Devin Hester tends to keep opponents on edge in the kicking game.

For at least a little while this week, Hester is prioritizing some time for simply kicking back.

For Hester, the Chicago Bears’ dynamic returner, arriving in Hawaii’s warmth might soothe the sting of a 21-14 loss to Green Bay in the NFC championship game. And after a bruising season, he’s looking forward to some time to unwind while preparing for Sunday’s Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

"You know you have a football game," Hester said as he headed to the team bus after yesterday’s practice at Kapolei High School, "but at the same time, while you get your work in you’ve got the beach side, sitting by the pool and getting away from football a little bit."

Hester’s record-breaking knack for breaking big returns leaves foes with little room to relax.

He scored three touchdowns on punt returns this season. A 64-yarder against Minnesota on Dec. 21 gave him the NFL record for return touchdowns. He’s reached the end zone on 10 punt returns and on four kickoff returns in five seasons.

This will be Hester’s third Pro Bowl. He went 63 yards on his lone punt return in the 2006 game and returned five kickoffs for an average of 33 yards, including a 51-yarder, in 2008.

He earned a trip this season by posting career bests at 17.1 yards on his 33 punt returns and 35.6 yards on kickoff returns while helping the Bears win the NFC North.

Atlanta head coach Mike Smith, who leads the NFC this week, didn’t have to face Hester this season, and is looking forward to having the return weapon on his side.

"You hold your breath and you want to kick the ball out of bounds when you’re playing a guy like that," Smith said.

"We’re going to try to get it into his hands as best we can.

"I think special teams will be a big part of it, could be the difference in the game."

Of course, Hester’s impact on Sunday hinges on the AFC’s willingness to kick the ball his way.

Dallas punter Mat McBriar, a former University of Hawaii standout, was joined on the NFC roster by two of the league’s most dangerous returners — Hester and Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson, who withdrew from the game due to an injury yesterday. McBriar knows well the perils of kicking to either.

"(Jackson) and Hester are in a league of their own," McBriar said. "I really don’t like kicking to them at all."

This week, covering Hester is someone else’s problem. The relatively loose nature of the Pro Bowl — plus the fact that most of the all-stars don’t usually play special teams — could create openings for a big return on Sunday.

"It seems like everybody is trying to have fun and at the same time not trying to hurt anybody," Hester said.