APRIL 25-27

BRAVING THE RAPIDS

For fans of whitewater kayaking, the center of the universe moves to Charlotte, N.C., April 25-27, when the U.S. National Whitewater Center hosts the U.S. Olympics Team Trials for the sport, determining who will move on to Beijing and this year's Summer Olympics. The center is the only one of its kind, offering four manmade channels of class III-IV whitewater. It also offers more than 5,700 square feet of climbing wall surface and 11 miles of rolling hiking, biking and running trails. Tickets are now on sale. 704-391-3900; www.usnwc.org (click on 2008 Olympic Team Trials tab).

MAY 21-25

WINE AND DINE IN THE BIG EASY

If glimpses of New Orleans during Sugar Bowl coverage gave you a hunger for The Big Easy, consider a spring trip for the five-day New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, May 21-25. This year, the event — which had modest beginnings 16 years ago with a handful of vintners and a few hundred guests — will take over the Louisiana Superdome. Events include a Royal Street Stroll in the French Quarter, vintner dinners at dozens of restaurants, tastings with more than 200 winemakers, seminars and demonstrations. It benefits educational programs in the culinary and other fields, and assists New Orleanians in various ways. www.nowfe.com.

MAY 1-3

ALL ABOUT LEI

Make a lei, wear a lei, give a lei — it's what we do in the Islands on May Day. Beyond school pageants, the day prompts events. For the first time, the 31st Brothers Cazimero May Day Concert won't be on May Day but on a weekend evening, likely May 3. The City and County of Honolulu's lei-making contest is again on, with lei on display at Queen Kapi'olani Park from 1 to 5:30 p.m. on May Day, and then again at 9 a.m. May 2 at Mauna 'Ala, the Royal Mausoleum, before the tributes are draped on the tombs (the public can participate). And the Lei Day court will be on hand, too, with Lei Day Queen in three age groups. www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/programs.