Special Programs, 81-951 Haleki`i Street, Kealakekua, Hawai`i 96750, (808) 322-1812

Special Programs
81-951 Haleki`i Street
Kealakekua, HI 96750
Telephone: (808) 322-1812
Fax: (808) 322-2635
TTY: (808) 961-8025
email: eadsp@co.hawaii.hi.us

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The Special Programs implements islandwide, state, national, and international events for Big Island individuals 55 years and older.

Throughout the year, a variety of activities are scheduled offering Big Island seniors an opportunity to participate in events of their interest, and/or choice, whether the reason may be to maintain their healthy and active lifestyle, to socialize, or just to have great fun. For whatever reason(s), the Special Program is there to coordinate activities with the "senior in heart."

Events below are categorized by Health, Sports, and Cultural Events.

To find out when a particular event is scheduled, click on the event heading and link to the Elderly Activities Division Calendar of Events page.

HEALTH EVENT:		Top of Page
West Hawai`i Senior Wellness Fair: 2010 Primetime Wellness Fair will be held on October 7, 2010, in Hilo, Hawai`i Edith Kanakaole Tennis Stadium, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Joan Kawakone, (808) 961-8726

Private businesses and government agencies congregate for a day with valuable health information, screening, exhibits, and etc. to provide seniors. Annual Heath Fair is sponsored by First Hawaiian Bank and coordinated with the Elderly Activities Division. Free to public. Wellness Fair sites rotates annually between East and West Hawai`i.

SPORT EVENTS:

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Big Island Events:

Big Island Senior Golf Tournament:
Hapuna Beach Golf Course
Canceled
Nathan Suganuma, (808) 322-1812

Open to individuals 55 years and older and a Hawai`i County resident. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis. Due to the popularity of this tournament, interested individuals are encouraged to register as soon as publicized. Fees are assessed to cover green fees, cart, luncheon, etc. Tournament is sponsored by Big Island Candies.

Picture of a woman golfer putting and two other women watching her.

Hawai`i Kupuna Softball League:
February 20, 2010
Begins for Hawai`i Kupuna Softball League Season Islandwide Parks/fields
Nathan Suganuma, League Coordinator, (808) 961-8592

Island-wide teams comprise the Hawai`i Kupuna Softball League, Teams compete against one another during the season play, then annually vie in the Hawai`i Kupuna Softball Tournament for Island Champs, best sportsmanship award, and team seedings for the Hawai`i State Senior Softball Tournament hosted annually on a rotation basis by Maui, O`ahu, Kaua`i and the Big Island.

Any individual 55 years and older, interested in playing on a senior softball team, should contact the Special Programs office at 961-8592 or 322-1812 for a referral to a team.

Team rosters are determined and submitted by the coach prior to the start of the league season.

Picture of three different softball players hitting and fielding

Hawai`i Kupuna Softball Tournament:
Old Airport Complex, Kailua-Kona
July 14-15, 2010
Nathan Suganuma, League Coordinator, (808) 961-8592

All teams in the Hawai`i Kupuna Softball League vie for the Hawai`i Island Championship and a Best Sportsmanship Title. Tournament is annually sponsored by Big Island Candies and the Waikoloa Land Company.

Senior Olympics:

2008 Senior Olympic winners - 1.2M PDF document

This event is conducted every four years and includes sporting and recreational competition in games such as: darts, bowling golf, softball throw, softball, basketball, hanafuda, mah jog, walk-a-ton, table tennis, gateball, badmington, frisbee throw, billiards, tennis and others. A special Super Senior event is also included which requires entry and completion of four pre-determined events. Medal awards are presented by event and age categories at a closing awards ceremony. Registration required and a nominal entry fee assessed per individual.

Picture of torch carrier for the Big Island Senior Olympic Torch Walk

Picture of arm wrestling combatants

Kupuna Games:

A one day event planned with a fun theme for Big Island seniors 55 years and older. Games rules are greatly revised from official rules/regulations to make it fun and enjoyable for all. Games vary every event. A few examples of games conducted were: Ground golf, frisbee toss, basketball shot, watta-gun shoot, senior center walk relay, horseshoe toss, tennis, and torpedo throws.

Registration is required with a nominal entry fee. Awards are presented for top winners, per event, per category.

State Events:

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Hawai`i State Senior Bowling Tournament:
TBA
Nathan Suganuma, (808) 322-1812

Open to individual bowlers 55 years and older, registered in one of the County of Hawai`i, Parks and Recreation Bowling Leagues. Bowler must have a 21 game average. Bowlers from the Big Island, Maui, Kaua`i and O`ahu vie for championship titles based on divisions by averages and male/female categories. The tournament is non-sanctioned (by ABC/WIBC) and is annually rotated between the host islands of O`ahu, Kaua`i and the Big Island. Registration is required with entry fees. Anticipate travel expenses when hosted by outer islands.

Hawai`i State Senior Softball Tournament:
August 4-6, 2010, Maui
Nathan Suganuma, League Coordinator, (808) 961-8592

Big Island teams win at the State Senior Softball Tournament - 780K PDF document

Players 55 years and older, actively playing with a team during the current Hawai`i Kupuna Softball League, and whose team is seeded as a result of the Hawai`i Kupuna Softball Tournament, qualifies to enter the Hawai`i State Senior Softball Tournament. Teams from O`ahu, Kaua`i, Maui and the Big Island vie for State Champs in four divisions. The Tournament annually rotates between the islands of O`ahu, Kaua`i, Maui and the Big Island. Anticipate fees and travel expenses.

Picture of three different softball players hitting and fielding

Cultural Events	Top of Page
Hawai`i Kupuna Hula Festival: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa Convention Center September 15-16, 2010, 5:30PM Craft Fair: 8:00 AM Nathan Suganuma, (808) 322-1812

Event is open to any amateur individual or group worldwide. Each participant must be 55 years or older by/on day of competition. No individual is allowed to enter without an instructor. A festival theme is announced annually, and the performing song selected must be in compliance and pre-approved for competition. All dances must be in auana (modern hula) style. Registration packet is available annually, and must be submitted by a determined deadline date. The individual competitive categories are Tutu Wahine and Tutu Kane; Group competition categories are Wahine, Kane and and Mixed divisions. A separate Overall award category is presented to the group with the highest overall total points based on the five categories. An entertaining "Fun Night" or Ho`olaule`a, is a non-competitive program normally scheduled during the first evening to allow participants, as well as, the audience to "hang loose" and have a great time. Complimenting the festival, a Craft Fair is held during the two day event at the festival site. Also, available are commemorative festival apparel designed exclusively for the event. The event is sponsored by Hawai`i County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC), First Hawaiian Bank, Kukio, Waikoloa Land Corp., Big Island Candies, and Aloha Festivals. The hula festival is annually recognized as an official event of the Aloha Festivals.

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