JUNE'ʹS SIZZLIN'ʹ NEWS FROM HAWAII, THE BIG ISLAND

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1 Big Island Visitors Bureau Media Contact: Kelley Cho, McNeil Wilson Communications (808) , JUNE'ʹS SIZZLIN'ʹ NEWS FROM HAWAII, THE BIG ISLAND Hawaii Island (June 4, 2013) The heat is on and Hawai i, the Big Island is sizzlin now more than ever with new and inspiring activities, adventures and news for summer. ADVENTURES, ACTIVITIES & EVENTS Imiloa Astronomy Center is now part of the Hawai i Agritourism Association s Hilo Grown Tour; an agricultural adventure. Discover the connections of Polynesian voyaging and the spread of agriculture throughout Polynesia in Imiloa s exhibit hall, on this first time tour of Island stewardship. On the rest of the tour guests will learn about the most successful flower operation in Hawai i, see how culturally diversified foods move from farm to market to the table, and visit a farm using high tech and alternative energy, bringing a new level of sustainability. For more information, visit To celebrate its 20th year, Hawaii Forest & Trail is launching a year-long corporate philanthropy program, E Ho omaluo, which means to conserve or manage wisely, as with natural resources. On-island 501(c)3 non-profits most aligned with Hawaii Forest & Trail s mission and values will become E Ho omaluo beneficiaries. Partnerships with these organizations in the coming year may involve fundraisers, tours, or volunteer work days utilizing Hawai i Forest & Trail resources and including visitors when possible. Company founders Rob and Cindy Pacheco are excited about the opportunity to give back throughout the year in a targeted, meaningful, and personal way. For more information, visit Create memories and keepsakes of a lifetime at the Kings Shops with new yarn-eyelash lei making classes and ukulele lessons being offered at Hawaiian Ukulele and Guitar. Lei making classes are held every Saturday from 10-11:30 a.m. for $25 per person including materials. Ukulele lessons are Mondays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and again in the evening from 7-8 p.m. Cost is $10 which includes a $10 gift certificate to use toward purchase at the end of the lesson. For more information, call (808) or visit As Kïlauea Volcano continues to erupt, join Lava Ocean Adventures on board one of its boat tours or on a guided hike to see, hear, and feel the heat from the freshest land in Hawai i. From June through August, receive $10 off the regular price of $160 for the Morning Sunrise tour departing at 6:30 a.m. or $35 off when you book online. For reservations or more information, visit Celebrate ohana (family) at the Island Breeze Lü au held on the historic grounds of the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha s Kona Beach Hotel. Stories, cultural practices and traditions that were passed down through families from generation to generation are

2 honored at the Island Breeze Lü au through the song and dance of Hawai i, and its Polynesian cousins from Samoa, Tahiti and New Zealand. During the popular summer months, the lü au will also be available on Wednesday evenings from May 15 through Aug. 21, 2013 in addition to the normally scheduled Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evening shows. For information, visit Give Dad the gift of laughter at the Palace Theater this June. Father s Day weekend kicks off with one of Hawai i s favorite comedians Frank De Lima live on stage on Friday, June 14 at 7 p.m. DeLima s award winning humor celebrates Hawai i's ethnic diversity and issues through fresh musical parodies. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. On Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, June 15, 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, June 16 at 2:30 p.m., The Palace will show the film Na Ali i of Comedy featuring Andy Bumatai, Mel Cabang, Frank DeLima, Ed Kaahea and Augie T. and highlights of their live performances from all over Hawai i and the mainland. Be prepared to laugh until your cheeks hurt with extra outtakes of the hilarious bunch and their on-the-road adventures. Regular Palace ticket prices of $8 regular, $7 senior or student, and $6 Stars apply. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (808) The 22nd annual Rubber Duckie Race, a benefit for the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii, is set for Fourth of July at Kings Shops. It s a full day of fun with live entertainment, games and food starting at 10 a.m. The race starts at 3 p.m. and the first 50 ducks to cross the finish line each win one of the many prizes worth $25,000 in total. Adoption certificates will be available at KingsShop.com starting on June 3. For a $5 donation adopt a single duck or for a donation of $25 receive four adoption certificates and a limited edition event t-shirt. For more information, call (808) or visit Celebrate your freedom to have fun on Independence Day. Kick back on the grass or rock out to the rockets red glare with 4th of July fireworks and the hottest island music at Waikoloa Bowl at Queens Gardens. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the free festivities that include music by Vizion 20/20 and Bump City with patriotic pyrotechnics launching at 8 p.m. For more information, call (808) or visit Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay is excited to welcome back the 5th annual Lavaman Keauhou Triathlon on Sunday, Nov. 24, Resort facilities, including renewed guest rooms and public areas, The Flying Fish activity center, and island dining at Kona s newest hot spot, Rays on the Bay, means athletes, family, friends and fans can all enjoy a Lavaman Keauhou weekend at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa. For more information, visit or ACCOMMODATIONS

3 Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows celebrates its 30th Anniversary with an exclusive Bungalow Offer. Guests will enjoy a 4th Night Free and receive a $500 Resort Credit when they book an Ocean View or Ocean Front Bungalow for stays through October 31, The two-bedroom luxury accommodations were completely renovated in 2012 and feature 4,000 sq. ft. of living space including a spacious lanai, private pool and Jacuzzi. Reservations must be booked by July 31, 2013 for travel through October 31, Some restrictions apply. For more information, call (800) or visit Guests of Kïpuka Cottage, which is celebrating its three-year anniversary, continue to rave about the incredible rainforest views visible from the large window panels on every side of the house. Now is the perfect opportunity to experience the lush beauty and peaceful sounds of the native forest in nearby Hawai i Volcanoes National Park for yourself. All reservations made by July 1 receive 10% off when you mention the Forest View Discount. For more information or reservations, visit or kipukacottage@hawaiiantel.net. TASTY TIDBITS Hilton Waikoloa Village welcomes guests to cool down this summer at its newest dining option, Shaka Cones - Big Island Ice Cream, located next to the Dolphin Quest Lagoon. Serving locally made Tropical Dreams Ice Cream with 12 gourmet flavors including Coconut Cream and Kona Coffee, Shaka Cones offers scoops, shakes, sundaes and fresh baked waffle cones daily. For more information, visit Kamuela Provision Company (KPC) at Hilton Waikoloa Village recently announced new Mediterranean items to its dinner menu. Indulge in dishes with fresh, locally sourced ingredients from the Hawaiian Islands including menu items like Grilled Rosemary Lamb Chops and a Two Pound Kona Lobster. Kamuela Provision Company offers the perfect setting for delicious cuisine while viewing the breathtaking Pacific sunset and was recently named one of the Top Outdoor Dining Restaurants in the U.S. by OpenTable. For more information, visit Four Seasons Resort Hualälai at Historic Ka üpülehu, the first and only Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond resort on Hawai i Island, announces the return of La Dolce Vita, an epicurean celebration of the sweet life featuring Palmina and Brewer-Clifton wines. This annual signature culinary event, to be held at the Resort from June 10-15, 2013, includes a variety of interactive cooking classes, culinary experiences and spectacular wine dinners, all co-hosted by Chef Nick Mastrascusa and Steve and Chrystal Clifton, owners of Palmina and partners of Brewer-Clifton wines. For more information, call (888) or visit Check out Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel s Coast Grille's Locavore Dinner Menu featuring Hawai i Island Mango for the entire month of June. The four-course menu consists of Kona Mango Salad (sweet Ama Ebi, Kamuela Field Greens, Kona Avocado, Lemon Tarragon Vinaigrette), Portuguese Sausage Won Ton (Mango Mustard, Sweet Cabbage Slaw, Cilantro), Day Boat Catch (Grilled, Mango Crab Salad, Whipped Potato, Mango Brown Butter) and Coconut, Kona Mango Rice Pudding (Warm Rice Pudding, Ice Cold Mango). Cost is $50 per person. For reservations and more information, call (808)

4 Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and Kona Brewing Company presents a special Brewer s Tasting Dinner on Saturday, June 15 at the hotel s Coast Grille from 6-8 p.m. Sample four Kona Brewing Company beers (Wailua Wheat, Sail Away American Red Ale, Big Wave Ale and Black Sand Porter) paired with Chef Peter Abarcar, Jr. s tasty menu. Menu items include House-Made Bar Snacks (Chocolate Dipped House Bacon, Sesame Lavosh, Hapunuts ), Kona Lobster and Ahi Poke, Wild Boar Portuguese Sausage Pizza, Angus Sliders, Kalbi Tacos and Big Island Goat Cheese Gelato. Cost is $50 per person. For reservations and more information, call (808) KUDOS/ACCOLADES Hilo Coffee Mill has been awarded a 2013 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor, an honor bestowed upon organizations that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on the highly regarded travel review site. Only the top-performing 10 percent of businesses listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award. Hilo Coffee Mill strives to offer customers a memorable experience, and this award is evidence of its hard work. In addition, the Mill is making great progress toward its commitment to renewable energy having recently completed construction on a new solar structure covering the farmer s market area. For more information, visit TripAdvisor has also awarded 2013 Certificates of Excellence to Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides and Fair Wind s Hula Kai. Fair Wind vice president Mendy Dant credits hundreds of positive TripAdvisor reviews to great Fair Wind staff and crew. Fair Wind II excursions include morning and afternoon snorkel sails to pristine Kealakekua Bay and the opportunity to experience SNUBA. The more nimble and intimate Hula Kai offers morning snorkel adventures, sea rocket rentals and nighttime manta ray snorkel and dive adventures. For more information, visit MEETINGS & CONVENTION NEWS At Malulani at Holualoa Inn, cool breezes pour down the slopes of Hualälai and rustle through stands of ginger blossoms, panoramic coastal and ocean views, and magnificent sunsets incite romance, and in the evening twinkling stars and coastal lights offer a celebratory backdrop for the refined or familial. The comfortable pavilion set amidst rolling fields of Kona Coffee offers an intimate and unique event venue for up to 120 guests. For more information, visit TRAVEL TRADE NEWS Recently opened in Waikoloa Beach Resort, Lava Lava Beach Club (LLBC) now commissions travel agents 10-percent on qualified reservations. LLBC is the ideal destination to enjoy a worry-free, dream, toes-in-the-sand getaway in a fun, beachfront venue. Visitors can dine, drink, celebrate, and revel in the laidback luxury of one of four private contemporary Hawaiian cottages and at Lava Lava Beach Club restaurant. Each 576 square-foot air-conditioned cottage includes private covered furnished lanai and thoughtful interior amenities with all the comforts of a private home, the convenience of a beachfront hotel, and excitement of a surf shack. For more information, call (808) 769- LAVA (5282) or visit ###

5 Special note to media: The Big Island Visitors Bureau (BIVB) recognizes the use of the okina [ ] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the modern Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ā] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai'i such as Kīlauea). However, BIVB respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses. For more information on Hawai'i Island, please visit