Waikiki Beach, O‘ahu  (September 1, 2010) – Aloha!  The most famous greeting from the Hawaiian Islands is considered an indescribable way of life by those who live in Hawaii.  The Hawaiian Dictionary by Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel H. Elbert defines aloha as love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, kindness, grace, charity.  Whether you live in Hawai‘i, California, Minnesota, London or Japan, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Sony want Facebook fans from around the world to capture and share your photos of what “Aloha” looks like to you.  Beginning September 1 until September 30, 2010 fans are invited to upload their digital photos at www.facebook.com/StarwoodHawaii with a photo caption, a brief description of why the image represents aloha to them, location of photo, and an approximate date that the photo was taken.   A panel of judges will select twenty finalists whose photos will be posted on www.facebook.com/StarwoodHawaii on October 6, 2010 for public viewing.  Visitors to the site will have the opportunity to vote and select the “Fan Favorites,” as well as help the judges select the grand prize winner.

Enter for a chance to win the grand prize, a 2011 Sony Open in Hawai‘i Dream Vacation or one of seven “Fan Favorite” prizes with 5-night stays at Starwood’s oceanfront resorts on O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai‘i or Kaua‘i and Sony Cybershot® TX5 digital cameras.  Go to www.facebook.com/StarwoodHawaii for more details, official rules and eligibility and to enter the contest to “Share Your Aloha.” 

The Grand Prize is a “2011 Sony Open in Hawaii” Dream Vacation” which includes the following:

•    Three (3) nights at Sheraton Waikiki, three (3) nights at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, three (3) nights at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and three (3) nights at Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa

•    Two (2) weekly passes to the 2011 Sony Open in Hawaii®  (January 11-17, 2011) 

•    One (1) round of golf for one (1) person only (either winner or companion) with PGA Tour pro in Satellite Pro-Am while on trip

•    Two (2) tickets to a Pro-Am awards dinner with performance by a Sony Music Entertainment artist

•    Two (2) tickets to an advanced screening of a Sony Pictures Entertainment movie

•    One (1) Sony Cybershot® Digital Camera TX5: Waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, 3.0" wide touch screen, 4x optical zoom, "Exmoree R" sensor, iSweep Panorama Mode, 10fps at full 10.2 megapixels

The Grand Prize has an approximate retail value (ARV) of $9390.  The Grand Prize must be used between January 10-22, 2011.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawai‘i and Sony are also providing seven “Fan Favorites” prizes:

•    Five (5) night stay at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa and Sony Cyber-shot® Digital Camera TX5.  ARV $2849.99.

•    Five (5) night stay at the St. Regis Princeville Resort and Sony Cyber-shot® Digital Camera TX5. ARV $4549.99.

•    Five (5) night stay at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa and Sony Cyber-shot® Digital Camera TX5. ARV $2700.00.

•    Five (5) night stay at the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas and Sony Cyber-shot® Digital Camera TX5. ARV $3549.99.

•    Five (5) night stay at the Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas and Sony Cyber-shot® Digital Camera TX5. ARV $3100.00.

•    Five (5) night stay at the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort and Sony Cyber-shot® Digital Camera TX5. ARV $2574.99.

•    Five (5) night stay at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and Sony Cyber-shot® Digital Camera TX5. ARV $1600.00.

With 11 properties across the diverse Hawaiian Islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii offers the best hotel destinations to celebrate romance, reconnect with family, focus on business or launch an adventure.  Located on or just footsteps away from the islands’ best beaches, Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii is a collection of iconic and historic hotels and resorts – properties with expansive and breathtaking backdrops, innovative guest programming and luxurious amenities representing internationally renowned hotel brands from Sheraton, Westin, Luxury Collection and St. Regis.  For more information about Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii, please call (866) 716-8140 or visit www.starwoodhawaii.com.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,000 properties in more than 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM.  Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.