Michael Haley  

A gorgeous sunset on the beach becomes even more magical when you are horseback riding with that special someone on a romantic date. Enjoy a sunset ride on the Ponoholo Ranch and you'll see the most amazing colors in the sky and on the sprawling beachfront.

Diamond Head Theatre sits at the cornerstone of the Hawaiian arts scene: It is located at the foot of Diamond Head Crater and is the third oldest community theater in the U.S. The theater began in 1915 and has evolved into a true community center - a place where volunteers hone their acting chops, where the directors and set designers usher in the audience, tend to the gardens and design the costumes. To refill the local talent pool, Diamond Head offers year-round classes in dancing, acting and singing. Plus, youth can participate in an extensive summer school or a youth troupe called Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars. Known as the Broadway of the Pacific, Diamond Head brings classic tales to the stage, like "The King and I "and "Little Women, The Broadway Musical". Comedic turns are plentiful with perfomances like "I Hate Hamlet," "Altar Boyz" and "Hairspray."

Visit the Valley of the Temples in Oahu, a memorial park that lies at the foot of the 2,000-foot Koolau Range. The highlight of the area is a Japanese temple called Byodo-In.

Celebrate the music, dance and history of the islands at the annual Aloha Festival Hawaii every September. The festival is one of the largest and oldest of its kind in the nation. Dancers, a royal court, parades, music and more are all part of the festivities.