The National Parks of Hawai‘i

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Departure Date:

April 19-27, 2025 (with optional guided trip extension April 27-29, 2025)

9 days/8 nights (with optional extension of 2 days/2 nights)

Minimum/Maximum: 12 guests/18 guests

Itinerary Highlights

• Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve to experience the extraordinary intersection of Hawaiian culture and conservation
• Tour the national historic site where Kamehameha the Great constructed the heiau (a place of worship) that helped him unite the Hawaiian Archipelago
• Travel across four of the breathtaking Hawaiian Islands and experience all eight national park units in the state
• Hike Devastation Trail and explore a 500-year-old lava tube with an ** expert volcanologist** in ** Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park**
• Spot endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles at Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach and learn about NPCA’s work to protect marine habitats
• Gain expert knowledge from Native Hawaiian guides as you explore ancient settlements
• Engage in meaningful conversations with experts to learn about NPCA’s mission to preserve and highlight culturally significant sites

Itinerary

DAY 1: APRIL 19 — Hilo to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: Arrive by late afternoon in Hilo on Hawai‘i Island and meet your NPCA hosts and trip leader in the lobby of the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Once the entire group has met, we’ll drive to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. We’ll check in at the historic Volcano House, the only hotel located within the vast boundaries of the national park. Enjoy a group welcome dinner in the Rim Restaurant overlooking the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater of the volcano and learn how NPCA is protecting Hawai‘i’s cherished and sacred places. Volcano House (D)

Day 2: APRIL 20 — Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: After breakfast, we’ll head out to explore the wonders of the youngest of Hawai‘i’s main islands. We will spend the day exploring Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park with an expert volcanologist. We’ll drive through the Steam Vents area, then visit the overlook into Kīlauea Caldera. We will then continue onto Devastation Trail, which was formed in 1959 due to an eruption from the Kīlauea Iki Crater. We’ll walk through the surrounding 200-yearold forest which was buried by ashes and see how much (or how little) growth has come back. Then, we’ll walk through a lush rainforest to Nāhuku (Thurston) Lava Tube before having time to explore on our own before a group dinner. Volcano House (B, L, D)

Day 3: APRIL 21 — Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: After breakfast, an expert guide will lead us on a hike through a native rainforest down to the floor of Kīlauea caldera and back, a distance of 1.5 miles. We’ll discuss the park’s efforts to eradicate non-native plants and see how well the native pa‘iniu (lily) and endemic ferns are returning. There is an optional 0.5-mile detour via Sandalwood Trail, which includes passing active steam vents enroute back to the Volcano House hotel. After the hike, we’ll have a break for lunch before we travel in vans to traverse the 20-mile long Chain of Craters Road – an extraordinary scenic route through some of the park’s recent eruptive activity. We still stop along the way to see notable remnants from these eruptions, including a walk to the Pu‘uloa Petroglyphs, before heading to the spectacular coast. We will have dinner at a local restaurant in Volcano Village. Volcano House (B, L, D)

Day 4: APRIL 22 — Volcano to Kona: Today, we will head out by bus to Kona. We will stop at Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach, where, if we’re lucky, we may see endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles sunning themselves on the warm volcanic black sand. Here, our NPCA expert guide will share how we are protecting precious marine habitats from the detrimental effects of ocean warming and sea level rise. We will stop for lunch in Na‘alehu, the southernmost town on Hawai‘i Island (and in the United States). After lunch, we will continue to Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau (Place of Refuge) National Historical Park, which contains one of the most sacred heiau (a place of worship) in the islands. After our visit, we will continue to Kona and check into the hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening, either at the hotel or one of the many local restaurants within walking distance. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Hotel (B, L)

Day 5: APRIL 23 — Kaloku-Honokōhau National Park & Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site: Today we’ll connect with Native Hawaiian experts to gain insights into Hawaiian culture. First, we will visit Kaloko-Honokōhau National Park. The park protects the site of an ancient Hawaiian settlement, encompassing portions of five different ahupua‘a (traditional Hawaiian land divisions, typically extending from the mountains to the sea). Learn from a Native Hawaiian cultural expert about the resources within the park, such as loko i‘a (fishponds), kahua (house site platforms) and ki‘i pōkahu (petroglyphs). Next, we continue on to Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site. This fortress-like heiau was constructed by Kamehameha the Great between 1790 and 1791. After enjoying a picnic lunch at a nearby beach, we’ll then spend some time with local community members who are working to preserve and incorporate cultural practices in their communities. We’ll enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 6: APRIL 24 — Molokai: After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and proceed to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport to board a short charter flight to the island of Molokai, where we’ll have a rare opportunity to visit Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Surrounded by the tallest sea cliffs in the world (measuring 3,600 to 3,900 feet), Kalaupapa is home to a former Hansen’s Disease (also known as Leprosy) settlement to which the Hawaiian government exiled more than 7,000 persons with the disease from 1866 until the 1940s. An expert guide will lead us on our tour, which includes a picnic lunch. We will board another chartered flight in the late afternoon to Kapalua Airport on*Maui. Upon arrival, a private shuttle will transfer you to the hotel to check in. The remainder of your evening is unscheduled, and dinner is on your own. Sheraton Maui (B, L)

Please note: Kalaupapa is tentative as of summer 2024 due to Department of Health related closures. If the park does not open, we will visit other areas on Moloka‘i.

Day 7 - APRIL 25 — Free Day in Maui: We’ll enjoy breakfast together before heading out to explore the island at your leisure. Our trip leader will be available to make suggestions of things to see and do. Popular options are to explore the local area by snorkeling below Black Rock, walking the famous 3-mile Kā‘anapali Beach or visiting the Hawai‘i Wildlife Discovery Center. Lunch is on your own. We will gather in the evening to board a private shuttle to the Old Lahaina Lū‘au for dinner and a fabulous Polynesian show. A private shuttle will take us back to the hotel. Sheraton Maui (B, D)

Day 8: APRIL 26 — Haleakalā: This morning, we will depart on a field trip to Haleakalā National Park, an International Biosphere Reserve. Towering over the island of Maui at 10,023 feet above sea level, Haleakalā Crater is the place for an amazing range of landscapes and skyscapes. The name Haleakalā means House of the Sun in Hawaiian legend. Here, we’ll learn how NPCA is protecting Haleakalā’s endangered and vulnerable species. After a visit to the summit and the visitor center, we will head down to Kula where we will enjoy lunch. Next stop: ‘Īao Valley State Park – a lush green valley that holds historical significance as the site of a fierce battle between Maui warriors and the army of Kamehameha the Great, making it a sacred place for the Hawaiian people. Following a discussion of the valley with a Hawaiian cultural expert, we will return to the hotel to freshen up before gathering to depart for our final group dinner together at a local restaurant. Sheraton Maui (B, D)

Day 9: APRIL 27 — Departure Day – Base Trip: We will enjoy breakfast at our leisure and check out of the hotel. You may store your luggage with the bell desk if your flight departs later in the day. Our trip leader will be able to assist you in arranging airport transfers. (B)

OPTIONAL TRIP EXTENSION

Day 9: APRIL 27 — Maui to O‘ahu & Pearl Harbor: If you have selected to participate in the additional two days on O‘ahu, you will check out of your room after breakfast and depart via private shuttle for Kahului airport to catch a flight to O‘ahu. Upon arrival on O‘ahu, we will drive to Pearl Harbor National Memorial, stopping for lunch along the way. At the Memorial, we’ll learn about the events on and surrounding December 7, 1941, the “date which will live in infamy”, when a surprise air attack by the Japanese plunged the United States into World War II. At the visitor’s center, we’ll learn about the history and events which lead up to the attack, then watch a short film. Afterwards, we’ll board a US Navy vessel to take us to the memorial built over the USS Arizona, which is the final resting place for over 900 sailors and Marines. After your visit, we will take our private shuttle to Waikīkī and check into the hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Waikīkī and dinner is on your own. Queen Kapiolani Hotel (B, L)

Day 10: APRIL 28 — Honouliuli, O‘ahu: This morning after breakfast, we will visit the Honouliuli Education Center at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. Honouliuli National Historic Site preserves the history of the largest and longest-used confinement site during World War II. The U.S. Army-run camp held approximately 400 internees and 4,000 prisoners of war after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Before former President Obama’s official designation of Hono‘uli‘uli as a national historic site, NPCA and our supporters spent many years advocating for it to reside under National Park Service management. We will have lunch at a local restaurant and enjoy a presentation from the National Park Service on the developments of the new Honouliuli National Historic Site. Then we will have free time until our farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant overlooking Diamond Head and Waikīkī Beach. Queen Kapiolani Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 11: April 29 — Departure Day: Enjoy breakfast at your leisure before we check out of the hotel. You may store your luggage with the bell desk if your flight departs later in the day. Our trip leader will be able to assist you in setting up airport transfers.

Please note: Accommodations and activities are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond NPCA’s control.

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MORE INFORMATION: For full details on this trip, including inclusions, exclusions, accommodations, terms and safety protocols, please download the detailed trip brochure.

Download Detailed Trip Brochure ›

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