Looking for a great way to spend the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, May 26 - 27?

If you're a recreational boater, or an angler, you might consider heading out to the new Ko Olina Resort and Marina for the Hawaii Boat Show and Ocean Expo.

Designed for Hawaii's active, as well as would-be boaters and fishermen, there will be - for the first time in the state - a large in-the-water display of vessels for sale and show, as well as a variety of activities for the entire family. In fact, its organizers predict this show will be the largest event of its kind to ever take place on O`ahu.

To accomplish their goal, they plan to bring the many diverse elements of the boating and ocean recreation community together to create an entertaining and educational experience that will appeal to all ages and backgrounds.

The boat show itself will present both new and used sail and powerboats, but it won't stop there. It will also provide a showcase for a variety of classic wooden boats, kayaks, canoes and personal water craft.

Some of the in-the-water boat lines will be: Boston Whaler, Bayliner, Cabo, Cruising Cats Hawaii, ElectroLaunch, Force Marine, Glacier Bay Hawaiian, Holo, Maxim, Maui Multihulls, Sea Ray, Sea Swirl and Twin V. And several of these boats will be available for test-drives each day of the event.

Adjacent to the in-the-water display, trailer boats will be exhibited by boat manufacturers and retailers such as Force Marine, Glacier Bay, Maui Multihulls, Pro Line, Se'Able and Spectrum Trailers.

In another exhibit area, suppliers, manufacturers, dealers and others servicing the boating community will have the very latest in electronics, hardware, engines and an assortment of ocean-related craft on display.

Companies such as West Marine, Pacific Ocean Producers, Gaspro, Penn, Shimano, Zutt's Spectra, Ala Wai Marine, Brookins Boatworks, Yanmar, Honda, Mercruiser, Yamaha and Detroit Diesel will be on hand to provide information on their various products.

In cooperation with the state's Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Boat Show and Ocean Expo will also include the third annual Hawaii Fishermen's Festival. As in past years, this festival will provide a forum for all who are interested to discuss the many issues involving Hawaii's fisheries.

Topics for this year's forum will include: who fish in Hawai`i, the status of our fisheries, putting limits on catch size and numbers, derelict fishing gear, the Hawaii Ocean Safety Team, marina privatization, local fishing methods, stock enhancement projects, and specific issues for our youth.

Along with the forums, nonprofit groups have been encouraged to participate by providing displays and food booths. These will include games and educational hands-on activities at exhibits from the UH Sea Grant Program, U. S. Coast Guard, National Marine Fisheries Service, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, University of Hawaii and Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council.

Other activities planned for the weekend include single-paddler canoe races, long-casting demonstrations and a fish recipe contest. And finally, those on hand Sunday afternoon will enjoy greeting over 30 sailboats competing in the Around Oahu Sailing Race, as it makes its stop at Ko Olina Marina.

Hope to see you there.