New things to do, places to stay in Hawaii

Enough that 3.25 million of us flew there last year — out of a record 8.28 million visitors in total — and spent $5 billion, or more than a third of the total $14.7 billion in visitor expenditures, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Fortunately, Hawaii offers lodging, dining and activities to suit nearly any budget, plus plenty of opportunities to stray far from crowds (please tread lightly and safely, though). Climb Works Keana Farms now provides eight dual zips and an educational tour from a ridge overlooking the farm and North Shore beaches. Kualoa Ranch’s Treetop Canopy tour includes seven zips and walks through the rain forest, where guests learn about native plants and movies shot at the ranch, including “Jurassic World.” In Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii Ocean Adventures offers a half-day Hawaiian sailing canoe trip from Heeia State Park, with a free shuttle from Waikiki; proceeds benefit park and youth programs. [...] on the Windward Side, Sea Life Park has transformed its Shark Trek Adventure, removing a fence that separated guests from the pelagics, and focusing on sharks’ role in Native Hawaiian culture; the park has also doubled the size of its interactive Touch Pool. The Hawaii State Art Museum has a new exhibition featuring its Art in Public Places collections; the free museum also stays open late the first Friday of the month, with live music from 6 to 9 p.m. On the last Friday of the month, enjoy concerts with no cover charge in the Banyan Courtyard at the Moana Surf rider; local bands start at 5 p.m. and top Hawaiian music recording artists perform from 7 to 9 p.m. Spring also saw the arrival of Bread+Butter, a cafe by day and tapas bar by night, behind the Ala Moana Center, and Mark Noguchi’s locally inspired lunch spot, the Mission Social Hall & Cafe, at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Museum. Among budget properties, Ohia Waikiki, formerly the Outrigger Surf East, is being upgraded under new management by Aqua Hospitality; all 251 rooms and suites (from $171) include kitchenettes with four-burner stoves and ovens. The patterns and colors of kapa (dyed bark cloth) inspired the latest decor throughout the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk by Hilton, from carpets to bed scarves to artwork, and even the tower’s exterior. The Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa’s refurbishment of its 1,230 rooms, wrapped up in spring, focused on modern amenities including pillow-top beds, bidet toilets and outlet pods. [...] the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa will cap “beautification” of its public spaces with the completion this fall of a 60-by-20-foot carved wood panel honoring Queen Liliuokalani, Hawaii’s last monarch. Across the road from MauiWine, Ulupalakua Ranch & Grill now stays open till 5 p.m. — more time to try its Maui Cattle Co. beef brisket or lamb burgers. Hana Ranch Provisions opened last month and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, showcasing ingredients from Hana Ranch’s certified organic farm and ranch in East Maui. Among other improvements, rooms will feature redesigned baths, photographs of Hana and furnishings from sustainable materials and kapa cloth — but no TVs, clocks or radios, in keeping with tradition. There’s just one suite at the new G and Z Upcountry Bed & Breakfast in Kula, but it’s quite a spread for $149 a night, with a king bed, living room with queen sofabed, fully equipped kitchen and private entrance — and no cleaning fee.