Boost Expected With Return of Maui Makani Classic

By Wendy Osher
Article from: Mauinow.com

One-hundred world class windsurfers converge at Ho`okipa Beach Park next week for the championship leg of the American Windsurfing Tour.

The Maui Makani Classic kicks off on October 27 and runs until November 1, marking a return of the sport to Ho`okipa, the international mecca of the windsurfing world.

“There is no better place for windsurfing than right here on Maui, and we are proud to be hosting world class events once more,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa. “What Halloween does for Lahaina, big windsurfing events will do for Paia. We’re going to get our economy going one town at a time if we have to,” he said.

Competitors will be traveling to Maui from more than 20 counties including Argentina, Chili, China, South Korea, Morocco, Ireland and Japan.

The event is also expected to attract hundreds of spectators from Maui and abroad.

In an effort to help with traffic congestion, free event parking will be provided at the Old Maui High School in Hamakuapoko, with free shuttle bus services provided by the Maui County Veterans Association and the Disabled American Veterans. No parking will be allowed on the sides of the highway.

In addition to the windsurfing competition, other Makani Classic events to include the following:

■Makani Classic opening night party at the Kahului Ale House, October 26, 8 p.m.
■Makani Classic Opening Ceremony, Ho`okipa Beach Park, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.
■Goya and Quatro Party, Pauwela Cannery in Haiku, 6 to 10 p.m.
■Fourth Friday in Paia, 6 to 9 p.m.
■Maui Ultra Lounge Party, Neil Pryde in Kahului, 6 to 9 p.m.
■Pizza with the Pros, Flatbread Pizza in Paia, 6 to 10 p.m.
■Makani Classic closing ceremonies, hosted by Maui Babe and held at the Maui Tropical Plantation, featuring entertainment, food, cash bar and award presentations, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m., tickets $10 per person.
For more information, visit: http://www.americanwindsurfingtour.com.

XTERRA Moves From South Maui to Kapalua

By Wendy Osher
Article from: MauiNow.com

The 2011 XTERRA World Championship makes a venue change this year, moving from the volcanic vistas of South Maui to the verdant terrain of the Kapalua Resort. The new locale is situated along the northwest coast in the backyard of the 22,000-acre Maui Land & Pineapple Company property.

The world’s premier off-road triathlon event will utilize the Village Walking Trails at the old Village Golf Course for the running and biking portions of the event. The swimming leg of the race takes place at D.T. Fleming Beach located just north of The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua resort.

The brand new course boasts equally grueling conditions with a 1.5-kilometer (1 mile) roughwater swim, followed by a 29.5-kilometer (18.3 mile) mountain bike on the lower slopes of the West Maui Mountains, and a 9.8-kilometer (6.1-mile) trail run.

The 16th Annual XTERRA World Championship field includes a capacity field of 650 athletes from 28 countries and 42 US states including professionals and amateurs.

The championship race takes place at 9 a.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2011.

Event organizers say the first place athlete is expected to finish at approximately 11:30 a.m.

The spectator area will be along Fleming Beach and the Transition Area/Finish Line on the poolside lawn at The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.

Event parking is at the ball field behind the preschool at Kapalua.

Leading up to the Championship event, is a series of amateur events on Saturday, October 22, including: Duke’s Beach House XTERRA 10K, the Hula Grill XTERRA 5K, and the Kimo’s Keiki K for kids ten and under. The 10K and 5K races are open to all, and benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui County.

Wailuku Friday Events Extend to Lahaina, Paia, Makawao

By Wendy Osher
Article from: Mauinow.com

The County of Maui Office of Economic Development will unveil a new initiative this week that will expand the successful Wailuku First Friday event into a four-Friday-per-month, island-wide event.

“Wailuku merchants have done a fantastic job revitalizing their businesses with their First Friday celebration,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa. “It’s time we duplicate their success in other towns across the county,” said Arakawa.

Following in the footsteps of Wailuku’s successful “First Friday,” and Paia’s “Fourth Friday” celebrations, Maui County is now partnering with coordinators in Lahaina and Makawao for similar events.

The overall concept of The Maui Friday Town Parties will be unveiled early next month, along with a website and logos for each town event.

“These events will spur local people and visitors to go to our small towns and enjoy the historic and unique nature of these business communities,” said Mayor Arakawa.

The Maui town party schedule starting November 4th will be as follows: Wailuku – First Friday, Lahaina – Second Friday, Makawao – Third Friday, Paia – Fourth Friday.

***Check back for details to be unveiled by the county in the first week of November.

On November 22, 2011 I am getting my long awaited (years in the making) meeting with the Maui Planning Department for my proposed opening of Maui Paintball. To help show community and visitor support for this endeavor please CLICK HERE and sign my on-line petition. In addition to my love of the sport I feel that opening this facility would be of tremendous benefit to those of us who are fortunate enough to call Maui home and those who come to visit. This will be a fully insured and properly supervised enterprise on approximately 10 acres in Olowalu.
Thanks to everyone for their support and please feel free to call me at 808-280-2764 or email me at Clinthansen33@gmail.com with any questions.
Mahalo and Aloha,
Clint Hansen, Realtor (S)
The Hansen Ohana

Hyundai Golf: Charities Benefit From New Ticket Structure

By Wendy Osher
Article From: Mauinow.com

The Hyundai Tournament of Champions revises its ticketing policy for 2012, and will be charging for adult entry this year, with charity in mind.

The event launches a new program in the coming weeks called Golf for Maui Charities. Under the program, 501-c3 non-profit organizations can promote the sale of tickets, with 100% of net proceeds going back to their charity.

“The new ticket structure for 2012 allows the Hyundai Tournament of Champions to have significant impact on the local economy and our charitable partners,” said Tournament Director Nancy Cross.

“We are excited about the upcoming launch of our Golf for Maui Charities program. We hope charities will get involved with this fantastic opportunity in a time when fundraising has become more difficult than ever,” said Cross.

All 501-c3 organizations interested in being a part of Golf for Maui Charities, should contact the Hyundai Tournament of Champions tournament office at (808) 665-9160 or toll-free at (888) 665-9160 for more information.

In 2011, event organizers offered free admission in addition to a host of other complimentary activities.

When the event returns in January of 2012, the free entry will be reserved for those 18 and under who are accompanied by a ticket-paying adult, as well as military (active duty, retired and reserve) personnel and their dependents.

There will be an opportunity for all spectators to gain free entry on one day only, Thursday, January 5, 2012 for the Pro-Am Round.

The four rounds of professional competition run from Friday, January 6, through Monday, January 9 at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort, marking the official start of the PGA TOUR’s 2012 FedExCup season.

In advance of this new program, general admission tickets for competition rounds on Jan. 6-9 are on sale now at http://www.pgatour.com/Hyundai. Advance prices for single any-day tickets are $15 plus applicable fees with weeklong grounds tickets selling for $40 plus applicable fees.

***For Military: Military tickets can be downloaded free of charge by visiting http://www.birdiesforthebrave.com and clicking on the Ticketing link. All military and their dependents will need to show their valid military ID along with their downloaded ticket in order to gain complimentary admission.