This year, the PGA Tour starts their calendar on the Valley Isle. The Tournament of Champions (golfatkapalua.com) will take place January 4-8 at the Plantation Course at beautiful Kapalua Resort, led by defending 2016 champion Jordan Spieth. This upcoming tournament is shaping up to be especially exciting because so many fan favorites and newcomers won during 2016 PGA Tour year, making them eligible to play in this winners-only golf event.

 Later in the month on January 15, runners compete amidst some of the world’s most gorgeous scenery during the Maui Oceanfront Marathon (mauioceanfrontmarathon.com) along a route from Wailea to Lahaina. In addition, there is an out and back half-marathon starting in Lahaina, a 15K, a 10K and a 5K, all finishing at Kamehameha Iki Park in Old Lahaina Town.

 Humpback whales visit the waters surrounding Hawai‘i from December to May and the Maui Whale Festival (mauiwhalefestival.org), presented by Pacific Whale Foundation, raises awareness to protect these magnificent mammals and their ocean habitat with fun and inspiring events. If you’re in Maui in February, mark your calendar for the Run & Walk for the Whales (Feb 4), World Whale Day (Feb 18), and the Great Whale Count (Feb 25).