'Gold Rush' at Hilton

The San Francisco 49ers "Gold Rush" cheerleaders will be making appearances from 2 to 4 p.m. daily through Thursday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Tropics Bar and Beach Cafe on Oahu.

They'll be autographing photos and calendars for guests while staying at the Hilton to shoot their 2004 swimsuit calendar. Photos are free, and 2003 calendars and a special edition DVD package are $5.

Tropics guests can enjoy themed treats such as Gold Rush chicken nuggets for $8.75, Golden Gate calamari for $9.25 and "Gold Rush" brew at $4.50.

The cheerleaders also will perform a practice session from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday on the outdoor Village Green adjacent to the hotel's main lobby.

Swingin' Maui

Duffers who want to improve their game off the greens might sign up for the new "Fit for Golf" class being offered by The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua.

The program was created by the resort's fitness consultant Claudia Micco, who noticed an increasing number of pros hitting the weight room and working out as part of their training regimen during the PGA Tour's Mercedes Championships held at the hotel each January.

Micco said the program targets specific muscle groups, such as the lower back, abdominals, wrists, elbows and knees, to benefit a golfer's swing.

For instance, lower back and midsection strength are essential for a good golf swing, which requires twisting and bending. Class exercises integrate physical movements to strengthen the midsection, combined with controlled breathing and mental training to increase awareness of the spinal column and improved posture.

"Fit for Golf" is just one of 20 classes offered by The Fitness Center at the Ritz-Carlton. Others range from Hula-robics to NIA, or mind-body aerobics.

For more information, call the resort at (808) 669-6200 or toll-free at 1-800-262-8440.

Lanai's family lodging

The Lodge at Koele and the Manele Bay Hotel on Lanai are making it easier for families to vacation at home this summer with special room rates offered in The Summer Family Values Package, good through Sept. 30.

The package features buy-one-get-one-free room rates, with free meals for children 11 and under off keiki menus.

The following room rates are available, combined with a free second room in the same category: At the Lodge at Koele, $499 for Garden Koele and $659 for Koele Deluxe, and at the Manele Bay Hotel, $499 for Garden Manele, $559 for Partial Ocean View and $659 for Ocean View.

Rates are based on maximum occupancy of two adults and two children; a third person charge is $75. Rates are not applicable to groups and cannot be combined with other offers.

For reservations and information, visit islandoflanai.com or call 800-321-4666.

Welcome home soldier

Waikiki's Sheraton Princess Ka'iulani hotel is honoring military personnel with a special room rate to welcome home soldiers deployed overseas. All military families will receive a room rate of just $50 per room, per night at the hotel.

For room reservations, call 921-4630 and ask for the "MILTSPCL" (Military Special) rate, which is based on double occupancy. Guests must present a valid military I.D. upon check-in. This special offer is valid through July 31.

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