Media

June 8, 2009

ALL NEW WET 'N' WILD HAWAII CELEBRATES SPIRIT OF 'OHANA THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH 'KONISHIKI KIDS'

West Oahu's Largest Fourth of July Fireworks Display; Live Entertainment, During 2nd Annual 'Ohana Day

Kapolei, HI, June 8, 2009 – Thousands of children from the Konishiki Kids Foundation, founded by one of the world's most prestigious professional sumo wrestlers from Nanakuli, will celebrate this July 4th with live music, games and fireworks at Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii.

Saleva'a Atisanoe, better known as Konishiki Yasokichi or Simply Sale, holds true to his foundation's mission on July 4th to provide economically-challenged children the opportunity to experience a fuller life outside their communities. The Konishiki Kids Foundation will host various interactive activities from 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. that includes watermelon and hot dog eating contests, dance and photo contests. Winners may receive prizes including ukuleles, video game consoles or flat-screen televisions.

Special discounted tickets are currently on sale at all Oahu 7-Eleven stores for just $25.00 or $26.00 online. Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii guests can also purchase tickets the day of the event. Regular admission ranges from $29.99 – $39.99.

Annual pass holders will be required to purchase tickets for the event as a portion of the day's admission will benefit the Konishiki Kids Foundation.

"I was blessed as a local boy to become a professional sumo wrestler in Japan and experience life outside from where I grew up. For the past 13 years, our foundation continues to give back to the community so children can reach their full potential," explained Konishiki. "Everyone was really looking forward to visiting Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii this year especially to check out their two newest rides."

In June, the Park introduced Island Racers and Raging River. Island Racers is a 240-foot raceway that pits four people against each other on high-speed racer mats. Starting off the race in dark enclosed tunnels, racers emerge into the light reaching speeds of up to 20 feet per second during a mad dash to the finishing line.

The Raging River is a fun-filled raft ride where family and friends can take on the heart-pumping white water rapids in four to six-person tubes.

From 5 – 8 p.m., several of Hawaii's most respected local musicians will perform including Jeff and Robi (Jeff Rasmussen and Robi Kahakalau), Vaihi and a guest appearance by Fiji. Several other rising young musicians will be featured such as Kiwini Vaitai and Laga Savea. Konishiki will also perform then meet guests and sign autographs.

The day will be capped off by a memorable July 4th fireworks display by renowned pyrotechnics artists Fireworks by Grucci that will light up Kapolei's skies at 8 p.m.

"We're proud to support the communities that we work and live in and look forward to welcoming back such a great organization like the Konishiki Kids Foundation," said Takuya Ohki, General Manager, Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii. "It's a great way for families living in Central and West Oahu to check out the July 4th fireworks without having to make the trip to Honolulu."

Konishiki was the first non-Japanese sumo wrestler to gain the prestigious title of ozeki; sumo's second highest rank. During his illustrious 16-year career, Konishiki won 733 bouts including 649 in the top division that made him one the most successful sumo wrestlers in the sport's history.

Presenting and title sponsors for the Konishiki Kids Foundation's 'Ohana Day include, Konishiki Power Hawaii, KCCN FM 100, Cox Radio Group, Piko, Fireworks by Grucci, The Honolulu Advertiser, Throw Da Shaka, Lost Coast Sound.

Support sponsors include the Ihilani Resort & Spa / J.W. Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Sports Authority, 7-Eleven, Exact Printing and Mailing, Green Banana Graphics, 88 Tees, Ea Company, Ceremony, Baba B Sounds, Impact Signs, RSS LTD, Walmart and Sam's Club.

About Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii
Wet'n'Wild Hawaii is one of the worlds biggest and best water park brands, offering more than 25 awesome slides and attractions, ideal for families and thrill seekers. While adrenaline addicts can enjoy slides such as Tornado, which catapults riders into a 130-foot-tall funnel and drops them into a swirling splashdown pool, the park also features tamer attractions such as the relaxing Kapolei Kooler, a winding lazy river; the Water World Playground , an interactive children's area filled with fountains, mini-slides and a dumping bucket; and Hawaiian Waters, a 400,000-gallon wave pool with four-foot swells and home to "Dive 'n' Movies" during Summer. Nestled on 29-acres of lush tropical landscape and natural cliffs, the Park is Hawaii's only water-theme amusement park and Hawaii's #1 Family Attraction. Wet'n'Wild Hawaii is only 35 minutes from Waikiki in Oahu's "Second City" of Kapolei. The Park is open year-round. For more information call visit www.wetnwildhawaii.com.

About Konishiki Kids Foundation
Founded in 1996, Konishiki Kids Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to broaden children's horizons through cultural exchange trips to Japan. We annually send 35 sixth grade students from Leeward Coast of Oahu, Hawaii to Japan to help them realize that the world is full of possibilities. In 2008, the Konishiki Kids Foundation donated $70,000 to the elementary schools along the Leeward Coast to help provide educational tools for the classrooms.

Following Konishiki's original vision, Konishiki Kids Foundation believes that it is important for the kids to be exposed to many wonderful possibilities the world has to offer. Through our Japan Trip Program, the Kids experience things unlike anything else in their own community. They return to Hawaii with the knowledge that chances in life are abound if they know where to look. For more information visit www.konishikikids.com.