FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8 October, 2026
WHAT’S NEW IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS FOR
MEETINGS, CONVENTIONS AND INCENTIVE GROUPS
Fall 2026 Update
HONOLULU – The Hawaiian Islands continue to offer new and exciting possibilities for meetings, conventions, and incentive groups, with new accommodations, event spaces, dining experiences, and cultural and adventure activities complementing longtime favorites statewide. Many of these offerings also give groups impactful and personally meaningful ways to connect with Hawai‘i’s culture, communities, and sense of place.
Image Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
KAUAʻI | HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
Kauaʻi is welcoming meetings and incentive groups, with most accommodations, restaurants, shops, tours, and activities operating as usual following Hurricane Lowell. Planners can support local businesses by incorporating island-based dining, shopping, and activities into their programs. Groups are encouraged to bring patience and aloha, as some businesses may still have limited staffing or services, and planners should confirm arrangements directly with providers. Visit openkauai.org for a directory of businesses and experiences welcoming visitors.
HAWAIʻI CONVENTION CENTER
The Hawaiʻi Convention Center renovation remains on schedule, and the Center is set to reopen in 2028. Crews completed mobilization and demolition this summer, and construction of the canopy structure and deck is now underway. Planners can follow the latest timeline, construction newsletters, and live webcam at meethawaii.com.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Image Courtesy of Hale Hōkūala Kaua‘i, Curio Collection by Hilton © 2026 Hilton
Hale Hōkūala Kaua‘i Debuts on the Garden Isle
Hale Hōkūala Kaua‘i, Curio Collection by Hilton is a new addition to the island’s meetings and events landscape, offering a 210-room resort near Līhu‘e Airport and Kalapakī Beach, overlooking Nāwiliwili Bay and the Ocean Course at Hōkūala. Groups planners can access the resort’s more than 14,000 square-feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space accommodating executive retreats, incentive programs and other gatherings. The resort’s design and experiences are inspired by Kaua‘i’s culture and natural setting while its Portuguese-Hawaiian restaurant, Figueira, spotlights culinary connections between Hawai‘i and Portugal. The resort is the first Curio Collection by Hilton property in Hawai‘i. Hilton.com
Hilton Club Ka Haku Honolulu to Debut Luxury Timeshare Property (O‘ahu)
Hilton Club Ka Haku Honolulu is readying to open this fall in Waikīkī, adding a new 213-suite timeshare property to Hilton Grand Vacations’ Hawai‘i portfolio of properties. The resort will be the company’s 14th in the Islands and its first in Hawai‘i under the Hilton Club luxury brand. Accommodations will range from studios to one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, with amenities including a private arrival and departure lounge, fitness center, pool and bar, Japanese-style bathhouse and ground-floor retail spaces. As part of the project, Hilton Grand Vacations contributed $1 million to the Waikīkī Business Improvement District’s efforts supporting revitalization efforts at Kūhiō Beach Park. Hilton.com
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa Expands Wellness Options for Groups
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa is debuting new wellness experiences designed for meetings, retreats, and incentive groups, spread across its 40-acre Kā‘anapali property. New group wellness programs focus on creating community, inspiring discovery, and promoting rejuvenation. Alongside 100,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor event space, groups are welcome to build wellness into their itineraries through activities such as Hawaiian plant tours, hula fitness, lei making, mocktail workshops, yoga, meditation, spa treatments, and sound baths. Team-building options include pickleball, bocce ball, and lawn-game tournaments. The resort’s new Mālie Lounge offers a quieter space for meeting breaks and recharging. Hyatt.com
Kona Bay Hotel Readying to Welcome Groups as a Hampton Inn by Hilton in 2027 (island of Hawai‘i)
Kona Bay Hotel is readying to welcome guests in 2027 following a renovation aiming to bring a refreshed Polynesian-inspired atmosphere to the Historic Kailua-Kona Village property. The 123-room hotel, which will reopen as Hampton Inn by Hilton Kailua-Kona Bay, will offer complimentary daily buffet breakfast and nightly entertainment, and welcome corporate incentive and leisure groups. Its Island Bar and Grill by Trader Vic’s will offer food, beverages, and an on-site gathering option for groups and meeting attendees. The property’s location also places attendees close to dining, shopping and other Kailua-Kona Village activities. Hilton.com
VENUES
Wai Kai at Hoakalei Resort Blends Meetings With Waterfront Experiences (O‘ahu)
Wai Kai at Hoakalei Resort offers meetings and incentive groups an O‘ahu waterfront setting where team-building time and meetings can combine with time for fun on the water. The venue’s more than 80,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor event space can accommodate everything from small meetings to corporate retreats and large gatherings, and features on-property dining and activities. Groups can add customized water experiences, such as paddling on the 52-acre Wai Kai Lagoon or surf sessions at the Wai Kai Wave, then regroup for waterfront dining or get togethers. The space and setup give planners opportunities to pair business gatherings and shared group activities on a single itinerary. WaiKai.com
Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott, Maui Debuts New Oceanfront Event Space (Maui)
Wailea Beach Resort has opened Kainani Lawn, a new oceanfront event space set close to the water’s edge with sweeping views of the Pacific. Meaning “beautiful sea” in‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language), the lawn offers groups an intimate outdoor setting for receptions, meals, and other gatherings. The space accommodates up to 75 guests for a cocktail reception or 50 for a plated dinner and was created as an ideal spot for welcome events, breakfast or brunch gatherings, and smaller dinners suiting planners looking to set their events in a coastal setting. WaileaBeachResort.com
AGRICULTURE & CUISINE
Image Courtesy of 53 By The Sea
53 By The Sea Debuts New Fall Seasonal Tasting Menu (O‘ahu)
53 By The Sea is debuting a new seasonal tasting menu for fall from Chef Taka Kawai, replacing the restaurants six-course Naupaka and five-course Kaua‘i menus with chef-driven courses currently in development. In addition, the oceanfront restaurant in Ward Village will continue its weekend lunch and happy hour through the fall. Lunch, served Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., features a three-course prix fixe menu with dishes such as seafood salad, seafood roll and pan-seared fusilli pasta. Weekend happy hour follows from 2 to 4:30 p.m., with bites including wagyu burgers, ‘ahi rillettes and a local Sweet Land Farm goat cheese plate. Beyond seasonal dining, the oceanfront venue features private dining rooms and flexible event spaces equipped for corporate meetings, private receptions, and special gatherings with stunning views of Diamond Head. 53ByTheSea.com
Halekulani Introduces Executive Business Lunch at Orchids (O‘ahu)
Halekulani recently introduced a new Executive Business Lunch at the hotel’s Orchids restaurant, offering a streamlined midday dining option overlooking Waikīkī’s shoreline for groups and business guests. Available Monday through Friday for $52 per person, the two-course prix fixe menu can be enjoyed in about an hour and comes with a choice of appetizer and main course or main course and dessert. Designed with business lunches and busy schedules in mind, the menu will change monthly to showcase seasonal ingredients and new dishes throughout the year. Halekulani.com
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Adds Oceanfront & Omakase Dining Experiences (island of Hawai‘i)
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel recently added two new dining experiences, each offering groups different ways to enjoy the resort’s coastal setting. “Dining Under the Stars” offers private oceanfront dinners alongside Kauna‘oa Bay, with a multicourse chef-curated menu designed for an impressive dining experience and special celebrations. In addition, a new omakase experience offered at the resort’s Copper Bar on Tuesdays and Thursdays highlights sushi and seasonal Japanese-inspired dishes. Optional sake pairings from Hawai‘i Island’s Islander Sake Brewery add a local note and spirited craftsmanship to the intimate tasting menu. MaunaKeaResort.com
Seascape at Maui Ocean Center Adds Breakfast with a Harbor View
Seascape at Maui Ocean Center is now serving breakfast daily from 10 a.m. to noon, offering groups a morning dining option overlooking Māʻalaea Harbor. The restaurant’s breakfast menu spotlights local favorites, with featured dishes including the Upcountry Omelet Sandwich, Maui Gold Sunrise Bowl, Paniolo Steak and Eggs, and Māʻalaea Loco Moco. Locallysourced ingredients and beverages include Maui Cattle Company beef and freshly roasted Maui Oma Coffee. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and groups are welcome. Aquarium admission is not required to dine at Seascape; however the Ocean Center’s aquatic and cultural exhibits and incredible 3D whale move make a natural match with the amazing dining at Seascape. MauiOceanCenter.com
Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort to Debut New Oceanfront Restaurant Hinahina (O‘ahu)
Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort will welcome Hinahina this fall, a new oceanfront restaurant at Waikīkī’s Gray Beach area offering all-day dining and the return of the resort’s breakfast buffet after a six-year absence. An ideal addition for meeting planners and group itineraries, Hinahina provides seamless large-group dining, from corporate breakfast functions to post-conference dinners against oceanfront backdrops. Led by Executive Chef Darren Demaya, Hinahina’s island-influenced menu will span breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with dishes including Pineapple Upside-Down Pancakes, a half-pound Wagyu Hinahina Burger and Giant Tiger Shrimp. The design of the restaurant’s interior celebrates Waikīkī’s historic beach culture and long-gone Gray’s by the Sea boarding house and spotlights views of some of the resort area’s famed surf breaks. Marriott.com
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa to Open Harvest 19 Kitchen and Bar (island of Hawai‘i)
An excellent new addition to come for group itineraries and event dining, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa will debut Harvest 19 Kitchen and Bar this fall as its reimagined signature restaurant. Named for historic Highway 19, a route linking many of Hawai‘i Island’s farm, ranches, fisheries, coffee estates, and coastal communities, the restaurant’s menu will be centered around local partnerships and ingredients. Hawai‘i-born Executive Chef Jayson Kanekoa will lead the kitchen, sourcing from island producers, such as Kona Fish Company, Kona Sea Salt Farm, Hamakua Mushrooms, Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative, and Big Island Goat Dairy. The chef’s menu will draw from Hawai‘i Island’s many cultural influences, offering a taste of flavors that have long shaped the island’s culinary identity. Marriott.com
Ocean House by Roy Yamaguchi is now open at the OUTRIGGER Kaua‘i Beach Resort (Kaua‘i)
This oceanfront dining experience brings chef Roy Yamaguchi’s signature approach to a deep connection to land and sea. The restaurant is the culinary centerpiece for the newly renovated resort, serving breakfast and dinner—making it an inspiring backdrop for working breakfasts, post-meeting networking, and memorable group dining during corporate retreats. Signature dishes on the dinner menu include the Kaua‘i Bag & Boil alongside a curated selection of sashimi, sushi rolls and Lū‘au Plate celebrating the full flavors of the islands. Outrigger.com/OceanHouse
CULTURE
Image Courtesy of Common Ground Kaua‘i
Common Ground Highlights Farm, Culture & Culinary Experiences (Kauai)
Common Ground offers a food, agriculture, and culture-focused destination across its 63-acre north shore farm, serving as a prime off-property option for meetings, corporate retreats, and group itineraries. Perfect for planners who need to maximize impact on tight schedules, the venue allows attendees to experience Kaua‘i’s rich local culture through executive gatherings, farewell dinners, and team-building experiential lunches like lei making and farm tours. In addition, the venue offers activations, including “Salt and Color” surf- an ocean-inspired program will return this fall as a two-part series with daytime exhibition hours and an evening celebration featuring surfboard shaping, art activations, mural unveilings, open art studios, youth surf films and island-based female DJs. The farm also hosts a recurring LoFi Lounge gathering. CommonGroundKauai.com
Hāna-Maui Resort Invites Groups to Meet with Aloha
Hāna-Maui Resort is aiming to offer meeting and incentive planners and groups a more immersive way to experience the property’s East Maui setting through its new Meet with Aloha program. Set across 66 acres along the famed Road to Hāna, the resort provides a countryside setting suited for group retreats, celebrations, and smaller gatherings, with a surrounding landscape wholly unique to this region of Maui. Private cultural experiences and other on-property activities offer groups opportunities to quickly connect with the Hāna area and outdoors beyond meeting rooms. HanaMauiResort.com
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa Unveils New Cultural & Marine Programs
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa invites groups to connect with local culture and marine ecology through immersive complimentary programming. Debuting October 27, the “Nā Kupuna o Kona Series” gathers attendees under the new moon at Piko Makai restaurant to share Hawaiian history through mo‘olelo (stories) led by the resort’s kumu, alongside performances by Nā Wai Iwi Ola Hula Hālau. Additional sessions are set for November 24 and December 29. The property also hosts its Manta Talk every Tuesday and Wednesday evening at the Manta Learning Center, providing an in-depth educational look at Keauhou Bay’s ocean currents and the unique environmental conditions that attract gentle manta rays to the shoreline. Outrigger.com
Waimea Valley Prepares Fall Slate of Cultural Programming (O‘ahu)
Waimea Valley will offer a full fall season of cultural programming, guided tours, and community events across its 1,875-acre ahupua‘a (mountain-to-sea land division) on O‘ahu’s North Shore. Groups can explore the valley at their own pace guided by the interactive Ali‘i Atlas or join in on guided experiences, such as the Sunrise Tour and daily Nā Lā‘au Hawai‘i botanical walk. Waimea Valley also hosts daily hula performances and hands-on cultural demonstrations by resident artisans. Fall highlights will include the final Moon Walk of the season on October 25, an Arbor Day tree giveaway on November 7, and the Makahiki Festival and Te Moana Nui Games on November 11. WaimeaValley.net
ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES
Hilton Hawaiian Village Adds Fall & Holiday Season Events (O‘ahu)
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort is planning a slate of events for this year’s fall and holiday seasons, offering meeting and incentive groups quick and easy additions to their Waikīkī itineraries. October will bring “Nightmare in Paradise,” a haunted house happening October 23, 24, 30, and 31, along with craft fairs on the resort’s Village Green featuring local artisans, makers and vendors. The Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays will bring special dinner buffets at the property’s Rainbow Lanai and special editions of its Waikiki Starlight Luau, offering groups festive dining and evening entertainment on the resort grounds. HiltonHawaiianVillage.com
Kā‘anapali Classic by OUTRIGGER Brings Collegiate Golf to Maui
The Kā‘anapali Classic by OUTRIGGER will return to the Valley Isle October 25 through 28 at the Royal Kā‘anapali Golf Course, bringing 20 Division I men’s golf teams to Maui for four days of collegiate competition on the links. Hosted by the University of Hawai‘i, the tournament will include college golf programs from across the U.S., including Clemson, Georgia, Purdue, TCU, Houston, and the state’s hometown Rainbow Warriors. Play begins each day at 8:30 a.m. and admission is free, with walking spectators — and incentive groups or meeting attendees on Maui — welcome to check out play on the course. KaanapaliGolfCourses.com
Kohala Zipline Adds a Giveback Experience to Its Canopy Course (island of Hawai‘i)
Kohala Zipline has added an interactive element to its lineup of adventures with its new Kohala Zipline Giveback Experience. Offered on Wednesdays, the program combines the company’s canopy course with a native forest restoration activity, inviting participants to help plant native and canoe plants provided by Terraformation, perfect for corporate groups and incentive programs looking to incorporate meaningful CSR into their itineraries. The work supports a two-acre restoration within ‘Iole — a historic 2,400-acre ahupua‘a (Hawaiian land division) — that is part of a larger 200-plus acre restoration effort. The experience also offers incentive and corporate groups a way to blend outdoor adventure with beneficial ‘āina (land) stewardship of the island of Hawai‘i. KohalaZipline.com
Image Courtesy of Maui Chocolate Tour
Maui Chocolate Tour Adds Cacao Farm Experience & Treehouse Lunch
Maui Chocolate Tour introduced a Cacao Farm Tour and Treehouse Lunch, giving groups a closer look at how cacao is grown and turned into chocolate on a private estate in the foothills of the West Maui mountains. Set among more than 20 acres of cacao trees, the field experience takes in the estate’s cacao harvesting and chocolate production before settling down for a guided tasting of multiple flavors and types of chocolate in an open-air treehouse. Lunch from local eatery Kapena’s Kitchen is served in the treehouse as well. The experiences offer a blend of local agriculture knowledge, handmade chocolate, and local eats for meeting and incentive groups. MauiChocolateTour.com.
Maui Pineapple Tour Pairs Farm Experience With Local Lunch
Maui Pineapple Tour recently debuted a Farm Tour and Lunch Experience at its pineapple acreage in the Upcountry Maui town of Hāliʻimaile, offering groups an up-close look at the daily operations of Maui’s last working pineapple farm. The field and production facility tour follows the journey of Maui Gold pineapples from farm to harvest, with guides sharing how the sweet, juicy fruit is grown, cultivated and hand harvested. After the tour, sit down to a locally catered lunch from ‘Ohana Island Grindz, bringing another taste of island flavors to the experience. For meeting and incentive groups, the tour offers the combined experiences of a farm visit, local-food-favorites lunch, and hands-on ag skills. MauiPineaapleTour.com
Moana Surfrider Introduces New Small-Group Wellness Classes (O‘ahu)
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort and Spa, Waikiki Beach will introduce a new series of small-group wellness classes this fall focused on rejuvenating mind, body and spirit for meeting planners to consider within their group itineraries. Held at the resort’s Banyan Wing sixth-floor Roof Garden Lanai, the sessions aim to offer a quiet setting for encouraging wellbeing. Capped at 10 participants per class, the weekly lineup includes mat Pilates for building core strength and alignment, a midweek sound bath meditation using immersive sound waves to calm the nervous system, and a breathwork workshop centered on conscious breathing techniques. Mats and all necessary class materials are provided. Online reservations are available up to two weeks in advance. Marriott.com
Pacific Historic Parks Offers Group Experiences at Pearl Harbor (O‘ahu)
Pacific Historic Parks recently introduced multiple ways for meeting and incentive groups to engage more deeply with the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Planners can now offer clients the gift of a flown U.S. flag at the USS Arizona Memorial. Crafted in the U.S., the flags are flown at the Arizona on dates of national significance, including December 7, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July. Group volunteer opportunities include participation in flag-folding ceremonies and assisting memorial visitors awaiting boat tours. And groups visiting on December 6 and 7 can also attend public commemorative events marking this year’s 85th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. PacificHistoricParks.org.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua Expands Its Lineup of Group Experiences
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua recently introduced a lineup of more than 70 guest experiences happening each week, giving group planners a broad range of ways for clients to explore the resort and its surroundings, and connect with Maui nature, culture, and people. Options include stargazing, naturalist-led eco tours, coastal hikes, mixology classes, sushi-making workshops, and an artisan marketplace. Experiences can also be customized to match a group’s size, interests, and event goals to work into retreats, incentive programs, or team-building schedules. The resort’s expanded experience lineup was created with planners in mind, offering them more flexibility to add cultural, culinary, and other outdoor activities. RitzCarlton.com/Maui
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About Meet Hawaiʻi
Meet Hawaiʻi is a collaboration of the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) and the Hawaiʻi Convention Center (HCC) to reinforce the brand of the Hawaiian Islands as a world-class destination for global business meetings, conventions and incentive programs. The Global MCI efforts of the Meet Hawaiʻi team are overseen and funded by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the State of Hawaiʻi’s agency responsible for holistically managing tourism in a sustainable manner. HTA works with the community and industry to mālama Hawai‘i – care for our beloved home. For information about Meet Hawaiʻi and the hosting of meetings, conventions and incentives, please visit MeetHawaii.com.
Special note to media: The Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) recognizes the use of the ‘okina [‘] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the (modern) Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ā] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai‘i such as Lāna‘i). However, HVCB respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses.
Media Contacts:
Lei-Ann Field
Senior Director, Visitor PR and Communications
Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau
lfield@hvcb.org
Anna Piergallini
Account Supervisor, Public Relations
Anthology FINN Partners
anna.piergallini@finnpartners.com