Zac Efron: "I Got Leied"

Find out what the hunk has been up to the last few days in Maui

Zac Efron has been in Hawaii for the last few days surfing, cliff jumping and yes, getting leied.

The 22-year-actor was honored last night at the Maui Film Festival with the Shining Star Award.

Not only did I conduct the night's official Q&A with Zac, but I also got the chance to chat with him backstage before the big shebang. Read on to get the scoop…

"I've never had a better day surfing," said Efron, who brought his younger brother Dylan, 18, on the trip. "If you're going to go, you need to go here. The conditions are unbelievable. In California, the waves kind of toss you around. There always seems to be an offshore breeze.

"Here in Maui, I was out there and the water was so glassy and clear," continued Efron, who took surfing lessons with celebrity surf instructor Kiva Rivers. "It was like a bathtub. The waves just stay wide open for long rides in."

Rest and relaxation aside, Efron said he looks for career inspiration from people like Leonardo DiCaprio. However, he insists he has no master plans for how he wants it to all unfold.

"In my career, I've never been the man with the plan," he said. "I've never been one to say, I want to be here in 10 years. People always ask, ‘Where do you want to be in 10 years? What do you see in the future?' I don't know. I always like to throw caution to the wind and follow my heart."

Efron will next be seen in the drama Charlie St. Cloud with Ray Liotta and Kim Basinger. "I'm loving the ride right now," he beamed. "I'm loving it."

On stage, he cracked, "I've been here five minutes [and] I got leied."

Before the awards ceremony, which took place outside at the Celestial Cinema on the Wailea Golf Course, Efron hit the opening night party at Capische? restaurant along with Malin Akerman, Josh Radnor and Dan Byrd.

Later on, Efron mingled and even did some dancing at Tommy Bahama before calling it a night.