WAILEA, Maui » With Molokini islet floating on the horizon, our rented Hobie Cat cut through the waves just off the Grand Wailea Resort. Cumulus clouds scudding overhead carried no hint of rain: perfect sailing weather.

Until a gust nearly toppled us.

I let out the sheet, but the next wave promised to accomplish what the wind had not. For several tense seconds, the kids and I thought we were certain to slide overboard.

But we managed to get our craft under control without taking a dip. Laughing at our close call, we were soon tacking back the other way.

That brisk day sail was one of the highlights of our neighbor island getaway.

A long weekend on Maui served as my vacation this year. With the economy in the dumps, I suspect other Hawaii families are forgoing trips to the mainland in favor of local escapes.

Rodney Lau, president of Hawaii Travel Wholesalers, says he has seen no groundswell in that direction so far.

“;Because of the economy and because it's a discretionary expenditure, the overall demand for travel is down,”; he said. But there are plenty of deals to be had for kamaaina.

AT HONOLULU HARBOR we drove aboard the Superferry, parked and encamped in the Premier Lounge, a comfortable enclave up front that costs extra but offers great views forward, a movie, free sodas and snacks, and light fare for sale.

Rachel, 22, Mackey, 16, and I found the three-hour trip relaxing and a good opportunity to catch up on reading. Days later the trip back reminded me of the first time I saw Oahu—from the decks of the SS Lurline in 1961, when Boat Days at the harbor brought a welcoming band and dancers, and swimmers who dived for quarters.

Arriving at Kahului in the early evening, we drove off the Superferry and 25 minutes later pulled up to the Shops at Wailea, where I collected our condo keys at the office of Destination Resorts. Before long we were comfortably ensconced in a large two-bedroom unit at Grand Champions Villas, sunset fading beyond the fairways.

No need to shop or go out to dinner. I had a cooler of food, including drinks, steaks, salad fixings and rice for dinner, and fresh fruit, juice, coffee and banana bread for the morning.

From a previous stay I knew that the pool, a 90-second walk away, has gas grills, and that's where we cooked the steaks. The experience was so pleasant that we ended up grilling there on each of our four nights, with supplies replenished at the Kihei Foodland.

But for those in no mood to cook, there is Joe's restaurant, a pleasant, wood-furnished perch overlooking the Wailea Tennis Center, a short stroll up the road. Joe's is run by chef Beverly Gannon of Haliimaile General Store.

A SHORT DRIVE Saturday afternoon brought us to the Grand Wailea Resort, where the valet took the car and a lobby attendant directed us to Maui Ocean Activities, a kiosk on the beach where we rented a Hobie 14. To my knowledge, this is one of the few places in Hawaii where you can rent a Hobie and, once you have demonstrated a modicum of seamanship, take it out yourself.

Molokini was our destination the next day with Makena Coast Dive Charters, a scuba and snorkel tour company that leaves conveniently from the boat ramp at Kihei.

A 3-mile ride from Kihei brought us to the partially submerged cinder cone in the shape of the letter C.

A state marine life conservation district like Hanauma Bay on Oahu, Molokini has a cove floor that slopes gradually from the concave shoreline to a depth of about 100 feet before dropping off dramatically. In less than 30 feet of water, a reef extends from the islet's northwestern point and has turtles and lots of fish.

In season, from November to May, even humpbacks enter the cove, according to the state Division of Aquatic Resources.

Photographer Benja Iglesias, a Chilean-born Maui resident also on the excursion, says Hawaii's diverse marine life—a dearth of colorful corals notwithstanding—continues to amaze him.

“;I have been in about 39 countries around the world in the last 20 years, and I can tell you that my choice to stay in Hawaii is because if you put in the hours here, you can see pretty much every single creature that God put on this planet,”; he said. “;You can find whale sharks, mantas, humpback whales, sharks and so many creatures that you can only see here. It's just an amazing photographic place.”;

Reason enough to put off the hassle of a mainland flight.