Optional Events
Scuba Adventure
Sponsored by BMC Group
Wednesday, August 11, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Join us for a day of excitement and adventure exploring the Kona Coast. Our sites may include deep dives on steep drop-offs, drift diving over unspoiled terrain, penetrating lava tubes and caverns, descending upon a small wreck, visiting a shark habitat or even gliding offshore on a blue-water dive. You may even see some unique and rare creatures such as Hawaiian Lionfish, Bandit Angelfish, Tinker's Butterflyfish or even a Commerson's Frogfish. With our friendly, professional crew, your day on the boat will be fun-filled and enjoyable. Certified divers should bring C-card, BCD, regulator, wetsuit and mask/fins/snorkel gear. Rental gear is available. Please check the appropriate box on the registration form.
Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site Tour: Home of the King
Thursday, August 12, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Visit historic Kohala, home and birthplace of ancient Hawaiian King Kamehameha the Great, the first ruler to unite all the Hawaiian Islands. A short 30- to 40-minute drive north offers some of the most beautiful scenery on the Big Island, including pastureland, rainforests and majestic shorelines. Near Kawaihae, visit the Pu'ukohola Hawai'ian heiau (temple). Constructed in the late 18th Century, this coastal temple was intended as an offering to the war god Kukai'ilimoku. Traveling on, see the original life-size statue of King Kamehameha in Kapaau, then continue on to the end of the road past Hawi town (stop to take in the quaint shops) and gaze across Pololu Valley, where the king trained to be a warrior. The cost is $90 per person. Please check the appropriate box on the registration form.
Golf Tournament
Thursday, August 12, 1:00 p.m.
Mauna Lani Resort has received Golf magazine's Gold Medal Award every year since 1988 and was host to the Senior Skins Golf Game for 11 years. Voted Golf magazines "One of the Top Ten Green Resorts" for environmental stewardship and conservation, the two courses are masterpieces of design, each strikingly different yet equally challenging. The South Course, renown as the former home to the annual Senior Skins Game from 1990-2000, snakes through the stark, rugged a'a lava of the prehistoric Kaniku lava flow, offering the golfer a panorama of mountain and ocean views. The South Course is also home to No. 15, one of the most photographed over-the-water golf course holes in the world. The $190-per-person fee includes boxed lunch, greens fees, cart rental, tournament fees and prizes. Please check the appropriate box on the registration form, and indicate handicap.
Kilaua Volcano Flightseeing Tours
Thursday, August 12, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Since Hawai'i Island is truly a Big Island, the best ways to gain an overview in a short, comfortable amount of time is by helicopter. The pilots often go on several trips every day and so are "in the know" about the best viewing spots where lava may be moving today (it changes hourly). Along the way you'll fly over towns and villages, shorelines and rangeland, rainforests and deserts, lavascapes and oases, all from the comfort of your cushioned seat. Bring your camera! The cost is $250 per person. Please check the appropriate box on the registration form.
Parker Ranch Tour
Friday, August 13, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Parker Ranch, one of America's oldest and largest ranches, was founded in 1847. Island visitors eagerly venture here to find out about paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys) and to see what ranch life is like in paradise. Opt to tour Parker's historic homes, where you can view heirloom art and furnishings and learn about the ranch's long history. Horseback and ATV tours are available, along with cattle country tours that expose the workings of the ranch and the beauty of the local landscape. $80 per person includes roundtrip transportation and admission to the ranch. Optional tours are extra. Please check the appropriate box on the registration form.
Sport Fishing Tournament
Friday, August 13, 1:00-6:00 p.m.
The waters surrounding the Big Island offer anglers an exciting adventure. Whether you are an experienced angler or a novice, the Captain and Mate will satisfy all of your fishing needs and reel in local favorites to include mahi mahi, ahi (tuna), swordfish and of course the mighty blue marlin. The $150-per-person fee includes round-trip transportation from the Fairmont, all boat fees and gratuities, lunch and drinks, and a $250 cash purse. All boats have restroom facilities, but remember to bring sunblock, a hat, soft-soled deck shoes and a strong back for fighting the "Big One"! Please check the appropriate box on the registration form.