Oʻahu Fact Sheet

"The Heart of Hawaiʻi"

Oʻahu Highlights

Principal City and State Capitol: Honolulu
Population: 983,000
Total Rooms: 30,541
Resort Regions: Waikīkī, Kāhala, North Shore, Ko ʻOlina

Oʻahu Overview

Oʻahu, the "Heart of Hawaiʻi," is Hawaii's political and economic center — home to historic Honolulu, the state capitol, and iconic locations and attractions, including Waikīkī Beach, Pearl Harbor, Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) and more.

Oʻahu draws more meetings than any other island and offers a multitude of convention and incentive opportunities, including the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, world-class hotels and resorts, exciting activities and iconic off-site venues to accommodate groups and programs of any size.

The Oʻahu Advantage

Centered between East and West, Oʻahu’s value as a meetings destination is unparalleled and plays a significant factor in drawing attendees from all over the world. Nonstop airlift from major markets, a bounty of delectable dining and a variety of pre- and post-convention services make Oʻahu an easy event destination choice.

Oʻahu’s accommodations and meeting facilities are also constantly being refreshed to provide attendees with a first-rate experience. Recent updates include:

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is inviting guests to experience its newly created A‘o Cultural Center, part of the property’s ongoing $80-million renovation. The resort’s expanded cultural center features complimentary guest activities, including lei-making, ʻukulele and hula lessons.
Turtle Bay Resort recently debuted its Thursday weekly Paniolo Pāʻina at The Stables. The event features live entertainment, food and cocktails, and interactive activities for the whole family honoring Hawaiian cowboy culture, which dates back to 1800s. Activities include the Pony Experience offering kids a chance to pet and feed ponies, paniolo (cowboy) storytelling, fire-knife dancing, hula and a night cap of s’mores by the campfire.
ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach recently announced that it is on track to become the first carbon neutral hotel in the state of Hawaiʻi. The resort’s upcoming carbon neutral certification underscores its existing sustainability initiatives, commitment to plant 100,000 indigenous trees in its legacy forest, and use of renewable electricity throughout the property. In addition, credits for Beach Candy Waikiki are now included in the resort amenity fee to further enhance guests’ Hawaiʻi experience while helping preserve the environment and reduce waste.
The Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club recently unveiled its new collaboration with online marketplace Society6 with a new penthouse suite offering guests what it calls “a shoppable experience.” The hotel’s Society6 Suite is filled with local art available for in-suite purchases through The Surfjack Collection.

Hawaiʻi Convention Center

The "crown jewel" of meeting venues for the state is the award-winning, 1.1 million square foot Hawaiʻi Convention Center, conveniently located eight miles from the Honolulu International Airport and within walking distance of more than 6,000 hotel rooms, as well as premier shopping, dining and entertainment options.

The Convention Center staff's dedicated service and aloha spirit, along with the facility’s captivating architecture, inviting interiors and open-air ambiance, have ensured many productive and successful events for leading organizations, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leader’s Meeting in 2011 and the Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit.

The Hawaiʻi Convention Center was also selected for the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in 2016.

Waikīkī Accommodations & Venues

Within walking distance of the Hawaiʻi Convention Center is Waikīkī, Oʻahu’s main hotel and resort area, that includes international hotel brands, historic estates, contemporary boutique hotels, value properties and family-friendly condominiums.

Oahu’s two largest meeting hotels, Sheraton Waikiki and Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, respectively provide more than 25,000 square feet and 43,000 square feet of exhibit space, and numerous conference centers, elegant ballrooms, boardrooms and function sites.

Kāhala Accommodations & Venues

A five-minute drive from Waikīkī, the luxury resort area of Kāhala features quiet beaches and beautiful scenery. Here, The Kahala Hotel & Resort offers more than 13,000 square feet of flexible indoor space and 11,000 square feet of picturesque outdoor space suitable for any event. Steps away from the world renowned Waialae Country Club and golf course, the resort has served as an event venue for international diplomats, tech geniuses, product launches, media presentations, board meetings and more.

Other Accommodations & Venues

Many properties outside of Waikīkī have excellent indoor and outdoor meeting facilities for smaller groups. Oʻahu’s quiet countryside provides a striking contrast to the busy city life of Honolulu and Waikīkī, just an hour out of town on the island’s North Shore and West Side:

Meeting planners can organize a group workstation at Turtle Bay Resort, which offers an array of activities conducive to fostering team unity, including tennis, golf tournaments on two championship golf courses, yoga retreats, skydiving, kayaking, surf lessons, Segway tours and horseback riding
For a different experience, an excursion to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina Resort offers storytelling that vividly brings Hawaiian culture and landscapes to life, creating a deeper understanding and appreciation of Hawaiʻi amid the enchantment of Disney magic
Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina offers 72,517 square feet of meeting space. The magical waterfront resort combines nine event spaces and two outdoor lawns with ocean views and island activities – from golf to ziplining – that bring everyone together.
For easy access to local shopping and dining, Ka Makana Aliʻi offers a complimentary shuttle for Ko ʻOlina Resort guests from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
A convenient two-minute ride away via Aulani’s complimentary shuttle, Ko Olina Golf Club features a challenging 18-hole course for seasoned golfers and offers the perfect opportunity for island exploration by land and sea, including guided hiking tours and swimming with wild dolphins
One-of-a-kind attractions also available as meeting and event venues include the Bishop Museum, Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, Pacific Aviation Museum, Waimea Valley, Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve, ʻIolani Palace and Waikīkī Aquarium.