Hot spot
Island dreaming As a first-time visitor to Hawai’i, Brittney Levinson discovers the true beauty of the islands runs much deeper than the stunning scenery and luxury resorts.
Getting there Our journey to and from Honolulu was on board Qantas, approximately a 10-hour direct flight out of Sydney. Qantas also operates direct flights out of Brisbane and Melbourne. Hawaiian Airlines operated the interisland flights between Honolulu and Kona, a quick 45-minute journey.
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he hardest part about taking groups to the Hawaiian Islands is deciding on which island to visit. Each of the six major islands – Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui and the island of Hawai’i – have a distinct offering, giving groups plenty of reasons to visit time and time again. For my first visit to the islands, Oahu and the island of Hawai’i (also known as the Big Island) were on the itinerary.
The island of Hawai’i
1. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort 2. E vents in the courtyard at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort 3. Lobby at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort 4. M auna Kea Beach Hotel
42 Spice Autumn 2020
Arriving onto the Big Island, you immediately get a sense of the warm, welcoming hospitality that’s synonymous with Hawaiian culture. Located on the west side of the island, the Kona International Airport itself is a warm welcome, with open-air terminals that were unlike anything I’d seen in an airport before. Our group was greeted at the baggage carousel with a traditional Hawaiian lei, a packed lunch and an ice-cold beer – already we were feeling pretty welcome. Driving along
the coastline to our hotel, Kona’s vast volcanic landscape was captivating to say the least, with black lava rocks lining the highway as far as the eye can see.
Hotels and venues The famed Hawaiian hospitality was one of the first things I noticed when arriving at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, located a half-hour drive from the airport. Greeted at reception by a friendly staff member, a refreshing welcome drink and an ocean view fit for a postcard, I was starting to fall in love with this place and its people. Located on absolute beachfront, the 249-room Westin Hapuna Beach Resort underwent a US$50 million refurbishment in 2019, revealing four distinct dining venues, two swimming pools and ample space for events. The hotel’s meeting spaces, including a ballroom for up 900 people, all face inwards to a large green courtyard, perfect for events as the sun goes down.