Hawaii
> Recreation
> Overview
 Surfing remains the major recreation for Hawaiians, with other aquatic action -- swimming, canoeing, surf skis, sail boarding and sailing ranking high too. A number of open water swimming races highlight the year, as do various lifeguard contests and much else.
Underwater SNUBA and SCUBA are gradually replacing the traditional Hawaiian diving skills. However, Hawaiians still treasure the ability to dive deep, spear dinner fish and capture lobsters and other marine edibles.
Big game fishing is, of course, a major source of income on the Big Island where world record Blue Marlin and other species are taken from relatively flat water. It's available on other islands as well. Locals are avid bank, reef, beach, bay and cliff anglers too. There's even decent freshwater fishing for bass, peacock bass, trout and other species.
On land, Hawaii offers some of the best camping in the US, and it's completely overlooked by the vast majority of visitors. Contact Tourism for each island, the State Park system or the National Park System for reservations. Many parks require reservations six month to a year ahead.
Hula, traditional and modern, and the other Polynesian dance forms are highly respected and widely taught. Like lei making and other Polynesian skills hula becomes competitive on yearly holidays like Lei Day, May First. Other Polynesian recreations include palm fond weaving, flower and shell lei making and more utilitarian skills like coconut palm tree climbing. It should be noted that removing coconuts from trees is now a business in Hawaii, where tourists may sue after getting skulled by a falling nut and 'removing nuts' is a legal requirement.
Bird watching offers some unique chances to build one's life list, and whale watching is a major recreation out of Lahaina and Honolulu. Locals hunt too, with several species of deer, goats, sheep and wild boar available. Bird shooting is still offered on several islands, and sporting clays, trap and skeet ranges are available.
Tennis is available on a vast number of public courts at schools and public parks and all of the major resort hotels offer courts, and many have tennis complexes complete with teaching professionals.
Off road vehicles, while limited in many areas are, like 4WD, a necessity where pavement ends. Motorcycles, off-road and on, and sports cars are available for rental as well. Periodic contests enrich the off- and on-road vehicle mix.
Legal highs include sail planes, biplanes, various helicopter tours, kite flying and fighting, parachuting, parasailing, hang gliding and, rarely, hot air ballooning. Helicopters are a best bet on Kauai, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii and an absolute must if there's an eruption. Just make sure that you take a trip that's at least an hour long and check on the flight patterns so you know which side of the chopper to sit on. This isn't a bad approach to all air travel to and from Hawaii.
Biathlons build up to the Iron Man on Hawaii and each weekend finds a swimming, biking or running race somewhere in the islands.
Horses come into play on the many Hawaiian Rodeos and are widely available for rent. Polo season runs May to September on Sundays and during the King Kamehameha Floral Parade in June women in costume ride from Honolulu out to Waikiki. There is some dressage and three-day events as well.
Organized sports are a major recreational activity with high school athletics only now giving way to professional football and, to a lesser extent, baseball and basketball. The Hula Bowl is, of course, popular, but the NFL Pro Bowl is the big professional event. Golf, offers more Hawaiian tournaments than are found in any other state.
Odd recreations include the mule pull, the Honolulu International Bed Race Festival where teams push wheeled beds over a course to victory, or at least Mai Tais. (808 523-4182)
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