Cheering on World’s Best Athletes in Ford Ironman Championship

For the past six years, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa associates have participated in the Ford Ironman World Championship. On October 9th, volunteers comprised of hotel associates and guests hosted an aid station on Queen Kaahumanu Highway near the resort for a portion of the biking leg of the triathlon. Each year 1,800 triathletes are invited to compete in 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking and a 26.2 mile marathon run along the sunny Kohala and Kona coast of the Big Island.

The day before the event, we helped by filling water and Cola into sanitized plastic bottles, unscrewing the tops of the Gatorade bottles and its inner seal as well as cutting oranges into wedges and power bars in half. On the day of the event we passed out these prepped items to the bikers as they passed through our site.

Here’s Allan Bala and Herminigildo Rafol ready to pass out power bars. Herminigildo (right) participated as an athlete at this event it 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008!

Here are volunteers Nikkole Shafer, Kelly Alonzo and Lanakila Graves.

It was a fun day for all and it sure is exciting!

Hawaii Islands Hotels: Choose Your Level of Refinement

Hawaii islands hotels come in all shapes and sizes. The scale of the luxury is up to you. You'll find Hawaii resort hotels that specialize in every refinement of luxury, or more bare boned family deals. Research the possibilities. The elegance of your tropical vacation comes down to where you spend it. If you want one that caters to the very best, seek only the finest in luxury and class.

The Kalapaki Beach club, for instance, features a 26,000 square foot pool, the largest pool in Hawaii. It also features five restaurants appealing to any palate in the family. Next to the hotel is the Jack Nicklaus 27-hole championship golf course, one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. Luxury is available for the asking. Set your standards, and expect the very best.