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E Komo Mai, come in and enjoy
KAHILI AWARDS HONOR CULTURAL QUALITY

By Lynn Cook

If you are looking the “real Hawaii” and a quality experience in the Hawaiian Islands, check out the companies who display the Hawaii Visitor and Convention Bureau’s Kahili Awards. For the past twelve years the HVCB has honored those who celebrate and perpetuate the Aloha spirit, honoring each company with their annual Keep It Hawaii awards program. The award recipients, selected by cultural specialists, receive a carved wooden kahili depicting the tall feather standards that once announced the arrival of royalty in the islands. Watch for the carved award standard or Keep It Hawaii award signs proudly showcased by Island companies.

The real winners in this awards program are the visitors and local residents who can enjoy the best Hawaii has to offer. When the top entry in each of eighteen categories has been selected, the judges come together again to select the “best of the best”, the “Best in Show” award. Receiving the award for Programs as well, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - After Dark in the Park program was selected for their excellent evening events in the National Park setting. For 13-years the programs have informed and entertained thousands of visitors with tales of whales and snails, reefs and forests, caves and mountain tops. Presented by cultural specialists, artists, musicians, scientists, and Pacific islanders, the magical evenings expand vistas, fire imaginations and keep the art of storytelling alive. For a schedule of up-coming presentations or to make special event arrangements contact the Division of Interpretation, 808-985-6014

Accommodations: Waimea Plantation Cottages. Kauai. With classic, turn-of-the-century architecture, visitors find painstakingly relocated and restored plantation-era cottages, filled with appropriate artifacts and surrounded with stately trees and lush plantings, creating an oasis and a visitor experience reminiscent of a quieter time. Bookings can include historical tours. 800-9-WAIMEA, (992-4632).

Architecture: Hanauma Bay Marine Education Center, designed by Group 70 International, Oahu. The center encompasses nearly 9,000 square feet of theater space, classroom and training facilities, and exhibit areas for interactive computer stations, 3-D models and artifact displays, all tucked into lava and earth burms that blend into the natural landscape, meeting the challenge to create a facility that would enhance rather than detract from one of the most spectacular resources in Hawaii. Meeting space and private tours and events are available, 808-396-HBAY.

Attractions: Bishop Museum - Navigating Change: The Northwest Hawaiian Islands exhibit at the Hawaii Maritime Center, Oahu. The exhibit accomplishes the goal of engaging students, teachers and the community in scientific and cultural activities through a creative, interactive opportunity to meet a sooty tern, come eye-to-eye with a gooney bird, and better understand the uninhabited atolls stretching 1,200 miles northwest of Hawaii’s eight main islands. The facility has easy access for after hours special events. 808-523-6151.

Environmental Preservation: Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach Planting Hawaiian program, Oahu. A year-round education program, designed for visitors, employees, and residents began with the exclusive use of native plants in all available hotel grounds, followed by education sessions the importance of nurturing native plants. A walking tour is available in addition to the annual celebration of Arbor Day Hawaiian-style; with workshops, exhibits, and educational hand out material. For special group events call, 808-921-9731.

Events: Ka Molokai Makahiki, Molokai. This unique event combines the thrill of land and sea sporting competitions with ancient arts, fishing, planting, Hawaiian chant, music and hula. The celebration, set in the fall time of Makahiki following the harvest season, brings an entire island community together while welcoming visitors into the ‘ohana (family). It is a chance to see the games of old Hawaii performed by students and parents. For event dates, details and group planning contact 808-660-0004 or www.molokaievents.com

Historic Preservation: Mauna Lani Resort Kalahuipua’a Fishponds. Big Island of Hawaii. The fishponds serve as the spiritual center of the resort area. The seven pools were created by ancient Hawaiians who used them to raise fish to supplement their ocean fishing efforts. On the 30th anniversary of the resort a stone ahu (alter) was constructed, by a master Hawaiian stone mason, to honor the linking of past and future. It sits between the ancient Lahipua’a and Hope’ala Fishponds. Guests can take a self-guided tour or arrange for a group “talk story” by the resident historian. 808-885-6622, www.maunalani.com

Internet: HAWAII.com. The Internet plays a growing role in travel marketing and sales. Most Hawai‘I visitors use the Web to help them plan their vacation. The HVCB and key industry players have invested to take advantage of this trend. Major online travel agencies view Hawaii as a strategic destination in their product portfolio. The HAWAII.com travel booking site focuses exclusively Hawaii, selling not only vacations, but offering community information and relocation resources. The site was launched last year and is supported with extensive advertising to drive traffic and travel sales.

Literary Arts: Reading in preparation for travel to the Hawaiian islands takes a personal turn with a book small in size and big in message. In true Hawaiian fashion the book honors the concept of ‘ohana (family) as it is woven into the multi cultural fabric of the islands. Authors Jane Hopkins, Betty Santos and Mutual Publishing, offer the book ‘Ohana, which begins with noted Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pukui’s philosophy - ‘Ohana is the foundation of the Hawaiian culture. The book shares the thoughts and words of Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian, the timeless, ageless wisdom of the elders. 808-732-1709, www.mutualpublishing.com.

Broadcast Media: From the fall of 2002 through 2005 PBS will continue to broadcast what is the first Great Performances/ Dance in America presentation from Hawaii. Millions of viewers will be introduced to Hawaii as an unparalleled cultural destination. The national showing of the hour-long Pacific Islanders in Communication’s - Holo Mai Pele, offers a look at an epic saga of the mythological goddesses Pele and Hi’iaka. In preparation for a cultural travel experience the home video and the companion book are available from www.nativebookshawaii.com.

Print Media: Hana Hou! The Magazine of Hawaiian Airlines for ‘Kalo Culture’. The feature offered a profound look at the importance of kalo or taro in the Hawaiian culture and how the revival of taro cultivation has helped to connect a new generation of youth to the ways of their ancestors, brining to life this hands-on, feet-in-the-mud experience.The publication is free on Hawaiian Airlines flights from the West Coast to Hawaii and at Hawaii bookstores. 808-733-3333.

Performing Arts: Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Hanau Ka Moku - An Island Is Born was honored for the world premiere of an daring, new epic dance adventure, rooted in cultural traditions and expanded to innovative modern dance. Known as a leader in arts programming in Hawaii the Center offers a year-round entertainment and multiple special event options. 808-242-7469, www.mauiarts.org.

Restaurants: TS Restaurants, based on Maui, Kauai, O‘ahu, have a 25-year focus on Hawaiian decor, ambience and hospitality. Each of the six locations, Kimo’s, Hula Grill and Leilani’s on the Beach - Maui, Duke’s Canoe Club Kauai and Keoki’s Paradise - Kauai, Duke’s Canoe Club Waikiki, is unique in its celebration of things Hawaiian. Their award-winning cuisine is affordable. Each location has a large local customer base. Local food reviewers often quote, “eat with the locals and you dine with kings.” Private parties are welcome. The company is also known for outreach to the community with their program honoring educators in the community who exemplify excellent teaching abilities and are motivated to enrich the lives of their students, and a program honoring lifeguards who keep Hawaii’s waters safe. www.hulapie.com or 808-667-4801.

Retail: The Parker Ranch Store, Kamuela, Big Island of Hawaii, is a location that tells a story. This all new store has a 70 year history of filling the needs of the shopper - from a cowboy hat to coffee and poha jam to poi. It is hard to make retail an educational experience, but the Parker Ranch Store has, with labels that explain the 170 year-old rich Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) heritage and a wall-of-fame with the stories of great cowboys. 808-885-7311, www.parkerranch.com.

Visual Arts: Waikiki, Oahu. The judges honored the vision of an organization that commissioned an artist to create a larger-than-life, breathtaking monument to the heartbeat of Hawaii; the hula. This category awardee is a don’t miss for every visitor arriving in Waikiki and a treat for all who drive by daily. The bronze sculpture, towering 15 feet above a reflecting pool, it is modern and classic, honoring chant, song, dance and the spiritual power that lives in Hawaiian culture. The Kahili was awarded to Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa’s Kaha Ka ‘Io Me Na Makani; The Hawk Soars with the Winds by artist Kim Duffett.
808-949-4321.

For the HVCB Hawaii Travel Planner call (800) GO-HAWAII (464-2924) or visit www.gohawaii.com for a complete list of the award recipients.

Additionally, twenty three organizations were honored with the Certificate of Merit:

Accommodations: Outrigger Reef on the Beach - A’ohe hana nui ke alo ‘ia and Kapalua Bay Hotel & Ocean Villas - Embracing Ho’okipa
Architecture: Group 70 International - Parker Ranch Center
Attractions: Hawaii Forest & Trail - Kohala Mule Trail Adventure
Environmental Preservation: Parker Ranch - Parker Ranch Tree Project
Events: Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani Hotel - Hana Ho’ohiwahiwa O’Ka’iulani;
Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation/ United States Postal Service/ Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association/ Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa -
Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Ho’olaule’a
Historic Preservation: Daniel Thiebaut Restaurant - Chock Inn Store, Est. 1900;
Wailea Marriott, an Outrigger Resort - Ku’ula Stone
Literary Arts: Mutual Publishing - A Pocket Guide to Diamond Head and Waikiki;
Allan Seiden - Diamond Head Hawai’i’s Icon
Broadcast Media: Aloha Festivals - Frank B. Shaner Falsetto Contest
Print Media: Hiroshi Mizuno - Waikiki Historic Trail; Hawaii Magazine - Hawaiian Artistry
Performing Arts: ‘Ulalena at Maui Theatre - Ulalena
Products: Creative Native Crafts/ Obun Hawaii Group - Aloha Origami
Programs: Pacific Islands Institute - Encounters in Paradise; From Here to Eternity
Restaurants: Tiki’s Grill & Bar; Outrigger Reef on the Beach - Ocean House Restaurant
Special: Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach - A Common Man’s Statue to the “Duke”; Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa - The Village Experience
Visual Arts: Marriot’s Ko Olina Beach Club - Grill Designs; Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach - The Making of a Kahili