Things to Do in Mililani Town

The enthusiastic wave-tamers at Hawaiian Surf Adventures infuse students with their waterlogged passions for surfing, standup paddleboarding, and outrigger canoeing. With access to areas such as the uncrowded waters of Maunalua Bay, instructors give their students the space needed to learn how to balance atop a board while riding the backs of white-crested, aqua-blue waves or vacationing Loch Ness monsters. Whether paddling surfboards, hanging ten, or navigating a canoe, the team makes adventures easy for beginners and informative for more seasoned watersports enthusiasts.

Founded with the goal of curating unique island adventures that promote up-close encounters with local wildlife, Island Water Sports Hawaii facilitates humans’ return to nature with intimate tours and activities. Working out of the Hawaii Kai Marina, Island Water Sports’ passionate staff of boat captains ferries guests out into Maunalua Bay to partake in aquatic adventures including kayaking and snorkeling. The company’s signature eco-friendly submarine scooters secure riders' heads in clear, bubble-like helmets that draw on the principles of diving bells to safely seal air inside and keep faces dry, comfortable, and breathing easily throughout underwater tours. On boat tours, the balmy sea air tussles the manes of Island Watersports’ skippers as they point out awe-inspiring vistas and wildlife such as humpback whales that migrate to Hawaii from Alaska to nurse, mate, and take their sundresses out of storage.

Paradise Pedals employs the leg power of up to 15 riders to explore Honolulu's sites and neighborhoods in a manner that earns a high-five from Mother Nature. A series of bicycles joined together beneath a mobile bar, the fuel-free vehicle moseys through streets at approximately 5 miles per hour, and sometimes faster when going down a slope or being pulled by concerned sailors who confuse the structure for a boat. As onboard speakers crank out tunes, one of the company's drivers steers groups along one of two routes, each of which provides unique photo opportunities and chances to check out bars, restaurants, and the beachfronts. With an attached roof, riders can relax, sip nonalcoholic drinks, and remain protected from the sun or the unpredictable downpours of leis that plague Honolulu's forecasts.

The Boom Boom Room Karaoke's repertoire of Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, and English instrumental tracks keeps persons of all singing abilities occupied for hours. The space boasts five smaller private rooms and two larger ones, each outfitted with high-definition flat screens with DVD and auxiliary input options that can accommodate PlayStations, Xboxs, and portable imaginations. Guests can also bring their own stage-fright-quelling libations until midnight.

Somehow, every scuba-diving trip is distinct, even visits to well-traveled locations. Pearl Harbor Divers' team, for example, had visited the wreck of the USS Scrimmage, a World War II minesweeper, many times before. But one evening, while slipping through the water above the site, the crew heard a puff of air burst from the ocean, drowning out the motor. A humpback whale then crested just 15 feet from the boat. When the captain cut the engines, the crew realized they were surrounded by whales, which continued to break through the surface and catch breaths tinged with ocean spray in the moonlight.

In the shop, which is certified by the National Association of Underwater Instructors, guides work toward such unique experiences on scuba diving and snorkeling trips. They lead clients—including handicapped divers—to sunken ships, airplanes, lava caverns, and coral reefs throughout the Hawaiian Islands. On these dives, groups encounter common creatures such as sea turtles and native fish, as well as rare marine animals such as shy Pacific bottlenose dolphins, manta rays, and endangered Hawaiian monk seals. The instructors pride themselves on their ability to teach and engage by imparting the facts and historical significance of wrecks. They can also name and discuss each species that divers spot, at least the ones documented by science. On the nighttime Dive the Abyss adventure, divers are tethered within 40 feet of the boat and watch bioluminescent creatures, many of which are still not cataloged by zoologists, arise from depths of up to 2,000 feet.

In addition to dives, instructors conduct courses that work towards open-water or instructor certification. Chatter about past adventures drifts from a full-service pro shop, where technicians sell, service, and repair equipment from brands such as Atomic, Aeris, Oceanic, Mares and Zeagle.

A birthday girl surrounded by her best friends dances to her favorite song and moves across a glittering black-granite floor to grab a drink at the bar. Overhead, mirrored ceilings reflect the light of fiber-optic stars. A dancing pole invites flashy dance moves or flashier firefighter imitations. The driver turns around to let everyone know they're about to park. What looks and feels like the VIP section of a nightclub is actually the inside of an Oahu Party Bus. The company's fleet of fully equipped vehicles chauffeurs groups of up to 40 people across the island in style, making stops at scenic locations such as Kualoa Ranch or The Valley of the Temples. Drivers can deliver guests to favorite bars or simply cruise for a one-of-a-kind night on the road. Guests can blast their own music over the bus's sound system, play DVDs on flat-screen TVs, or sing karaoke songs to court applause from passing cars.