New Maui adventures

The Pacific Whale Foundation is offering a new year-round Whale and Dolphin Watch Eco-Adventure on its high-tech power catamaran Ocean Explorer.

Guests zip to Lanai to tour areas where pilot, false killer and other toothed whales are seen, along with spinner, bottlenose and spotted dolphins.

The cruise is based on Pacific Whale Foundation's 23 years of marine research. You're guaranteed to see a whale or dolphin during this three-hour cruise, or you go again free. The cruise departs at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays from Lahaina Harbor, returning at 12:30 p.m. The price of $35.95 includes a light snack and refreshments. Kids ages 6 and under go free; additional children or those ages 7 to 12 pay $15.

Other new cruises:

Lanai Discovery Eco-Adventure on the sailing catamaran Manute'a. This cruise includes visiting bays and coastal areas along Lanai, where wild dolphins frolic.

Foundation naturalists will interpret the dolphins' behavior, helping guests understand how the animals live, feed, socialize and care for their young.

Manute'a also stops at one of Lanai's top snorkel and dive locations where guests can dive in. Beginners will receive a free snorkel lesson and lots of encouragement, plus flotation devices.

Manute'a then docks at Lanai's Manele Harbor where passengers are transported to Manele Bay Hotel for lunch.

The package runs $109.95 for adults, half price for ages 3 to 12.

This includes a tropical continental breakfast with fresh fruit, pastries and hot Kona coffee, the lunch at Manele Bay and beverages -- including mai tais -- throughout the cruise, which departs from Lahaina at 8 a.m. and returns at 2:30 p.m.

Maalaea Grill Sunset Cruise: Evening cruise begins at 6 p.m. on the high-tech catamaran Ocean Odyssey. The cruise is timed so guests can watch the sunset at sea and enjoy pupus along with beer, premium wine, mai tais and soft drinks while enjoying live music.

After the cruise, stroll over to the Maalaea Grill, where an artfully prepared dinner awaits. The price for the sunset cruise is $69.95 for adults, half price for kids ages 3 to 12.

Coastal Heritage Cruise: This 1 1/2-hour trek on the Ocean Odyssey takes guests back in time cruising along the historic South Maui shoreline. The tour points out ancient fishpond areas and places where the U.S. Navy trained during World War II.

The cruise runs from 3:30 to 5 p.m. out of Maalaea Harbor. The price is $16.95 for adults, half price for children. A dollar from each ticket benefits the South Maui Heritage Corridor Action Committee.

For reservations for any of these cruises, call 808-249-8811 on Maui or 800-942-5311 from the mainland or neighbor islands. You can also reserve online at www.pacificwhale.org.

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PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION Pacific Whale Foundation's fleet features new, high-tech power catamarans such as the double-deck Ocean Odyssey.

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Fair planning

Tomorrow is the opening day for the information trailer for the 81st Maui County Fair, which will take place Oct. 2-5. The theme for the annual event is "Tradition of Family Aloha."

More than 100,000 people show up each year to ride the Ferris wheel, splurge on cotton candy and grind on malasadas in an old-fashioned, local-style fair that benefits Maui's nonprofit organizations.

The trailer will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Fridays for those who want to ask questions or apply for booths at the fair. Look for the white trailer in the Maui Memorial Gym parking lot.

Call Maui County Fair director Mike Victorino at 281-9053 or assistant director David Anzai at 877-7828 for information.

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