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.

Hospital launches new helipad
October 13, 2011
Article From The Maui Weekly

Maui Memorial Medical Center’s (MMMC) new helipad became operational on Wednesday, Sept. 28, and by Thursday, Sept. 29, three cases had already been flown in. The helipad is an important milestone and signifies the culmination of many years of planning for the new cardiology service line, which was recently rolled out. MMMC is now the only Neighbor Island hospital treating emergency heart attacks, and the new helipad means that an important window of 15 to 20 minutes can now be saved to treat those heart and other critically-ill patients.

Maui is No Ka Oi For 17th Time

By Wendy Osher
Article from: Mauinow.com

For an unprecedented 17th time, Maui has been named Best Island in the World by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

With a score of 92.1, Maui was also voted Best US Island for the 21st consecutive year in the magazine’s 24th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

The award was presented to Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau executive director Terryl Vencl by veteran actor Chris Noth (Law & Order, Sex in the City and The Good Wife) in an awards ceremony held last night in New York City.

During the presentation, Noth shared his love for Maui saying he visits the island regularly. His mother, a former CBS television reporter, has also made Maui her home.

“Maui continues to capture the hearts, minds and imaginations of visitors the world over,” said Vencl.

“Recent branding studies reveal our visitors seek variety, choice and adventure, planned or spontaneous. They want to know lots of options are available, but want to have the freedom to be as active or relaxed as they choose. I believe this coveted award speaks to that,” said Vencl.

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa added, “Maui has so much to offer. It is an island of incredible beauty featuring unparalleled service, top-notch activities, excellent restaurants, a wide variety of accommodations and the friendliest folks anywhere.”

“This is a proud moment for the visitor industry and our people of Maui,” said Arakawa.

The island of Kaua’i placed second this year with a total of 90 points, followed by Kiawah in South Carolina, which earned third place with 86.6 points.

The Big Island of Hawai’i (now being re-branded as “Hawaii Island”) earned fourth place honors with 85.8 points. Maui’s sister island of Lana’i rounded out the top six with a score of 84.6.

Other top island destinations worldwide include winners in the following geographical categories: Asia (Maldives, 87.5), Caribbean/Atlantic (Bermuda, 87.4), Asia/Indian Ocean (Bora Bora, 87.0), Europe (Bozcaada and The Turkish Aegean Islands, 84.2) and Canada (Vancouver Island, 81.5).

Maui and Lana’i also fared well in the Top Hawai’i Resorts category, capturing top honors for various properties.

Topping the list was Travassa Hana (95.0) followed by Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (93.9). Oahu’s Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk (93.7) placed third and Hawaii Island’s Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (93.4) ranked fourth.

The island of Lanai captured fifth and sixth place respectively as Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay scored 93.4 and Four Seasons Lanai, The Lodge at Koele finished with 93.1.

Other Maui resorts making the Top 20 included 11th place Grand Wailea (89.3), 12th ranked Fairmont Kea Lani (89.0.) and 13th place Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa (87.8). The Ritz Carlton, Kapalua (86.9), captured the 14th spot.

*** Supporting information courtesy Maui Visitors Bureau.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our Valued Friends, Family and Clients

Why do Canadians and Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on different days?

One reason for Canadian Thanksgiving arriving earlier than its American counterpart is that Canada is geographically further north than the United States, causing the Canadian harvest season to arrive earlier than the American harvest season. And since Thanksgiving for Canadians is more about giving thanks for the harvest season than the arrival of pilgrims, it makes sense to celebrate the holiday in October. So what are the differences between Canadian and American Thanksgiving, other than the date? Not much! Both Canadians and Americans celebrate Thanksgiving with parades, family gatherings, pumpkin pie and a whole lot of turkey!

What will you be doing to celebrate Thanksgiving this year?
We’re looking forward to a great dinner with our family visiting from Vancouver and are very grateful for our valued friends, family and clients.

Article excerpt from: http://www.kidzworld.com

First Whale Sighting in Maui Waters

By Wendy Osher
Article from: Mauinow.com

The first humpback whale sighting in Maui County waters this season was reported yesterday morning off the eastern coast of Lana’i.

According to the Pacific Whale Foundation, a pair of humpbacks was sighted at 8:35 a.m. on Thursday, October 6, about 2 miles off the coast by the raft, Great White.

The sighting was confirmed by the nearby Ocean Discovery vessel, operated by the Pacific Whale Foundation. Captain Bryson Oliveira confirmed the pod included one adult whale and one smaller whale that appeared to be a yearling.

The Maui sighting comes a week-and-a-half after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association reported the first state sighting of the season near Honaunau Bay, Hawaii Island on September 26.

“We were jumping up and down when we heard the news,” said Merrill Kaufman, Chief Operations Officer at Pacific Whale Foundation. “It is always a cause for excitement when we discover the whales are back.”

For the past two years, the first sighting off of Maui was reported on October 20.

Humpback whales return to Hawai’i each year as part of their winter migration to give birth and care for their young. An estimated 12,000 humpback whales are believed to make the journey, according to the Pacific Whale Foundation.

The agency celebrates the start of whalewatch season on Saturday, November 26, when whale sightings are guaranteed through mid-May.

*** Supporting information courtesy, Pacific Whale Foundation.