Extreme Hawaii

Hawaii conjures images of sugary beaches, tranquil waters and lush greenery. However, those who seek more thrilling escapades on their Hawaiian escape need look no further: this is Extreme Hawaii.

Extreme Kiteboarding
Kite Beach, Maui
The cerulean waters of Hawaii are perfect for sailing, windsurfing and catching waves & or doing all 3 at once. The Kiteboarding School of Maui offers 1- to 3-day classes where beginners can learn to harness the wind and ride the waves. This combination of paragliding and surfing has been popular in Hawaiian waters since 1998 when some Maui surfers decided to attach a kite to themselves -- just for fun. A 40-foot kite can lift a 220-lb. man 20 feet in the air and seasoned riders can easily hit speeds of 50 mph.

Extreme Scuba Diving
Kailua-Kona, The Big Island
From one extreme water adventure to another, plunge into the waters off the Big Island for an extreme scuba-diving experience -- night diving. Kona Honu Divers takes brave diving enthusiasts on a 5-hour tour, 5 miles off the coast of Kailua-Kona. After sunset, groups leave the safety of the boat to swim in waters teeming with Pacific manta rays -- a massive, majestic and seriously intimidating relative of the shark.