KAPALUA – With a slate of musicians that could stand by itself as a concert lineup, the PGA Tour’s season-opening event at Kapalua won’t be short on entertainment that goes beyond golf.

Anuhea is scheduled to perform on Jan. 2, the Sunday before official competition in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions starts at the Plantation Course. Kealii Reichel and Jake Shimabukuro are part of the lineup on Jan. 5.

A performance by Gail Swanson is to follow the completion of the first round, and another by George Kahumoku Jr. is scheduled after the tournament’s final putt falls.

Also, Kelly Slater, winner of 10 Association of Surfing Professionals world titles, is to be in the field for a charity golf event. Kanekoa Texeira of Kula, a pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, is to make a pretournament appearance as well.

No admission fee will be charged for any of the events, including the four days of official competition.

“We had a certain revenue reduction, but we felt it was important to get the event re-energized,” said tournament director Nancy Cross.

A “Family Fun Day” is scheduled for Jan. 2. A three-hole competition will begin at 2 p.m., with two-time defending Hyundai champion Geoff Ogilvy scheduled to take part, along with 2010 tour winners Rocco Mediate and Justin Rose, plus Hawaii State Open winner Tadd Fujikawa. Texeira is to appear that day, and a concert featuring Anuhea is to begin at 3:30 p.m.

Also available Sunday will be a display by trick-shot artist Dan Boever, autographs from Na Koa Ikaika Maui, activities conducted by the Polynesian Village Luau and a taiko drumming exhibition.

Practice rounds start Monday, and a pro-am to benefit the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association is also scheduled with participants to include four players who won on tour last year – Matt Bettencourt, Jason Bohn, Cameron Beckman and Bill Haas – as well as Oahu’s Dean Wilson and three-time tour winner Jerry Kelly.

The traditional pro-am is scheduled for Wednesday, as is the “FedEx Cup Kick-Off,” which is to include a pro-celebrity event with 2010 tour winners Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, Dustin Johnson and Graeme McDowell, as well as Slater. A long-drive contest at the 18th hole is to have Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson and Robert Garrigus, in addition to the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship winner, Jamie Sadlowski.

Music at the first tee on Wednesday will be from Reichel and Shimabukuro, starting at 2 p.m.

“We really wanted to start making this an islandwide event, not just a Kapalua event,” Cross said. “Of course it is great to have it here at Kapalua, a great course, but to have it as an islandwide, statewide event, where we were reaching out to the whole community, is what we wanted.”

A “fan zone” will offer entertainment after each round. In addition to Swanson and Kahu-moku, the artists are Jimmy Mac & the Kool Kats, scheduled to follow the second round’s conclusion, and AnDen, scheduled for the next day.

Population figures for the country and individual states were released Tuesday by the agency, which strives to count every resident every decade.

The 2000 census indicated Hawaii’s population was 1.21 million. The new figures show that number has grown to 1.36 million.

In 1960, just after it became a state, Hawaii was home to about 632,000.

Here Comes Santa in a Red Canoe! Fairmont Kea Lani Welcomes

‘Ole St. Nick

by kelii on December 16, 2010

From the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau

Okay, so the canoe isn’t exactly red (it’s white), but you get the idea! The holidays are upon us and while there are many exciting festivities taking place all across Maui Nui, one of my all-time favorite happenings is Santa and Mrs. Claus’ arrival at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea.

This festive event takes place on Friday, December 24, 2010 at noon. Kris Kringle, along with his menehune and Mrs. Claus, splash ashore Polo Beach to spread holiday cheer as local residents and hotel guests gather in anticipation.

Bring your camera for a photo with Santa. Sean the Juggler will be there to cheer on the crowd as well. It will be an unforgettable experience for all.

From the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau