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| The Ragnar Relay Hawaii, a 200-mile foot race beginning in Hilo, ending at Mauna Kea Resort's Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. // Photo by Joe Pike |
Got a sports lover headed to Hawaii? Travel Agent is highlighting the hottest sports offerings for clients heading to Hawaii Island, commonly referred to as "The Big Island," this spring and beyond.
The 3rd annual Aloha Ball hosts dancing competitions October 21-23. Held at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, the Aloha Ball is the only Dancesport competition on Hawaii Island with an international panel of judges and attendees from throughout the Mainland U.S. and Hawaii. The competition includes all ballroom styles, age groups and levels of expertise, and includes spectacular professional ballroom dancing exhibitions.
Visit www.alohaballdance.com
A trio of sports competitions are included in Mauna Kea Resort's 2016 fall calendar of special events. The 21st annual Grand Prix Open and Class Championship, held at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel's 11-court Seaside Tennis Club, offers three days of championship tennis, from September 16-18.
Making its Hawaii Island debut this year is the Ragnar Relay Hawaii, a 200-mile foot race beginning in Hilo, ending at Mauna Kea Resort's Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, and happening October 14-15. Finally, golf enthusiasts will experience a week of championship play during the 43rd annual Mauna Kea Pro-Am, set for December 7-11.
Visit www.maunakeabeachhotel.com/events
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows will welcome golf lovers and pro golfers to its Francis H. Ii Brown North and South Courses. The North Course's signature 17th hole (a par 3) is located inside a nature-made amphitheater formed by hardened lava. The South Course's 15th hole (a par 3) is one of the most photographed golf holes in the world.
The resort also offers Hawaii's only nine-hole keiki (children's) course. Unlimited golf packages for two begin at $619 per night (with a minimum three-night required stay), and are available through December 23, 2016.
Visit www.maunalani.com
The event's slate of races includes its signature 18-mile long-distance men's and women's races on September 3. Event organizer Kai Opua Canoe Club, one of Hawaii's oldest outrigger canoe clubs, will host crews from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Tahiti, and the United Kingdom, plus an estimated 75 crews from the United States. More than 60 teams from Hawaii Island will compete in the race.
Visit www.kaiopua.org
Located in Keauhou, the newly renovated Kona Country Club offers an oceanfront golfing experience for visitors and residents to enjoy. Neighboring the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, Kona Country Club features a fully stocked pro shop, driving range, locker rooms, and putting and chipping greens.
Golfers also appreciate the club's ocean views and full-service restaurant.
Visit www.sheratonkona.com
The Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel is the official host hotel of this year's 2016 IRONMAN World Championship, set for October, as well as the annual Queen Liliuokalani Race, happening Labor Day weekend.
Sports enthusiasts are invited to congregate at the hotel to experience the IRONMAN Championship's start and finish at Kailua Pier, or watch the outrigger canoe paddling contests of the Queen Liliuokalani Race in Kailua Bay.
Visit www.konabeachhotel.com and www.gohawaii.com. And keep visiting www.travelagentcenral.com for all your latest Hawaii news.