Thirty-five years ago, inspired by its dramatic surroundings, Volcano Art Center founders began "to promote, develop and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai'i's people and environment."

And so began the center's mission to bring visual, literary and performing arts to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

VAC began in the Volcano House hotel, on the rim of Kílauea Crater, and led to the 1974 renovation of a historic 1877 building there to serve as a classroom, exhibit space, office and community gathering place.

Today, close to 100,000 people a year take part in VAC programs, enjoy performances or visit the art center's gallery.

"From the earliest conversations, the premise for the Volcano Art Center had been, as it remains, that the environs of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park have a powerful effect upon the artist, regardless of medium. Their work will be affected by this experience and the result will be an artistic celebration of the park's wild landscape and lore," says artist and VAC founder Boone Morrison.

This year, VAC broke ground on a new Education Center, with two classrooms, a meeting room and an outdoor space for literary readings, small concerts and special events.

"New programs and projects, ongoing exhibitions of fine work in many media, and continuing activity of all sorts will draw yet another generation of artists and arts-minded folk to Kílauea," said Morrison in a press release.

Over the decades, four "Keep It Hawai'i" Kahili Awards have helped establish the Volcano Art Center's reputation, and funding from Friends of Hawaii Charities allows financially needy students of all ages to attend VAC classes and workshops at a discount.

Volcano Art Center invites residents, visitors and all who've contributed to the center's programs to its open house birthday celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at its Niaulani campus in Volcano Village. 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

THE HEAVENLY SPA: Westin Maui Resort's The Heavenly Spa by Westin has won recognition from two magazines.

• Spa magazine's Silver Sage Readers' Choice named The Heavenly Spa by Westin in the category of favorite resort/hotel spa in the Hawaii and South Pacific area. More than 100,000 votes were cast in the readers' balloting. The results are in the November/December issue.

• The Heavenly Spa was also named a Top 5 hotel spa in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Spas 2009 in its October issue.

It's a full-service spa with 16 treatment rooms, couples massage suites, a sauna, a steam room and whirlpools. Guests also have use of a workout center. www.Westinmaui.com, www.starwoodhawaii.com, 866-716-8140.

KAUAI THANKSGIVING: The Aston Kauai Beach at Makaiwa offers a kamaäina Thanksgiving buffet and room rate.

The buffet runs 3 to 9 p.m. Nov. 26 in the hotel's Voyager Grille; $28 ($14 ages 6-12).

The kamaäina room rate is $96 per night plus tax and resort fees, based on availability. When booking two consecutive nights or more, ask for the K-Class Pass for kamaäina to get a free room upgrade, free parking and free late 2 p.m. checkout. A valid ID must be presented at check-in. www.AstonHotels.com, 866-774-2924 or 808-823-6000.