Gain an understanding of the Big Island’s history through attractions that highlight the life of the early Hawaiians and the influence of Catholic missionaries. Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park will offer a glimpse into the early culture, as it was a place of refuge for those that had violated the sacred laws known as kapu. There, you will see a temple where criminals could be absolved of their transgressions and safely return to society. To complement the experience, you will visit the 19th-century Painted Church. Its interior features frescoes and murals of biblical scenes that a Belgian priest painted to teach the islanders Catholicism. The missionaries were also instrumental in dismantling the harsh kapu laws. You will also learn how coffee was introduced to Hawaii in the 1820s and how it is processed today at the Royal Kona Coffee Center. It is an excellent setting to enjoy a cup of fresh-brewed Kona coffee.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit one Hawaii’s most sacred sites, where criminals could find safe refuge.
• View the biblical murals and frescoes that adorn the Painted Church.
• Enjoy a cup of Kona coffee and learn about its production at a coffee mill.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Spectacular volcanoes, craters and steam vents are waiting to be explored at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that has recently reopened after a period of tumultuous volcanic activity. The landscape of Volcanoes Park has dramatically changed as the floor of the Kilauea crater sunk over 1,500 feet and the overall caldera quadrupled in size and widened by over a square mile. Today, the explosive eruptions, earthquakes and ash clouds have been replaced by remarkable changes in the summit area. The highlights of this exciting tour include visits at each of the following destinations in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park while riding to each stop in comfort on a deluxe motor coach. Walk through the Kilauea Visitors Center to receive information on the Park’s current conditions, view educational exhibits and interact with park rangers. Enjoy unforgettable views of Kilauea from Volcano House, just a short walk across the street. Kilauea’s massive size and scale is realized from this vantage point. Then you’ll be engulfed in rising steam as ground water seeps down to the hot volcanic rocks at the Steam Vents. The area between the edge of Kilauea’s caldera and the outer cliffs are treeless because the extreme heat destroys their roots; only shallow-rooted grasses and other hearty plants survive here. On you return to the pier, visit the Big Island Candies Store. Established in 1977, each of its delectable candies and cookies are hand-crafted in this factory store. View the production process and see what goes into making these world famous Hawaiian treats. All products are made from only freshly roasted Big Island macadamia nuts and pure Kona and Ka‘u coffee from farms on the Big Island. Since its founding, Big Island Candies has continuously introduced new and imaginative products that "wow" both the eyes and taste buds of its growing legion of fans. The Volcanoes National Park Tour is not to be missed and includes round-trip transportation from the pier by deluxe motorcoach.

OVERVIEW

Zip along the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii on a 41-foot Super-Raft and enjoy an extended stop to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. The powerful, twin-engine vessel is open-air with plenty of shaded bench seating so you should be comfortable as you race along the gorgeous Kona coast. After assessing the wind and water conditions, the captain will select the most suitable spot for your snorkeling adventure. The Big Island boasts the highest percentage of live coral in the Hawaiian Islands and where there’s coral, there’s fish. You can expect to see an ever-changing parade of marine life that may include fluorescent-colored tangs, oddly shaped trumpet fish, graceful manta rays and green sea turtles, known locally as honu. Triggerfish are also found here and are considered the unofficial Hawaiian state fish. They’re rather unusual looking as indicated by their 21-letter Hawaiian name, which means “fish with a snout like a pig.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise off the naturally beautiful Kona coast of Hawaii in a powerful 41-foot Super-Raft.
• Snorkel a coral reef or another spot that should be teeming with colorful marine life.
• Keep an eye out for showstoppers like green sea turtles and Hawaiian spinner dolphin.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a panoramic drive along the island’s beautiful western coast and stop at attractions that are particularly relevant to Hawaiians. Upon reaching Kealakekua Bay, you will see the statue that marks the spot where early Hawaiians killed British explorer Captain James Cook in 1779 following a dispute. A bit south lies Pu’uhonua, a spiritual site where criminals once sought refuge and absolution from Hawaiian priests. The temple platforms and other structures that you will see were intact in Captain Cook’s time. Continuing on, you will stop for a sandwich or poke bowl at a popular lunch spot and then a cup of Kona coffee at Caffe Florian, another favorite among locals. A behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Kona Coffee Center will reveal how those special beans are harvested and brewed. The focus will turn to natural attractions at the nearby lava tubes and at Turtle Cove, where sea turtles are abundant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive along the island’s western shore and visit attractions of great cultural significance.
• Stop at a seaside site that was sacred to the early Hawaiians and still is today.
• Enjoy favorite local foods and drinks such as a poke bowl and Kona coffee.
• See natural wonders such as lava tubes and observe sea turtles resting on a beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Start your tour with a leisurely drive through the "Hilo Walk of Fame” known for all the banyan trees that have been planted by celebrities. Drive by Liliuokalani Gardens, the largest ornamental Japanese garden outside of Japan. Your experienced guide will provide commentary of Hilo Town as you make your way to Wailuku State Park and Rainbow Falls.

While visiting Akaka State Park, you can see two gorgeous waterfalls- 100 foot Kahuna Falls and towering Akaka Falls which plummets 422 feet into an eroded gorge. Stop at Pana’ewa Zoo the only naturally occurring rainforest zoo in the United States. Next, visit Mauna Loa Mac Nut Factory as well as the Big Island Candies Store. Established in 1977, each of its delectable candies and cookies are hand-crafted in this factory store. View the production process and see what goes into making these world-famous Hawaiian treats. All products are made from only freshly roasted Big Island macadamia nuts and pure Kona and Ka‘u coffee from farms on the Big Island. Since its founding, Big Island Candies has continuously introduced new and imaginative products that "wow" both the eyes and taste buds of its growing legion of fans.

OVERVIEW

Explore some of the Big Island’s most dramatic landscapes and come away with a deep appreciation of its volcanic formation. After pausing at America’s southernmost bake shop, where you might try a mango malasada treat, you will travel to the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. The jet-black sand is made of volcanic materials and lava fragments and is quite the sight, especially if you spot a green sea turtle basking on the beach. Symbols of wisdom and good luck, they are the only sea turtles known to sunbathe. The wonders of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will be even more extraordinary. The terrain and natural diversity there are so unique that UNESCO deemed the park both a World Biosphere site and a World Heritage site. You will see volcanic craters, the active volcano Kilauea and hot water vapor rising from countless steam vents. Rainbow Falls is yet another captivating natural wonder.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the volcanically formed black sand beach at Punalu’u and perhaps see a green sea turtle.
• Drive through stunning Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• View an active volcano, craters and steam vents releasing hot water vapor into the air.
• Enjoy the ultimate view of Rainbow Falls as it plummets 80 feet into the pool below.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy tastings of two classic Hawaiian products – coffee and chocolate – and see how both are produced to maximize their unique flavors. At Kona Joe Coffee, you will learn about the patented cultivation process that allows the trellised Arabica coffee trees to grow upright like grapevines, which ensures uniform sun exposure. The result is a superior organic coffee bean with an enhanced taste and body, as you will discover by sampling a fresh-brewed cup. You will be treated to another sampling at Kokoleka Lani Farms, an actual working farm where you will view cacao (chocolate) on the tree and see the raw beans utilized in the making of their award-winning chocolate. After touring this biodiverse farm, you will enjoy the best part--a chocolate tasting! In addition to coffee and cacao, learn how farm products are integrated into Kona Natural Soap which is also made here. Afterward, enjoy free time to browse their chocolate selections, Kona coffee and vegan soaps in the gift shop.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See how a patented process for growing coffee produces a uniquely flavored cup of coffee.
• Tour a cacao farm and watch each step of the cacao bean production.
• Sample a selection of coffees and chocolates that are pure Hawaiian..

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Become immersed in the island’s natural beauty by walking through a cloud forest that blankets the slopes of Hualalai volcano and along the sun-soaked Gold Coast. Low-level clouds usually waft through the forest, a botanical sanctuary of rare and endangered species. Expect to see giant fern trees, towering bamboo, and endemic ohia evergreens with fiery-red flowers. Another leisurely walk will present the charms of Kaoloko Honokohau National Historic Park, a protected coastal environment with the remains of an early Hawaiian settlement built on an ancient lava field. Highlights include temples, petroglyphs, and fishponds that attest to the ingenuity of the former residents. Hawaiian green sea turtles are commonly spotted along the shore, some weighing more than 300 pounds. The volcanic activity that shaped Hawaii left behind mineral-rich soil that is ideal for growing coffee as you will visit a local coffee plantation for a tour, and of course, a taste of their special brew.

Exploring Hawaii Island’s explosive side is what this tour is all about. Walk Kilauea’s most recent lava flows along the East Rift Zone, including the historic flows of 2018. Start with a drive through quaint Hilo town where you’ll drive along the historic waterfront past Liliuokalani Japanese Gardens before heading out to Kilauea. Your National Park Service certified guide will discuss the volcanology, geology, and history of Hawaii, as well as providing in-depth narration on the various lava flows and flora and fauna that you’ll be passing by. First stop is MacKenzie State Recreation Area closed by the marching 40 foot tall wall of crumbly a’a lava as it continued through the Park to the sea. Take a walk along the altered coastline and cliffs overlooking the new black sand beach. Isaac Hale Beach Park is next. Lava floes encircled this popular Park miraculously sparing the infrastructure while completely destroying everything around it. Be sure to check out the boat launch ramp, now sitting in a pond cut off from the ocean by a natural berm of lava.

Stop by Star of the Sea Painted Church. Moved by the community twice to save it from advancing lava flows in 1990, this decommissioned church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A deli style lunch is included. The final stop includes snorkeling, swimming and shopping. Grab a free snorkel set or just jump in the water and explore the unique lava rock coastline of Hilo Bay. Kayaks and paddle boards are available to rent. Stock up on fresh roasted Kona coffee, Hawaiian mac nuts, and other local products and crafts before heading back to the port.

Discover the lasting influence of King Kamehameha by exploring sites that were of great importance when he ruled Hawaii. Kamehameha is revered for uniting the Hawaiian Islands into one kingdom in 1810. About a decade earlier, the volcano Hualalai erupted, leaving hardened lava in its wake. While walking atop this rugged landscape, you will see petroglyphs and ingenious fishponds that the early Hawaiians created. Not far off, you will find a lava-rock temple built in the 18th century to fulfill a prophecy that Kamehameha would unite the islands. It is known as House of the Whale for the humpbacks often spotted just offshore. Following a simple lunchbox style meal at a statue of Kamehameha that was erected near his birthplace in Kohala, you will be free to explore Hawi, an artistic community with all sorts of eclectic shops. You will also tour a macadamia factory and sample these iconic Hawaiian-grown nuts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow in the footsteps of Kamehameha, the king that united the Hawaiian Islands.
• Walk across hardened lava from a volcano that erupted in Kamehameha’s time.
• See petroglyphs, ancient fish ponds and an 18th-century temple built with lava rocks.
• Dine under a statue of Kamehameha near his birthplace in Kohala.
• Spend free time in the artistic community of Hawi and tour a macadamia nut factory.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear long pants and closed-toe walking shoes.

Explore the famed Hamakua Coast, home to magnificent country reminiscent of “old Hawaii” on this small-group adventure. Sparsely populated Hamakua is studded with breathtaking waterfalls, stunning valleys, and eccentric towns. Traveling north, first stop at Tex Drive-In, famous for made-to- order malasadas. These fried Portuguese sweet treats were originally brought to Hawaii by immigrants who worked in the cattle industry and have been a local favorite ever since. Watch the treats being made through the window and have the option to purchase a fresh one with a cup of coffee. The Valley of the Kings, Waipio Valley is a place of impossibly steep cliffs carved by plunging waterfalls cascading more than a thousand feet to the valley floor below. Waipio Valley is still home to taro farmers as it has been for a thousand years. Look closely from the overlook and glimpses of the wild horses that roam the valley floor might be possible. Turning off the highway we descend into Laupahoehoe Point. Laupahoehoe village was located here until the destruction left behind the 1946 tsunami forced the town to move to higher ground.

. Look for the monument erected in the names of those who lost there lives here. Next stop at Akaka Falls State Park, the site of the largest easily accessible waterfall on the island. You’ll traverse a paved walking path right through the center of a lush rainforest to Akaka Falls, a stunning 442 foot waterfall that plunges down a sheer cliff and into the water below. Continue your adventure with stops at two icons of Hilo, Rainbow Falls and the King Kamehameha statue. Rainbow falls is an iconic waterfall right off a postcard featuring an 80 foot tall twin waterfall system. Look for the rainbow effect that gives the waterfall its name! Leaving the Hamakua coast behind, you travel to historic Hilo Bay to enjoy a deli style lunch. Snorkel, swim or rent a kayak to explore Hilo Bay. Complete the day with a shopping stop with Hawaiian mac nut samples, Hawaii Island crafts, local products, Kona coffee and more.

Board your air-conditioned motorcoach for a narrated drive through beautiful Kona. The white sand beaches, lush green foliage and dramatic lava formations captivate visitors lucky enough to travel along the Kona coastline.

Home to coffee plantations and macadamia groves, historic Kona is a thriving community with natural splendor and a lively culture. For truly dramatic views, to the southeast lies Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea - one of the most active in the world.

Your guided tour takes you for a visit to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau, which translates to "Place of Refuge at Honaunau." This enchanting cultural site is a lovingly restored ancient Hawaiian religious sanctuary. Built in 1650, the "Place of Refuge" originally housed the bones of Hawaiian chiefs. It later became a place of sanctuary for outlaws and defeated warriors. Highlights in this national historic park are the great Ki'i figures guarding the temple, the spectacular flora and fauna and the sense of peace and tranquility that echoes through the area.

A wide variety of Kona's famous coffees are on display at the Royal Kona Coffee Store. Refresh yourself with a sample and learn about the distinctive flavors in Kona's legendary brews. Coffee beans have been grown in the region since 1828. The nutrient-rich volcanic soil of Kona as well as the island's elevation and climate create ideal conditions for growing flavorful, quality coffee. You will have an opportunity to purchase some beans as a souvenir.

Continue through picturesque towns and villages, along magnificent coastal vistas and past historic landmarks and attractions. You'll return to port for the “sea” portion of your tour. Your guided historical lunch cruise on a 65’ catamaran will capture your imagination and reveal secrets of the Big Island when ancient, powerful kings ruled the rugged and fertile land of the Hawaiian Islands. Unwind along the way and enjoy a deli-style lunch and beverages or enjoy your favorite libation from our full-service cash premium bar. Our Historian will share Hawaiian history, stories and legends relating to the numerous landmarks along 12 miles of Kona coastline. You'll visit famous points of interest including the Ahu'ena Heiau, Holua Slide and the Kaumo'o Battlefield. There's an excellent chance of seeing marine life during your cruise and even humpback whales if you're with us during December-March. Enjoy live Hawaiian style music during the narration breaks and the entire trip back to the Kailua Pier.