Sheraton Princess Kaiulani will be welcoming 2008 Olympic decathlon gold medalist and Hawaii’s very own hero Bryan Clay for a wellness program event. This is a free event on Thursday, July 8, 2010 from 12 – 1 p.m. in the hotel’s ‘Ainahau Lobby.
Besides sharing his story of his journey to win the gold medal in men’s decathlon in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Clay will also be teaching exercises and sharing knowledge about health, fitness, and nutrition as a part of Sheraton Princess Kaiulani’s Cultural Experience program. “We here at Sheraton Princess Kaiulani pride ourselves in sharing local culture with guests from all over the world,” said Fred Orr, the hotel’s general manager. “Having Bryan Clay come is a huge honor because he is such a great role model for our kids and such an inspiration for all.”
Born in Austin, Texas and raised in Hawaii, Bryan Clay competed in track and field at James B. Castle High School and later Azusa Pacific University in California. After meeting Chris Huffins, the 2000 Sydney Olympic decathlon bronze medalist at a track clinic, Clay trained hard in the decathlon, a sport event that consists of 10 individual track and field events that tests an individual’s athleticism to the fullest. Clay’s hard work paid off as he went on to win numerous events, most notably the Olympic silver medal in men’s decathlon in the 2004 Athens Olympics and later the Olympic gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Clay has also won the title “The World’s Greatest Athlete.”
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani has invited Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu matches and welcomes the public to attend the event. Validated parking is available. For more information, please call (808) 922-5811.
Published by Bruce Fisher
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
June 28th, 2010
The center display aisle of my supermarket is hidden from view by a large black drape with a sign "employees only." But I know what it conceals — fireworks! Huge, enormous piles of fireworks go on sale tomorrow.
July 4 is one of three holidays traditionally celebrated with fireworks in Hawaii. While there are professional displays in most areas of the islands, people really enjoy setting off their own. Lines form before the grocery store opens; customers wait with the permits that will allow them to purchase baskets full of fire-power. Sometimes the neighborhood celebrations are so intense that residents complain of diminished air quality from the explosions.
However, this could be the last big blow-out for individual pyrotechnics. The state legislature recently passed a law that would allow individual counties to restrict or ban fireworks. (The islands of Oahu, Hawaii and Kauai are each counties. Kauai also includes Niihau and two small, uninhabited islands. Maui County includes that island as well as Lanai and most of Molokai.) This Independence Day is unaffected but it is possible that fireworks sales for next New Year’s could be restricted.
The restriction on fireworks for either New Year’s Day or the Lunar (Chinese) New Year celebrations has a different impact from July fourth. The celebration of the independence of the United States is a governmental holiday that marks an historical event and inspires pride of citizenship. Many communities put on professional displays, along with parades, picnics and other civic activities. But fireworks on either or both of the new year’s celebrations are supposed to drive out bad luck and clear the path for prosperity in the new year. It’s a more personal response that might not be satisfied with a communal display.
I understand concerns about personal safety, air quality and NOISE! I won’t be surprised to see some limits on either amount, power or time that fireworks are permitted. But I predict unhappy residents if personal use of fireworks is banned all together.
Related post:
Boxing Day is a Blast
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
Published by Bruce Fisher
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
June 28th, 2010
