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.

OVERVIEW

Paddle through the brilliant blue waters of Hilo Bay in a kayak and enjoy a unique perspective of the city and the volcanoes looming in the background. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into a kayak and follow the guide into the crescent-shaped bay. From there, you will have an excellent view of Hilo’s urban landscape, which sprawls along the coast and up into the flanks of the volcanoes. The guide will point out and describe Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano that is the highest point in Hawaii. Then there is Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano. It too is a spectacular reminder that the Hawaiian Islands are volcanically formed. While paddling through the bay and around Coconut Island, be sure to look for green sea turtles, symbols of good luck and longevity. You will also kayak up the Wailuku River to view its gorgeous waterfall.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle around Hilo Bay in a kayak as the guide describes the surrounding natural beauty.
• See the massive volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa from a unique water perspective.
• Enjoy an up-close view of Coconut Island and the waterfall on the Wailuku River.
• Look for green sea turtles gracefully swimming by in the bay’s crystal-clear waters.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring water shoes, towel, bathing suit and a change of clothes.

OVERVIEW

Paddle through the brilliant blue waters of Hilo Bay in a kayak and enjoy a unique perspective of the city and the volcanoes looming in the background. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into a kayak and follow the guide into the crescent-shaped bay. From there, you will have an excellent view of Hilo’s urban landscape, which sprawls along the coast and up into the flanks of the volcanoes. The guide will point out and describe Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano that is the highest point in Hawaii. Then there is Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano. It too is a spectacular reminder that the Hawaiian Islands are volcanically formed. While paddling through the bay and around Coconut Island, be sure to look for green sea turtles, symbols of good luck and longevity. You will also kayak up the Wailuku River to view its gorgeous waterfall.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle around Hilo Bay in a kayak as the guide describes the surrounding natural beauty.
• See the massive volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa from a unique water perspective.
• Enjoy an up-close view of Coconut Island and the waterfall on the Wailuku River.
• Look for green sea turtles gracefully swimming by in the bay’s crystal-clear waters.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Bring water shoes, towel, bathing suit and a change of clothes.

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

Stroll through the largest Edo-style ornamental garden outside of Japan and enjoy hours of free time browsing the shops and farmer’s market near Hilo Bay. To reach Liliuokalani Gardens, you will travel down Banyan Drive, a sun-dappled street lined with banyan trees that celebrities such as Babe Ruth and Amelia Earhart planted. More botanical treasures await you within the gardens, which is named for Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. It opened in 1917 as a tribute to the many Japanese immigrants that worked Hawaii’s sugarcane fields. While meandering through the serene setting, you will notice that nearly every plant is indigenous. They include species such as the rosy trumpet tree and the towering kukui, the national tree of Hawaii. Later, you will independently explore the abundant boutiques, art galleries and marketplaces along the waterfront. There will also be plenty of time to dine on your own if you wish.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive down a beautifully shaded street lined with banyan trees that celebrities planted.
• Meander through Liliuokalani Gardens, a botanical oasis with mostly indigenous plants.
• Spend hours exploring Hilo’s main shopping and dining district along the bay.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Feast on authentic Polynesian cuisine and watch a mesmerizing performance of singing and dancing at the Drums of the Pacific Luau at the Hyatt Regency Maui. The evening show will begin in dramatic fashion with the haunting sound of a conch shell horn, followed by beating drums and the lighting of tiki torches, which will set the mood for this spectacle of all things Polynesian. Then, just sit back and enjoy the performance of Hawaiian hulas, Maori warrior dances native to New Zealand and a daredevil Samoan fire-knife dance that will bring you to the edge of your seat. The show also honors the cultures of other South Pacific islands, including Rarotonga, Tahiti and the Tuamotus. The all-you-can-eat buffet dinner will be just as diverse as the courses will likely include ahi tuna poke, pasture-to-plate Paniolo beef and shredded Kalua pork straight from the underground imu oven.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a performance of songs and dances at a luau that honors Polynesian culture.
• Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner of traditional Polynesian cuisine.
• Gain insight into the various cultures as the songs and dances tell stories.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Tour the island’s only cacao farm and see how beans from the trees are made into custom chocolates. Now the largest chocolate factory in Hawaii, the Maui Ku’ia Estate sustainably produces chocolates from the seeds of the cacao trees that thrive on its 20 acres of farmland. As you walk through the orchard, a guide will describe the chocolate-making process step by step, show you how the cacao seeds are harvested and explain how the farm maintains a net-zero carbon footprint through solar power and eco-friendly packaging. During the tasting that follows in the shade of a thatched hale tree house, you will sample an assortment of milk and dark chocolates that may be flavored with mango, cappuccino, peppermint and coffee. You will also have the opportunity to purchase sweets in the gift shop. To support the local community, 100% of the farm’s net profits are donated to Maui charities.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover how chocolate is made from cacao seeds at a farm on the outskirts of Lahaina.
• Sample a variety of milk and dark chocolates, some flavored with tropical ingredients.
• Gain an understanding of how the farm and factory achieve a net zero carbon footprint.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Cruise the Kailea Princess catamaran around Bora Bora’s breathtaking lagoon, a sea of blues and greens dotted with beach-rimmed islets known as “motus.” As you sail along, you can’t help but be struck by the uninterrupted panoramic views. Many people consider Bora Bora to be the most beautiful island in French Polynesia, and it has been the backdrop for countless movies, including “Mutiny on the Bounty” with Marlon Brando. The main island is especially photogenic, as it is volcanic in origin, alluringly mountainous and lushly landscaped. The surroundings look even more spectacular at sunset, a time of day when the sky reflects an ever-changing palette of colors and the water sparkles like a field of diamonds. Since being discovered in 1722, Bora Bora has continued to gain fame for its boundless beauty and impossibly clear water, the ideal setting for this memorable sunset cruise.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise through Bora Bora’s gorgeous lagoon on a sleek catamaran.
• Take in the phenomenal natural beauty, which is even more stunning at sunset.
• Enjoy a cocktail and light snack while cruising back to the pier.

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

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.

OVERVIEW

Fly over gorgeous Bora Bora in a helicopter that will provide a literal bird’s-eye view of the lush volcanically formed landscape that James Michener, author of Tales of the South Pacific, described as “the most beautiful island in the world.” The exact route of the flight will depend on the wind and weather conditions, but regardless of where you fly the sights will be absolutely spectacular in every direction. During the 20 minutes or so that you spend in the air, you will gaze out over turquoise lagoons, secluded beaches, dense forests and dramatically soaring peaks such as Mount Otemanu, one of two extinct volcanoes at the heart of Bora Bora. It rises more than 2,400 feet above sea level. Bora Bora means “first born” in the Tahitian language, a reference to the Tahitian story of the creation of the world. Few islands are quite so inspiring, romantic and steeped in legend as Bora Bora.

HIGHLIGHTS

• View Bora Bora from the air while flying over its most gorgeous areas in a helicopter.
• Behold the island’s turquoise lagoons, secluded beaches and dramatically soaring peaks.
• See firsthand why Bora Bora is considered one of world’s most beautiful islands.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Discover how Ocean Organic Vodka employs sustainable agricultural practices to produce some of Hawaii’s most unique distilled spirits. The family-owned estate lies on the slopes of the dormant shield volcano Haleakala, a fertile setting that is ideal for farming. While touring the 80-acre, entirely solar-powered property, you will gain an understanding of the organic methods used to grow dozens of species of sugar cane for its namesake vodka and other spirits. Pesticides, herbicides and GMOs are strictly prohibited. The vodka has the distinction of being the only one in the world made with mineral-rich deep ocean water, which imparts a subtle complexity. You will have the opportunity to sample this premium vodka and a bourbon barrel-aged rum that is finished with charred kiawe wood that lends it a sweet flavor. The return drive will be just as memorable as you will pass the cowboy town of Makawao and the pineapple plantations around Hali’imaile.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit an organic farm that grows sugar cane for its premium vodka and other spirits.
• Discover why the farm’s distillery only uses ocean water drawn from 3,000 feet below the surface.
• Sample the distillery’s revered vodka and a rum aged in bourbon barrels with charred kiawe wood.
• View the upcountry cowboy town of Makawao and Hali’imaile, a pineapple-growing area.

HELPFUL HINTS

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