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TheBuzz
Erika Engle
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COURTESY HAWAIIAN WATERS ADVENTURE PARK
Island Adventure Golf at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park includes a hole featuring a surfboard hazard. The attraction opens Memorial Day weekend. CLICK FOR LARGE |
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Hawaiian Waters readies miniature golf attraction
HAWAIIAN Waters Adventure Park will open its first new attraction in two years on Memorial Day weekend.
Just under one acre, the $1 million, 18-hole Island Adventure Golf has been under construction since December. A May 25 ribbon-cutting ceremony and benefit for United Cerebral Palsy Hawaii will precede the miniature golf course's public opening the next day, said Jerry Pupillo, president of Hawaiian Waters.
So, why miniature golf at a water park?
"It's actually a perfect match," he said. "We do a great job working with families during the daytime," he said.
The mini-golf course will be open into the evenings for families, teenagers, "and young adults to have a good date spot."
The park's long-range plan is to offer more draws for residents and visitors and increase the property's revenue-generating hours.
Its 30 acres had to be rezoned from Ag-2 to commercial for miniature golf and future plans for retail, restaurant and "some very interesting nighttime entertainment opportunities," he said. The two-and-a- half-year undertaking means 6 to 7 now-fallow acres can be developed for commercial operation.
Kapolei has a 16-screen movie theater, but Pupillo said, "outside of that and a few restaurants here and there, there is not anything on a grand scale" for nightlife.
Popular nearby luaus are primarily visitor-supported, while Hawaiian Waters' customer base is 70 percent kamaaina, he said.
Pupillo and his team plan a family-style restaurant that will either be a park creation or a chain, maybe one we see in TV spots that doesn't exist in Hawaii yet, he said.
Hawaiian Waters didn't have many neighbors upon opening eight years ago, but the area's increasing population and business base "has been a great boon for our business." The park had some "lean years, but it's paying dividends now," Pupillo said.
Hawaiian Waters said its revenue has grown steadily, from $7.21 million in 2003, to $8.56 million in 2004, to $9.67 million in 2005 and $10 million in 2006, despite more than 40 consecutive days of rain.
"Last year was our best year overall. It was our best year on record revenue-wise and even bottom-line-wise," he said. This year's first quarter was the park's best ever.
Admission price increases have been made only to offset rising costs of energy, wage increases and "other escalating costs or expenses," he said.
When Island Adventure Golf opens, guests can pay a combo rate for both Hawaiian Waters and golf, or pay for either separately. Promotional partners such as Zippy's will offer discount coupons.
For kamaaina, golf-only tickets will cost $9.50 for players 12 and older and $8.00 for 3 to 11 year-olds, with replays available for $8 and $7.
Oahu's other miniature golf venues include Jungle River Mini Golf in Aiea, Bay View Golf Park's mini golf in Kaneohe, Glow Putt at Windward Mall and Minigolf2U, a portable party service.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4747, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at:
eengle@starbulletin.com