Hapuna Beach Golf Course occupies elevated terrain on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii's Big Island, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay and opened in 1992. The course sits above the white sands of Hapuna Beach State Park, with the routing taking advantage of natural lava formations and rolling topography that characterizes this dry leeward coastline. The design incorporates the region's volcanic landscape into play, with several holes threading through ancient lava flows and others offering open views across the Pacific. The course plays across varied elevation changes, with holes moving through corridors of kiawe trees and native grasses. The front nine generally occupies higher ground with more dramatic elevation shifts, while the back nine settles into terrain closer to sea level. Trade winds are a consistent factor, particularly on exposed holes where the ocean influence is strongest. The routing provides ocean views from multiple vantage points, though the course itself sits inland from the immediate shoreline. Hapuna Beach operates as part of the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, making it accessible to resort guests and daily-fee players. The course represents one of several Palmer-Seay collaborations in Hawaii from this era, designed to balance championship-length golf with playability for resort visitors. The Kohala Coast's consistently dry weather and the property's maintenance standards keep conditions firm and fast throughout much of the year, characteristic of Hawaiian golf on the island's western shore.