New Activity Provides Lower Elevation Stargazing For Families and Groups on Hawaii Island by Julie Ziemelis, Creator of “365 Things to Do in Kona” and 365Kona.com

Kailua Kona- In keeping with Hawaii Island’s new slogan, “The Island of Endless Adventure”, Makani Golf Club (formerly Big Island Country Club) is launching a new evening activity to include stargazing, StarDomes and glow golf. Guests will be able to enjoy the uninterrupted celestial view from the golf course while playing glow golf and relaxing near fire pits. New to the Big Island, StarDomes, which are enclosed “bubble tents” allowing for environmental comfort while providing guests a fun and relaxing view to the show overhead, are part of the fun.

Unlike a stargazing experience atop Mauna Kea, guests to Makani Golf Club can bring their children safely, lessen travel distance and drive time, and avoid extremely cold temperatures and wind, altitude sickness and other health concerns. The evening golf component allows players to use glowing LED golf balls on a short course with illuminated putting flag sticks and putting holes.

“We are inviting tour companies on Hawaii Island to offer this new tour activity to guests who are searching for another avenue to stargazing on the island. Why drive all the way up to Mauna Kea when visitors can enjoy a sweeping view of the cosmos right at Makani while avoiding the altitude, cars zipping by next to the highway, cold, and crowds?” stated Creighton Aotani, Makani Golf Club Project Manager.

Tours will be offered through well-known local tour companies. A list of approved tour operators will be available on the Makani Golf Club website at www.makanigolfclub.com.Other attractions at the course are bird watching, as Makani hosts one of the largest flocks of indigenous Nene geese in Hawaii, trail run events and destination weddings.
Famed golf architect Perry Dye designed Makani Golf Club, formerly the Big Island Country Club. With five sets of tee boxes, the par 72 course is challenging but enjoyable for novice or expert players. Situated on the lower slopes of Mauna Kea volcano, the course offers golfers a cool climate with sweeping vistas of the ocean and neighboring mountains.