Things to Do in Halawa

The staff at Sea & Board Sports Hawaii honors its island ancestry by using only Hawaiian-designed boards, which they can customize for those desiring a one-of-a-kind deck pad. Handy board mechanics tend to tarnished planks as sea-faring adventurers browse the store’s voluminous selection of accessories, which ranges from paddles and leashes to athletic-grade peg legs. Proud locals bring their love and knowledge of Oahu’s shorelines to Sea & Board’s lessons, during which students learn balance and paddling techniques as spinner dolphins, sea turtles, and whales lazily drift beneath the ocean’s crystalline waves.

Marksmen weave in and out of buildings clustered on Kapolei Airsoft's barricade- and obstacle-littered fields, an expansive urban terrain that accommodates up to two indoor and outdoor bouts at a time. Under the watchful eye of trained field officials, participants clad in face protection commence contests that simulate military scenarios, urban combat, and armed square dancing. Before firing off 6mm BBs fashioned from ABS plastic at opposing teams, players run through safety instructions at pre-game briefings. Visitors can join new rounds of combat––lasting until midnight every Friday and Saturday––during walk-on contests, via membership outings, or through one of Kapolei Airsoft's party packages.

Honolulu’s azure beaches and lush mountain ranges beckon eyes downward as passengers team up with a commercially rated and FAA-certified pilot to cut through the air on glider tours offered year-round. Seated snugly in a bubble-topped glider plane, passengers and pilots survey panoramic views from up to 3,000 feet above the island's famously scenic North Shore. Surfers wave from the surging whitecaps far below and, on clear days, one can view distant landmarks such as the Kaena Point satellite-tracking station, the volcanic tuff cone known as Diamond Head, and the lava dam that stands between Honolulu and certain destruction. Known for their aerobatic prowess, pilots sometimes offer upside-down views of these and other sights as they guide their gliders through a series of loops and turns. A team of technicians tends to gliders and tow planes as soon as they land, ensuring that each remains safe and ready for the next flight.

With its pink sails filling with ocean breezes, the Island Magic Catamaran carries passengers out to sea in search of painted sunsets, playful humpbacks, and salty sprays. During sails, the crew carefully handles the 30-passenger vessel, allowing it to float lazily on glassy water or race against the island's fast-flowing swells. In addition to cruises, the team leads snorkeling adventures near Turtle Canyon, where sightseers can splash among green sea turtles before they finish hatching into boring, shell-less lizards. Sunset cruises depart 1.5 hours before the sun dips below the horizon, allowing passengers to admire the waves as they catch the last few bits of sunlight.

West Oahu SUP's staff of professional surfers and lifeguards rent out equipment, lead tours, and conduct lessons on a secluded beach flanked by mountains on both sides. Their passion for the region’s natural splendor defines their tours. The guides can pinpoint the best times of day to spot sea turtles or take advantage of the calmest breezes; lead groups to their favorite lava formations for midday dives; and remember the satisfaction of discovering the sea by paddleboard and kayak for the very first time.

Seated atop three, four, or five wheels, mobility scooter riders zoom down sidewalks at up to 25 mph in rented steeds from Wiki Wiki Mobility Scooters. Their FDA-approved scooters with come with handlebar steering boast and up to two swivel seats, each equipped with a seatbelt and $2.13 in lost change to prevent head injuries during mid-ride bows. The scooters typically run on battery power, and the shop’s assorted e-bikes run on a cocktail of pedaling and electricity.