This challenging, links-style course, inspired by Princeville’s rolling terrain, finds its roots in Scotland. The course runs uphill, careens downhill and is now being called the Pine Valley of the Pacific.

The reward at the 18th hole is the elegant, yet north-shore casual, Prince Golf Clubhouse. Amenities include a spa, a well-stocked pro shop, tasty Pacific Rim cuisine dishes at the restaurant and, of course, the condolences of other duffers who have made it through the Prince’s 18 holes.

Princeville’s 27-hole Makai Golf Course recently reopened after a multi-million dollar renovation. The Makai is really three courses in one: The Ocean Nine ventures closest to the Pacific, the Lakes Nine winds its way around serene lakes, and the Woods Nine is a pleasant diversion through native woodlands.

• Princeville Golf Course (808) 826-5001

Now and then, helicopter tours will hover before a unique geographic or legendary site, with the pilot filling you in on all its interesting details. Noise-canceling headphones wipe out the roar of the helicopter rotors, and music, like the soundtrack from a movie, sets the mood. Some helicopter companies offer private tours, which range from short hops to Moloka‘i to longer multi-island jaunts.

On O‘ahu, you can combine a chopper flight with a dinner cruise. Make the night sweet with a sunset cruise aboard a Navatek catamaran, then top it off with a city-lights flight.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, which conducts tours on all four major Hawaiian Islands, flies a state-of-the-art aircraft called Eco-Star. The helicopter is known for its quiet technology and first-class seating arrangements. Blue Hawaiian is the only tour operator on O‘ahu that flies Eco-Stars.

• Blue Hawaiian Helicopters 1-800-745-2583

Tours depart daily from Lahaina and Ma‘alaea harbors for the short trip to this resource-laden wonderland. Molokini’s crescent shape acts as a fortress that provides protection from waves and powerful currents. And its protected status as a marine life and bird conservation district gives shelter to 250 species of fish, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

Most days the water is crystal clear with more than 100 feet visibility. Expect to see humpback whales in season, green sea turtles, monk seals, eagle rays and sharks, as well as rainbow-colored fish and fascinating lava formations. The island itself is off-limits to humans, and no fishing is allowed in the immediate area. Guides will insist that you do not feed the marine life or approach endangered sea turtles or seals.

HOT TIP: The backside of the crater, where the crowds tend to thin out and the back wall drops sharply to depths of 300 feet, is a great spot to bond with nature. At the center is a lush reef area with excellent viewing. Another favorite destination is Turtle Town, which is (you guessed it) the home of a large colony of green sea turtles. Most boat companies make a party out of a trip to Molokini. They carry snorkeling and diving gear, provide instruction, and offer breakfast or lunch and sometimes a bar. You can cruise aboard a catamaran, a powered raft or a sailboat.

• Alii Nui Sailing Charters (808) 270-9873
• Blue Water Rafting (808) 879-7238
• Boss Frog 1-888-700-3764
• Friendly Charters (808) 244-1979
• Maui Adventure Cruises (808) 661-5550
• Maui Classic Charters (808) 879-8188
• Pacific Whale Foundation (808) 249-8811
• Pride Of Maui (808) 242-0955
• Trilogy Excursions (808) 874-5649

Most people begin their tour from Kailua-Kona and head north on Palani Road (Highway 190). If Mountain Thunder Kona Coffee Plantation is your first stop, drive on Palani for about 4.5 miles and turn right on Kaloko Drive. Then go 3 miles to the third sign for Hao Street. Turn right again and follow Hao for about 1 mile. Mountain Thunder will be on the right side of the street.

To continue the tour, return to Palani Road, then back to the junction of Highways 180/190 and head south to the old Mamalahoa Highway toward Holualoa Town.

Before you reach the tiny mountain village of Holualoa, you’ll find Ueshima Coffee Company’s Kona Coffee Estate. Down the road, you’ll come to Kona Blue Sky Coffee Company, a large 500-acre estate. Holualoa Kona Coffee Company is further south on Highway 180.

End your tour at the Kona Coffee Living History Farm on Mamalahoa Highway in Captain Cook, which provides a wealth of information about the unique lifestyle of Kona’s coffee pioneers.

Why not consider having an expert do all your planning for you? Now, what if that planner also had longstanding connections with many of the enjoyable tours, activities and adventures throughout O‘ahu? Seem like a no-brainer?

It is. Hawaii Activity Store has fourteen locations around town where you can sit with an activity counselor and review choices for your on-isle excursions, however adrenaline rushed, low-key or near and far they may be. From flights around the island, to luau, dolphin swims, ocean adventures and even specialty vehicle rentals, the array is astounding.

And, just like the ole’ timeshare pitch, just sitting with one of these activity counselors can get you free stuff. Take a minute and watch their “Member’s Only” travel website presentation—while your five-to 12-year-old keiki enjoy a video gaming room—if only to hear about some of the more unique offerings here on O‘ahu.

• Hawaii Activity Store (808) 450-9124

• Go Aloha Adventures (808) 450-9124

In the early 1900s, Eben “Rawhide Ben” Parker Low, a famous Waimea cowboy, proved the paniola’s worth when he competed in the Frontier Days celebration in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Low’s cousin, Ikua Purdy, took first place; his half-brother, Archie Ka‘au‘a, took third and his brother, Jack Low, took sixth.

Explore the ranch for yourself on horseback tours, through an ATV ride or with guided treks.

Here, the State of Hawai‘i is developing an array of renewable energy sources. Scientists explore geothermal energy (stored at the Earth’s core), wind power, hydrogen energy (pollution-free energy carriers) and various biomass energy (a renewable resource drawn from plant matter).

NEHLA is also the only place in the world where the vast natural resources of sunlight and seawater are harnessed to support exciting new aquaculture technologies. Huge intake pipelines are used to deliver cold, deep-sea water from 3,000 feet below and tropical-warm, surface seawater. “Techno-magicians” use the cold seawater to cool buildings as well as grow creatures like cold-water abalone, lobster, Japanese flounder and more—all creatures that couldn’t exist in Hawai‘i’s warm waters. The abalone farm conducts regular tours in conjunction with a general presentation and offers a taste of the fresh delicacy.

For more information about NELHA or tour reservations, call (808) 327-9586 or visit www.nelha.org.

What sets ‘Ulalena apart from other big stage productions is its superb soundtrack. Canadians Michel Cusson and Luc Boivin composed the music with the help of Hawaiian master slack-key guitarist Keola Beamer and his mother, historian, singer and composer Nona Beamer. ‘Ulalena’s brilliant drummers and musicians are as much a part of this show as the equally brilliant dancers and singers.

The performance and theater design promote a sense of intimacy and interaction with the audience. Hula is blended with Cirque du Soleil-tinged acrobatic feats and modern dance. Rich costumes, lighting and stage design are woven together into a filigree of images drawn from Hawaiian legend and history.

The $9.5 million theater, located at 878 Front St., Lahaina, seats 700 people and features a rotating stage and multi-media presentation capabilities. Performances are staged at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

• ‘Ulalena (808) 856-7900
• Expedia Local Expert (888) 353-5497

The more than 4-mile Kapa‘a segment of the coastal path that has already been completed begins at Lihi Park on the south side of Kapa‘a and continues past Kealia Beach to Ahihi Point just past Donkey Beach. A 2.3-mile segment in Lydgate Park also is in use.

When finished, the pathway will cover 16 miles from Ahukini (near the Lihu‘e Airport) to Anahola.

A cluster of vendors have cropped up along Ke Ala Hele Makalae—the path’s official name—making it easy to rent a bike, grab lunch or shop at an outdoor market.

Coconut Coasters rents bikes by the hour, half day, full day or weekly. Bikes for kids are available as well as trailers for children.

• Coconut Coasters (808) 822-7368