9th Annual Mai Tai World Championship Scheduled

The Royal Kona Resort announces the upcoming celebration of the ninth annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival on Aug. 19, 2017.

The festival will host the world’s top bartenders as they compete for the title of Mai Tai World Champion and a $10,000 grand prize.

The Royal Kona Resort overlooks Kailua Bay on the Big Island. Its annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival is open to the public and boasts a range of family-friendly activities and entertainment, including:

• A Mai Tai Marketplace featuring crafts and island treats from local artisans and merchants (11:a.m. to 4 p.m.).
• A Battle of the BBQ, serving Hawai‘i’s best barbecue (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
• A Pool Party with live Hawaiian music (2:30 to 4 p.m.).

The main event, the Mai Tai Mix-off, will start at 4:30 p.m., when bartenders from all over the world will vie for the title of Mai Tai World Champion.

The winner receives $10,000. Second place and third place finishers receive $5,000 and $2,500 respectively.

Attendees are encouraged to cheer on the mixologists whose creations are judged on taste, creativity and name.

The 2016 Festival crowned Art Deakins of Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu, HI the winner of the $10,000 first place prize and title of “World’s Best Mai Tai.” Tim Rita of the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nev. placed second and Kevin Beary of the Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago, Ill. placed third.

Reigning Mai Tai World Champion Art Deakins will defend his title on Aug. 19.

For more information, go online.

About Royal Kona Resort
Located on the Island of Hawai‘i’s scenic lava-lined coast, the Royal Kona Resort is an oceanfront landmark in the heart of Kailua-Kona. The resort is centrally situated near renowned Ali‘i Drive and a variety of restaurants, shops, historical sites and activities. The newly renovated Ali‘i, Lagoon and Bay Towers offer spacious guestrooms with sweeping views of the ocean and mountain skylines. Home of the World’s Best Mai Tai, the resort also features a private saltwater swimming lagoon and world-class tennis courts that accommodate guests day or night. For more information on the Royal Kona Resort, visit www.royalkona.com.

About Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts
As pioneers in Hawaii tourism, Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts is a hospitality management group with a growing portfolio of properties totaling over 1,200 rooms. Born out of hotel ownership, Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts has a unique understanding of the Hawai‘i market, offering Hawaii hotel owners measureable results in profitability and guest satisfaction, and unparalleled management experience. For more information, visit www.hawaiihotels.com.