About Honolulu
The capital of Hawaii, Honolulu greets visitors with wide stretches of sugar-sand beaches and the scent of tropical flowers on the breeze. Although Hawaii is famous for swaths of lush, untouched wilderness, Honolulu is a modern city with luxury resorts, fine dining, and world-class shopping. For those excited to take to the waves, the city encompasses the world-famous Waikiki Beach. From there, they can take a hike to the top of Diamond Head (Leahi) Crater for stunning panoramic views of Honolulu or venture into the warm waters for a swim with dolphins. Meanwhile, history lovers can visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, A 184-foot memorial honoring those who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Because of its year-round warm, tropical climate, Honolulu is the perfect place for hosting an event, as there’s plenty to do both before and after the event. There’s also hundreds of unique and eclectic venues to host one. Looking for a breezy beachfront wedding? An exciting team-building event? Or the perfect spot for a party? Honolulu has hundreds of beautiful venues, both indoor and outdoor, for any occasion, as well as experienced event vendors who can provide everything you might need for the event.
Event Vendor Options in Honolulu, HI
From intimate island weddings to grand graduation gatherings, Honolulu event vendors are available to see you through the event design and planning process from concept to execution.
- Caterers
Hawaii is known for its signature food, from poke to loco moco to traditional Kalua Pig, as well as a variety of unique Asian fusion dishes you won’t find anywhere else. Honolulu’s caterers are available to deliver mouth-watering meals for your event, including made-to-order plate lunches, tacos with a variety of house-made salsas, roasted Kalua pig and more. There are also vendors who specialize in fine dining and continental cuisine, and most special dietary needs can be accommodated.
JoJo’s Kitchen
Top chef Jo Anne Washburn founded JoJo’s Kitchen to showcase Hawaii’s fresh, local ingredients and unique flavors to as many people as possible. Not only does the catering service provide delicious meals for weddings, parties and special events, JoJo’s is also known for its box lunch and breakfast deliveries, perfect for working lunch meetings, planning retreats, corporate gatherings and more. The service provides a variety of cuisines as well, including traditional Hawaiian, Thai, Tex-Mex, vegetarian and vegan, and more.
- Equipment Rental Services
Whether you’re hosting a wedding reception for 100 or an intimate backyard gathering for 20, you’re likely to need seating, music, dining utensils and more. Honolulu has many rental services to supply everything you need to provide a memorable experience for both you and your guests, including furniture, décor, audio/visual equipment, lighting, and fun inflatables for young visitors.
Aloha Artisans
More than just an equipment rental company, the team at Aloha Artisans provide elegant styling to go with tables, chairs, arbors and backdrops. The company is a one-stop-shopping experience for all of your private event needs, from well-crafted tables and chairs to luxurious tables-capes and stylistic lounge seating. Aloha Artisans also provides one-of-a-kind wedding décor, including handmade swings and arches.
- Event Entertainment
Professional emcees and DJs can make a big difference at your event, from keeping the attendees engaged to ensuring meetings and corporate gatherings stay on schedule. Honolulu entertainers can also add excitement to the atmosphere with live bands or provide classical chamber music for a more laid-back experience.
- Cleaning Services
If you need to prepare your home for a big event or need assistance cleaning up after one, Honolulu has several reliable cleaning services available to make your home or outdoor space spotless. Trusted vendors can assist on an hourly or room-by-room basis so you relax and spend quality time with your guests.
Event Planning Companies in Honolulu, Hawaii
- Moana Belle Events
Designers at Moana Belle Events provide custom wedding and event planning services at private locations throughout the Hawaiian Islands. The company provides a completely customizable experience for planning their clients’ events, rather than adhering to pre-formulated ‘cookie-cutter’ packages. Moana Belle also provides planning for corporate events and retreats as well as distinctive social gatherings, ensuring your event meets your goals and objectives or wows the guests of honor.
- Current Affairs
From intimate beachfront weddings to corporate functions and milestone events, Current Affairs has been helping clients plan the perfect day for more than 30 years. The company is a full-service event planning and fulfillment company, known not only for providing first-class designs and concepts, but also providing clients with other necessary items for their event, including lighting and sound equipment, catering packages, décor and stage management, and more.
- Savvy Coordination
Founded by Oahu locals to provide sharp, expertly-produced events across the Hawaiian islands, Savvy Coordination can assist your team in the planning process, making sure even the smallest details are taken care of with timely precision. The company specializes in corporate meetings, company retreats, conventions and conferences, fundraisers, product launches and more. Savvy Coordination provides staffing, personal event assistants, logistics, and event management, ensuring event goals are met and exceeded in style.
Pros and Cons of Hosting an Event in Honolulu
Pros:
- World-famous beaches
Well-known beaches like Waikiki Beach and North Shore Beach provide plenty of sun-bathing, swimming and surfing fun.
- Hawaiian food
Hawaiian chefs have been making the best of the ocean’s bounty for centuries, and a variety of funky dishes like Huli chicken and Kalua pig just aren’t the same stateside.
- Great weather
Oahu is a tropical island, with temperatures staying in the mid-80s to 90s all year long. Tropical storms and typhoons are infrequent.
Cons:
- Expensive city
Like the rest of the island nation, amenities on Oahu are expensive because many things, from food to fuel to retail items must be imported from the mainland.
- Tourists
Millions of people visit Honolulu and Oahu every year, meaning beaches, especially Waikiki, can be crowded and lodging booked far in advance.
- Rough terrain
Because of Oahu’s geography, there are only a few ways to get from point A to point B, and they can become snarled quickly during rush hours and on event weekends.
Famous Event Locations in Honolulu, Hawaii
- Polynesian Cultural Center
Hawaii has a rich cultural heritage all its own, steeped in the traditions of the Pacific Islander people who have inhabited the islands for centuries. The Polynesian Cultural Center offers visitors hands-on experiences with island culture, including an authentic luau experience, Polynesian dancing and entertainment, interactive exhibits featuring Hawaii and other Pacific Islands, and activities such as traditional methods of food preparation, fishing and more.
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial
One of the most somber yet fascinating sites on Oahu, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is dedicated to the USS Arizona, which still lies where she was sunk on Honolulu’s South Shore. After strolling through Visitor Center and Pearl Harbor grounds, visitors can embark on a ferry to the site of the sunken ship itself, to pay their respects at the final resting place of 1,177 sailors who went down with the ship.
- Waikiki Beach
A trip to Honolulu wouldn’t be complete without sinking your toes into the gleaming white sand of Waikiki Beach. The crescent-shaped expanse of shoreline is one of the most famous in the world and offers a wealth of activities including sunbathing, swimming, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving and beach-combing. Surrounded by luxury resorts and condos, some of the smaller, older neighborhoods adjoining Waikiki Beach also offer up one-of-a-kind boutiques and some of the best local food on the island.