If slathering on another layer of sunscreen is as active asyou plan to get on your next Hawaiian vacation, turn the page. Butmaybe you want to fly through the jungle on a zip line or shootdown a new resort’s 200-foot lava-tube waterslide. How aboutwitnessing the seasonal migration of 8,000 seabirds to their islandrookery? Or, with your kids, exploring a garden that’s just forthem? Okay, so maybe you simply want to leave the beach for anafternoon to get a taste of Hawaii’s history, old and new. Whateverfloats your canoe, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a peek at some newfun stuff to do on the islands. ― Harriot Manley
Kids’garden
See vanilla vines tangle near chocolate trees. The children’sgarden at Na’Aina Kai Botanical Gardens is scheduled to open thismonth. Reservations required; from $25. Kilauea; www.naainakai.com or808/828-0525.
Bird-watch
Thousands of wedge-tail shearwaters nest at 12-acre MokuauiaIsland. Malaekahana Bay State Recreation Area, 1 mile north of La’ie; www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dsp/oahu.htmlor 808/587-0320.
Zip lines
Soar on a zip-line course down the side of Haleakala. Four ofthe heavy-duty cables take you up to 125 feet above the forest. Onterra firma, guides share details on native plants and animals. $69. Kula; www.skylinehawaii.com or808/878-8400.
Surfing museum
The surfboards, film clips, and beach-party memorabilia of theInternational Surfing Hall of Fame now have a permanent home onKalapaki Bay. $10, ages 12 and under free with an adult. Lihue;808/632-2270.
Art tours
Shangri La, heiress Doris Duke’s spectacular waterfront estatenear Diamond Head, offers tours of its Islamic art treasuresthrough Honolulu Academy of Arts. Reservations required; from $25. www.shangrilahawaii.org, www.honoluluacademy.org,or 866/385-3849.
Manta rays
The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa opens in October. Fromthe lounge, spot manta rays in the sea. Rooms from $320. Kailua-Kona; www.sheratonkeauhou.com or808/322-3411.