Kailua, HI Outdoor Activities

Cool, onshore breezes swirl through the banyan trees and botanical gardens that frame Koko Crater Stables, a spacious facility nestled in the crater of a dormant volcano. Head trainer Piet Mathews, who has more than 30 years of experience tucked under his saddle, leads the center's staff, which draws on more than 20 years of equestrian know-how to conduct trail rides, lessons, and camps. In addition to helping riders to earn their spurs, Koko Crater Stables provides boarding services that include bedding, watering, and daily stall cleanings, ensuring four-legged lodgers remain comfortable and aren't tempted to tunnel out and begin new lives as bankers.

USHPA– and American Paragliding Association–certified paragliding instructor and pilot Joachim Hagemann has been recertified three times, logging more than 1,500 hours of air time to keep his gliding school, Fly Hawaii, accident free for 32 years. Boasting clearance for cliff and cross-country takeoffs as well as for flying in turbulence, Joachim helps both beginning and advanced students spread their wings in various paragliding lessons. His excursions take paragliders soaring over island locales such as Mauna Kea, Pu'u Loa Crater, and Big Sur, avoiding ground-bound obstacles such as traffic cops and jealous ostriches. Joachim also supplies flight seekers with new and gently used paragliding gear.

Hawaiian performer Chief Sielu is on a lifelong quest to educate and entertain the world about Polynesian traditions, a passion that has taken him to appearances on the BBC, MTV, and the Late Show with David Letterman. Dubbed the "coconut man," the chief immerses all comers in island culture at spectacular luaus. On stage, he and his tribe balance revelry and education with high-energy ritual and knife-dancing performances, participatory dances and art making, and a large supper of Hawaiian staples such as poi and braised surfboard fillets. If you can catch his ear, Sielu might have a lot of stories to share: in the course of his ambassadorial travels, he's lit the Olympic torch in Salt Lake City by throwing a flaming spear and been the subject of the documentary film Chief, which screened at the Sundance Film Festival.

One hundred feet beneath the surface of Maunalua Bay, the Corsair⎯a World War II airplane—rests on a sandy floor. Its massive shell and magnetism for schools of soldier fish lures deep-sea explorers to the site every year. As divers propel themselves alongside the plane's wing and fuselage, they get an up-close look at the wreck's current residents, which range from colorful goatfish to reclusive moray eels.

With more than 30 years of experience, the scuba instructors at Waikiki Diving Center lead daily dives to submerged sites such as the Cosair wreck. Earning a five-star Instructor Development Center designation from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, the center's team coordinates parties of 12–14 people and takes them out on one of two customized dive boats—The Submariner or Snoopy V—for adventures ranging from snuggling sea turtles to earning PADI open-water certifications. To enhance visitors' experiences, Waikiki Diving Center's crew arranges complimentary shuttle service to and from Waikiki hotels.

From surfing at secluded locations to hiking a private trail to a waterfall at the foothills of the Ko’olau Mountains, the team at Hawaii Water Sports Center designs excursions so visitors can experience thrills and explore Koko Marina’s pristine waters. USCG captains pilot a Ski Nautique that pulls along bumper tubes and six-person Banana Boats, and professional instructors help visitors master the skills of wakeboarding or water skiing through a six-ball course. Their snorkeling trips take place in Hanauma Bay’s reef-filled waters, and their Maunalua Bay scuba excursions are overseen by PADI-certified instructors and trained master divers. On these trips, they guide students along and point out colorful reef fish, sea turtles, and retired goldfish.