NEWS BRIEFS

• UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE DISPOSAL CLOSES HIGHWAY – Highway 190 was closed between the 2 and 3 mile marker from 11 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in order to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move an unexploded ordnance to a safe area for disposal. The disposal was scheduled for 2 p.m. A civil defense message stated emergency crews would be on the scene to oversee the process.

Civil Defense message issued on Tuesday

• WAIKOLOA BEACH RESORT “ON THE RISE” – The Waikoloa Beach Resort was recently ranked number 8 on the list of Top 10 U.S. Destinations “On the Rise” as compiled by the influential travel site, TripAdvisor.com. It is the only resort destination in Hawaii on the list.

TripAdvisor determines the list by measuring year-over-year increases in a resort destination’s popularity based on positive reviews by users of accommodations, restaurants and attractions.

“This is great news for us,” said Scott Head, Vice President of Resort Operations. “We have made a concerted effort over the past several years to make Waikoloa Beach Resort an inviting place where guests can come, relax with their families, and enjoy the great dining, culture and entertainment that Hawai‘i has to offer, all in one place. Being on this list tells us we’re providing what our guests desire.”

More than 30 dining options are found at the 1,350-acre beachfront resort, along with two shopping centers, a variety of time share accommodations, resort hotels, two golf courses, and regular entertainment that ranges from hula troupes to local musicians to lei making lessons.

Among the “Don’t Miss” attractions cited by TripAdvisor are the Dolphin Quest experience at Hilton Waikoloa Village where guests can sign up to swim with the beloved dolphins; Genesis Gallery in Queens’ MarketPlace, which was described by one reviewer as, “A beautiful gallery full of all things Hawaiian;” and Lava Lava Beach Club, which a reviewer said was, “A fantastic experience! The cottages themselves are fantastic, the outdoor shower is an unbelievable way to start your day!”

“We pride ourselves on being a resort that has something new to offer every time a guest comes to visit,” said Head. “Keeping it fresh and always improving what we have to offer is paramount in our efforts. It is very gratifying to see that what we are doing is being noticed in the reviews on TripAdvisor.” The destinations named on the list (in order) were: Wildwood, N.J. followed by second-ranked Nags Head, N. Carolina, Prescott, Arizona, Telluride, Colo., fifth-ranked Pompano Beach, Fla., Traverse City, Mich., No. 7 Avalon, Calif., Waikoloa, Knoxville, Tenn., and 10th-ranked Gulf Shores, Ala.

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Waikoloa Beach Resort is a complete destination resort that encompasses two championship golf courses and over 3,000 guest rooms in two upscale hotels, and seven luxury condominiums and vacation home properties. The Resort also includes award-winning Queens’ MarketPlace and Kings’ Shops, offering a wide variety of shopping opportunities, services and dining experiences, plus free entertainment and cultural programs. For more information visit www.WaikoloaBeachResort.com or call (808) 886-8822.Waikoloa Beach Resort media release

• SANTA CLAUS COMING TO QUEENS MARKETPLACE – Santa Claus will visit Queens’ MarketPlace in Waikoloa Beach Resort, December 19-23, and welcomes keiki, 5-8 p.m. nightly at the Gingerbread House (bring your own camera). Organizers say there will also be free holiday concerts on Saturday, December 20. Sasha Knowles Dance Studio, “Nutcracker…With a Twist,” will be featured at 1 p.m. and Grammy-winning Honoka’a High School Jazz Band under the direction of Gary Washburn goes on at 6 p.m.

“Nobody is busier this time of year than Santa Claus, and we are really honored and happy that he chose to spend some time with us at Queens’ MarketPlace,” said Scott Head, Vice President of Resort Operatiions. “And I know he’s looking forward to seeing all the keiki and their families before the big day.”

Queens’ MarketPlace traditionally provides complimentary festivities as part of their holiday spirit, a way to give back to the island community and to welcome seasonal visitors. This year’s schedule includes Santa’s visit and free dance and music concerts in the Coronation Pavilion, starting with the Hilo High School Band on Friday, December 12 at 7:10 p.m.

Then, on Saturday, December 20 at 1 p.m., Sasha Knowles Dance Studio presents “Nutcracker…With a Twist,” a fun new take on the classic Tchaikovsky ballet. Sharing her philosophy that every dancer is a star, students from age three and up will magically become the famous fighting mice and soldiers, jazzy sugar plum fairies and more.

Later Saturday evening, at 6 p.m., the Coronation Pavilion will host a free concert by Grammy-winningHonoka’a High School Jazz Band under the direction of noted music educator Gary Washburn. For over 30 years Washburn has helped thousands of young musicians—many of whom move into the professional level—find and develop their talent with the music they are passionate about, rock & roll, contemporary Hawaiian, Jazz and more.

The public is invited to join in the events at Queens’ MarketPlace, and to visit Santa for a bring-your-own-camera photo opportunity, with best wishes for Happy Holidays.Since it opened in 2007, Queens’ MarketPlace in Waikoloa Beach Resort has earned a reputation among visitors and kama‘āina as “the gathering place of the Kohala Coast,” full of shopping opportunities, services and great food, along with entertainment and arts programs, movies under the stars and large-scale concerts in Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens. For more information, visit www.QueensMarketPlace.net or call 886-8822.Waikoloa Beach Resort media release

Photo courtesy Queens’ MarketPlace