POIPU — Arahbella Kobayashi had to be taken off the course Sunday. The young girl took a liking to the colorful golf balls being handled by the field of 56 registered golfers at the Miniature Golf Tournament and latched onto
POIPU — Arahbella Kobayashi had to be taken off the course Sunday.
The young girl took a liking to the colorful golf balls being handled by the field of 56 registered golfers at the Miniature Golf Tournament and latched onto two dark green ones — one in each hand.
“She couldn’t finish the course,” said her mother. “Now, she won’t let go of them.”
The golf tournament, hosted by the Lawai Beach Resort, provided an opportunity for young golfers up to 13 years old a chance to complete the rooftop layout. Each golfer was provided with a prize package containing schools supplies and a free lunch. Additional prizes included six backpacks filled with more school supplies.
“I have four grandchildren with me,” said Cindy Friesen of California. “Two of them are out on the course, and two of them are snorkeling. When the snorkeling cousins see what the golfers got, they’re going to wish they had come here.”
The miniature golf tournament, hosted for the seventh year by the Lawai Beach Resort, is part of the week-long Koloa Plantation Days which will culminate Saturday and Sunday with the big parade and hoolaulea through Koloa town.
“We’ve been here several times, but have always missed the Koloa Plantation Days events,” Friesen said. “This is the first time we’ve been able to connect and this golf tournament is the first event we’ve done. We’re going to plan on attending the craft fair Tuesday at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, and possibly take in the parade and the other big craft fair.”
Following several aces and encounters with the water hazard on the No. 11 hole, golfers returned to exchange their golfing equipment for the package of school supplies, losing little time to initiate the new notebooks with the mechanical pencils and crayons.
“This is really good,” said Vicky Weis of Arizona whose daughter Jenna won one of the backpack prizes. “Jenna never expected to win this, but it’s good because her school discontinued lockers last year and now, she can use the backpack to carry around her supply of school things.”
For Arahbella, her grip on the golf balls loosened and she finally let go as Alison Shaffer, Noe Hookano and Patsy Shaffer started serving up the lunch of hot dogs, chips and juice.
Koloa Plantation Days celebrations continue with the View Kaneiolouma event today starting at 9 a.m. at the turnoff to Poipu Beach; the missionary legacy, talk story and walking tour of Koloa Union Church starting at 4 p.m.; and the Plantation Days exhibit and historic film night starting at 6 p.m. at The Shops at Kukuiula. All of these events are free.
Tuesday events include the Makawehi Sand Dune Hike starting at 8 a.m., meeting at the Grand Hyatt Kauai; the Koloa Plantation Days craft fair at the Grand Hyatt Kauai from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and the Polynesian Revue and Fire Dancer show starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Poipu Shopping Village. All of the Tuesday events are free.
