native guide hawaii

[the past few days have been a whirlwind so please forgive my very tardy saturday weekend travel post]

when most of us think of taking a tour around the islands, those big buses packed with tourists are probably the first thing that comes to mind. if the thought of hitting the highlights with 100-plus strangers makes you cringe, the next time you are big island bound remember to click over to native guide hawaii which offers small eco-tours exploring the volcano, coast and everything in between.

warren costa, the hilo-born proprietor, shares the inside scoop on his island the way only someone who has been both a former park ranger and schoolteacher can. (he also has a background in archeology & naturalism, natch). tours are described as an educational journey giving you the 411 on island history and local legends with a dash of science and native habitat identification thrown in.

daylong tours start at $300 for up to two people (extra fee per additional person; six people max) and include transportation, lunch, walking sticks & daypacks. custom, off the beaten path adventures can also be organized (contact warren for more details).

take a peek at the faq before you book.

frequent flier style

vintage seashell collection

something about the vintage textiles featured in the debut collection of jumpseat bags reminds me of flying the friendly skies around the islands as a kid. my déjà-vu moment was unshakable until a little digging turned up the little nugget that the company behind the bags is utilizing dead stock from a shuttered miami carrier.

oh well, even if someone else buckled up into airline seats covered in the retro tropical sunset pattern, i still love how seat belts have been repurposed into the handles for jumpseat's handcrafted line which certainly breaths new life into forgotten fabric.

alas, this fusion of new and vintage does not come cheap, but something for the wish list for anyone who wants to bring a hint of glamour from flying's bygone era on-board their next flight.

just live eco-challenge

surfing the waves and hiking in a rainforest are probably tops on most to-do lists when travelers visit the islands, but the possibility of flying through the treetops are wooing more folks away from the beach for an afternoon adventure. putting a thrilling twist on the three hour tour, kauai's just live offers adrenaline junkies the chance to whiz 80-feet off the ground via zipline canopy tours along with rappelling and rock climbing escapades.

apprehensive tarzans like me who live vicariously via the amazing race (but who, in reality, start to get woozy above two stories) will appreciate the opportunity to face their fears with the help of certified instructors and the safety net of a harness. and, if you are planning to squeeze your eyes shut anyway, you may as well impress your friends and sign up for the once a month tour that lets you fly through the pines by the light of the full moon.

bigger challenges await on the ropes course which can be booked for private events, and, if your people cringe at the thought of singing "kumbaya" around the campfire, just live also offers a mix of team building & youth workshops in the great outdoors.

• tix: starting at $115
• fyi: ages 9 and up welcome

click here to take a virtual ride.

aqua coconut waikiki

aqua resorts continues to bring its updated boutique vibe to waikiki with the refreshed aqua coconut waikiki which just opened its doors a few days ago. if hotel renew was a bit too sleek for you, take a peek at the recently renovated coconut waikiki which is sporting a more approachable cheery decor and offers perks like free wi-fi, 40-inch flat screen hdtvs, complimentary continental breakfast, and, as an added bonus, the property is completely non-smoking.

the location is on lewers (near the ala wai) which is good for those who require a shopping fix when traveling (waikiki beach walk, royal hawaiian shopping center, dfs galleria & marqet are about a block away) but expect a few blocks walk to reach the surf and sand.

depending on when you go, rates start as low as $100/night in the off season and $130/night in the summertime which is a pretty sweet deal for waikiki. a few ways to save include a 12% kama'aina discount and 10% off for auto club & aarp members plus a handful of package deals for longer stays.

as of this posting, no reviews of the renovated rooms had hit tripadvisor yet but management seems to be very responsive to comments left by guests which is always a good sign.

happy traveling!

racing in the new year

looking to do something a little off the beaten path to ring in 2008? lucky you, it appears there is still time to snap up tickets for the new year's eve edition of ravenchase!

gather up your best code crackers and have fun exploring the nooks and crannies of town and chinatown during the second annual quest for father time. cryptic puzzles and mysterious characters help guide you to the final pit stop where players will enjoy a fabulous new year's bash along the honolulu waterfront.

• when: tonight @ 7pm
• tix: $125/$100 (kama'aina rate)

click rewind to learn more.