Product: compost tea time

Sunset, Sept, 2004

Organic farmers always say "feed the soil, not the plant." One of the most effective ways to do it is with compost tea--a solution made from traditional or worm compost--which contains billions of microorganisms that help convert soil nutrients and minerals into a form more easily absorbed by plant roots. Now it's gotten a lot more convenient to buy it. SoilSoup Kitchens has begun stationing self-serve espresso cart look-alikes at local nurseries that dispense tea for about $8 a gallon. Apply the tea directly to the soil from a watering can or spray it onto foliage and soil (both should be moist before applying). Contact SoilSoup for a list of participating nurseries (if there aren't any near you, encourage your local nursery to install a cart). www.soilsoup.com or 877/711-7687.--L.B.S.

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Kids' garden

See vanilla vines tangle near chocolate trees. The children's garden at Na'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens is scheduled to open this month. Reservations required; from $25. Kilauea; www.naainakai.com or 808/828-0525.

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Bird-watch

Thousands of wedge-tail shearwaters nest at 12-acre Mokuauia Island. Malaekahana Bay State Recreation Area, 1 mile north of La'ie; www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dsp/oahu.html or 808/587-0320.

Zip lines

Soar on a zip-line course down the side of Haleakala. Four of the heavy-duty cables take you up to 125 feet above the forest. On terra firma, guides share details on native plants and animals. $69. Kula; www.skylinehawaii.com or 808/878-8400.

Surfing museum

The surfboards, film clips, and beach-party memorabilia of the International Surfing Hall of Fame now have a permanent home on Kalapaki Bay. $10, ages 12 and under free with an adult. Lihue; 808/632-2270.

Art tours

Shangri La, heiress Doris Duke's spectacular waterfront estate near Diamond Head, offers tours of its Islamic art treasures through 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. From the lounge, spot manta rays in the sea. Rooms from $320. Kailua-Kona; www.sheratonkeauhou.com or 808/322-3411.