From video training sessions to hotels happenings, culinary tidbits and the fresh tour offerings, there’s plenty making headlines in Hawaii’s tourism industry, despite the ongoing pandemic. Here’s a brief look and some of what’s new and notable new and notable:

AGENT EDUCATION

The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA) is offering a continuing series of virtual travel trade training sessions via Zoom (all times are EST):

• Wahi Pana o Maui – Part 1, Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m. EST; Part 2 – Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m.: These one-hour sessions, feature a culture journey around Maui.

• Hawaiian Culture Training – Feb. 23, 3 p.m.: Led by NaHHA cultural trainer Kainoa Horcajo. “Hoʻokipa: Hawaiʻi Style” will cover the values of aloha, hoʻokipa and kuleana to foster a sense of belonging, encourage personal initiative, and build a collective knowledge of the history of place.

• Wahi Pana o Waikīkī – Feb. 26, 7:00 p.m.: In this one-hour session, Kumu Joe Recca will take you on a huakaʻi (journey) around Waikīkī, Oʻahu to learn about the cultural stories and history of the island.

More sessions on other islands are also being scheduled. For info and registration details, e-mail info@NaHHA.com.

HOTELS

• The all-new luxury lifestyle resort Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection opened in January on the island of Hawaii following a property-wide reimagination and renovation.

• The new Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani luxury boutique hotel welcomed its first guests in October. Featuring 284 rooms and four suites, the completely reimagined multimillion-dollar property is situated directly across Kalia Road from its iconic sister hotel Halekulani.

• Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort’s Tapa Tower is currently undergoing extensive renovation of its guestrooms, suites and corridors, and will debut as the Tapa Collection upon its reopening.

• Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa recently completed the second phase of its property-wide transformation with a multimillion-dollar renovation of its lobby. Renovations include a new lobby bar and café, lounge and reception area, situated in an open-air setting bringing the outdoors inside. An expansive lanai and viewing deck offers panoramic views of Kaanapali Beach. A new family game room is also part of the lower lobby level. The resort completed renovation of its 508 guestrooms and suites in July 2018.

• Wailea Beach Resort will debut its Oceanfront Sundeck Collection in early 2020, featuring 33 ground-floor rooms with extended decks and furnished outdoor living spaces, some located steps from the ocean’s edge.

• Located in Kapaa on Kauai’s east shore, the new oceanfront Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort is now open following a multimillion-dollar renovation of the former Courtyard by Marriott Kauai at Coconut Beach.

• Koa Kea Hotel & Resort at Poipu Beach recently introduced its new Endangered Kauai package, highlighted by a dolphin-safe charter sail along Kauai’s breathtaking Napali Coast. Guests reserving the package also receive complimentary reef-safe sunscreen and a reusable water bottle.

• Maui’s popular Kaanapali Beach Hotel will begin to unveil a US$75-million property-wide renaissance this winter. The new beachfront restaurant Huihui will open in February and also function as a sailing academy teaching the early Hawaiian skill of wayfinding. The hotel’s Papaku South Wing and Kauhale Southeast Wing will open with upgraded rooms featuring modern design and a strong sense of culture. The hotel’s refreshed courtyard now conveys a sense of place and includes edible plants such as maia (banana) and ulu (breadfruit).

• Following a US$5-million investment in improvements, the Royal Lahaina Resort in Maui is welcoming guests back to the property with new guestroom enhancements, lobby makeover, redesigned pools, and completely reimagined restaurant and lounge experience.

• The newly rebranded Hana-Maui Resort, a Destination Hotel, has reopened for guests. The 66-acre Hana town resort – and newest addition to the Hyatt Hotels portfolio – overlooks the Pacific Ocean from Maui’s rugged northeast coast and features 74 guest rooms, suites, bungalows and family residences.

• The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali recently completed a US$120-million resort-wide transformation, unveiling its centrepiece 217-room luxury beachfront guest tower Hokupaa. The resort’s extensive renovation also includes new restaurants and upgrades to the property’s massive pool playground.

ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

• Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach’s rooftop fitness deck by Island Club and Spa recently introduced an outdoor aerial yoga experience featuring panoramic views of Waikiki.

Bike Hawaii recently introduced a solar powered bike tour to its lineup of eBike tours of Honolulu’s Koolau mountain rainforests. The 250-watt electric-assist mountain bike eases the tour’s 8-km uphill climb before the road’s eventual descent.

• The Polynesian Cultural Center recently announced the launching of its new Alii Luau show featuring “‘Onipaa,” a tribute to Hawaii’s last ruling monarch Queen Liliuokalani. The new luau will debut in the spring, replacing the center’s current show.

• Royal Star Hawaii recently launched its Grand Circle Island and Haleiwa Deluxe Bus Tour, a nine-hour journey including stops at some of Oahu’s most scenic and historic spots such as Leahi (aka Diamond Head State Monument), Hanauma Bay State Park, the Halona Blowhole, Nuuanu Pali Lookouut, Byodo-In Temple Hawaii, Tropical Farms of Hawaii, and several North Shore area beaches.

• Waikiki Beach Activities and Mermaid Republic recently partnered to launch a new introductory scuba diving program for guests with little or no prior scuba diving skills. The partnership’s Try Scuba Diving program will be offered daily at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort with start times at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

• Wailea Village recently opened in Maui’s Wailea Resort area with more than 90 percent of its shops comprised of locally owned small businesses featuring local, casual, creative and artful offerings.

• Atlantis Adventures on Oahu recently introduced its Majestic Sunset Cocktail Cruise, offering guests a chance to enjoy a beautiful Hawaii sunset from the sea.

• Tasting Kauai recently launched two new tours for foodies visiting the island. Its Kauai Happy Hour Tour spotlights cocktails and food pairings highlighting the island’s unique flavors. Foodies looking for a more hands-on tour experience can opt for the company’s Kauai Cooking Class Tour, guided by a local chef, which visits a local farmers market to gather and learn about local ingredients. Cooking experience is not needed.

• The Lodge at Kukuiula’s new Huakai Intensives adventure program is led by professional experts who guide guests in a variety of traditional Hawaiian activities from surfing to crossbow hunting. Each experience is customized with one-on-one instruction, offering participants the tools and educational experience necessary to become experts in their chosen activity.
• On Kayak Kauai’s new Whale Watch and Snorkel Tour, guests guide a sea kayak along the south shore coast of Poipu, experiencing the scenic area that is home to Spouting Horn, Lawai Valley, N?milu Pond and the cove of Wahiawa. By kayak, guests paddle sea paths taken by early Polynesians and whaling captains, from Koloa to Port Allen. The Poipu Whale Watch and Snorkel by Sea Kayak is offered from October through April.

CULINARY

• Sunday Club is a new brunch experience at Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach’s new Longboard Club open to hotel guests and the public.

• KoHana Distillers, the Oahu-based boutique distillery of KoHana Hawaiian Agricole Rum, has introduced its newest rum KoHana Koa, billed as the world’s first spirit aged in barrels made of native Hawaii koa wood.