MAUI SPECIALS: The Royal Lahaina Resort is extending its "royal rewards" special for new bookings through July 31 for travel through Dec. 22. Rates start at $215 per night, double occupancy; guests staying five nights or longer in the Lahaina Kai Tower will receive free and guaranteed one-category room upgrades, American breakfasts for two daily at the resort's Royal Ocean Terrace, and a free Royal Lahaina Resort lu'au for two. The royal rewards offer is valid in terrace, garden, partial ocean, and ocean- view accommodations.

The resort recently completed a $35 million renovation of its Lahaina Kai Tower. Each guest room features contemporary furnishings, flatscreen HDTVs, sound system with MP3 player ports, voicemail, refrigerator, central air conditioning, in-room coffee and tea, wireless and high-speed Internet access. 800-222-5642, www.royallahaina.net.

IN THE WATER: Serious paddlers know the Queen Lili'uo-kalani Outrigger Canoe Race in Kailua, Kona, is the largest long-distance outrigger paddling challenge on the planet. More than 2,500 paddlers come from around the world for this 18-mile endurance course between Kailua, Kona, and Honaunau.

Women race first from Kailua to Honaunau, then the men race back. On day two, women race double-hull (two canoes lashed together) from Kailua Bay to Keauhou Bay (5.5 miles), then the men race back.

Other races include OC-1 and 2 (small outrigger canoes that seat only one or two people). There is a special division for canoes carved from koa logs. And, of course, there is a finisher's lu'au, an awards ceremony and plenty of entertainment. Aug. 30-31, Kailua, Kona, www.kaiopua.org.

— Chris Oliver

OUT BIG ISLE WAY: On the Big Island, the 2008 Na Mea Hawai'i Hula Kahiko performance featuring traditional hula and chant will performed outdoors on the hula platform overlooking Kilauea Crater. The event features Halau Ha'a Kea o Akala under the direction of kumu hula Paul Neves. The Hawai'i Island Festivals' Royal Court Investiture Ceremony will be at noon with Halau o Kekuhi at a park location. Performance is 10 to 11 a.m. at a park location to be announced; Hawaiian crafts demonstrations will be at Volcano Art Center Gallery 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 30, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Free (park entrance fees apply). 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

The Niaulani Nature Walk is a short forest tour in Volcano. This one-hour nature walk travels through a lush portion of an old-growth Hawaiian rainforest on an easy, one-seventh-mile loop trail. The walk introduces visitors to the native plants and birds of Volcano. Guides focus on the biology and geology of the area, but also the cultural use of resources by Native Hawaiians. 9:30 a.m. on Mondays in August; meet at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village (corner of Kalanikoa & Old Volcano Roads). Free (donations welcome). 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

TALK TRAVEL: "Forty Top-Rated Spots In Japan" is a free travel talk by "Uncle Jack" Christensen, 6 p.m. July 31, Liliha Public Library, 1515 Liliha St. 587-7577.

HILTON DEALS: Hilton Hawaiian Village's Golf & Spa Escape Package lets guests select one of the following options: