Seahorsing Around

The next time you're on the Big Island, check out the Ocean Rider Seahorse Ranch. An aquafarm that raises and sells seahorses, Ocean Rider offers tours of their facilities, during which you can actually "shake hands" with a pregnant seahorse, which as you probably know, are the males in the bunch.

The one-hour tour of the 3-acre farm is led by a certified biologist, and there are 3 tour times a day. And if you and the kids love these delicate sea creatures enough, you can buy them, as the ranch raises them for aquarium environments. The only caveat: you'll have to wait until you return home, since the ranch doesn't sell them in the state of Hawaii to avoid having seahorses released into the local waters. That, the special care involved, and the pricetag - most of them are upwards of $100 - should help to avoid any impulse buying.

The Ocean Rider Seahorse Ranch offers tours from Monday through Friday at 10, 12 & 2. Reservations are required; you can either purchase tickets online or call to prepay and reserve a spot. Adult tickets are $35 and children's tickets, good for kids 4-11, are $27. Note: kids 3 and under are free but are not allowed to touch, shake hands with or put their hands in the water with the seahorse, so if you've got kids in both age groups, you might be better off waiting until the youngest is at least 4 to avoid tears. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 808. 329.6840.

Villa Rental of the Week - Ka`anapali Beach, Maui

A suite at Hawaiiana House


The elegant yet supremely comfortable Hawaiiana House on Ka'anapali Beach is one of Maui's finest villas, available to you through Tropical Villa Vacations. Sitting right on the beach, Hawaiiana has 4 private bedroom suites including full baths, and an additional one full bath and one half bath. You'll also enjoy the added pleasures of an iPod docking station, a beachfront pool, an outdoor hot tub, and a fully equipped in-house gym.

Service from Tropical Villa Vacations is also superb: a rental here includes Personal Concierge Service, light daily housekeeping with towels refreshed daily and a linen change every 3 to 4 days, fresh floral arrangements and exotic bath treats from Maui. They will also deliver your rental car directly to the villa should you use them to make arrangements. A private chef is also available for your stay so that you can spend yet more time enjoying the hot tub, pool or beach.

The agency notes that due to the quality of the furnishings and artwork, this villa may be more suitable for older children, but younger children are not barred: parents are cautioned to exercise extra care and the security deposit required may be higher for those traveling with young children. Children count towards the maximum number of guests (eight).

While the service here is exemplary, the villa itself is the real draw. Visit the Tropical Villa Vacations website for 28 additional pictures of the comfort and splendor of this beautiful villa.

Rates for 2007-2008 are $4500 per night + taxes, with a minimum stay of 7 nights. Click here to get to the Tropical Villa Vacations website, or call 888.875.2818 ext. 206 or 203.