Hawaii's Back Yard

Surfer turns love of sea into booming business

Riding his first wave off the coast of Haleiwa, the visitor from Arizona sported a smile as wide as the ocean. "His mother had taken him to see that famous surfing movie, 'Endless Summer,' when it was released in 1966," recalled Carol Philips, owner and founder of North Shore Surf Girls, which offers daily surfing lessons on Oahu.


Tour company president carries on a tradition

Born and raised in Long Beach, Calif., Maggie Brown has had a love affair with the ocean from the time she was a toddler. "I learned how to swim when I was 2 years old," she said. "Ever since then, I've been passionate about anything that has to do with the ocean."


Career change leads to higher ground

Bruce Coulombe and his wife, Ellen, the owners of Wings Over Kauai, are flying high. Since they started their aerial tour company five years ago, they say their revenues have grown more than 25 percent annually, even in the current recession.


Bringing Paris dining down to earth, and Maui

Like all great revolutions, Le Fooding was born from a rebel group's passionate support of a cause. In its case the dissidents were innovative chefs in France who wanted to liberate haute cuisine from the shackles of Michelin stars, bone china, polished silver and crystal stemware.


Eco-friendly thrills await on Maui

Duane Ting is afraid of heights. That probably wouldn't be noteworthy were it not for the fact that one of the big draws of his new company is a zip line that stretches 650 feet (65 stories) above the floor of Maui's magnificent Waikapu Preserve.


Tours serve up taste of Hawaii's 'salad bowl'

Sushi for Robin Williams; salmon stuffed with crab meat for James Coburn; penne pasta and sausage for Dan Aykroyd; medium-rare prime rib for Heather Locklear -- from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s, Matthew Gray was the personal chef to a host of Hollywood stars, and he knew exactly which dish would ease their tension from a hard day on the set and bring a smile to their faces.


Big Isle man puts stars within reach

Wayne Fukunaga has stars in his eyes every night, and it's an experience he loves to share. The longtime astronomy enthusiast conducts "heavenly" one-hour programs every week at several resorts on the Big Island's Kohala Coast.


Project restores native flora of Maui

By observing the water flow in Iao Stream, Ray Neilson can tell what the weather is like six miles away, high in the mountains of Iao Valley on Maui.


Family Fun Day celebrates Central Oahu

At Dole Plantation's Family Fun Day two years ago, Mike Moon's 1-year-old daughter, Mikayla, was so taken with a friendly costumed character that she latched onto his arm and wouldn't let him go.


Riding high

A saddle is as important to a paniolo's (cowboy's) work as a hammer is to a carpenter. Because he spends many hours on horseback, it has to be sturdy and comfortable for both him and his mount.