MEDIA RELEASE

The County of Hawai‘i ‘s Department of Parks and Recreation is pleased to introduce its new West Hawai‘i Golf Subsidy Program.

The county’s golf subsidy program was established as an alternative to building and operating a municipal golf course at Kealakehe, North Kona, in September 2006. The County wanted to provide the subsidy to West Hawai‘i residents because the only municipal golf course on the island is in East Hawai‘i.

Subsidized rates under the current program, offered only at Makalei and Waikoloa Villages Golf Courses, will no longer be available after June 30 when the new program takes effect.

Golfers will need a punch card to play under the new program. Starting Monday, June 29, the County will begin issuing punch cards to Hawai‘i County residents (established by Hawai‘i state driver’s license, state identification card or other suitable proof of County of Hawai‘i residency), which may be redeemed for $10 off the normal resident golf rate at any participating golf course.

Six courses will be participating in the new golf subsidy program: Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Kona Country Club, Mauna Lani Golf, Waikoloa Beach/Kings’ Courses, Waikoloa Village Golf Course and Waimea Country Club.

West Hawai‘i Golf Subsidy Program punch cards will be available at the Waimea County Council Office (across from the Police Station) at 64-1067 Māmalahoa Hwy, Suite C-5, Kamuela, Hawai‘i 96743 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at the West Hawai‘i Mayor’s Office at 75-5722 Hanama Place, Suite 102, Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call Robert Fitzgerald, Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, 961-8311.