More International Exposure For Maui As The Maui Makani Windsurfing Classic Returns To Ho'okipa October 27th~November 1st

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: www.americanwindsurfingtour.com.

16th Annual XTERRA World Championship Race in Kapalua This Sunday October 23, 2011

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.

Starting in November Wailuku Friday Events Extend to Lahaina, Paia and 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.

Show Support For Clint Hansen's Proposed Opening of Maui Paintball

Filed under: Uncategorized — Clint Hansen @ 4:48 pm 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

Another Great Reason To Be On Maui In January~Watch The PGA Live At The Kapalua Plantation Course

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  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 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.

Maui Memorial Medical Center's New Helipad Now Operational

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 Named Best Island in the World by the Readers of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine for an Unprecedented 17th Time

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.