Great Golf for a Good Cause

Hapuna Golf Course is a favorites of both visiting and kama‘āina golfers. Designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay in 1992, it’s a “links-style,” 18-hole, Par 72 course of 6,875 yards, uniquely beautiful, with dramatic elevation changes, and ocean views from almost every hole.  It’s known as an “environmentally sensitive” course for water use, natural plant and wildlife habitats, etc. It’s also a generous community supporter, hosting golf events for local organizations.
 
One such is the upcoming tournament for North Kohala Community Resource Center (NKCRC), on Saturday, March 14. Open to everyone, play is a two-person scramble that begins with a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. Greens fees are $160 per player which includes greens fees and cart, range balls, a buffet lunch, and prizes. There’s also a Silent Auction and Lucky Number Drawings during lunch, and you can bring your non-golfing friends to lunch for only $40 per person.
 
Why this particular tourney? Well, when you go up to North Kohala (and if you haven’t you really want to plan a trip soon), NKCRC’s Welcome Center is the first thing you see as you drive into Hāwī Town. Located in a 1930’s era mom-and-pop general store, the Center offers maps, restrooms, a boutique gift shop, and plenty of local knowledge.

Inside the Welcome Center you’ll find Kohala’s story told through a series of eight large story boards of 100 words each, carefully selected by the community. These display the region’s volcanic origins, relationship to King Kamehameha I, the early missionaries, sugar cane plantation life, and its countless gifted musicians, songwriters, dancers, instrument makers and more. 

It’s also home to the offices of the nonprofit NKCRC, whose good works help about 85 projects throughout the year, with fiscal sponsorships. Their projects are wide-ranging:  after school rodeo programs for kids, school gardens and health programs, music, yoga, Hawaii Wildlife Center’s care of native birds, KNKR radio, the Kamehameha Day committee and Kamehameha Statue Maintenance, and many more. Since 2003 they have submitted over 400 proposals for projects (and the Center) and have been awarded over $6 million in grants.

North Kohala Community Resource Center is open for visitors Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday until 1 p.m., located at 55-3393 Akoni Pule Hwy, Hawi, Hawai‘i 96719. (808) 889-5523.
 
Another great reason to play in the golf tournament: fantastic prizes! In addition to the Grand Prize—a round for four at the ultra-exclusive Nanea Golf Club—there are 25 more prizes for golfers including dining gift certificates from Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, overnight stays at Turtle Bay and Waikoloa Beach Marriott, golf clubs and gift certificates from many of the Kohala Coast golf courses.
 
Please sign up for the NKCRC 2020 Golf Tournament by March 10, https://www.northkohala.org/donate/nkcrc-2020-golf-tournament/