Island of Maui

With a dazzling landscape, world-class accommodations, thrilling activities and a friendly, welcoming spirit, it's no surprise that Maui was voted Best Island in the United States for the 15th time in the Condé Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards Poll. Welcoming guests to the island with an amiable "Aloha" is the Kahului Airport, the main hub for overseas travel on the island. The airport welcomes over 8 million domestic overseas and inter-island visitors each year. When completed with the $360 million expansion, visitors will experience a new car rental facility with tram egress, new lobbies and a new and more welcoming main entrance!

As 17th largest island in the United States, our island offers meeting planners plenty of spectacular resorts and Maui event venues that combine business with pleasure. Nestled on Maui's sunny southern shore, the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, features unparalleled architecture, cutting edge technology, fantastic amenities and incredible indoor and outdoor meeting facilities. With over 100,000 square feet of flexible function space, the resort boasts 15 meeting rooms, two executive boardrooms and the glamorous 28,000-square-foot Haleakala Ballroom, Hawaii's largest resort ballroom. Host a lively reception for up to 2,500 people among tiki torches and lava rock walls at the Molokini Garden, or plan a black-tie gala at the 9,922-square-foot Beach Courtyard, located steps away from Wailea Beach.

Also in Wailea, the Four Seasons Resort Maui recently voted number 12 in the Best Hawaii Resorts by the 2016 Condé Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Award Poll. Plan a cocktail reception for up to 750 guests at the resort's ballroom, or schedule breakout sessions for nine to 72 people at one of its classroom-style meeting rooms.

Giving meeting attendees a taste of the island away from resort grounds is a breeze. Maui's diverse attractions, museums and restaurants are not only alluring but also more than capable of accommodating private events. Hawaii's green sea turtles and the largest coral collection in the United States is a memorable backdrop for events at the Maui Ocean Center, which can accommodate 40 to 850 guests. Or, host an intimate dinner or reception at the beautiful Plantation House Restaurant.

Set high above the Kapalua coastline, the Plantation House offers attendees a taste of traditional Hawaiian fare hospitality, under the guidance of Executive Chef Jojo Vasquez, voted one of Hawaii's “Rising Star Chefs”. He has re-crafted the menus for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner to reflect his passion for locally sourced and inspired dishes as well as introduced signature menu items.

Outside of organized events, it's easy for meeting attendees to get together in this serene oasis. Groups can tour Hana's ancient Ka'eleku Caverns, a series of lava tubes, stalagmites and stalactites that have remained unchanged for 30,000 years. Or, organize an excursion above ground – literally. Leaving from Kahului Airport, Maverick Helicopters and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters offer group tours of the majestic island, taking passengers over the West Maui Mountains, Wall of Tears, Honokohau Falls and Haleakala Crater.

Maui's major industries are tourism and diversified agriculture, specifically the production of coffee, macadamia, papaya, tropical flowers, and fresh pineapple are just some of Hawaii's premium exports. The island is also home to University of Hawaii Maui College.