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MARCH 29, 2019 | by TOVIN LAPAN| Travel Weekly
The ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach is rolling out the Thrillist package, a collection of adventure activities that includes pulse-pumping programs on land, sea and in the air.
“It’s about these secret places you find on the island, not the normal places that everyone goes to,” said Kelly Sanders, vice president of operations, Hawaii for Highgate, ‘Alohilani’s parent company. “One day is on land, then there is a great ocean adventure, and then it’s all followed by sailing through the skies. It’s about seeing beauty around the entire island, and we really had fun putting together this package that’s rooted in the Hawaiian experience, and we feel it’s something no one else is offering.”
On day one, participants venture outdoors for a scenic hike on private conservation land on Oahu’s north shore. Along the way, there is the opportunity to plant a tree and participate in the ‘Alohilani Resort’s pledge to plant 100,000 trees through their partnership with Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative. The tree can be tracked online with the program’s drone imagery and a radio-frequency identification chip. Finally, an off-road UTV tour is capped with a sunset dinner by a campfire at an overlook point at Gunstock Ranch.
On day two guests head out on a boat for the west side of Oahu and stops at snorkeling spots abundant with sea life. Next, the adventurers stop at a beach for surf lessons from professional Kai Sallas, a longboarding world champion.
“The surf lessons are offered on a secluded beach,” Sanders said. “And you get to go out snorkeling and dive down where turtles are swimming. They also go to a spot on the North Shore where dolphins are known to frequent.”
Day three is reserved for aerial pursuits, as the package closes with a ride on a powered hang glider, launching from the North Shore and showcasing views of the coastline. To cap it all off, participants head up for a helicopter tour to take in sights only viewable by air, including a 1,000-foot sacred waterfall and dramatic ridgelines.
The Thrillist package was rolled out in March, and is being marketed by the resort for Mother’s Day, but will be available to all guests through at least the end of 2019. The promotion costs $988 per night for two guests staying a minimum of four nights.
“When we started thinking about it, people are so busy in life today it’s hard to find and plan all these things,” Sanders said. “We wanted to put together experiences on the island that you normally don’t get a chance to do. We wanted to make it super exciting and very special, and it’s definitely something you can take your mom to experience and you’ll bond and connect over these unique adventures.”
It also fits in well with the ‘Alohilani’s growing menu of programming, which also includes a rooftop fitness area featuring sunset yoga, tennis lessons and batting cages.
“Hawaii definitely does attract adventure-seeking people,” Sanders said. “And it’s one of the opportunities we’re looking at with ‘Alohilani. What different experiences can we offer? How can we be more adventurous? We want to offer the types of things that people just can’t do on their own.”
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