Travel Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff
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View waterfalls from sea vantage
The Big Island's newest adventure activity, Hilo Ocean Adventures, offers passengers an opportunity to enjoy the waterfall-laden Hilo coastline aboard the 25-foot Manta Raiv, a speedy rigid aluminum inflatable vessel.
Passengers head north along Hilo's coastline toward Laupahoehoe, where, depending on rainfall levels, you might see 50 coastal waterfalls along the 20-mile shoreline stretch. Humpback whales, dolphins, sea turtles and seabirds are often spotted along the way.
Cost is $89 per person for the three-hour waterfall tour and $39 per person for a two-hour whale watch. Trips depart from Hilo's Wailoa River Boat Ramp at the intersection of Manono Street and Highway 19. Call (808) 756-4100.
Golf your way around Kauai
Golfers who want to experience Kauai's top courses can try two 2007 packages featuring multiple rounds of golf across the island.
"The Kauai Golf Challenge" provides a round of golf at each of Kauai's three top-ranked courses: Poipu Bay Golf Course on Kauai's South Shore, the Kiele Course at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club on the eastern coast, and the North Shore's Princeville at Hanalei's Prince Course. These three courses have been ranked among the top golf courses in Hawaii and the United States by such publications as Golf magazine, Golfweek, Conde Nast Traveler and Golf Digest.
The challenge includes a round of golf at each of the courses, including greens fees, shared cart, use of the driving range and other amenities for $390 per person including tax. The package is nontransferable and must be used by Dec. 31.
The second package, "The Ultimate Kauai Golf Challenge," offers a fourth round at Lihue's Puakea Golf Club or Poipu's Kiahuna Golf Club, at $470 per person including tax.
Call Poipu Bay, (800) 858-6300; Kiele, (800) 634-6400; or the Prince, (800) 826-1105.
Hilton helps guests get active
Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa is helping kamaaina bring more balance into their lives. A room rate that begins at $165 a night comes with a special offer on activities to help guests rejuvenate and recharge. Kamaaina who book this getaway are entitled to these offers each day of their stay:
» Two hours of free surfboard rental.
» Special rate for surf lessons.
» Buy one, get one free Segway of Hawaii tour.
To receive these benefits, guests need to go to the Waikiki Beach Activities desk for the surfboards and surf lessons, and to the Segway kiosk at the Tapa Tower.
Book by April 15, but kamaaina can stay through May 31, which includes the Mother's Day (May 13) weekend. Reserve at 949-4321 and ask for rate code P-3.