You are invited!

    You are cordially invited to join us on the Big Island and take part in excellent educational opportunities at the 2017 WMA Spring Seminar. Educational seminars are held each morning, with the afternoons free for exploration.

Hotel Information

    Ocean view rooms are currently sold out. We still have availability in garden view rooms. Nestled on the sun-drenched Kohala Coast, the mo’olelo (story) of The Fairmont Orchid Hawaii stretches back hundreds of years to when Native Hawaiians fished, farmed and lived in perfect harmony with nature in a region known then as Kalahuipua’a.

    The Kohala Coast is the birthplace of King Kamehameha I, the Hawaiian king who conquered and unified the Hawaiian Islands in the early 19th century. The history of Kalahuipua’a is preserved today in a treasure trove of archaeological sites, early Hawaiian footpaths, royal fishponds, and lava formations. Trails and paths through the resort reveal cave complexes, burial sites, shelter caves, a stepping stone trail and thousands of petroglyphs, or ancient messages carved in stone—the most found anywhere in the world.

    During your stay, make time to enjoy the wonders of the Big Island of Hawaii. From Mauna Kea’s winter snow-capped mountaintop to the sizzling Kilauea Volcano of Madame Pele’s flowing lava to tropical rain forests and a teeming undersea world, Hawaii has much to offer. Warm your soul with friends, family and new memories yet to be made.

    The youngest island in the Hawaiian archipelago (a mere half-million years old), the island of Hawaii is still growing thanks to an energetic volcano. Yet the island is larger than all the other islands combined, hence its nickname, “The Big Island.” This is also the island where Polynesian voyagers from afar are believed to have first made landfall in Hawaii. And it is the storied home of Pele, Goddess of the Volcano.

The Big Island

    It’s easy to feel awed on Hawaii Island. From the molten magma flowing from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to the snow-capped heights of Maunakea; from the green rainforests of the Hamakua Coast to the jet-black sands of Punaluu Beach; Hawaii Island is an unrivaled expression of the power of nature.

    To avoid confusion with the name of the entire state, the Island of Hawaii is often called the “Big Island,” and what an appropriate name it is. Nearly twice as big as all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined, its sheer size can be inspiring. You can travel through ten of the world’s 14 different climate zones on Hawaii ranging from Wet Tropical to Polar Tundra, a result of the shielding effect and elevations of the massive volcanoes Maunakea and Maunaloa.

    The dramatic size and scope of the largest Hawaiian Island create a microcosm of environments and activities. On this island’s vast tableau, you’ll find everything from extravagant resorts and incredible golf courses to modest local towns and sacred Hawaiian historical sites, from the birthplace of King Kamehameha I to Hawaii’s first missionary church in Historic Kailua Village (Kailua-Kona). With so much to see, it’s best to experience the island in small pieces. There’s plenty of room on Hawaii Island for your return.

    Home to Hawaiian cowboys, Ironmen and a volcano goddess, Hawaii Island offers experiences found in no other place on earth. A variety of climatic zones, from seasonal snowcapped mountains to black sand beaches, stretch across its vast topography creating rich pockets of adventure for first-time visitors to explore.

    Most visitors will arrive at Kona International Airport (KOA) in Kona to the west. Major resort destinations on Hawaii Island include the Kohala Coast, Historic Kailua Village (Kailua-Kona) and Keauhou. 

    The must-see for any first-time visitor is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. At this World Heritage Site you’ll see the unforgettable spectacle of simultaneous creation and destruction: Arid deserts, cavernous lava tubes and the unpredictable Kilauea volcano, which has been erupting since 1983. It is believed the Hawaiian volcano goddess Pele, lives in Halemaumau Crater in Kilauea Caldera, so great respect must be paid here whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth.

    You’ll also find cattle ranches and paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) in the cool uplands of Waimea. Downtown Hilo offers a taste of local shopping, dining and culture with beautiful botanical gardens and waterfalls nearby. And with pristine beaches and world-class golf courses, it’s no wonder the Kohala Coast is Hawaii Island’s premier resort area. 

Schedule

Sunday, March 19—Arrivals and Hotel Check-In

    10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    Seminar Check-In Begin

    6:00 p.m.
    Welcome Reception (Optional)

Monday, March 20

    7:30 a.m.
    Seminar Breakfast in Orchid Court Restaurant

    9:00 a.m.
    Seminar: WMA Updates with Sheila Dey

    10:45 a.m.
    Optional Activity: Volcanoes National Park
       Sightseeing and Night Lava Viewing Tour/SOLD OUT

Tuesday, March 21

    7:30 a.m.
    Seminar Breakfast in Orchid Court Restaurant

    9:00 a.m.
    Seminar: Manager in the Middle—
       Who Stands Between You and
       the Success of Your Investment
       with Ruben Garcia

    12:00 p.m.
    Optional Activity: Flumin’ Da Ditch/TUESDAY SOLD OUT
       Alternate available seats on Friday, March 24

Wednesday, March 22—Free Day

    8:30 a.m.
    Optional Activity: Snorkel Sail with BBQ Lunch/LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Thursday, March 23

    7:30 a.m.
    Seminar Breakfast in Orchid Court Restaurant

    9:00 a.m.
    Seminar: The Continuing Evolution of
       Arbitration and Agreements and
       the Courts with Bill Dahlin

    5:00 p.m.
    Farewell Event (Optional)

Friday, March 24

    7:30 a.m.
    Seminar Breakfast in Orchid Court Restaurant

    9:00 a.m.
    Seminar: Leasing Issues in the MHC and
       Compliance with Federal Consumer Financial
       Regulatory Laws with Robert Williamson

    12:45 p.m.
    Optional Activity: ATV Rides/SOLD OUT

Saturday, March 25—Free Day

Sunday, March 26—Hotel Check Out and Departures

Registration Fees

    Registrations must be made through Regina Sánchez by using the downloadable registration form. Registrations are not available online. Garden view rooms pricing includes seven nights’ hotel accommodations, March 19 through March 26, along with appropriate number of seminar registrations:

Double occupancy with 1 week of seminar registrations for 1 person—$1,975
Double occupancy with 1 week of seminar registrations for 2 persons—$2,500
Single occupancy with 1 week of seminar registrations for 1 person—$3,800

    These include all taxes, resort fees, basic wireless internet, self-parking for one vehicle per room, on demand shuttle transportation within the Mauna Lani Resort. Educational seminars include a breakfast on seminar days in the Orchid Court restaurant.

Optional Activities

Sunday, March 19—Welcome Reception
    WMA invites you to a welcome reception. This is a great opportunity to reacquaint yourselves on all the happenings with other attendees. Is this your first Spring Seminar? This is a perfect time to meet, network and share ideas with others in the industry! Pricing includes a full dinner buffet and a fully hosted bar.

Monday, March 20—Volcanoes National Park Sightseeing and Night Lava Viewing Tour/SOLD OUT
    Visit the Kilauea Volcano at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park after nightfall! Explore this unparalleled world heritage site with your personal guide specialist. On your way to the park, we will stop at the famous Punalu’u Bakery for a delicious lunch and stroll along the shores of Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. At the park we will visit the Jagger Museum, take a walk from the upper trail at Kilauea Iki Crater to the Thurston Lava Tube, and view Halema’uma’u Crater.  We will stop and have dinner at the Crater Rim Cafe. After a brief stop at the Visitors’ Center, we’ll look for the amazing glow of the lava lake just below the surface of Halema’uma’u Crater.  This molten lava is reflected in the gas plumes above it. When the conditions are right the plumes send a beautiful glow up into the night sky. Included in this tour are soft drinks, juice, bottled water, lunch, dinner and flashlights. Pick up is at Roy‘s Waikoloa Bar and Grill at 10:45 a.m. Return is at approximately 9:00 p.m. Make your lunch selection on the registration form. Dinner selections will be made the morning of the tour.

Tuesday, March 21—Flumin’ Da Ditch/TUESDAY SOLD OUT/Limited availability on Friday, March 24
    The Tuesday tour is sold out. We are happy to check on another day if you are interested. This is Hawaii’s most cultural and historical adventure! A completely new and ultimate eco-adventure floating in mountain kayaks exploring the famed Kohala Ditch System. Our tour begins with a very cool off-road excursion on our custom Pinzgauers to our launch site high in the Kohala Mountains. Immersed in a jungle setting, a short hike over a 150 foot flume overlooking a waterfall and a fascinating earth tunnel is the prelude to our kayak journey. We board our kayaks and cruise for 2 ½ miles through a Hawaiian rainforest, ten earth tunnels, water flumes and native flora and fauna. Knowledgeable fifth generation native guides will share genuine history and Hawaiian folklore. Experience three tours in one awesome package! Fascinating, educational and true Hawaiian beauty! The tour begins at 1:15 p.m. We  will depart from the hotel at 12:00 p.m. Plan to eat lunch prior to departure. Wear water shoes, tennis shoes or sandals with a strap. No flip flops! Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting wet. Bring a change of clothes, towel and waterproof camera! People who have had recent surgery or have chronic back or neck problems cannot be accommodated. Return to the hotel is at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 22—Kealakekua Morning Snorkel Sail with BBQ
    The Fair Wind II departs from Keauhou Bay. You will enjoy a beautiful Kona morning cruise along the coastline to Kealakekua Bay. Delicious 100% Kona coffee and fresh island fruit organically grown on the estate farm, egg frittatas, muffins, danish, and tropical juice are served for breakfast. You will spend 2 ½ hours of fun at historic Kealakekua Bay. The Fair Wind II features two 15-foot water slides and a high jump platform from the top deck! While at the Bay, the captain fires up the grill on the boat and cooks Fair Wind cheeseburgers and garden burgers for lunch—the tastiest cheeseburgers in paradise that even Jimmy Buffet has only dreamed of! A WMA-hosted bar is included in this lunch. Check in at 8:30 a.m. and sail at 9:00 a.m. from Keauhou Bay with a return at approximately 2:00 p.m. Bring towels, sunscreen, sun hat, etc.

Thursday, March 23—Farewell Event
    We’ve spent a week together, and we’re not quite ready to say goodbye just yet! Let’s get together one last time for a final dinner and share a final sunset. This includes a sit-down dinner and a fully hosted bar.

Friday, March 24—Ranch ATV Rides/SOLD OUT
    Experience the west as never before on these modern day quarter horses. Ride the range with comfort and speed, as you explore Kahua Ranch on all terrain vehicles. From spectacular rainforest valleys to rolling desert pasture, the ATV range ride offers a modern approach to experience an age old tradition of “saddling up and riding the range” Paniolo style.  ATVs are easy to operate, user friendly and require no previous riding experience. Your guides will provide instruction on operation. Must weigh between  90 and 300 pounds. Minimum age on ATV is 16 and must be accompanied by parent. Long pants and sturdy closed-toe shoes required. We will leave the hotel at 12:45 p.m. for the 1:30 p.m. tour. The ride is 90 minutes long.

Saturday, March 25—Free Day
    We have left Saturday completely open for you to  do something we didn’t have a chance to do—like take a day at the spa, at the pool or the beach—or do something adventurous on our last day before returning to the office! You might want take a zipline or drive up to Mauna Kea for some stargazing. There are many things to see and do! The concierge staff would be more than happy to make arrangements for you!

Customized Packages

    Do you want to come earlier or stay later? Can’t stay for the entire program? Contact Regina Sánchez and she can customize a package for you! 800.669.8847 or regina@wma.org.

Travel

    Hawaiian Airlines is pleased to partner once again with WMA and offer a special discount off their lowest rates from any California gateway. Simply go to Hawaiian Airlines affiliate program and enter WMA’s code AMWEBWMA.

    Getting to the Fairmont Orchid requires either the rental of a car, using ground transportation service or hiring a taxi. To assist you, here are a couple of suggestions:

    Hertz Car Rental will provide discounted rates, guaranteed one week before through one week after the meeting dates. Reservations may be placed online at Hertz or by calling 800.654.2240. WMA’s Discount Code: CV#02RE0031.

    Taxi service is available from Kona International Airport to/from the resort at approximately $100 (includes tax and gratuity) each way. Speedi Shuttle can also provide transportation. Call 808.329.5433. Estimated cost for a shared ride is $50 per person each way.

    For further inquiries regarding transportation, you can call The Fairmont Orchid at 808.887.7320 and ask for the concierge’s desk. They are happy to help.