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[ ISLAND HOPPING ]

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Big Island celebration

Hawaii's Big Island Festival 2003 begins Wednesday, with a cultural, culinary and spa events continuing through Nov. 9.

Among the events is a grand spa tour Nov. 6 that begins with a yoga/stretch class at the Festival Pavilion at Mauna Lani Resort conducted by Spa Without Walls of the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii. Guests then select one of two itineraries:

One group visits the Hawaiian Rainforest Salon and Spa at Waikoloa Beach Marriott in the morning for a sampling of its hot lava stone massage treatment, chair massages and a gift pack, and Kohala Sports Club and Spa at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in the afternoon for a sampling of products and talk on wellness and stress management.

The other group visits Mauna Lani Spa at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows in the morning for a "Fire and Ice" lava sauna followed by aquatic bodywork, plus a special gift; the Paul Brown Salon and Spa at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel for chair massages and aromatherapy treatments; and The Salon at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in the afternoon for "Light and Life" massage and spa therapy, including a sampling of Thai neck and shoulder massage, aromatherapy facial, reflexology and paraffin wax treatment.

Both groups will enjoy a healthy picnic lunch between spa visits.

The cost for all this pampering is $75. For more information, call (808) 934-9044 or visit www.BigIslandFestival.com. Admission to the Festival Pavilion Friday and Saturday is free, with craft and culinary demonstrations all day.

Fest brews in Kona

It's one festival after another for the Big Isle, with the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival set to open Friday, with Kona Coffee Living History Farm Tours daily from Nov. 10 through 14, and the big Kona Coffee Grand Parade taking place Nov. 15. Visit www.konacoffeefest.com for more information.