B on Hawaii

On the successful heels of this past December’s Kona Surf Film Festival at the Mauna Lani Resort, the 2nd Annual Waimea Ocean Film Festival will unfold this January on the Big Island of Hawai‘i with a series of deep water-related flicks, special presentations, panels and filmmaker meet-and-greets.

Recently brought to our attention was a long-time favorite, Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides’ receipt of two significant awards—a Small Business Administration award and a local Chamber of Commerce “Environmental Awareness” award. The ocean expedition company acknowledged these accomplishments just as they began celebrations for their 40th year in business—that is, taking eager ocean-enthusiasts to Kealakekua Bay (and elsewhere on the Kohala Coast) to experience the vibrant underwater life that persists in Hawai‘i.

The Waikiki Aquarium has launched an ambitious schedule of events in hopes of attracting more youth visitors this summer, while simultaneously offering educational outlets for new parents. The end results? In an ideal world, a new generation of ocean-savvy kids who can take their knowledge of marine life and apply it to studies, or developing a better global awareness to the ecosystem that entirely surrounds—and makes up for a significant part of the culture in Hawai‘i.

The Hawaiian Makahiki season is celebrated today without parallel at the Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel, on Maui. There, employees come together for months—beginning in November—to craft an array of gifts to present to the “king” and “queen” after the New Year. This family-friendly resort holds a week-long series of festivities, including a parade, arts and cultural demonstrations, and a dinner feast open to guests and locals at the end of Makahiki.

Ocean enthusiasts and those with a penchant for adventure should consider the freshly announced program coming soon to the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island of Hawai`i. From June 25–27, 2010, guests of the Kohala Coast luxury resort can join National Geographic environmental anthropologist Dr.

Robby Naish is a 24-time World Champion wind surfer. He's the Michael Jordan of surfing with a sail. It's debatable if anyone, ever, will mimic the achievements Naish has made on the competitive circuit—which began when he was 12 years old. Yet, if it wasn't enough, Naish has built a business of wind, Stand-Up, kite and surf gear that is top-tier.