http://www.koolina.com RSS feeds for Koolina.com 60 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/154/news-tickets-on-sale-now-for-2nd-annual-hawaii-food-wine-festival#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=154 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=154&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/154/news-tickets-on-sale-now-for-2nd-annual-hawaii-food-wine-festival Tickets ON SALE now for 2nd Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival! Media Contact: Chimaine Pouteau, chimaine@gmail.com, Honolulu, HI (April 24, 2012) Hawaii Food & Wine Festival tickets are now on sale for the Second Annual Hawaii Food & Wine (HFWF) Festival being held September 6 - 9, 2012. Purchase Ticket(s) Now Featuring over 50 master chefs and legendary vintners, the four-day event on Oahu will be hosted at numerous venues, including The MODERN Honolulu, Halekulani, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, and Ko Olina Resort with Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, and JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa. Tickets start at $200 per person for our signature events and can be purchased online at hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com.   Special travel packages will be available for purchase exclusively through ClassicVacation.com. Top chefs from the United States, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Australia, and the Philippines have been invited to create innovative dishes in their own culinary and cultural traditions using produce and products from our Hawaiian Islands.  Food lovers will experience a plethora of epicurean delights, including exciting cooking demos, wine tastings with top sommeliers, culinary workshops, industry seminars and field excursions during our daytime events, plus signature dining experiences over four nights, which include:   Thursday, September 6, 2012 – Hawaiian Airlines presents “Enter the MODERN Dragon: Morimoto and Friends” at the MODERN Honolulu Building on Hawaii’s unique location where East meets West, and once again led by “Iron Chef” Masaharu Morimoto of Morimoto Waikiki, guests will savor provocative dishes prepared by twelve of the most esteemed international chefs from Asia and the Pacific.  Other participating chefs include Marco Anzani, Anzani, Cebu City, Philippines; Joanne Chang, Flour Bakery + Cafe, Myers + Chang, Boston; Chai Chaowasaree, Chai’s Island Bistro, Honolulu; Roy Choi, Kogi BBQ, Los Angeles; Peter Doyle, est. restaurant, Sydney; Edward Kwon, LAB XXIV, Seoul; Sam Leong, Forest Cooking School, Singapore; Charles Phan, The Slanted Door, San Francisco; Ming Tsai, Blue Ginger, Wellesley, MA; Sang Yoon, Lukshon, Culver City; and Scott Toner, The MODERN Honolulu. The event runs from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Tickets start at $200 per person.    Friday, September 7, 2012 – “Second Annual Halekulani Master Chefs Gala Series: Chefs Who Have Cooked for Presidents and Royalty” at Halekulani Master chefs and top sommeliers will create an evening of sheer elegance and fine dining, with a lavish seven-course meal and extraordinary wine pairings.  The chefs featured include Vikram Garg, Halekulani, Honolulu; Hubert Keller, Fleur de Lys, San Francisco; Nobu Matsuhisa, Nobu, Waikiki; François Payard, Payard, New York; Michel Richard, Michel Richard Citronelle, Central Michel Richard, Washington, D.C.; Tetsuya Wakuda, Tetsuya, Sydney; and Alan Wong, Alan Wong’s, Hawaii.  The event runs from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.  Tickets for reserved seating start at $1,000 per person.   Saturday, September 8, 2012 – “From Farm to Table: A Makahiki Festival” at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort More than twenty of our celebrity chefs will pay tribute to the Hawaiian “Makahiki” festival, or harvest season.  Many of our chefs selected for this event are well-known for promoting “farm to table” sourcing and will showcase their interpretation of Hawaii’s sustainable future through their culinary creations.   The world-renowned chefs include David Burke, Townhouse, PRIMEHOUSE, New York; Josef Centeno, Bäco Mercat, Los Angeles; Josiah Citrin, Melisse, Santa Monica; Todd English, Olives, Todd English Enterprises, New York; Josh Feathers, Blackberry Farm, Tennessee; Susan Feniger, Border Grill, Los Angeles; Hiroshi Fukui, Hiroshi Eurasian Tapas, Honolulu; Michael Ginor, Hudson Valley Foie Gras & Lola, New York; Robert Irvine, The Food Network’s “Restaurant: Impossible;” Michelle Karr-Ueoka, Alan Wong’s, Hawaii; Ed Kenney, Town, Honolulu; Jon Matsubara, Azure, Honolulu; Mark Noguchi, He`eia Kea General Store & Deli, Honolulu; Ken Oringer, Clio, Boston; Justin Quek, Sky on 57, Singapore, Justin’s Signatures, Just In Bistro & Wine Bar, Taipei; Yasuhiro Sasajima, Il Ghiottone, Kyoto; Ron Siegel, Parallel 37, San Francisco; Nancy Silverton, Mozza, Los Angeles; Jeffrey Vigilla, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu; Jonathan Waxman, Barbuto, New York; Lee Anne Wong, Cooking Channel’s “Unique Eats,” New York; and Toshi Yoroizuka, Toshi Yoroizuka, Tokyo. The event runs from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. on the Great Lawn of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Tickets start at $200 per person.    Sunday, September 9, 2012 – “Cuisines of the Stars: A Magical Journey of Food & Culture” at Ko Olina Resort with Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa Our finale will feature thirteen world-renowned chefs who will create a culinary tour of ethnic foods from around the world at the lagoons under the stars.  Participating chefs include Patrick Callarec, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina; Celestino Drago, Drago Restaurant Group, Los Angeles; Patrick Fahy, Cafe des Architectes, Chicago; Dean Fearing, Fearing’s, Dallas; Scott Higa, JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, Ko Olina; Mourad Lahlou, Aziza, San Francisco; Jacqueline Lau, Roy’s Restaurant’s, Hawaii; Raphael Lunetta, JiRaffe, Santa Monica; George Mavrothalassitis, Chef Mavro, Honolulu; Seamus Mullen, Tertulia, New York; Susan Spicer, Bayona, Mondo, New Orleans; Andrew Sutton, Napa Rose, Anaheim; and Marcel Vigneron, Marcelʼs Quantum Kitchen, Modern Global Tasting, Los Angeles.  The event runs from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Ko Olina Resort lagoons fronting Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa.  Tickets start at $200 per person. About the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival For more information, please visit www.hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com.  Twitter: @HIFoodWineFest. Purchase Tickets Now Jschuman Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:154 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/153/news-peter-merriman-forms-company-for-his-ko-olina-restaurant#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=153 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=153&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/153/news-peter-merriman-forms-company-for-his-ko-olina-restaurant News:Peter Merriman forms company for his Ko Olina restaurant Source: Pacific Business News Peter Merriman has formed a management company called MPK Management Co. LLC that will hold the liquor license for Monkeypod Kitchen’s new Ko Olina location opening this fall, according to a spokeswoman for the chef. This will be the second Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman location in Hawaii. The first opened at the Wailea Resort on Maui in February 2011. The 10,000-square-foot Oahu restaurant, to be located in a two–story building at the Ko Olina Resort, will include an exhibition kitchen, a bar with 36 craft beers and a stage for live music. Handcrafted Restaurants LLC is the parent company of the Monkeypod Kitchen restaurant and is a partnership between Merriman and restaurateur Bill Terry. Jschuman Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:25:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:153 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/152/news-munoz-miyazato-share-top-spot#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=152 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=152&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/152/news-munoz-miyazato-share-top-spot Windy Ko Olina fazes neither as they blister the course and hold a two-shot lead By Paul Arnett  Source: Star Advertiser Azahara Munoz and Ai Miyazato didn’t let the Ko Olina wind get into their heads during Thursday’s second round of the LPGA Lotte Championship. THE LEADERS After the second round Thursday at Ko Olina Golf Club: Ai Miyazato 71-65—136 Azahara Munoz 72-64—136 Jimin Kang 72-66—138 Cristie Kerr 70-68—138 Meena Lee 74-65—139 Suzann Pettersen 70-69—139 Brittany Lang 69-70—139 Paula Creamer 73-67—140 Inbee Park 70-70—140 Jiyai Shin 69-71—140 Angela Stanford 69-71—140 Haeji Kang 74-67—141 Brittany Lincicome 70-71—141 Morgan Pressel 72-69—141 So Yeon Ryu 71-70—141 Elisa Serramia 70-71—141 Yani Tseng 69-72—141 Munoz carded a 64 that included holing her second shot from 102 yards for an eagle at the par-4 sixth and Miyazato joined her at 8-under 136 with a stellar 65 that left them atop the leaderboard entering today’s third round.  Read More Jschuman Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:49:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:152 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/151/news-home-in-1#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=151 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=151&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/151/news-home-in-1 Moms on the pro golfing tour must manage career and kin without breaking their back 9. By Nancy Arcayna  Source: Star Advertiser Working moms everywhere face the challenge of holding down a job while dealing with kids who crave attention, mounds of dirty laundry and a long household "to do" list, but when you're a touring golf pro, life can be even more complicated. "Being a mom is my first and primary job. After I do my mommy duties, it's all about managing time," said Ashli Bunch, who's playing in the LPGA's Lotte Championship at Ko Olina Golf Club this week. Read More Jschuman Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:45:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:151 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/150/news-its-homecoming-weekend-for-hawaiis-homegrown-lpga-players#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=150 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=150&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/150/news-its-homecoming-weekend-for-hawaiis-homegrown-lpga-players News: It is Homecoming weekend for Hawaii's homegrown LPGA Players – Michelle Wie, Ayaka Kaneko And Stephanie Kono! Posted on April 18, 2012 by Chad Pata | Home- Midweek Cover Story Source: Midweek This Weekend’s Lotte Championship Is A Chance To Enjoy Local Foods And Friends. For Fans, It’s A Chance To See Them Up Close. Says Wie: ‘I Hope A Lot Of People Come Out, Have Fun And Get Rowdy!’ Hawaii’s homegrown LPGA players – Ayaka Kaneko, Stephanie Kono and Michelle Wie – are here Wednesday through Saturday, and fans are expected to flock to Ko Olina to see them compete in the LOTTE Championship! Read More on how these three players picked up the game and the life lessons that came along with it! Jschuman Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:33:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:150 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/149/news-lulu-leewards-culinary-arts-gala#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=149 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=149&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/149/news-lulu-leewards-culinary-arts-gala News: L'ulu: Leewards Culinary Arts Gala L’ulu, Leeward Culinary Arts Gala is an opportunity to invest in educational opportunities for Hawai‘i’s culinary students. This social event of the Leeward side brings together the leaders of Hawai‘i’s Regional Cuisine in support of Leeward Community College’s Culinary Arts Program. Guests indulge their senses with the delectable cuisines of Hawai‘i’s finest chefs alongside the Culinary Arts Program’s instructors and students. Exceptional entertainment and a silent auction, complimented by an array of wines, beers, spirits, and specialty coffees and teas complete the festive atmosphere and extraordinary ambiance of dining amid the Culinary Arts Program’s new dining and kitchen facilities.  Thirteen chefs (Alan Wong, Patrick Callarec, Jon Matsubara, Chai Chaowasaree, D.K. Kodama, Mark Noguchi, Scott Higa, Mark Freiburg, Dean Okimoto, Roy Yamaguchi, Ian Riseley, Ed Kenney, Russell Siu) will partner with farmers, ranchers, and aquaculturists to feature a locally grown or produced food item in their menu offering. Join the chefs as they continue to link agriculture with the restaurant industry and strive to provide diners with products that are fresh, local and as diverse as our islands themselves.  When:  Saturday, May 5, 2012, 6:00pm-9:00pm Where: Leeward Community College General Admission: $100 through April 30, 2012 $125 from May 1, 2012  For general information/sponsorship opportunities contact:  Fabi Castellano: p: 455-0300 e: fabiola@hawaii.edu  Tommylynn Benavente: p: 455-0298 e: tlbenave@hawaii.edu  Jschuman Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:38:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:149 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/148/news-top-women-golfers-tee-off-at-ko-olina#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=148 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=148&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/148/news-top-women-golfers-tee-off-at-ko-olina Top Women Golfers Tee off at Ko Olina! Written by Stacey Yuen Hernandez On April 17,2012 Source: Hawaii Business A field of 144 top women golfers are in town this week to compete for a $1.7 million purse at the LPGA Lotte Championship at Ko Olina, April 18-21. It is one of five new tournaments announced as part of the LPGA’s 2012 schedule. The LPGA has come to the Ko Olina Golf Club previously on nine occasions between 1990-1995 and 2006-2008. Paula Creamer is the most recent champion, defeating Jeong Jang by one stroke in 2008. Both will be returning to the course this week, along with Hawaii’s own Michelle Wie. “We have a fantastic field,” says Jon Podany, LPGA’s chief marketing officer. “We’ll have 97 of the top 100 players from last year’s money list.” Lotte is recognized as one of the most active golf sponsors of Korea, has achieved successful marketing in asia through the Lotte Mart KLPGA Open. Lotte's sponsership of the LPGA mark the company's first foray into global sports sponsorship out of Asia. Lotte entered the food business in 1967 as Lotte Confectionery & Ice Cream Korea. Today it is Korea’s 5th largest business group, embracing a variety of industries including food and beverage, QSR, retail channels, tourism and hospitality, chemical, construction, manufacturing, finance and service. Read More Jschuman Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:148 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/147/news-paula-creamer-headlines-a-golf-clinic-at-ko-olina#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=147 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=147&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/147/news-paula-creamer-headlines-a-golf-clinic-at-ko-olina Paula Creamer headlines a golf clinic at Ko Olina By Ann Miller , POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Apr 17, 2012 Source: Star Advertiser Another week, even another year and it might have just been Stephanie Kono and Mariel Galdiano banging balls on the Ko Olina Golf Club driving range. Another episode of Hawaii's "All My Gifted Golfing Children" at work. But Monday they were there with Paula Creamer, the world's 10th-ranked golfer. It was a women's clinic and some 400 women, children and dads registered, stopped, looked and listened. Read More Jschuman Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:147 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/146/news-disney-plans-untitled-family-adventure-movie-set-in-hawaii#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=146 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=146&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/146/news-disney-plans-untitled-family-adventure-movie-set-in-hawaii Screenwriter Joe Gazzam, whose credits include "21 Jump Street," has been hired to write a family adventure film for Disney that will be set in Hawaii. News Staff Admin Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:146 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/145/for-immediate-release-fore-at-jw-marriott-ihilani-resort-spa-at-ko-olina#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=145 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=145&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/145/for-immediate-release-fore-at-jw-marriott-ihilani-resort-spa-at-ko-olina FORE! AT JW MARRIOTT IHILANI RESORT & SPA AT KO OLINA Luxury Accommodations Starting at $399 for the LPGA LOTTE Championship, April 18‐21 Download PDF Ko Olina, Oahu, HI; (April 12, 2012) – After a two-year absence, championship golf returns to the premier  Ko Olina Resort next week with the top 25 players on the LPGA’s money list participating in the LPGA’s LOTTE Championship. And a stay at the luxurious JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina is the best way to catch all the action! “We are thrilled and excited to have the LPGA Tour return here again at Ko Olina Golf Club,” said Paul Toner, general manager of JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina. “The field of players looks incredible. Golf fans will be able to see the best of the best in action in a beautiful setting.” From April 18-21, a field of 144 players will tee up for the inaugural LPGA LOTTE Championship at the 6,519 yard, par 72 Ko Olina Golf Club. Among those expecting to compete for a share of the $1.7 million purse are top players Yani Tseng, Paula Creamer, Suzann Pettersen, Ai Miyazawa, Cristie Kerr, Karrie Webb and Hawaii’s own Michelle Wie. Golf enthusiasts planning to catch the highly anticipated event will find convenience in staying at the AAA Four Diamond oceanfront resort, located just a few minutes away via a courtesy shuttle to the golf course. For the LOTTE Championship event, room rates begin at $399 per night and are subject to availability. For more information or reservations, please visit www.ihilani.com To attend the LPGA LOTTE Championship Presented by J Golf, prices are $10 for daily tickets and $25 for a season badge good for admission throughout the week. Tickets are available for purchase at the Ko Olina Golf Club Main Gate. Children under 16 years old are free when accompanied by a paid adult. For more information, visit Ko Olina Golf Read More News Staff Admin Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:46:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:145 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/143/enter-to-win-2012-lpga-lotte-championship-tickets#Comments 4 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=143 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=143&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/143/enter-to-win-2012-lpga-lotte-championship-tickets Sign-up to Koolina.com & Enter to Win a pair of LPGA LOTTE Championship Tickets! We will be offering 2 tickets to 10 winners each day for the next 5 days! Contest Dates: April 11th-15th, 2012. 2012 LPGA LOTTE Championship: April 18th-21st, 2012 HOW DO I WIN? 1. Register to become a New Member OR Sign In to your “My Ko Olina” account. 2. Once you're successfully logged in to My Ko Olina 3. Post in the Status Box: “ I WANT TO WIN LPGA LOTTE CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS!” NOTE: Each day 10 winners will be chosen (FROM April 11-15, 2012), Contestants will be contacted from their contact information given in your profile. Upon acceptance of our Terms & Conditions, tickets will be available for pick up (Will Call) at The Ko Olina Visitor and Sales Center (located at Ko Olina Station) from Monday, April 16 through Tuesday, April 17, 2012 TERMS & CONDITIONS 1. Participants and winner(s) must be legal U.S. residents, and at least 18-years old. Only one entry member, per day of the contest. Competition will be held from April 11th-15th, 2012. 2. All information detailing how to enter this competition forms part of these terms and conditions. It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the competitor agrees to abide by these rules. The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Submission of an entry will be taken to mean acceptance of these terms and conditions. 3. The winner will be notified within 24 hours of each closing date of the competition and will then be contact through contact information provided from members profile information posted on “My Ko Olina”. 4. A total 50 members will win 2 LPGA LOTTE Championship tickets. The prize(s) that may be awarded to the eligible winner(s) are not transferable, redeemable for cash or exchangeable for any other prize. If a winner cannot be contacted or is disqualified for any reason, The Resort Group reserves the right to determine an alternate winner or not to award that winner’s prize, in its sole discretion. 5.Tickets need to be picked prior to the event, before April 18th, 2012. Ko Olina Visitor + Sales Center 92-1048 Olani St. 3-101B Ko Olina, HI 96707 Daily Office Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm 6. “NO SHOW” POLICY: If you accept free tickets and do not pick up your tickets at Will Call, you will not be eligible to receive free tickets from us for one year.  Jschuman Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:49:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:143 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/141/news-family-style-dinner-for-disney-vacation-club-members-aulani-a-disney-resort-and-spa#Comments 2 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=141 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=141&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/141/news-family-style-dinner-for-disney-vacation-club-members-aulani-a-disney-resort-and-spa News: Family Style Dinner for Disney Vacation Club Members- Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa source: Disney Parks Blog Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai'i Enjoy an exclusive Family Style Dinner prepared for Disney Vacation Club Members! After a leisurely day at the beach or exploring the island, come back to the villas at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa and find supper hot and ready. Choose from four different meals that serve up to four diners with an entree, side dishes, a salad, and a dessert! Order before noon and have it delivered that same evening between the hours of 5 and 10 p.m. source: Read More News Staff Admin Thu, 05 Apr 2012 01:07:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:141 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/140/news-capturing-the-menehune-mischief-aulani-a-disney-resort-and-spa#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=140 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=140&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/140/news-capturing-the-menehune-mischief-aulani-a-disney-resort-and-spa News: Capturing the Menehune Mischief -Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa source: Disney Parks Blog Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai'i Follow Paul Hiffmeyer, Chief Photographer for Public Relations, Disneyland Resort, as he seeks out to photograph as many Menehune as he can find. "According to Hawaiian legend, the little Menehune (men-neh-HOO-nay) are shy folk who come out mostly at night. They are said to be gifted, possibly magical, craftspeople and if you come across a work-in-progress bridge or canoe (as you just might, when visiting Aulani), chances are it’s the work of the Menehune." source: Read More News Staff Admin Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:140 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/139/news-the-lpga-feels-at-home-in-hawaii#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=139 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=139&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/139/news-the-lpga-feels-at-home-in-hawaii source: Staradvertiser.com; By Ann Miller; POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Apr 01, 2012 As commissioner of a truly global tour, Michael Whan says it just makes sense to have an event (or two) in the islands ANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. » If you are an LPGA fan — and Michael Whan is passionate about his golf tour — it has become easy to believe that good things come in threes. The LPGA is returning to Hawaii for this month's (April 18-21) LPGA Lotte Championship at Ko Olina the same year Stephanie Kono and Ayaka Kaneko join Michelle Wie on tour. It is the most compelling presence Hawaii has had on tour. It comes as Whan, who became the LPGA's eighth commissioner two years ago, is beginning to heal some of the scars left from his predecessor. Carolyn Bivens is best remembered as the commissioner who unilaterally imposed media restrictions, demanding story and photo rights for the LPGA. It caused a media boycott at the 2006 Fields Open in Hawaii — Wie's first home tournament as a 16-year-old pro. Bivens also joyfully announced the LPGA's Korean rights TV deal with J Golf —at the SBS Open at Turtle Bay. SBS held the rights at the time. Whan could not have come to Hawaii fast enough. A 25-year LPGA presence was extinguished when SBS left, after Angela Stanford overtook Wie in the final round in 2009. Now, Whan gives three reasons the LPGA is back: » Time zone: "Hawaii is great for a truly global tour. We are a tour with players from around the world, sponsors from around the world and certainly fans from around the world. I think it's really cool we're going to finish on a Saturday, which is Sunday in Korea, which is important to our title sponsor and important for all our TV partners around the world." » Ambience: "Our sponsors and clients love going to Hawaii. Who wouldn't? It's a great way to celebrate your partnership." » History: "There is a base there for us. Hawaii has been good to us for a lot of years. We've got, obviously, a superstar player born and raised in Hawaii. That's good for us." Because returning to Hawaii "just seemed to make sense on a lot of fronts," Whan said the tour was actively seeking a return when he came in. "It was a place we wanted to go back to, like Kingsmill and Toledo," he recalled. "These are places the LPGA should play. We were probably actively pursuing sponsors for Hawaii in at least three different countries." Then Lotte, Korea's fifth-largest business conglomerate, came to the LPGA with plans for its first global sports sponsorship outside Asia. It had a nudge from J Golf, which is the tournament's presenting sponsor. A $1.7 million tournament, with a three-year contract, was Whan's if he wanted it. "They said we know you have interest in Hawaii," Whan said. "We've got some ideas; can we sit down and talk? Once it got to that stage it came together pretty fast. It probably took us four months between first conversation and last." It was announced in January, which gives organizers less than four months to put it together. But when they build it, LPGA players will come. At the last full-field event, 49 of the top 50 showed. Hall of Famer Juli Inkster, the only one missing, was following in the gallery while she healed from elbow surgery. Inkster, 51, remains one of the tour's most recognizable names. It is a truly global tour now. There are 128 active international players from 27 countries — 42 from South Korea —and many are in their 20s. "If people in Hawaii come to the event thinking Olympics and not LPGA it will be more of a fit," Whan said. "My point is, if you're expecting the 1972 LPGA to come, we don't look like that, we don't act like that, we don't play like that." There will be TV cameras from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Canada, France and the United States at Ko Olina. Whan can call his players the best in the world without reservation. "In a lot of sports, the best in the world compete against each other every once in a while," he said. "We compete against each other every week. The best 50 in the world come together and tee it up. It's truly a global event." Whan said he "realized pretty quick" that if he failed at this job he would "limit opportunities for young girls to play the game of their life." TV viewership was up 40 percent last year and "we added four or five new corporate sponsors in the last 30 days. We haven't added four or five in the last three years." The tour is making The Evian its fifth major next year. Whan has announced five new tournaments for this year — four in North America — and expects one more before it is all over. He is talking to sponsors about a second Hawaii event, which makes sense with all the infrastructure that must be brought in for one event. "In a perfect world, we'd play back-to-back and it would be fantastic," Whan said. "Or island-hop to the next one. But I don't think it's life-or-death, it's not required. I'm pretty sure Lotte, with a $1.7 million purse and TV air in more than 100 countries … I'll take that. That's a pretty good opportunity for us." It is a wonderful opportunity for Kono, Kaneko and Wie, and for Hawaii to watch them after a long absence. Yani Tseng, the world's best player, also confirmed she will be here. Wie, stuck in an agonizing slump, might be happiest of all. "I haven't been back at Ko Olina since I don't remember when," said Wie, who used to practice there. "I just want to be home again." Whan, 47, has children around Wie's age. He, as much as probably anyone outside the Wie family, would love for her to have a breakout performance and return to the form that has taken her to three top-three finishes in Hawaii. Wie in contention is a force of marketing nature. "When I look at Michelle I think, I hope, she's just relaxed and has fun. I want her to enjoy this …," Whan said. "Don't grind out your first full-time year as a professional golfer. The rest of the world would love to change places with you, so stop and enjoy it. "I've watched Michelle my last two years. Before a late pro-am and during a rain delay she's always got a book out, headset in the corner, a highlighter. She looks like I looked when I was 22. Imagine being whatever she was — 14th best player in the world and 18 credit hours at Stanford. I can't imagine either one. I certainly can't imagine both together. "I hope she has some time to really enjoy the incredible things she's done at this stage and I hope she smiles her way around 2012. I think if she can get back to just being able to focus on golf, no one, no matter how cynical you want to be, can doubt her upside. She is so extremely talented that I think it's just a matter of time for Michelle and who cares how long it takes? "At her age … as I always say, tell me how many golfers have had their best golf before they were 22? You got to look pretty hard to find one, even one. Everybody plays their best golf after 22. So if her best golf is still to come, that's pretty cool for golf fans." News Staff Admin Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:41:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:139 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/138/video-imagineer-joe-rohde-shares-a-story-of-the-menehune-at-aulani-a-disney-resort-spa#Comments 0 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=504&ArticleID=138 http://www.koolina.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=138&PortalID=1&TabID=104 http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/id/138/video-imagineer-joe-rohde-shares-a-story-of-the-menehune-at-aulani-a-disney-resort-spa Story of the Menehune at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa source: disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog Sometimes I think Imagineer Joe Rohde is a bit like the Menehune – I sense his influence peeking out of countless nooks and crannies around Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Read More News Staff Admin Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:58:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:138