"Lucky we live Hawaii": the fiftieth state through the eyes of its people - Special Advertising Feature

Of course, some of the Big Island's flora and fauna are best explored by the palate--and that's just what Chef Wilhelm Pirngruber, "Chef Willie" of the Hilton Waikoloa Village, is doing through his popular Chef's Table and Upcountry Chef's Tours (visits to exotic farms that produce Kona coffee or chocolate), as well as cooking classes and tours of the hotel kitchens. One of the organizers of Dolphin Days, the annual summer celebration of Big Island food, wine, and music, Chef Willie also helped organize the first annual Big Island Festival. With so much activity it's no wonder that Chef Willie prefers Hawaii's more secluded spots: Waipi'o Valley. Waimea town, and the volcano area. "Get to know your food!" with Chef Willie by calling Hilton Waikoloa Village, (808) 8861234, www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com.

Kaua'i

Perhaps no one understands "secluded" better than Mike Malone, operations manager of Kayak Kauai, the Garden Island's premier kayak outfitter, offering small group journeys to the island's famous Na Pali (northern) and southern coasts. Years ago, Malone decided to turn an avid whitewater kayaking hobby into a career, and the Na Pali Coast beckoned. The nearly 20-mile long stretch of sheer cliffs and verdant valleys--impassable except by foot or boat--is still Mike's favorite place in Hawaii, even after navigating its secret coves, water caves, and waterfalls for the better part of 15 years. See a different view with Kayak Kauai, (800) 437-3507 or (808) 826-9844, www.kayakkauai.com.

Also on Kaua'i, but on land--deep in the lush valleys that lend Kaua'i its nickname--is another kind of explorer: Namulau'ulu Dr. Gaugau Tavana, educational director of Kaua'i's National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG). Born and raised in Samoa and educated in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, Tavana works alongside world-renowned botanists, conservationists, master gardeners, and other educators to protect, propagate, and share knowledge about the world's plant heritage--particularly in Hawai'i and the Pacific. Continually inspired by Kaua'i's "beautiful gardens and the meaning they bring to our lives," Tavana spends his time running educational programs at three locations of the NTBG: Allerton and McBryde gardens in Lawa'i Valley and Limahuli Garden in Hanalei, recently named the "best natural botanical garden in the United States," by the American Horticultural Society Attend a guided or self-guided tour, classes, lectures, or seminars at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, (808) 332-732 4, www.ntbg.org.