Duke’s OceanFest starts today

The annual Duke’s OceanFest begins today and continues next weekend in celebration of Duke Kahanamoku’s 120th birthday anniversary.

Events include:

» Today: 10 a.m. — Ho’omana opening ceremony at Hilton Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. Canoe crossing and cultural presentation presented by the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation.

» Aug. 28: 5 p.m. — Lei-draping ceremony at Duke’s Statue, Kuhio Beach. A 570-foot lei will be draped on Kahanamoku’s statue, plus a surfboard parade, cultural ceremony and special guests.

» Aug. 28: 6 p.m. — The Great Hawaiian 105 KINE Luau, Waikiki Aquarium. Tickets available online at www.hawaiian105.com.

» Aug. 28: 8 p.m. — Free movie, "The Ride," Outrigger Reef poolside. Limited seating.

Special rate offered for triathlon

Kailua-Kona » The second annual Lavaman Keauhou Triathlon returns to Keauhou Beach Resort on Aug. 29.

The two-lap course through Keauhou Resort will include a 1.5K swim, 40K bike ride and 10K run, with vantage points where spectators can cheer on the athletes.

The rate for kamaaina and their families and friends is $109 per night per room, single/double occupancy, which includes a complimentary self-service breakfast buffet each morning.

A pre-race meeting and packet pickup for triathletes are scheduled for Saturday at the resort. In addition, because the race ends at the property, finishers will have the option of heading immediately to their rooms to rest before a barbecue and concert in the resort’s Royal Garden followed by an awards ceremony.

In conjunction with the Lavaman Keauhou Triathlon, the LavaKids Aquathon, a swim and run event for kids of all ages, will take center stage Saturday at the neighboring Kahaluu Beach Park. It will include a motivational sports clinic, keiki beach dash for ages 6 and under, and an awards ceremony.

For reservations or information, call toll-free 877-532-8468 or direct 324-2515 Monday through Friday and ask for the "Lavaman Keauhou" room rate.

Website offers tips on 1-day trips

Most people in any city tend to wait until they have visitors from out of town to see the tourist attractions in their own locale.

Now there’s a website, A Day’s Outing, to help hometown tourists see the attractions nearby. The site, at www.adaysouting.com, allows you to put in your ZIP code or location and request suggestions for quick trips within a certain radius — say, 30 to 120 miles.

Of course, the website is also helpful if you are planning one-day trips from any city you might be visiting.

A list of preferences lets you specify what kind of outing you have in mind.