Iconic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Celebrates Grand Opening

MAUNA KEA RESORT, HI – The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel celebrated its full-fledged return to business as one of the world’s most revered resorts with its Grand Opening festivities this weekend.

The iconic Mauna Kea celebrated with themed events on Friday and Saturday featuring lavish dinners and concerts by Hawaii’s most beloved duo, Cecilio & Kapono, and the internationally acclaimed jazz-fusion artistry of Hiroshima.

Guests received special Grand Opening amenities throughout the weekend, including Nikon digital cameras, Plumeria Pendants, Hiroshima and Cecilio & Kapono music CDs, Big Island Candies, Mauna Kea Golf Club logo items, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel bags and Mauna Kea gift certificates.

Special events for the Grand Opening included two golf tournaments, a special Wine Tasting at the newly opened Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar with its state-of-the-art Enomatic wine system, a Cooking Lesson and special luncheon with Executive Chef George Gomes, Ti Leaf Lei and Skirt Making and Hula Classes, a Hawaiian Trail Hike, Mauna Kea Art Tour and Hawaiian Storytelling.

Opened in 1965 on 60 acres overlooking Kauna’oa Bay – one of Hawaii’s finest natural white sand beaches – the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is known for a remarkable sense of place that embraces without intruding on its dramatic natural surroundings. In 2007, the American Institute of Architects recognized the hotel as one of the 150 best works of architecture nationwide.

Reservations can be arranged through a preferred travel planner or by calling Prince Resorts Hawaii’s Luxury Desk toll-free at 1-866-977-4589. For the latest updates and information, please visit www.maunakeabeachhotel.com.

ICI Homes wins Major Awards during Flagler County Parade of Homes,
Including One for Energy Efficiency

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – ICI Homes, which ranks as one of the most active home builders in Florida, won three major awards—including one for energy efficiency—during the recent Flagler County Parade of Homes, sponsored by the Flagler Home Builders Association.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing at ICI Homes, said The Emerald luxury model home at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club in Ormond Beach won the Paradeís Grand Award for energy-efficient design.

“ICI Homes has focused on new technology to make homes energy efficient, secure and environmentally safe,” Messina said. The Emerald was designed and built to ICI’s green energy-efficient EFACTOR ® standard.

“We were delighted at the recognition for the Emerald model home. Interest in energy-efficient design is increasing every day,” she said.

The two-story, Emerald model luxury home also won an Award of Excellence for overall design and construction, Messina said. The Emerald offers 4,938 square feet of living area, three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, and features a great room and den, chefís kitchen, outdoor storage, three-car garage plus golf cart garage.

The Westminster model home, located at 316 Westhampton Drive in Palm Coast, also won a Grand Award. The one-story home offers five bedrooms with bonus room, two-car garage and has over 2,849 square feet of luxury living space.

CHAMP™ Spikes urges everyone to
‘Think Pink’ in ‘09

CHAMP™ Spikes today announced plans to continue its highly successful Pink on the Links™ program for 2009, and additionally increasing player participation around the world via the international tours.

CHAMP created Pink on the Links™ in 2007 as a way to raise funds for breast cancer research and honour mothers the world over. The Tour’s No.1 spike brand donated money to the American Cancer Society on behalf of PGA and LPGA Tour players that wore CHAMP’s commemorative pink and white spikes during Mother’s Day weekend tournaments.

Last year the Pink on the Links™ program expanded to the Champions, European PGA, European Ladies, and Duramed Futures Tours. The Presidents Cup captain was among 50 players at the 2008 Players Championship who dared to sport a set of pink spikes, showing that they really are mummy’s boys after all!