There’s no place on earth quite like the Hawaiian Islands. Six unique islands. Six unique experiences. From crystal blue waters to black sand beaches, Hawaii’s iconic destinations are enough to fill any bucket list. But if you look around, you’ll find there’s even more to Hawaii than what you’ve heard about.
Where should you start? Maybe you’d like to unwind on Kauai, known for its lush, natural beauty and the breathtaking cliffs of the Napali Coast. Perhaps the energy of Oahu is more your speed, home to world-famous destinations like Waikiki, the North Shore and Pearl Harbor. Maui mixes heavenly beaches and resorts with small town charm and discoveries. To get away from it all, secluded and luxurious Lanai contrasts with the rustic and authentic simplicity of Molokai. Finally, big adventures happen on Hawaii Island, most famous for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the still active, Kilauea volcano.
So take a moment. Wander from the suggested route. Stumble upon a secluded spot. Discover the food that the locals love. Experience a culture and meet the people who live the welcoming aloha spirit. There’s so much more to your Hawaii vacation than you thought. And you won’t need a roadmap to find your most memorable moments. Get inspired at agents.gohawaii.com.
With Six Iconic Islands, The Hawaiian Islands deliver an unsurpassed variety of unforgettable experiences that keep clients coming back for more.
Kauai:
With its unspoiled landscapes, breathtaking coastlines, spectacular waterfalls and infinite spectrum of serene greens and blues, the idyllic island of Kauai is an ideal destination for your clients to reconnect with nature.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Rejuvenation comes in endless forms on Kauai. Indulging in a massage on the beach. Greeting the day with an outdoor yoga class. Kayaking the Wailua River. Horseback riding along spectacular coastlines. Hiking the Fern Grotto. Soaring high above scenic vistas on a zipline tour—and more. No matter what your clients’ interests or desired activity level, you can create a Kauai itinerary that will recharge the mind, body and spirit.
SURPRISING DESTINATIONS
Be sure to include ample time to explore the rugged Napali Coast cliffs, vast Waimea Canyon vistas and numerous botanical gardens dotting the island. And don’t forget to remind your clients to save ample space on their memory cards for the countless photos they’ll be sure to take along the way.
LOCAL CULTURE
Rich in heritage, Kauai boasts the authentic experiences and attractions that make vacations memorable. Your clients can get hands-on at Waipa, a 1,600-acre working ahupuaa (land division). The Kauai Museum in Lihue celebrates tradition through live concerts, hula, craft-making demonstrations, cultural lectures, featured exhibits and year-round special events. The island also hosts weekly farmers’ markets and lively festivals—including the Koloa Plantation Days Celebration, the Mokihana Festival and the Eo e Emalani i Alakai honoring Queen Emma’s journey across the Alakai forest and swamp.
Oahu:
Urban and country. Cosmopolitan and historic. Hawaiian and American. Oahu is an iconic island of contrasts that offers enriching cultural experiences as well as thrilling adventures.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Your clients can enjoy the best of city-chic Waikiki and historic Honolulu along with the natural beauty of the island’s fabled North Shore and small towns of Windward, Leeward and Central Oahu. They can explore beaches, hike emerald mountains and take a bite out of the local culinary scene. Year-round festivals and events provide your clients the opportunity to experience everything the island has to offer in celebration of culture, food, film and sports.
SURPRISING DESTINATIONS
On Oahu, traditions endure—and are elevated with modern, global sophistication.
As the gateway to the North Shore, the surf town of Haleiwa is the region’s social and artistic hub—filled with restaurants, boutiques and galleries. On the south shore, nightlife abounds in Chinatown’s edgy bars, clubs and eateries, contrasting with its produce markets, lei shops and eclectic stores by day. The Bishop Museum, Honolulu Museum of Art and Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM) showcase Hawaii’s traditional and contemporary art, historical artifacts and cultural heirlooms. This year, attractions at Pearl Harbor will commemorate the 75th anniversary of one of World War II’s most pivotal moments. Your clients can further immerse themselves in Oahu’s one-of-a-kind vibe in the diverse neighborhoods of Kapahulu, Kakaako and Kaimuki.
LOCAL CULTURE
The spirit of aloha permeates so many experiences on Oahu—from Iolani Palace, Pali Lookout, Queen Emma’s Summer Palace, Waimea Valley and Kualoa/Kaaawa Valley to local festivals, ancient fishponds, special gatherings and musical events. With a vibrant host Hawaiian culture that permeates the island, visitors are encouraged to perpetuate the traditions by learning to surf, playing the ‘ukulele, dancing the hula, weaving lauhala and more.
Maui:
Maui is about having the freedom to enjoy unscheduled, effortless fun. It’s large enough to host a wide array of recreation and relaxation, yet small enough so your clients won’t feel overwhelmed.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Hana Highway paves the way to a spur-of-the-moment road trip highlighted by rainforests,waterfalls, plunge pools and seascapes. Outdoor enthusiasts can tackle land and sea by hiking up to the Iao Needle—a 1,200-foot rock outcropping—and scuba diving with sharks at the Maui Ocean Center. If a day meandering upcountry, visiting small-scale but big-fun local farms is more their speed, your clients can visit the Alii Lavender Farm, the winery at Ulupalakua Ranch or the Surfing Goat Dairy in Upcountry Maui.
SURPRISING DESTINATIONS
Early risers can greet the morning’s first rays atop Haleakala, the island’s highest peak. Divers and snorkelers can discover a kaleidoscope of coral and fish at Molokini, a crescent-shaped island off the coast of Maui. Trendsetters and history buffs will love Lahaina. The one-time capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and historic whaling village is now an island hot spot showcasing eclectic art galleries, fine restaurants and richly preserved historic districts.
LOCAL CULTURE
The spirit of tradition—and celebration—is alive on Maui. Some popular cultural events primarily experienced by residents, and completely friendly to visitors, include the island-wide rotation of Friday Town Parties, the East Maui Taro Festival and the Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Series.
Lanai :
Indulge your clients in a destination of pure serenity and tradition with:
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Expeditions (Maui – Lanai Ferry) • Lanai City
SURPRISING DESTINATIONS
Underwater lava caverns • Keahiakawelo • Puu Pehe
LOCAL CULTURE
Lanai Culture & Heritage Center • Kaunolu Village
Molokai:
“Hawaii’s most Hawaiian Island” is a true living classroom for travelers with:
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Alii Fish Ponds • Kumu Farms • Coffees of Hawaii
Purdy’s Natural Macadamia Farm
SURPRISING DESTINATIONS
Sea Cliffs • Papohaku Beach • Fringing Reef
LOCAL CULTURE
Kalaupapa Peninsula • Halawa Valley • Makahiki Festival
Hawaii Island:
From tropical beaches and snow-capped mountains to active volcanoes and infinitely star-filled skies, Hawaii Island puts on an inspiring show and more than satisfies your clients’ insatiable sense of wonder.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Travelers can indulge their wild side by swimming alongside schools of tropical fish, snorkeling with majestic manta rays at night, conducting a photo shoot with a sunning sea turtle and spotting feathered friends with a local bird guide. For clients who appreciate the unconventional, create an itinerary filled with extraordinary excursions—biking Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, hiking past majestic waterfalls, even playing marine biologist through interactive programs. Then, as dusk falls on Hawaii Island, nightlife takes on a whole new meaning with stellar stargazing, glowing volcanoes and brilliant pelagics at the “edge.”
SURPRISING DESTINATIONS
Foodies can pursue their passion on immersive tours of farms, plantations and orchards producing vanilla, cocoa and coffee beans, macadamia nuts, tropical fruits, gingerroot, goat cheese and honey. You can build an itinerary of impressive botanical gardens for your clients with a green thumb. And culture hounds will marvel at the diversity of communities around the island—each with a unique spirit, feel and history.
LOCAL CULTURE
For history buffs, some must-sees include Hulihee Palace, Mokuaikaua Church and a multitude of additional cultural sites. Hawaiian heritage is revealed in the island’s five national parks and amazing variety of annual celebrations—including the Merrie Monarch Festival, a weeklong event honoring the legacy of King David Kalakaua and boasting the most prestigious hula competition in the islands.
The Official Hawaii Destination Specialist Program | Authentic | Innovative | Enriched
Hawaii is a place like no other. Six iconic islands. Six unique experiences. Learn uncommon details about what makes each island so distinctive, yet all part of one ohana (family). Once you complete the Hawaii Destination Specialist Program, you will possess the expertise to send your clients on a journey to experience the aloha spirit that can only be found in the Hawaiian Islands.
HAWAII DESTINATION SPECIALIST PROGRAM
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A HAWAI`I DESTINTION SPECIALIST
This tiered, self-guided course of study delivers in-depth knowledge and insights into the Hawaiian Islands, as well as effective sales tips to transform you into a booking pro. Best of all, the program is free, online and mobile-friendly so you can take it anytime, anywhere and at your own pace. The highly visual curriculum has been segmented into easily managed modules and features a convenient resume tool that allows you to pick up where you left off anytime.
EXPERTISE WHAT WILL YOU LEARN
Learn uncommon details about the destination’s six distinctive islands, how to match different traveler profiles with their perfect Hawaiian vacations and practical tips for cross-selling and upselling Hawaii to maximize your revenue. You’ll even sound like a pro, thanks to audio narration that will guide you through the proper pronunciation of Hawaiian words. This expertise is an important element in building credibility with your clients—which results in increased bookings, greater commission and more repeat business.
In Level 1, you’ll complete two easy to follow online certifications. Certification 1 provides an in-depth introduction to the Hawaiian Islands. Certification 2 is a roadmap for expertly selling vacations to Hawai`i.
BENEFITS
Once you complete Level 1 of the program, you’ll earn your Hawaii Destination Specialist designation and gain exclusive benefits, including:
(linking to a comprehensive welcome microsite)
Beyond the Destination Specialist designation, you can also become a specialist for a specific island. At Level 2, you can select the island(s) you want to study further in Certifications 3-6. The individual island programs include detailed courses on Kauai, Oahu, Maui Nui, and Hawaii Island. Upon completion of each, you are awarded an Island Specialist Certificate. After completing Certifications 1-6, you will carry the title of Hawai`i Destination Expert.
If you’d like to distinguish yourself even further among your colleagues, you can become a Master Specialist for an individual island through a one-of-a-kind in-destination experience. To qualify, you must complete Certification 1 and 2 and the island certification for the island you will be visiting.
The further you advance your education, the greater the benefits you receive—including priority ranking on gohawaii.com’s consumer referral tool.
What agents are saying about the Hawaii Destination Specialist Program…
“The course gives you a fresh insight on what Hawaii is all about. I have been able to convince clients who are already set to go somewhere else…to consider Hawaii instead.”
– Rebecca Gaerlan, MCC, Owner, A Plus Travel
I highly recommend (the program) to anyone interested in increasing their sales to Hawaii. And who doesnʻt want to do that?”
– Marilyn Clark, Travel Consultant, Lighthouse Travel
What an amazing program this is! Very easy to navigate, fun, and very intriguing…I thoroughly enjoyed the entire program sand must admit it has increased my passion for the Hawaiian Islands.”
Clydene Rogers, Travel Planner & Magic Maker, Off to Neverland Travel, An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
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