Big Island Vacation Guide 2008 - (Page 16) UNDER YOUR FEET If, as some say, the key to relaxation is to get active, the island of Hawai‘i makes it easy to get out and play. Whether you’re lacing up or saddling up, the Big Island’s 4,028 square miles of diverse geography promise no shortage of adventures. BICYCLING Red Sail Sports Reservations and Information Toll Free: (877) RED-SAIL Direct Phone: (808) 886-2876 Website: www.redsailhawaii.com Cruise around town and along the shore, head into the rain forest on a mountain bike or plan an ambitious circle island trip. Rentals and information are available at area bike shops and you can sign up for a guided bike tour at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For information on recreational biking in Hawai‘i, check out the Big Island Mountain Bike Association’s website at www.interpac.net/~mtbike. The Big Island is paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) country. There are a variety of ways for visitors to experience the island’s beautiful environments by horseback. Several area ranches offer the opportunity to ride the range in a guided tour of the pastures with spectacular views of the coastline and peaks. Saddle up and ride through the Snorkel the Kohala Coast Red Sail Sports, the largest water sports operator in the world, has been in business on the Big Island since 1988. Let our experienced captain and crew pamper you while you relax and enjoy Hawaii’s beautiful water. Escape from the crowds to secluded coral gardens not accessible from land. Departs daily for Snorkeling, Sunset and Dinner Sails and Whale Watch cruises (seasonally). Red Sail Sports also offers scuba diving, kayaking tours and bike adventures. HORSEBACK RIDING KIRK AEDER Bicycling adventure SCUBA Dive shops on the Big Island offer rentals for offshore scuba diving into Hawai‘i’s high-visibility waters. Explore sea caves or enjoy the coral belt that surrounds the island with all the active sea life that dwells there. So-called “resort courses” will have you qualified for an introductory scuba dive in hours. Who knows? You might get hooked and sign up for a certification course. SRI MAIAVA RUSDEN ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY ¯ MALAMA KAI Ma lama kai (take care of the ocean) is ¯ an ancient Hawaiian tradition that you should practice while visiting the island of Hawai‘i. This means please don’t touch the coral or the plants and animals surrounding it. In fact, keep a respectful distance from all sea creatures–for their safety and yours. To learn more about protecting the ocean while you explore it, visit www.watchablewildlife.org/publications/ marine_wildlife_viewing_guidelines.htm. ¯ ¯ MALAMA ‘A INA Hawai‘i’s Big Island has some of the more unique terrain in the world. Many of our plants and animals are found nowhere else on Earth. It is no wonder the Big Island is the preferred destination for those interested in Hawai‘i’s ecology. Malama ‘aina (take care of the land) ¯ ¯ is one of the more important concepts in Hawaiian philosophy, and it’s as important today as ever. Help us take care of our natural environment by staying on trails when hiking and by not disturbing any plants or historical features. Resist the temptation to take rocks, shells or plants as souvenirs. Please, take only pictures. On foot, by car, bicycle, horseback or high up in the air, tour operators can take you to areas of natural, historical and ecological interest. From volcanoes, waterfalls and rain Waimea countryside CATCH A WAVE Hawai‘i’s oceanfront resorts and tour companies offer all sorts of water activities for the adventurous. Try surfing or windsurfing. Or just relax and enjoy watching the action from the beach. No matter what you want to do, the Big Island’s coastline and the warm Pacific are your very own water world. 16 www.bigisland.org forests to valleys, summits and coastlines, nature tours will show you the diversity of the island of Hawai‘i’s landscape. Guided tours are sensitive to the environment, and you are sure to learn more with an expert on hand. The ecosystem of the Big Island has been stressed by the introduction of foreign flora and fauna species. Millions of dollars are spent annually to eradicate and prevent new plant and animal introductions to Hawai‘i. In all, there are more than 150 environmental groups in the state fighting to protect the land. You can help some of these groups by volunteering time during your visit. Most groups will provide training, if needed. Only with awareness and respect can we be environmentally responsible. When visiting Hawai‘i’s Big Island, please do your part to help protect our fragile ecosystem. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Volunteering for conservation activities is a great way to have fun while exploring the Big Island’s wild places. You can sign up for afternoon or multi-day trips to help with a variety of projects. Hawaii Forest & Trail To experience volun-tourism on the Big Island, contact Hawaii Forest & Trail at 800-464-1993 or visit www.hawaii-forest.com. http://www.redsailhawaii.com http://www.interpac.net/~mtbike http://www.watchablewildlife.org/publications/marine_wildlife_viewing_guidelines.htm http://www.watchablewildlife.org/publications/marine_wildlife_viewing_guidelines.htm http://www.hawaii-forest.com http://www.bigisland.org
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