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>>Best Kayak Rental

GO BANANAS WATERSPORTS

799 Kapahulu Ave. | 737-9514
98-390 Kamehameha Highway | 487-3400 | gobananaswatersports.com

Why should tourists have all the fun? Every once in awhile we would all do well to grab a double-bladed paddle and hit the water in a plastic boat. Hawaii’s most hardcore kayaking outfitter, GO BANANAS WATERSPORTS, has a broad selection of rentable kayaks (doubles, singles and children’s boats, designed for touring, fishing or wave riding) at the lowest rates on the island (starting at $30 for nine hours). Unlike those tourist-oriented rental shops that slap extra fees on everything ($3 for the backrest!), Go Bananas throws in accessories at no additional charge, including roof racks.

>>Best Group Hike

SIERRA CLUB HAWAII

$1 for Sierra Club members, $5 non-members | hi.sierraclub.org

From leisurely strolls through botanical gardens to breathtaking treks along precipitous ridgelines, the SIERRA CLUB HAWAII'S GROUP OUTINGS include something for everybody. Among the trips scheduled for April: a beginners’ hike into the Koolau Mountains along the Manana Trail, a slow-paced photography hike along the Kiawa Ridge (aka Lanikai Pillbox Trail), and a quad-burning 6-mile climb to 1,400 feet along the Laie Trail. At least one or two hikes are scheduled for every weekend, and all are lead by trained guides who point out native species along the way.
 

>>Best Gardening Classes For Beginners

HALAWA XERISCAPE GARDEN WORKSHOPS

99-1268 Iwaena St., Aiea | 748-5363 | hbws.org

For the past four years, the FRIENDS OF THE HALAWA XERISCAPE GARDEN have been offering Saturday workshops about three times a month for gardening newbies—all geared toward conserving water (it’s a partnership with the Board of Water Supply, after all). “The volunteers are nurturing, and they’re consistent about when they meet,” says Heidi Bornhorst, garden consultant, and author of Growing Native Hawaiian Plants, who recommends the workshops for black and green thumbs alike.

Diane Moses, community relations specialist and master gardener, says the workshops are to “get people interested and excited about gardening,” and that no experience is necessary. Seasoned gardeners often come back for a refresher course, and to share their knowledge. Moses says the most popular workshops are the ones covering rain-barrel catchment, succulent wall art and aquaponics (there’s one on March 9). Better yet, you can get free mulch during regular garden hours, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

>>Best New Yoga Trend

THE KAHALA HOTEL & RESORT

5000 Kahala Ave. | 739-8888 | kahalaresort.com

Step up your yoga practice by taking it to the water. STAND-UP PADDLE YOGA, an increasingly popular trend on the Mainland, landed at the Kahala Hotel & Resort about a year ago and combines two of the fitness center's most popular activities in a dynamic ocean environment. Regular yogis will enjoy the refreshing new challenge that wind and water bring to all the familiar poses. The paddle boards remain anchored during the 45-minute class, too, so you don't have to worry about floating away while you're connecting mind, body and water. The class, which costs $25, is open to the public by reservation on Saturday mornings.