'Iolani Palace's self-guided audio tours have been such a hit since the audio wands were introduced last summer that the palace has added 50 more of the devices to its stock. Want to know more about the history of your island? On the audio tour, you'll hear oli, period music, accounts of newspapers of the day, former Senate hopeful (and royal family descendant) Quentin Kawananakoa and a lot of other stuff. You come away with a living portrait of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi'olani. Cost: $12 adults, $5 children. For reservations, call 522-0832.

— Derek Paiva

STEP IT UP

TAKE THE 'WALKING SCHOOL BUS'

Youth obesity has tripled during the past 20 years. Largely because of obesity and inactivity, this generation of American youth will likely be the first to not outlive their parents. We must do everything we can to increase physical activity in the lives of our young people. The evidence is mounting that active kids are healthier, happier and more successful in school. Kids who walk to school burn about 40 extra calories per day. For every extra 15 minutes walked daily, a 100-pound youngster will burn off 3 to 4 pounds of fat in a year. Think about developing a "walking school bus" — walk to school with your children, while "picking up" other kids along the way. If you're too busy to go the entire distance, walk with your kids part of the way and have another parent "drive" the walking bus the remainder of the way. It is a great way to start the day. For more information, check out www.walkingschoolbus.org.

Next week: Walking shoes.

— Drs. Jay Maddock and Bill Reger-Nash

FINAL WORD

"(Jack) Johnson, as much a surf hunk as a singer-songwriter, co-founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation to support environmental education in his home state."

Vanity Fair | citing the North Shore native as one of eight musicians making "The Soundtrack of Change" in the magazine's second annual Green Issue, out now.