Our 50th state, Hawaii is comprised of a group of islands all different and uniquely beautiful. On this amazing trip we had the opportunity to visit Kauai, Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii and Oahu. We learned about natural wonders like black sand beaches, volcanoes and the abundant sea life that inhabit the water surrounding the islands. We learned about Hawaiian history and culture, how the Polynesian peoples discovered these islands and inhabited them and their eventual discovery by Captain Cook in 1778 which forever change the future for it’s original inhabitants.
It’s hard to reconcile Hawaii’s past and present but in visiting all the islands we came to appreciate Hawaii as it is today, from it’s beautiful scenery, to it’s crops and mix of island culture and unique and tasty foods. Of course it’s easy to come here and relax and enjoy this island paradise, it’s another thing to explore and discover. My hope is that when you visit these islands, you learn about their ancient culture and their place in American history and take these important lessons to heart for there is so much here beyond the palm trees, ocean waves, and suntan lotion. Aloha!
State Hawaii
| Theme Pacific Cultures and American Imperialism | Duration 12 Days |
Day 1
 | • Fly to Honolulu, and then to Lihue, Kauai • Smith’s Fern Grotto Wailua river cruise |
Day 2
 | • Steelgrass Farms Chocolate Tasting Tour • Paddle Board lessons on Hanalei Bay |
Day 3
 | • Cruise Napali Coast with Napali Makai • Sample Lappert’s Ice Cream |
Day 4
 | • Fly from Kauai to Maui • Day at the beach • Old Lahaina Luau |
Day 5
 | • Outrigger Canoe with Maui Paddle Sports • Maui Ocean Center • Explore on Front Street |
Day 6
 | • Alexander Baldwin Sugar Museum • Fly to Kona on the Big Island |
Day 7
 | • Eco Adventures Zipline • King Kamehameha statue in Hawi |
Day 8
 | • Akaka Falls • King Kamehameha statue in Hilo • Volcano National Park • Black Sand beach |
Day 9
 | • Mountain Thunder Kona Coffee Plantation tour • Fly to Honolulu • Waikiki Beach |
Day 10
 | • Dole Pineapple Plantation • Explore the North Shore • Polynesian Cultural Center |
Day 11
 | • Pearl Harbor • Iolani Palace • Hawaii State Capitol Building |
Day 12
• Fly home
It indeed should be our 50th state! Hawaii is a mix of many cultures, not just Polynesian. The ouster of the queen was the result of her wanting to arbitrarily change the Constitution. The people objected. In a March 2016 poll, an overwhelming majority of Hawaii’s residents say any effort to create a ‘country within a country’ is patently unfair and racist. Moreover, if the U.S. had not been here during WWII, the residents might well be speaking another language. So come and experience Hawaii for the beauty that she is — both in the land (aina) and her rich mix of cultures.