Travelers to Hawaii are invited to „walk“ though the history of Waikiki in a new cultural walking tour led by one of Hawaii’s foremost master storytellers.
Honolulu, Hawaii – Na Ali’i („Hawaii’s Royalty“) by the Outrigger Reef on the Beach is a new, free activity for hotel guests in which renowned Hawaiian storyteller Woody Fern will lead participants on a two-hour walking tour of Waikiki, sharing stories about Hawaii’s ali’i and information about the area’s history and cultural points of interests.
The tour meets, and begins, at the century-old koa fishing canoe located in the Outrigger Reef’s lobby. Named Hoaloha, the 25-foot long museum-quality canoe was painstakingly restored and placed on permanent display in the hotel as part of the property’s commitment to celebrating and sharing the extraordinary history of ancient Hawaiian voyaging.
Participants on the Na Ali’i walking tour will learn about the Waikiki Beach Walk, which builds on Outrigger’s 50+ year history in Waikiki; the coconut grove at the Royal Hawaiian; King David Kalakaua, also known as Hawaii’s „Merrie Monarch“; healing stones; Olympic surf legend Duke Kahanamoku; Princess Kaiulani; lands once owned by Hawaii’s beloved Queen Emma; and the
historic artifacts showcased at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.
„Sharing our cultural sense of place and preserving our islands‘ history are critically important to all of us at Outrigger,“ said Elliot Mills, general manager of the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. „As a kamaaina (local) company, we believe in providing an authentic island experience, and programs like the Na Ali’i walking tour are an integral part of that commitment.“
The Na Ali’i walking tours will be led by Woody Fern, one of Hawaii’s foremost storytellers who performs and teaches regularly throughout the state. Of part Hawaiian ancestry and related to Honolulu’s first mayor,
James Joseph Fern, Woody Fern specializes in tales of ali’i (Hawaiian royalty), Hawaiian legends and family stories.
Na Ali’i is offered every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Participants should meet at the Hoaloha canoe in the lobby of the Outrigger Reef on the Beach at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Luana Maitland, Outrigger Reef on the Beach, at 808-924-6007.
Outrigger Reef on the Beach
The Na Ali’i walking tour is part of Outrigger Reef on the Beach’s ongoing commitment to educating guests about Hawaii’s rich cultural, artistic, historical and environmental treasures. The hotel offers a variety of complimentary events and educational programs year-round.
The hotel is located on Waikiki Beach, in an area the ancient Hawaiians called Kawehewehe (Healing Waters). The 858-room property offers a wide range of restaurants, shops and services including a 5,000-square-foot day spa, a complimentary Hawaiian Vow Renewal Ceremony on the beach twice a week, and a daily complimentary Hawaiian-style exercise program on the beach.
For reservations or information, call your preferred travel professional or Outrigger Hotels & Resorts toll-free at 1-800-OUTRIGGER (688-7444) within the U.S., Guam and Canada. Elsewhere call (303) 369 7777 (long distance charges apply). For online information or reservations, log on at www.outrigger.com. Outrigger’s e-mail address is reservations@outrigger.com.
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Outrigger Hotels & Resorts
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is a family-owned and operated company deeply committed to providing authentic island hospitality in premiere destinations throughout the Pacific. Each Outrigger property embraces the local culture to create a true sense of place for guests. Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and OHANA Hotels & Resorts are divisions of Outrigger Enterprises, Inc., Hawaii’s largest locally owned hospitality-company and one of the fastest-growing hotel companies in the Pacific managing over 50 properties
with more than 12,000 rooms in Hawaii, Australia, Micronesia, Fiji, Tahiti and New Zealand. For online information, log onto www.outrigger.com
