PWF Golf Tournament at Mākena to Benefit Paniaka Wetland

The Pacific Whale Foundation hosts the Paniaka Restoration Golf Tournament at Mākena Golf & Beach Club on Sunday, Aug. 20.

Paniaka. PC: courtesy Pacific Whale Foundation/ Paniaka Restoration Golf Tournament/ Mākena Golf & Beach Club

The event will benefit the restoration of Paniaka Wetland, an important ecological and cultural site in Mākena State Park. The scramble tournament is limited to 72 golfers (18 teams of 4) and only 11 spots remain.

Wetlands in south Maui historically served an important ecological and cultural role. Today, Paniaka and its environs at the south end of Big Beach have been colonized by non-native and invasive plant species, which are not only altering the physical landscape and natural ecosystem, but also restricting the growth of native plants. In addition, predators introduced into the area are hindering the recovery of endangered birds and sea turtles.

The Paniaka Restoration Golf Tournament will help raise the necessary funds to restore native flora and fauna within and around Paniaka, which includes removing alien vegetation, trapping and removing predators, installing a predator fence, and conserving the area once restored. Pacific Whale Foundation is leading the Paniaka Restoration Project in partnership with Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Oneloa Coalition, a group of community organizations and local residents dedicated to preserving Mākena State Park.

Mākena Golf & Beach Club. PC: courtesy Pacific Whale Foundation/ Paniaka Restoration Golf Tournament/ Mākena Golf & Beach Club

Mākena Golf & Beach Club offers a sea-to-mountain golf experience. The 18-hole course traverses rugged backcountry along the leeward slopes of Haleakalā and reaches elevations of 450 feet above sea level. The course was fully renovated by Dennis Wise in 2015 and highlights the terrain’s natural beauty, revealing spectacular ocean views of Molokini crater and the neighboring islands of Kahoʻolawe and Lānaʻi.

It’s a truly spectacular setting for the Paniaka Restoration Golf Tournament and registration is now open for 4-person teams. The $350 per player fee includes:

• ‘Grab and go’ breakfast, snacks and access to the Comfort Station
• Lunch and beverages at the Clubhouse
• Live music by multiple Grammy Award-winning and master slack key guitarist George Kahumoku, Jr.
• Hole in One Prizes (including $15,000 cash to be split 50/50 between player and Paniaka Restoration Project, a 7-day Caribbean cruise for 2, round-trip tickets for 2 on American Airlines, and an iPad)
• Valuable prizes from our sponsors including a 2-night stay at the Grand Wailea
• PacWhale Sunset Sail for the winning team and their guests
• Souvenir team photo
• Optional tour of the Paniaka Wetland site with Pacific Whale Foundation naturalists following the tournament

Paniaka Restoration Golf Tournament Schedule

• 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Registration, Welcome & Breakfast
• 8:30 a.m. Shotgun Start
• 1 to 2:30 p.m. Luncheon with Live Music and Prizes
• 3 p.m. Optional Tour of Paniaka at Big Beach