If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii Island this year, there’s much to celebrate. The oceanside Mauna Kea Golf Course on the dramatic Kohala Coast—ranked among the top 100 courses in the United States—turns 50. Designed by legendary course architect Robert Trent Jones and opened in 1964, the course recently received updates from his son, Rees Jones, preserving its classic design while improving playability and conditions.
In the culinary world, it’s the 25th anniversary of Peter Merriman’s flagship upcountry restaurant, Merriman’s in Waimea. A founder of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Merriman’s helped define a locally focused approach to Hawaiian dining by celebrating island ingredients, seasonal produce and traditional flavors presented with contemporary technique.
For outdoor enthusiasts, KapohoKine Adventures is celebrating ten years of its popular Zipline Through Paradise experience, offering thrilling canopy tours with spectacular coastal and forest views. For adventures that combine excitement with education, Hawaii Forest & Trail marks 20 years of volcano exploration and rare-bird discovery. Through April they are running a series of conservation-, education- and culture-focused tours that highlight the island’s natural and cultural heritage.
Guided, all-inclusive excursions with Hawaii Forest & Trail offer a variety of experiences: walk through a rainforest wildlife refuge accompanied by a member of the Bishop Museum’s research staff, participate in native-tree restoration by helping to plant endangered species, or join private geology-focused tours that trace the eruption history and ongoing activity of Kīlauea Volcano. These tours provide context and stewardship opportunities for visitors who want to learn while they explore.
Whether you’re drawn by championship golf, regional cuisine, adrenaline-fueled canopy tours or immersive conservation outings, Hawaii Island offers anniversary-worthy reasons to visit this year. The combination of storied venues and active stewardship initiatives creates memorable experiences that celebrate both the island’s past and its future.
Golf: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Kohala Coast, Hawaii
Spa: Kohala Spa, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa, Hawaii