In a state where breathtaking vistas are as common as coconuts, we asked event insiders to clue us in to party perches with views that set the standard for awe.

Looking for a Hawai`i location with an incredible view? Six seasoned Hawai`i event planners reveal their favorite vista-friendly venues. From a beloved Waikiki park to an exclusive Lanikai estate, the settings and backdrops of these locations are sure to delight and inspire.

Kaua`i Plantation Style

In 1835, William Hooper cleared 12 acres in the fertile soil of Koloa, and planted Hawai`i's first commercial sugar cane. Nearly 80 years later, on the 22,000-acre Grove Farm, Koloa Sugar Mill was built and served as the main sugar refinery for the southern half of Kauai. Today, the abandoned mill's reputation as a terrific venue is growing fast. “We've dressed it up as a set from The Rocky Horror Picture Show for about 600 people,” says planner Angela Tillson of A Whale Of A Time Productions in Kapa`a on Kaua`i. Tillson also scouts locations for films on the Garden Island. “There's a huge warehouse and plenty of parking. There are mountains in the background, and big open fields of coffee and different crops. It's bare bones. We bring in everything. Though it's easy to get to, it's extremely private-you don't worry about disturbing anybody.”

Tillson also loves Kilohana Plantation in Lihue. “When you look from the back of the restaurant on a clear day, you feel as if you're in a crater, with mountains all around.” She has booked theme parties, polo games and receptions at this old plantation estate. “It's great for groups that want to be taken back in time to old Hawai`i.” Look for horse-drawn carriage tours, fine dining, gardens, and a small farm in this accessible, family-friendly place.

Alfresco Events

As race director and promoter of enormous sports events like the Great Aloha Run, with hundreds of thousands of participants over 20 years, Alan Sunio of Eventions, Inc., in Pearl City (on O`ahu?), has seen plenty of spectacular venues. His favorite O`ahu location is Kapiolani Park, dedicated by King David Kalakaua in 1877 to his consort, Queen Kapiolani.

“On O`ahu, it's probably the most beautiful spot to hold an event,” Sunio says. “You can hear the waves. You look up and see the stars, turn around and see Diamond Head with the moonlight behind it. It's gorgeous.”

Sunio is also partial to Luana Hills Golf Course, nestled in the lush Maunawili Valley between Mount Olomana and the incredible Ko`olau Range. The semi-private country club can accommodate up to 200 guests.

“When people come in from the Mainland, I always take them there to golf, and they love it,” Sunio says. “It's just like going into Jurassic Park. You're looking up at the mountains, and you can see how they were formed by the rain and waterfalls. I had a golf tournament there, and we seated 180 for dinner. The food was fabulous.”

Ocean Swells

Each month or so, approximately 100 O`ahu businesswomen converge for a roundtable event organized by Annmarie Manzulli of Manifesto Marketing, Advertising & Promotion in Kailua on O`ahu. One of Manzulli's recent discoveries is The Plaza Club, a downtown fixture in the Honolulu business community since 1979.

“It's got a real traditional feeling-not edgy and hip or anything like that,” she explains. “The most impressive thing is the skyline of water. I live right by the beach, and I see water every day, but something about that vantage point-20 stories high and surrounded by ocean? Oh, my.” Members of ClubCorp, the international network of clubs and resorts, enjoy associate membership privileges here.

Recently, Manzulli attended a marketing meeting at Roy's Restaurant in Hawai`i Kai, the original location of the franchise begun by famed chef Roy Yamaguchi. She's now looking for opportunities to host future events here.

“They have a private room overlooking the ocean in Hawai`i Kai,” Manzulli says. “By the light of day, it was great to have cocktails overlooking the ocean. At sunset, we transitioned into the business portion of the evening, and then a sumptuous dinner-in Roy's fashion, of course.”

As insiders know, “Roy's fashion” means award-winning Pacific Rim and Hawai`i regional cuisine. Flexible options for dinner and pupus are available.

Sweet Spots

Wayne Hikiji describes his statewide event production company as a one-stop event source. “We do everything from A to Z, except the F and the B-the food and beverages!” he says. Envisions Entertainment & Productions, Inc., based in Kihei, Maui, regularly works with hotels and destination management companies to produce lavish incentive events for Fortune 500 corporations.

“I like doing events on driving ranges,” Hikiji says. “Golf courses are built with a great view in mind. I really like the Wailea Gold Driving Range. There's a breathtaking view of Wailea and Makena. It's high above the shoreline, so you can see Molokini Gardens and Lanai off in the distance. All the way at the south end of Makena, you can see cinder cones [steep, conical hills of volcanic fragments], and if you turn around, you're looking up at Ulupalakua, the south end of Haleakala.”

The versatile location offers planners several choices. The practice tees are great for a group of 50 to 150. On the driving range, Envisions has hosted events for as many as 1,200. “We might have a jazz band, or a symphony, or just a good dance band, for a really nice dinner event,” Hikiji says. “And there's really good access-buses can pull up to the venue and drop off people, and they're right there.”

The Plantation House restaurant in Kapaula also has a spectacular view. When Hikiji produces events here, he never worries about the setting. “There's not a whole lot we do for decorations; the view speaks for itself. It's up on the hill, overlooking the coastline, with a great panoramic view of Lanai and Molokai.” The food, by award-winning executive chef Alex Stanislaw has been recognized by critics as some of the best on Maui.

O`ahu Oases

David Booth and his team at Events International in Honolulu produce events of all sizes and scopes, from intimate little parties to peripheral functions for the Pro Bowl, A Taste of Honolulu and the Boat Show & Ocean Expo.

“O`ahu has a lot of venues within a 20-minute bus ride or less from the hotels,” he says. “If groups want a neighbor island experience without leaving O`ahu, there are some great places.”

One of his favorites is Ko Olina, the upscale West O`ahu golf oasis, which is also home of the Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa. “The marine peninsula has a classic waterfront lawn lined with palm trees. You can see ocean forever, silhouetted by coconut palms and crescent-shaped beaches. We just did a party for about 300. We had a BBQ setup among the boats, wine and chef stations and a three-piece jazz band. When the moon rose, it was hip to the fourth degree.”

In Honolulu, Booth is delighted by the Hawai`i Maritime Center, a museum dedicated to generations of adventure in Hawaiian waters. The Falls of Clyde, the only four-masted, full-rigged ship left in the world, is moored here, as is the Hokule`a, the Polynesian sailing canoe which retraced the voyages of ancient Hawaiians, using stars and ocean currents to navigate.

“It's an interesting value-added property,” Booth says. “The dockside along the Falls of Clyde can accommodate 300 to 400 people. The space on the oceanfront side used to be a restaurant. Honolulu Harbor is a working harbor, so you can sit there during a sunset and see container ships pass by, or cruise ships, or both. It's a delightful place. I had 800 people there recently, and we couldn't get them to leave.”

Exclusive Estates

As a location scout, Maria Caprio finds extraordinary places for films, commercials, and print work. She also helps plan events at a variety of locations, including some of O`ahu's fabulous private residences. She says she's happy to handle as many or as few aspects of a function as might be required.

Caroline Wright is a freelance writer. She can be reached at c@wrightforyou.com.