HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I (July 8, 2026) – Twelve premier resort golf facilities across Hawai‘i have collaborated to launch Play Hawai‘i Golf, a unified initiative aimed at elevating the state’s status as a top global golf destination and supporting local communities.
This alliance seeks to enhance Hawai‘i’s appeal to golf and resort travelers, ensuring the state remains prominent in the minds of golfers worldwide. Additionally, Play Hawai‘i Golf will also be focused on philanthropy and supporting local junior golf efforts with plans to donate back to Hawaii junior golf programs.
“With more than more than 70 golf courses featuring dramatic Pacific Ocean backdrops, fairways carved through volcanic rock, and lush tropical greenery, Hawai‘i is one of the world’s top golf destinations,” said Kapalua Golf General Manager Alex Nakajima. “Recent decisions by the PGA TOUR and the state legislature could result in negative impacts on the Hawai‘i golf community and the state’s economy. Play Hawai‘i Golf was formed to promote this incredible golf destination, our courses and all the good golf does for the Aloha State.”
The founding members include Mauna Lani Golf, Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf, and Mauna Kea Golf Course on Hawai‘i Island; Po‘ipū Bay Golf Course, Princeville Makai Golf Club, and the Ocean Course at Hōkūala on Kaua‘i; Manele Golf Course on Lana‘i; Kapalua Golf, Ka‘anapali Golf Courses, and Wailea Golf Club on Maui; and Ko Olina Golf Club and Turtle Bay Golf Course on Oahu.
Play Hawai‘i Golf will be promoted through a comprehensive marketing strategy, including digital campaigns, public relations efforts, influencer partnerships, broadcast media, events, and traditional marketing channels. Play Hawai‘i Golf partners will fund initiatives through annual contributions and from allied supporting partners. The Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) is supporting the partners in 2026 by funding content capture and broadcast production for the group’s television, digital storytelling, and paid social media efforts, helping bring Hawaiʻi’s golf offerings to a national audience. HVCB’s robust support reflects a broader, strategic partnership in the years ahead.
The golf industry is a significant economic driver for Hawai‘i, contributing an estimated $3.4 billion annually to the state’s economy through direct, indirect, and induced impacts. Golf tourism and related retail spending generate over $1 billion per year, underscoring the sport’s vital role in Hawai‘i’s visitor economy. Operational spending of $393 million, encompassing facilities and capital investments, supports numerous jobs and stimulates local businesses, including suppliers, service providers, and the hospitality sector.
Beyond its economic contributions, golf offers substantial health benefits for Kama‘aina (Hawai‘i residents) and visitors. Engaging in the sport can improve cardiovascular health, enhance strength, balance, and mobility, and support cognitive function. The social and outdoor aspects of golf also contribute to improved mental well-being by reducing stress and promoting long-term mental health.
For course and tee time information, visit www.PlayHawaiiGolf.com.
About Play Hawai‘i Golf
Play Hawai‘i Golf is a collaborative initiative formed by 12 leading golf resort facilities compiling 315 holes of golf across Hawai‘i. The alliance aims to elevate Hawai‘i’s position as a premier global golf destination, support local communities through charitable efforts, and serve as the unified voice of the state’s golf industry.
