi‘olani Park and Bandstand in Waikīkī. Visit Kūlana Lei, a village of Hawaiian artisans, as they share their talents and skills with exhibits and demonstrations throughout the day and at Tūtū’s Hale hear stories, play Hawaiian games, learn a song, how to make a lei, and other Nā Mea Hawai‘i (Hawaiiana) activities. MayDay.com • The 13th annual Hawaii Book & Music Festival presented by Bank of Hawaii comes to Honolulu’s Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds, May 5 and 6, 2018. This annual celebration of story 9|Page
WHAT’S NEW ON O‘AHU: APRIL – JUNE 2018 and song presents bestselling national and local authors, award-winning Hawai‘i musicians and hula hālau (groups), as well as theatrical performances, storytellers, booksellers, stimulating panel presentations and children’s programs. More than 150 events take place at 10 venues on the festival grounds. HawaiiBookAndMusicFestival.com • Flames will burn bright as fireknife dancers begin their quest for the world championship at the Polynesian Cultural Center in May. The annual World Fireknife Championship, drawing roots from the Samoan warrior’s knife dance traditionally performed before battle, kicks-off May 10 with fireknife dancers lighting up the opening round of the competition. Polynesia.com • On May 13, 2018, triathletes from around the world will visit O‘ahu to compete in the Honolulu Triathlon. The Honolulu Triathlon offers several sporting events and features the famous Olympic and Sprint Triathlon. People of all ages and skill levels are welcome to join the race and compete against fellow triathletes from around the world. HonoluluTriathlon.com • Every year on Memorial Day, thousands of people gather at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park to honor ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. The annual Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony will be held May 28, 2018. More than 7,000 candle-lit lanterns are set afloat on the ocean, a traditional Buddhist rite originating in Japan. The ceremony also combines the local culture of hula with the Japanese shomyo choir and taiko drums. LanternFloatingHawaii.com • The Pan Pacific Festival-Matsuri in Hawaii will be held June 8-10, 2018. This special three-day celebration begins with Hawaiian festivities on Friday evening, including a block party where last year, more than 40,000 people enjoyed festival entertainment and food. The celebration includes a hula festival held at Ala Moana Center, where spectators have the rare opportunity to see hula groups from Japan perform with Hawai‘i hula hālau. The event culminates with a grand parade along Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī. Pan-Pacific-Festival.com • Mango Jam Honolulu, presented by the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts and Hawaii Food Industry Association, takes place June 29-30, 2018 at Honolulu’s Civic Center grounds. This celebration of one of Hawai‘i’s favorite fruits offers residents and visitors “A Taste of Island Culture” showcasing a diverse mix of live entertainment, food and craft booths, a beer garden, and a farmer’s market highlighting one of O‘ahu’s most beloved fruits. Admission and parking are free. MangoJamHonolulu.com 10 | P a g e
WHAT’S NEW ON O‘AHU: APRIL – JUNE 2018 Miscellaneous • Hawaiian Airlines announced that it will begin daily non-stop flights between Long Beach (LGB) and Honolulu (HNL) in the summer, offering Southern California travelers another convenient option for direct service to Hawai‘i. The new route, being inaugurated May 31 out of Honolulu on Hawaiian’s new Airbus A321neo aircraft, complements the carrier’s popular daily flights at nearby Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). HawaiianAirlines.com • Sun Country Airlines flights start in May as a new Minneapolis-LAX-Honolulu route and will carry on throughout August. SunCountry.com • Scoot, the low cost arm of the Singapore Airlines Group, recently began a four times weekly flight to Singapore with a stopover in Osaka on a twin-aisled Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This flight marks Scoot’s entry to the Hawai‘i market and Hawai‘i’s first direct flight connecting the state to Singapore, a major Southeast Asian city and tourist destination. FlyScoot.com All information is subject to change without notice. For more information, please go to www.visit- oahu.com, follow OVB’s tweets at www.twitter.com/OahuVB, become a fan of O‘ahu on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/OahuHawaii, and follow @OahuVB on Instagram. ### Contact: Krislyn Hashimoto Stryker Weiner & Yokota Public Relations, Inc. Phone: (808) 523-8802 Email: krislyn@strykerweiner.com Website: http://media.gohawaii.com/oahu/ 11 | P a g e
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