On Maui, steady trade winds blow through the beach town of Pā'ia, at the end of Hāna Highway, and on the nearby ocean shore, hundreds of windsurfers from around the world whiz through the lineup.

"Windsurfing was made for Maui," said Maui sail designer Barry Spanier. And many agree with him — it's a prime spot for this healthy outdoor activity. The combination of strong trades and winter surf makes this north shore break an ideal spot for hopping over the ocean's chop. The world's best windsurfers, like Robby Naish and Pete Cabrinha, can be seen zipping through the waves. It's also the new home to windsurfing contests, including the Aloha Classic.

Drawn by the windsurfers and the laid-back atmosphere, boutiques and diners make this little sugar cane plantation town boom.

See a video at www.HonoluluAdvertiser.com, and for more, go to http://Sports.pacificnetwork.tv/Xtreme.

— PacificNetwork.tv

FLUS, COLDS

BEING A GERMOPHOBE PAYS OFF

Each year, up to 20 percent of Americans come down with the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and we suffer from an astounding 1 billion colds. So get your flu shots (for the seasonal flu and H1N1) and be a germophobe. It pays to be obsessive about keeping your hands clean, since they're a major way germs get into our bodies. One study showed a 45 percent decrease in respiratory illness among people who upped their hand-washing to at least five times a day.

— Woman's Day