Big Island's Hapuna Golf Course soars above Mauna Kea's shadows
KAMUELA, Hawaii -- The Arnold Palmer-Ed Seay-designed Hapuna Golf Course is the perfect complement to the Mauna Kea Resort's more ballyhooed feature course on the other side of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway on the Big Island.
Sometimes overshadowed by the Robert Trent Jones-designed Mauna Kea Golf Course, Hapuna, which means "springs" in Hawaiian, opened in 1992 and has become a favorite on its own as of late. The views are arguably as good at Mauna Kea, it's a little more player friendly, and it's completely different than Mauna Kea.
At 6,875 yards, Hapuna is 400 yards shorter than Mauna Kea but very formidable in its own right. Miss the fairways here, and you'll have a hard time finding your ball. But if you drive it well, there are plenty of scoring opportunities -- unless the wind is up. In any event, it's in great shape, scenic and enjoyable and costs significantly less to play than Mauna Kea.
Hapuna Golf Course - hole 15
The views, such as this one on the 15th, are terrific at Hapuna Golf Course on the Big Island.
Courtesy of Mauna Kea Resort
Hapuna Golf Course - hole 1
The first hole at Hapuna Golf Course lets you know right away that you're in for a visual treat.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
Hapuna Golf Course - animals
Sheep and goats are part of the charm at Hapuna Golf Course on the Big Island.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
Hapuna Golf Course - hole 5
The 155-yard par 3 fifth at Hapuna Golf Course is the shortest hole on the course.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
Hapuna Golf Course - hole 6
The par-4 sixth at Hapuna Golf Course has an unusual bunker.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
Hapuna Golf Course - hole 9
The ninth at Hapuna Golf Course is a 435-yard par 4 with a pond that catches errant approach shots to the right.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
Hapuna Golf Course - hole 10
The dogleg left, 308-yard par-4 10th is drivable for big hitters.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
Hapuna Golf Course - hole 11
The par-11th at Hapuna Golf Course is a double dogleg that plays 550 yards.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
Hapuna G.C. on the Big Island
Players must avoid the lone bunker in front of the left side of the green on the par-12th at Hapuna Golf Course.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
Hapuna Golf Course - hole 33
The short par-3 13th at Hapuna Golf Course is fronted by a lake.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
Hapuna Golf Course - hole 14
The par-5 14th at Hapuna Golf Course plays uphill and to the right.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
Hapuna Golf Course - hole 16
The 16th at Hapuna Golf Course is a downhill par 3 that plays as long as 162 yards.
Courtesy of Mauna Kea Resort
Hapuna Golf Course - 18th hole
The finisher at Hapuna Golf Course is a 462-yard, dogleg-left par 4, the No. 2 handicap hole.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
(based on 8 reviews)