SIZZLIN’ NEW YEAR NEWS FROM THE ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI

Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau Media Contact:
Cheyenne Gomez, (808) 539-3409, [email protected]
 
Island of Hawaiʻi (December 5, 2022) — 2022 is coming to a close soon and travelers bound to the island of Hawai‘i or thinking of planning a trip to the youngest and largest island in the Hawaiian Islands will be excited to learn and experience new activities, upcoming events, outdoor adventures and special accommodations that are to come in the new year. 

MAUNALOA VOLCANO UPDATES

The world’s largest active volcano, Maunaloa began erupting on Sunday, November 27 in the  summit caldera. The eruption then made its way to the Northeast Rift Zone. The current eruption and lava flow areas do not pose any threat to any communities at this time. 

It's important to remember that this situation can change. For current Maunaloa eruption information, viewing locations, and more, visit https://www.gohawaii.com/special-alerts-maunaloa. You can view a live stream of the eruption, courtesy of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnjGqn1K9ZQ.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai, part of the PGA Tour Champions Tour, is scheduled for January 19-21, 2023, at Hualālai Resort. The tournament field includes winners of PGA Tour Champions events over the past two years, senior major championships winners over the last five years, World Golf Hall of Fame Members, and other prominent players.  The two-day pro-am will be held January 17-18 benefits the Hualālai ʻOhana Foundation, Hawaiʻi Island Jr. Golf Association, Rotary Club of Kona, and Daniel R. Sayre Foundation. A number of Champions also participate in other tournaments on island to help raise money for the Hawaiʻi State Jr. Golf Association. For more information, visit: https://www.hualalairesort.com/golf/mitsubishi-electric-championship-at-hualalai/.

The Annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, scheduled for February 4, 2023, includes Japanese and multicultural performing arts, hands-on demonstrations of bonsai, traditional tea ceremony, food preparation by local chefs, and local craft vendors. The event is a community-wide effort created by a dedicated team of volunteers and produced by the Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation’s Culture and Education Section. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/people/Waimea-Cherry-Blossom-Heritage-Festival/100064661262713/

South Kona’s 7th Annual Artists Studio Tour will visit 20 South Kona artists in their studios at 15 locations along the winding and scenic Māmalahoa Highway from Keauhou to Hōnaunau. It will be a full day of learning and talking with the artists about their inspiration and art techniques. A wide range of fine art, smaller items, and gifts are available for sale to support the artists. The tour will be held on February 25 & 26, 2023. For more information, email [email protected].

ACTIVITIES

Welcome the beginning of whale season aboard Kalama Kai, Mauna Lani’s 42-foot power boat that satisfies adventure through soulful storytelling and unforgettable experiences. Available exclusively to Mauna Lani guests now until springtime, Kalama Kai’s Whale Watching Tours transmit timeless knowledge of Hawaiʻi’s marine life. As the koholā (humpback whale) migrates thousands of miles from Alaska, survey the horizon for signs of a fluke or breach while learning long-lived legends passed from one generation to another. Listen to the melodic echo of whale song through a hydrophone as Captain Vivas explains the evolution of koholā song patterns. For more information visit, https://aubergeresorts.com/maunalani/kainalu-ocean-sports/kalama-kai/.

Fair Wind has made strides in achieving a zero-waste eco-friendly experience. On all tours they will have reusable tableware, composting and recycling bins, and a plant-based, cruelty-free menu. Fair Wind supports local farms by sourcing fruits, veggies, and coffee from their family farm. They’ve reduced trash on their boats by 70% with this shift in sustainability and continue to educate guests about the marine ecosystem, provide mineral reef-safe sunscreen for their passengers, reduce cruise capacity, and continue to use biodiesel made with recycled restaurant oil. Join them on one of their cruises and experience their environmental efforts firsthand. For more information, call (808) 322-2788 and/or visit www.fair-wind.com.

TASTY TIDBITS

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s signature restaurant Manta has welcomed Bryan Nagao as the new Chef de Cuisine. Nagao was raised in O‘ahu  where he graduated from the Culinary Arts School at KCC, University of Hawai‘i, before spending his next 25 years in Asia overseeing restaurants in Hong Kong, Seoul, Taiwan, and Bangkok. Nagao’s first culinary experience in Asia was at the Felix in the Peninsula Hotel, which has consistently been on the list of the Top 10 Restaurants in Hong Kong. Before leaving to move back to the U.S., Nagao owned his own restaurant named Town by Bryan Nagao, which was awarded the prestigious Michelin Plate award. Bryan will scintillate his diner’s palates with his Modern American style combined with Hawai‘i’s fresh island fare, offering inventive flavors, distinctive style, and signature dishes. For more information, contact (808) 882-7222.

Big Island Coffee Roasters will be opening its first flagship retail location in Hilo early next year. The 4,000-square-foot location will feature a tasting room, cafe, shop, and a window where guests can view Big Island Coffee Roasters’ coffee roasting and production. Guests will have the opportunity to book immersive tasting tours with different regions and varieties of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee, in addition to other locally grown products, like māmaki (pipturus albidus). The facility will be the first of its kind in Hilo, in addition to the first public location for the company, which began in 2010. For more information, contact [email protected] and/or visit bigislandcoffeeroasters.com.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Discover December deals at one of our Hilton Grand Vacations Clubs at Waikoloa with sand-bottomed pools, waterfalls, lava-rock scenery, and a lush lawn event area. For more information and rates, visit Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings’ Land Waikoloa Deal and Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Tower Waikoloa Village Deal. A one-night deposit is required. There is a 14-day cancellation policy. Book this offer by 12/31/2022 for travel through 3/1/2023.

OTHER

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort will be home to Kohala Coast Urgent Care, located on the 6th floor and open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To learn more about the services offered at Kohala Coast Urgent care, visit https://kohalacoasturgentcare.com/areas-of-specialty or contact (808) 880-1111.