Kona on the Big Island Hosts World Famous Triathlon

On October 10, more than 1,000 world-class athletes will converge upon Kailua Kona to compete in the Ironman Triathlon World Championship.

This annual competition – which is the defining race of all triathlons worldwide – begins with a 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112-mile bike ride and then a 26.2 mile run.

Not just anyone can enter this triathlon, however.  To get in you have to win a spot through a lottery system or else earn a spot through one of the qualifying events held around the world, and they are all very competitive because everyone wants a spot in this prestigious event.

Don’t expect it to be easy, though, because only 1,800 people will succeed in getting a spot to compete, out of tens of thousands who try.  The field will include athletes from 50 different countries, and from all 50 of the United States.

If you do earn a spot in the Ironman competition, then expect to confront some very tough conditions including ocean waves during the swim and potentially searing heat during the biking and running portions of the race through landscapes of former lava flows.

The Ironman concept began after some local athletes at a 1977 Honolulu relay race began discussing holding the three endurance race events – swimming, biking, running – in a single day. One of the athletes stated to the group that that whoever won would be declared the “Ironman.”

For more information call 808 329 0063 or email kona@ironman.com

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Launching a new product line? Planning a wedding? need to coordinate a fund raiser? Moana Events has you covered.

With over 7 years of even planning experience from Hawaii to New York, Morgan Moana Childs brings her expertise to your event. Events can be coordinated to use our luxury vacation villas for a perfect beachfront setting. Some of the services offered by this event planning company include:

View a complete list of Mona Events services.

Also, check out their blog about modern living in Hawaii.

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Duke Kahanamoku Honored at 2009 Duke’s Oceanfest

When: August 22-29, 2009
Where: Waikiki Beach

This week long series of ocean sports events has fun for everyone and all proceeds go to support the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation which provides college scholarships and athletic grants to outstanding Hawaii scholar-athletes.

Duke Kahanamoku is Hawaii’s most famous athlete, having won many Olympic medals and set world records from 1912 to 1933.  He also served as Sheriff of Honolulu, starred in Hollywood movies, and was known as Hawaii’s “Ambassador of Aloha.”

Duke’s Oceanfest Events

• August 23 – Ho‘omana Ceremony –Traditional Hawaiian ceremony at Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon at the Hilton Hawaiian Villages Beach Resort & Spa.
• August 24 – Duke Kahanamoku Sunrise Blessing honoring his 119th birthday. Blessing at Duke’s Waikiki statue.
• August 26-29 – Four days of ocean sports competitions, including:
• Hawaiian Airlines Duke’s Legends Surf Classic
• Toes on the Nose Rabbit Kekai Pro Longboard Classic
• Gidget Open Pro: Women’s Longboard
• Noseriding Invitational
• Tandem World Title
• Hawaii Paddleboard Championship – “Duke’s Race,” paddle board sprint from Hawaii Kai to Duke’s Statue
• Waterman Stand-Up Beach Boy Paddle Surfing
• Duke’s Waikiki Ocean Mile Swim
• Surf Polo Tournament – Six-person teams play water polo on surfboards!
• Challenged Athlete Surfing – surfing for the physically challenged.
• Waterman Challenge –Swimming, stand-up paddle boarding and canoe paddling.
• Beach Volleyball Classic – Four-person teams compete on Kuhio Beach – This is a US Open of Beach Volleyball (Men’s Open Division) Qualifying Event
• Beach Boys Celebration at Duke’s Waikiki – Gathering of Duke’s friends to talk story at Duke’s Waikiki.

On August 29 Duke’s Statue is draped with flower lei following a sidewalk surfboard parade. The last event is the Great Hawaiian 105 KINE Luau. For tickets call (808) 545-4880.

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Fifty Years of Statehood – Hawaii Celebrates the Anniversary

It is hard to believe that it was just 50 years ago when Hawaii officially became a part of the United States of America. The road leading up to Statehood was a bit bumpy, with many opposing political views, but eventually it happened on August 21, 1959.

The Petition

An important event leading up to Statehood took place in 1954 when proponents of Statehood collected 150,000 signatures on a 3-mile-long petition on a huge roll of blank newsprint. They presented the petition on Bishop Street in Honolulu, and were backed by Hawaii’s delegates to Congress including John Anthony Burns and Joseph Rider Farrington.

The Statehood Movement

After World War II ended in 1945 and Republican corporate interests began to dominate Hawaii’s economy, the Statehood Movement grew. The dominant sugar firms controlled basically everything, and these were the Big Five: “Castle & Cooke, American Factors (Amfac), C. Brewer & Co, Theo H. Davies, and Alexander & Baldwin.

Constitutional Convention

On April 4, 1950, a constitutional convention was convened. Soon a state constitution was presented to the US Congress and then it was put to Hawaii’s voters on November 7, 1950, passing by a 3-1 margin.

In 1958, Alaska became a state, and this helped the Hawaiian statehood movement – it was now just a matter of time.

The US Senate approved Statehood in March of 1959, as did the House of Representatives, and it was signed by President Eisenhower on March 18, 1959.

A plebiscite of Hawaiian residents was required for approval, and this took place on June 27, 1959 when Hawaii residents approved Statehood, and the plebiscite passed 17 to 1, opposed only by Niihau. At this time there were about one-quarter million visitors coming to the Hawaiian Islands each year, and more than 600,000 residents.

On July 28, 1959, William Francis Quinn was elected as Hawaii’s governor. The first senators were Hiram Fong and Ethelbert Long, and Daniel K. Inouye became the first person of Japanese ancestry to be elected to the US House of Representatives.

The Statehood Proclamation was signed by President Eisenhower on August 21, 1959 – Hawaii was officially a state.

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Hawaii Sports, Musical Performances, Conferences, and Festivals – Summer 2009

Hawaii Writers Conference

When: September 4-7, 2009
Where: Sheraton Waikiki

The Hawaii’s Writers Conference celebrates the art and craft of writing, with dozens of seminars and workshops featuring best-selling novelists and many featured speakers and writers including 12 New York Times Bestselling authors, a Pulitzer Prize winner, Tony Award winner, and four Academy Award winners.  Contact 739-5500 for more information.

Norah Jones Concert

When: September 4, 2009
Where: Sheraton Waikiki Ballroom

This concert is part of the Hawaii Writers Conference.  Call 737-0360 for more information.

Maui Channel Swim – From Lanai to Kaanapali

When: September 5, 2009
Where: Kaanapali Beach Hotel

Kaanapali Beach Hotel is the finishing point and also the headquarters of the Maui Channel Swim.  Swimmers are challenged by ocean currents, and so navigation strategy is an important part of this event.  The swim starts on Lanai and is completed by six person teams.

The relay teams begin swimming half hour legs and then eventually swim just ten minute legs.  The nine-mile race usually takes from three to seven hours depending on ocean conditions.  Call 338-0722 for more information.

35th Annual Parker Ranch Round-Up Rodeo

When: September 5, 6, 2009
Where: Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena

This Rodeo event raises scholarship money for Parker Ranch employee’s children and includes bull riding, bronco riding, barrel racing, wild cow races, dally team roping, double mugging, and po’o wai u.

Plenty of great food and refreshments are available.  You can buy tickets at the event, or in advance at the Parker Ranch Store. Children 10 and under are free.

Waikiki Roughwater Swim

When: September 7, 2009
Where: Waikiki – begins at San Souci Beach; finishes at Hilton Hawaiian Beach

This 2.3 mile open ocean swim will feature more than 1,000 swimmers and is considered an elite event in the sport of roughwater swimming.

The Aloha Festival

When: September 10-26, 2009
Where: Waikiki – begins at the Hilton Hawaiian Village

The Aloha Festivals 2009 begins with the Royal Court Investiture on September 10 at 9:30 AM on the grounds of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  This event includes hula and traditional chants. The official Opening Ceremony ist 4:30 PM that same day and takes place at the Royal Grove at the Royal Hawaiian Center. Other events include:

• The Aloha Festivals Waikiki Ho’olaule’a takes place on September 19 beginning at 7 PM on Kalakaua Avenue between Kapahulu and Lewers.  This huge block party (12 city blocks) begins with the arrival of the Royal Court and entertainment will perform on three different stages and including hula and lots of tasty food.
• The Aloha Festivals Floral Parade takes place on Saturday, September 26 at 9:00 am on Kalakaua Ave from Ala Moana Park to Kapiolani Park.  Extravagant floats and riders!
• The Keiki Ho’olaule’a takes place on Saturday, September 12 from 10 am – 3 pm at the Pearlridge Center.

Mikhail Baryshnikov in “Three Solos And A Duet”

When September 10 (7 pm)
Where: Kahilu Theater, Kamuela, Big Island

When: September 12 (8 pm), September 13 (2 pm)
Where: Hawai‘i Theatre, Honolulu, Oahu

Mikhail Baryshnikov dancing, need we say more!

John Legend Concert

Where: Neil Blaisdell Concert Hall
When: September 9, 2009

John Legend has worked with Alicia Keys, Kanye West, and Lauryn Hill, and has his own top selling albums.  He has also won Grammys for Best R&B Album, Best New Artist, and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance).

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If you’re into big game fishing, then check out the series of Hawaii marlin fishing tournaments held on the Big Island by Kona Tournaments. The series is sponsored by Maui Jim and is made up of 6 events that span from June through August.

Tournaments are in Kona Bay. Only marlins between 500 pounds and 1,500 pounds score points toward the cash prizes.

Schedule of Fishing Events
13th Annual Kona Classic – June 27th & 28th
21th Firecracker – July 4th & 5th
18th Skins Marlin Derby – July 10th, 11th & 12th
2008 Championship Dates – July 17th, 18th & 19th
23rd Big Island Marlin Tournament – Aug. 21st, 22nd & 23rd
Lazy Marlin Hunt – Aug 28th, 29th & 30th

Because the Big Island is so large, you’ll want to stay near Kailua-Kona to avoid excessive driving times. Recommended accommodations during the tournament would be our Kailua-Kona vacation rentals or Kailua-Kona condos. There are other places to stay nearby, but call us at (800) 853-0787 to make sure you find a rental that is within a reasonable distance.

There are several sport fishing boats that you can charter. Try Intrepid Sports Fishing. They have a beautiful boat. Be sure to book early or they’ll be reserved.

There are entry fees plus chartering a boat (assuming you’re visiting and you don’t own one), but if you split costs with a team of participants it can be affordable. Plus, if you do well there are some big cash prizes. Tournament registration and briefing is help the day before each event. For more information or call Jody Bright at (808) 327-1440 or email info@konatournaments.com.

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Everyone knows that the islands of Hawaii are truly one of the best places to vacation at almost any time of year. They islands are so beautiful they seem almost magical and dreamy too. They offer you so many things to do and such variety for all types of vacationers too. One thing that you may not have considered about vacationing in Hawaii is that they also host a lot of really cool events every year. One such event is the annual Hawaii Bowl that is a showcase of college football talent that takes place every year. You should consider planning a vacation to Hawaii and staying in Hawaii home rentals during that vacation to truly enjoy the game and all the game festivities. This will not only be fun but will also be an exciting event as well.

Hawaii home rentals are perfect for a vacation that will be centered around football. There is plenty of space to spread out and even just watch the game on television if you really want to. The Hawaii home rentals are spacious and beautifully decorated too so that in case you have others on vacation that are not as in to the game they will be able to escape off to another location in the rental and relax and enjoy their vacation. Or, the rentals are also close to some great shopping and dining where you can also get a souvenir and also a taste and feel for local culture.

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