From mauka to makai, golf courses occupy some of Hawaii’s most scenic real estate. Not into the game? Not a problem. Here’s how you can enjoy the views without picking up a club.
SUNRISE YOGA
Princeville Makai Golf Club, Kauai
808-826-1863; makaigolf.com/promotions
Contrary to the name, the sun won’t be rising while you’re honing your practice at Hole 7’s tee box at the Princeville Makai Golf Course. You will, however, be immersed in the coolness and gentle light of early morning, with the ocean, mountains and soaring seabirds providing a spectacular backdrop. Offered from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, this yoga class is suitable for all levels of experience. Cost is $20.
DISC GOLF
Princeville Makai Golf Club, Kauai
808-826-1863; makaigolf.com/discgolf
A fun combination of Frisbee and golf, this game is played on a nine- or 18-hole course. From the tees, a player throws a disc toward the targets; different discs are used depending on how far they need to go. The targets are essentially metal chains in the shape of baskets.
Players finish a hole when their disc lands in the target. The number of throws taken is counted (akin to strokes in golf), with the goal being to complete the course with the least throws.
The 18-hole championship Princeville Mauka Disc Golf Course was built on the existing nine-hole Woods Course. Each “ball golf” hole on the course has two “disc golf” holes. All players move in the same sequence, meaning disc golfers and ball golfers can play the course at the same time.
Tee times are available daily between 7 a.m. and sunset. Per-person green fees are $25 walking, $45 with a cart and $60 for an unlimited day pass with a cart. Kamaaina receive a $5 discount.
SUNSET GOLF CART TOURS
Princeville Makai Golf Club, Kauai
808-826-1863; makaigolf.com/sunsetcarttour
In the late afternoon, when golfers are wrapping up play on the back nine or returning to the clubhouse, you’ll be heading out to the course, sans clubs, for this activity.
The 90-minute guided tour makes five stops on the Princeville Makai Golf Course that reveal magnificent sights such as Queen’s Bath, Kilauea Lighthouse, Anini reef, Hanalei Bay and Lumahai, Haena, Anini and Waikoko beaches.
Cost is $79 per cart (one or two people); kamaaina receive a $10 discount. Minimum age is 6, and reservations must be made for groups of 10 or more.
Wailea Golf Club, Maui
808-879-2530; waileagolf.com
During the self-guided 60- to 75-minute tour, you’ll linger at some of Wailea Resort’s best vantage points. Marvel at Maui panoramas encompassing Haleakala volcano, 180-degree ocean views and the neighboring islands of Lanai, Molokini and Kahoolawe.
Minimum age is 5. Prices range from $30 (no beverage), $56 (with beer) and $72 (with wine) for one, to $98, $138 and $178, respectively, for four. Friends and families can request a four-seat golf cart.
Reservations required. Escorted tours can be booked for an additional $100 with 24-hours notice.
MAUI FILM FESTIVAL
Wailea Golf Club, Maui
808-579-9244; mauifilmfestival.com
This is a must for movie buffs! One highlight is the Celestial Cinema — an outdoor “theater” with a 50-foot-wide, 22-foot high screen on the driving range of the Gold and Emerald courses. Some four dozen shorts and feature-length films from around the world are shown there over five days.
More than 16,000 people are expected to attend next year’s 21st annual event, from June 17 to 21. In addition to the alfresco screenings, the festival will again feature culinary events and opportunities to mingle with top filmmakers and A-list stars. Past guests have included Clint Eastwood, Pierce Brosnan, Woody Harrelson, Lupita Nyong’o, Jessica Chastain and Viola Davis. Details, including the film lineup and admission prices, will be announced in the spring.
FOOTGOLF
Ka‘anapali Golf Courses, Maui
808-661-3691; kaanapaligolfcourses.com
Like soccer? Like golf? With FootGolf, you can play both at the same time! Each hole is assigned a “par,” and players “tee off” with a soccer ball, kicking it toward the 21-inch “holes,” which are cut into the rough.
Play unlimited nine-hole FootGolf on the Ka‘anapali Kai Course from 4 to 6 p.m. daily. Reservations recommended. Cost is $15; $5 more to rent a ball and $15 more for a two-seat cart. A monthly pass for unlimited games is $79.
The Ka‘anapali Kai and Royal Ka‘anapali courses are also available for private functions such as weddings, dinners, concerts, birthday parties and team-building events. Contact Director of Golf Sutee Nitakorn at 808-281-5856 or snitakorn@kaanapaligolfcourses.com.
WEDDINGS AND PRIVATE DINNERS
Mauna Kea Resort, Hawaii island
808-882-7222; maunakearesort.com
For romantic dinners and intimate weddings, few venues match the splendor of Mauna Kea Golf Course’s Hole 3. It sits high on a lava bluff amid coconut palms and manicured fairways and boasts a backdrop of undulating blue surf and brilliant sunsets.
Prices begin at $1,000 for the setup fee and venue rental and $180 per person for a gourmet four-course meal; think Kona crab-crusted kampachi with ulu (breadfruit) hash and poha berry hollandaise, and white chocolate mousse with passion fruit sauce.
A floral arrangement and bottle of house sparkling, red or white wine are provided; extras such as live music, a hula performance and custom decorations can be arranged for additional fees.
Sweethearts can exchange vows at the site in the presence of up to 50 guests. Wedding packages — including a conch shell blower, wedding cake with fresh flowers and more — start at $6,500.
MAKALI‘I: THE CELESTIAL JOURNEY
Makani Golf Club, Hawaii island
808-644-1264; oahientertainment.com
First, you’ll enjoy a mai tai, live music, hula and a bountiful buffet, including poke, kalua pig, lomi salmon, grilled fresh catch, poi, sweet potato haupia bars and other local favorites. After the sun sets, embark on a journey with the fire goddess Pele and the shark god Kamohoali‘i as they navigate by the stars to reach the islands of Tahiti, Samoa and New Zealand before making Hawaii island their home. The adventure is chronicled through songs, dances and legends.
This brand-new luau will debut with limited seating on Dec. 19 and Jan. 2; its official grand opening will be Jan. 23. Thereafter, it will be offered every other Thursday on the north chipping green.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the show starts an hour later. Prices are $199 for adults and $119 for ages 5 through 12. Kamaaina rates — $169 and $102, respectively — are available for phone reservations.
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu- based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.
