Is Thirteen a Lucky number for Dolphins?

By Madelyn Miller

Everyone loves Dolphins. They are certainly something to celebrate. And every year, the Hilton Waikoloa Village finds fascinating new ways to celebrate everyone's favorite mammal.

I have done this festival three times and each time I think to myself , "I wish I could do this every year."

Last year a friend I was traveling with fell in love with one of the band members at the After Party. Not only are dolphins smart, but they promote romance. Actually the whole event is promoting very worthy cause, The Hawaii Shriners Hospital for Children and the Pacific Marine Life Foundation.

Dolphin Days Summer Fest at Hilton Waikoloa Village heads into its 13th year
Four-day festival benefits Hawaii Shriners Hospital for Children and the Pacific Marine Life Foundation

The 13th Annual Dolphin Days Summer Fest returns to Hilton Waikoloa Village June 14 through June 17, 2007. Guests at this remarkable festival experience creative Hawaiian cuisine, dolphin encounters, jazz all-stars, benefit auctions, golf and tennis tournaments and the grand finale - The Great Waikoloa Food, Wine & Music Festival held under the stars. Dolphin Days Summer Fest benefits the Hawaii Shriners Hospital for Children and the Pacific Marine Life Foundation. Over the past twelve years, Hilton Waikoloa Village has donated over $500,000 to these two highly deserving charities.

THE 13th ANNIVERSARY DOLPHIN DAYS LINEUP

Mahalo Party & Blessing
Thursday, June 14: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Experience a traditional Hawaiian blessing to commence the start of Dolphin Days. Then Bravo Network's "Top Chef" finalists Marcel Vigneron and Elia Aboumrad showcase their culinary talents in Water's Edge Ballroom along with specialty tastings from Hilton Waikoloa Village chefs, tropical martinis, a silent auction and live entertainment.  The cost is $85 per person.

Also celebrate the release of the latest edition of the "Thirty Four Chefs" cookbook, featuring the chefs of Dolphin Days.

Radio Remote Broadcast
Friday, June 15: 6 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Stop by Water's Edge Ballroom and meet tennis and golf professionals, jazz entertainers, representatives of Hawaii Shriners Hospital for Children, Dolphin Quest personnel, and Big Island radio personalities broadcasting live. Complimentary.

2nd Annual "Adopt a Rubber Dolphin Race"
Friday, June 15: 1 p.m.
Adopt a rubber dolphin and watch it race along the waterslides and gentle river current in the Kohala River Pool. Great prizes! The cost is $5 per dolphin or five for $20.

Dolphin Program
Friday, June 15: 5 p.m.
Set your beach towel on the oceanfront lawn and watch playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins perform a special 30-minute program at the Dolphin Quest Learning Lagoon. Dolphin Quest, who independently owns and manages dolphin programs at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, is world renowned for its dolphin research and education with interactive sessions for children, adults and families. Special guests at this event include Big Island children serviced by Hawaii Shriners Hospital. Complimentary.
Hot Rocks Luau at Volcano Bar
Friday, June 15: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday's celebration continues into the evening with the exclusive Hot Rocks Luau on the Palace Lawn. Make sure to catch the ceremonial removal of the pig from the imu (underground oven). Tihati Production's Polynesian drummers, dancers, and chanters will create an array of high-energy entertainment. Feast upon a bountiful buffet of traditional luau-style Hawaiian foods and sip on exotic tropical drinks from the Volcano Bar. Don't forget to check out the benefit silent auction with items from sports memorabilia to vacation packages. The cost is $85 per adult and $42 per child (5-12 years of age). The price includes buffet dinner, two drinks, and entertainment.

Chef & Winemaker Dinner
Friday, June 15: 6 p.m.
Dine at Donatoni's and discover an exquisite evening featuring "Top Chef" finalist Marcel Vigneron and wines from Cordorniu Napa, Domaine Napa and Ridgeline Vineyards.

Dolphin Days Golf Tournament
Saturday, June 16: 7:30 a.m.
Dolphin Days goes full swing on Saturday at Waikoloa Kings' Course. Golfers will be greeted with a continental breakfast and gift bag before beginning their 18-hole scramble. Enjoy a post-tournament lunch with great prizes. The cost is $150 per person.

Dolphin Days Grand Prix Tennis Tournament
Saturday, June 16 & Sunday, June 17: 8 a.m.
Kohala Tennis presents the Dolphin Days two-day tennis tournament. Saturday and Sunday men's and women's tournaments invite all-comers at 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and Open skill levels. All ages are welcome.

Dolphin Program
Saturday, June 16: 1:15 p.m.
Set your beach towel on the oceanfront lawn and watch playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins perform a special 20-minute program at the Dolphin Quest Learning Lagoon. Dolphin Quest, who independently owns and manages dolphin programs at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, is world renowned for its dolphin research and education with interactive sessions for children, adults and families. Complimentary.

The Great Waikoloa Food, Wine & Music Festival
Saturday, June 16: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Dolphin Days culminates with its signature event - The Great Waikoloa Food, Wine & Music Festival, held under the stars on the Palace Lawn. Over two dozen of Hawaii's most talented chefs will prepare culinary specialties, paired with a wide selection of fine wines, boutique brews and spirits.

World-class jazz entertainers keep the audience on their feet with headliners Deniece Williams and Kenny Rankin as lead vocalists and Paul Jackson Jr. on lead guitar. Several more talented musicians include Michael Paulo, saxophone; Clifford Coulter and Kiki Ebsen, keyboards/vocals; Pauline Wilson-McClees and Margo LeDuc, vocals; Mitchell Sanchez, percussion; Andrew Ford, bass; and Greg Karukas, keyboards. While enjoying the best smooth jazz under the Hawaiian skies, partygoers will be able to stroll through the benefit silent auction to bid on vacation packages, sports memorabilia, fine art pieces, and much more! A dazzling fireworks display will punctuate the close of the 13th Anniversary Dolphin Days Summer Fest.

The cost is $125 per adult April 1 – June 10, 2007, and $150 per adult June 11 – June 17, 2007. Tickets are $75 per child (5-12 years of age).

The After Party Jam Session at Malolo Lounge
Saturday, June 16: 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
The food and wine fest celebration continues well into the night at Malolo Lounge adjacent to the Main Lobby. The After Party is great way to wrap up "the party of the year," gather with friends, enjoy tropical drinks, and dance the night away with live entertainment.

To purchase tickets call restaurant reservations at 808-886-1234, extension 54. Tickets will also be available online at www.dolphindays.com on April 18, 2007, and on May 15th, 2007 tickets will be available at Mele Kai Music, Kona Brewing Company, Kona Wine Market, Kohala Essence in the Main Lobby of Hilton Waikoloa Village, and Waikoloa Village Market. Tickets to the Chef & Winemaker Dinner on Friday, June 15 will only be available through Hilton Waikoloa Village restaurant reservations.

Be sure to check out the Platinum Pass which is $420 per person and includes the following:
• A 10% discount on Dolphin Days retail items
• One ticket to the Mahalo Party on Thursday evening
• Preferred seating at the Dolphin Quest Learning Lagoon Dolphin Program on Friday
• One ticket and preferred seating for the Hot Rocks Luau at the Volcano Bar Friday night
• Priority admittance to the Great Waikoloa Food, Wine and Music Festival on Saturday
• A photo and autograph session with the jazz all-star band after Saturday night's performance

There is also a special Keiki Platinum Pass for children ages 5-12 for $275 per child. There are two options.

Option One includes the following:
• A 10% discount on Dolphin Days retail items
• One dolphin plush toy
• Three nights of a children's turn-down amenity
• One admittance to Twilight Adventure Camp with Dolphin Quest, 4:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., on Thursday evening
• Preferred seating at the Dolphin Quest Learning Lagoon Dolphin Program on Friday
• One ticket and preferred seating for the Hot Rocks Luau at the Volcano Bar Friday night
• The special children's program Saturday evening 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at Camp Menehune

Option Two includes the following:
• A 10% discount on Dolphin Days retail items
• One dolphin plush toy
• Three nights of a children's turn-down amenity
• One admittance to Camp Menehune,  5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., on Thursday evening
• Preferred seating at the Dolphin Quest Learning Lagoon Dolphin Program on Friday
• One ticket and preferred seating for the Hot Rocks Luau at the Volcano Bar Friday night
• One ticket and priority admittance to the Great Waikoloa Food, Wine and Music Festival on Saturday evening

The Dolphin Days Summer Fest event benefits the Hawaii Shriners Hospital for Children and the Pacific Marine Life Foundation. Hawaii Shriners Hospital touches more than 21,000 children from the Hawaiian Islands and the entire Pacific Basin. Keiki have received quality orthopedic care at no cost through Hawaii Shriners Hospital since 1923. This year the funds raised for Hawaii Shriners Hospital for Children will contribute to their exciting Capital Campaign, which has the vision of a new world-class hospital on Oahu with state-of-the-art medical services.   For more information visit www.shrinershq.org.

Pacific Marine Life Foundation is a nonprofit organization created out of concern for the pressures on wild dolphins, whales and their fragile marine ecosystems with a mission to work for real solutions by supporting marine education, conservation and research. For more information visit www.pmlf.org.

Over 2,000 guests attend the four-day event and nearly 500 individuals, team members, and businesses donate merchandise and services each year.  Please contact Bambi Lau at 808-886-1234, extension 2605 to join the fun and volunteer.

For more information visit www.dolphindays.com.

BEST WAY TO GET TO HAWAII

ATA
1-800-IFLYATA or 1-800-435-9282.
Click, Pick and Save at www.ata.com

BEST WAY TO GET BETWEEN ISLANDS

go! operates 60 flights a day from its Honolulu hub to Lihue, Kahului, Kona, and Hilo.
www.iflygo.com
toll free 1-888-IFLYGO2.

WHERE TO STAY

HILTON WAIKOLOA VILLAGE
Hilton Waikoloa Village
425 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa, HI 96738
Phone: 808.886.2860
Fax: 808.886.2901
www.hilton.com

Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort
78-6740 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hi 96740
(808)322-3441
www.outrigger.com

Kanloua condo
78-261 Manukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Ph: 808-322-9625
www.outrigger.com 

MADELYN'S FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

Fujimamas-Japanese fusion      
WWW.fujimamas.com

Imari Japanese Restaurant
Hilton Waikoloa Village
425 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa, HI 96738
Phone: 808.886.2860
Fax: 808.886.2901

Best Buffet and Brunch

Kamaaina Terrace Restaurant
Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort
78-6740 Alii Drive , Kailua-Kona, Hi 96740
(808)322-3441
www.outrigger.com

HOW TO FIND THE BEST BARGAINS ON THE BIG ISLAND

Entertainment 07
Save enough to pay for your airfare in this booklet that covers all of Hawaii
www.entertainment.com
1-888-231-7283 (Save)

BEST CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE

Kona Chocolate Festival
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/November06/3714ChocolateNewYear.htm

BEST COFFEE EXPERIENCE

Kona Coffee Festival. first week in November

BEST SPAS

Kohala Spa
Hilton Waikoloa Village
425 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa, HI 96738
Phone: 808.886.2860
Fax: 808.886.2901
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/January07/3693MORNINGMASSAGE.htm

http://www.travellady.com/articles/article-spas-waikoloa.html

Kalona Spa
Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort
78-6740 Alii Drive 
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
Phone: 808-322-9373
keauhou@kalonaspa.com
www.kalonaspa.com 

GREAT GUIDEBOOKS

HIDDEN BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII
Big Island of Hawaii
Ulysses Press
www.ulyssespress.com

LAND OF FIRE AND ICE
THE BIG ISLAND
By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi
Photos by Philip Rosenberg
Island Heritage Publishing

Hawaii  
True Stories of the Island Spirit
Traveler's Tales Guides
Edited by Rick and Marcie Carroll
(read this one before you go)Lonely

Maverick Guide to Hawaii
By Robert W. Bone

Hidden Hawaii
Ray Riegert
UlyssesPress
www.ulyssespress.com

Lonely Planet Hawaii
By Ned Friary & Glenda Bendure
5th edition
624 pages + 16 full-color pages
69 maps (5 in full-color)
ISBN 0 86450 092 1
$19.95,

INSIGHT GUIDE TO HAWAII

Gayot Guide to Hawaii

HAWAII HANDBOOK
By J.D. Bisignani
Moon Publications

Hawaii Travel Smart
Greg Ambrose
John Muir Publications

GET THE TASTE OF HAWAII

TASTING PARADISE
By Karen Bacon
Restaurants and Recipes of the Hawaiian Islands
Coastal Impressions Press

The Hali'imalile General Store Cookbook
Home Cooking from Maui
Beverly Gannon with Bonnie Friedman
Ten Speed Press
www.tenspeed.com
Author Bev Gannon was one of the original gang of chefs who started offering Hawaiian Regional Cuisine

Madelyn Miller is a food and travel writer who loves Hawaii. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com , www.teaAtlas.com, www.carladynews.com