Not sure how the tech press managed to miss this. Some 450 people who work on Google Plus are currently in Hawaii for an offsite. For tax purposes, we understand, the event involves work. But in reality it’s a reward for all the hard work the team has accomplished in launching and growing Google+.
Google has confirmed the trip but won’t provide any further details.
The “no good deed goes unpunished” rule applies here too, though. There are lots of people working on Google+ who weren’t invited to the offsite, a source tells me, and obviously wish they were. The issues brought up around that may have tanked the entire trip, apparently.
If there’s any actual work going on in Hawaii, it’s likely trying to understand the recent product changes at Facebook and how to address them.
Have more details? Send them my way.
Update: Liz Gannes has pictures
Uncrunched 