Twogood, a national kayaking champion and kayak designer, has been renting out canoes and kayaks on Windward O'ahu for 23 years. He'll rent you a kayak and deliver it to Kailua Beach for a solo trip to the Mokulua Islets, or help you strap one to your car roof for trips farther afield. Or sign you up for a guided tour that includes snorkeling and lunch.

For novice kayakers, he recommends three easy paddles: Flat Island and the Mokulua Islets off Wailea Point in Lanikai ("wonderful paddling through reef-protected waters"); Kane'ohe Bay's sand bar ("a 30-minute paddle with easy swimming and snorkeling"); and Kahana stream ("on the south side of the bay, you can paddle upstream for about one mile").

Now that summer is over, take a day trip offshore; no lines, no security hassles, no bags ... just the deep blue and you. Here are Twogood's tips to make your trip worthwhile:

• "When you rent a kayak, always take advice from a professional who knows the area." Most everyone will have a safe kayak trip, but when they get to, say, the Mokulua Islets, there are safety issues that visitors and kama'aina may be unfamiliar with. For example, around the back of Moku Nui (the larger of the two islets) is a rocky shelf where waves can — and do —sweep people into the ocean.

• "Consider a basic kayak course. The University of Hawai'i Outreach College has a course for beginners with monthly paddles. In fact, you can paddle the entire coast of O'ahu in 14 or 15 outings. It's a great way to see the island from a different perspective. Most buildings are below the level of the palm trees, and in many areas there are no buildings, so the view you get — beautiful beaches, mountains and ironwood and palm trees — is what the first Polynesian and European explorers saw."

• "Sun exposure out on the ocean is extreme. Protect yourself with a good sunshirt and waterproof sunscreen such as ProSport. A wide-brimmed straw hat, such as the ones the city and county lifeguards wear, will protect your head and shoulders and guard against sun-fatigue. Sunglasses don't float, so attaching them around your neck is cheap insurance. Every kayaker is issued a lifejacket."

• One- or two-person kayak? "Depends on the people! If a couple works well together, then tandems are great, but you have to decide which of you is the skipper and who is the crew. If there is a big differential in strength, go with a two-person. Otherwise, a single kayak is better."

Twogood says most people paddle competently in winds of 20 mph or less.

• "Don't forget to take water. There is none on the offshore islands, and paddling can be thirsty work.

• "All kayakers should ensure someone on land knows where you're going and what time you expect to be back."

Waikiki watchers, there's good news and bad news. Bad news first: There's no Sunset on the Beach this weekend. Good news: There IS Brunch on the Beach, with those familiar blue umbrellas, tables and artificial grass along Kalakaua Avenue, tomorrow.

This time it's a salute to "Shark Tale," the animated film that's due in theaters Friday and a likely blockbuster. The winners of an ocean-themed art contest for students will be honored; and there'll be desserts with a — you guessed it — "Shark Tale" theme. Tons of other food offerings, and entertainment by the Royal Hawaiian Band Glee Club, keiki of Halau Hula Olana and headliner Henry Kapono, fill out the celebration.

Brunch hours are 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Admission is free.

World peace, one activity at a time

Here's a chance to take care of that do-good, not-so-random-act-of-kindness project you've been wanting to get started.

Go online to the Make a Difference Day Web site (www.makeadifferenceday.com) and register the project today. You can let others know how they can help their community, and possibly earn prize money for your project, too.

Set aside Oct. 23, and plan your project (there's already a handful of school beautification projects listed on the Web site). Register, and be sure to include your contact information. You may invite outside volunteers to come out and join your effort, which not only follows the "more hands make things go faster" model, but also lets you make new friends as committed to community service as you are.

Call (800) 416-3824.

Noel Okimoto, left, joins students Evan Lin and Mitchell Kuga.

"Jazz with Noel Okimoto," at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Kilohana United Methodist Church in Niu Valley, is the annual Rita Thompson Music Scholarship benefit concert.

Joining percussionist Okimoto are Todd Yukumoto on sax, Dayton Arima on bass and Dan Delnegro on piano. 2004 scholarship recipients — Casey Kawahara, Mitchell Kuga, Evan Lin and Blaise Tom — also will perform. Admission: $15 general, $5 students. 783-9060.

Kahala Mall is hosting a registration drive for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure. Sign up for the benefit event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and tomorrow and receive a pair of

pink shoe laces, representing breast-cancer awareness. The race/walk takes place Oct. 24 at Kapi'olani Park.

A ho'olaule'a in downtown Hilo

The Aloha Festivals is still going on the Big Island, including a very big ho'olaule'a tonight in downtown Hilo. There'll be entertainment including Nuff Sedd, Opihi Pickers, Tapa Groove, Maunalua, Sudden Rush and more) on three stages, food booths and arts and crafts.

Hours are from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is free, but the purchase of a $5 Aloha Festivals ribbon is encouraged.

Gardeners will converge on Foster Botanical Garden for the annual Fall Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Thirty plant vendors will participate.

Here's a list of offerings:

• Cupuassu, a cocoa relative from Brazil that makes yummy drinks and ice cream

• Euphorbia puncia, an ornamental shrub from Jamaica, related to the poinsettia

• Queen Lilioakalani, a rare orchid

• Pink Sunburst Canna, a dwarf canna lily

• Zuiki, from the taro family; stems can be eaten raw with sashimi or used in soups

• Hibiscus waimeae, with white flowers, citrus scented

• 'Uki'uki, pictured, native ground cover, with blue flowers and purple fruit

Other rare or unusual plants also will be available.

A cooking demo takes place at 1 p.m.

Admission is free. Members of the Friends of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens can get in an hour earlier.