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

Discover the natural beauty and quirkiness of the island’s North Shore through vastly different and revealing experiences. While browsing the boutiques in the former sugar plantation town of Pa’ia, you will get a genuine sense of its laid-back, bohemian ambiance. The shops tend to be colorful, somewhat eclectic and full of merchandise that you won’t find elsewhere as it is often made locally. A leisurely one-mile walk through a nearby rainforest will bring you to two waterfalls, one of them is Twin Falls, a gorgeous cascade that plummets into a serene pool where you may swim if you wish. The setting couldn’t be more relaxing or picturesque. The beauty of Ho’okipa Beach Park is equally captivating, especially the scene offshore as this is a premier spot for surfing and windsurfing because the waves are well-formed and sometimes reach heights of 30 feet. The beach is also one of the best places to see green sea turtles.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy free time shopping in the quirky, wonderfully laid-back seaside town of Pa’ia.
• Walk through a rainforest to two waterfalls where you are welcome to swim in the pools below.
• Watch the surfers and windsurfers at Ho’okipa Beach Park and look for green sea turtles.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear swimsuit under clothing.
• Wear athletic shoes or sturdy sports sandals that can get wet and muddy (water shoes are suggested). No flip flops, or sandals with no backstrap.
• Bring a towel.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the world of volcanoes at a national park that contains active ones and see how volcanoes have shaped the Hawaiian landscape, sometimes in a positive manner. The terrain and natural diversity within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is so unique that UNESCO deemed it both a World Biosphere site and a World Heritage site. You will walk among steaming vents in the earth’s surface. Other highlights include seeing the active Halema’uma’u pit crater within the Kilauea summit caldera and driving along the winding road, which passes old lava flows and other reminders of past eruptions. The island’s volcanic soil is exceptionally fertile as you will discover by strolling through Lili’uokalani Gardens, a wonderland of native plants that was once the favorite picnic grounds of Queen Lili’uokala, Hawaii’s last monarch. Volcanic activity also created the black lava rock on many of the island’s beaches.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit 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.
• Meander through a botanical garden that thrives in the island’s volcanically formed soil.
• See a coastline made of black rock made of volcanic materials and lava fragments.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

After a scenic drive through Upcountry Maui, you’ll arrive at the zipline course, which sits near the edge of Haleakalā National Park at 4,200 feet above sea level. An experienced guide team will outfit you with safety gear before leading you through an active conservation restoration area being replanted with native trees. Along the way, your guides will share their knowledge about the history of Haleakalā National Park, its delicate ecosystems, and the cultural significance of the area. When you arrive at the first zipline, you’ll be clipped in for the first of five exhilarating rides down the slopes of Haleakalā. The adrenaline journey culminates in a thrilling zip on Hawaii’s only pendulum zipline, where riders reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour! While pausing on the elevated platforms between ziplines, you will enjoy views of Haleakalā National Park, the West Maui Mountains, and the islands of Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, and Kaho‘olawe just offshore.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride five separate ziplines, including the only pendulum zipline in Hawaii.
• Enjoy the adrenaline rush of riding ziplines as high as 90 feet over a canyon.
• Get a literal bird’s-eye view of Maui and surrounding islands as you race between zipline platforms.
• Hike through an active conservation restoration area that is being replanted with native Hawaiian trees.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear athletic or hiking shoes with a fully enclosed toe and heel.

OVERVIEW

Watch the sunset from a prime location on Wailea Beach while enjoying tropical drinks and live acoustic music, which will perfectly set the mood. Being on Maui’s western shore, the crescent-shaped beach couldn’t be in a better spot to watch the sun slowly dip below the horizon. The sunsets can be epic when seen from Wailea Beach, especially if the atmospheric conditions are ideal for the colors to be as vivid and vibrant as possible. You will view sunset from a luxurious waterfront hotel, while a musician serenades you on an acoustic guitar or perhaps a ukulele. Although ukuleles are Hawaii’s most iconic musical instrument, they originated in Portugal and weren’t introduced to Hawaii until the late 19th century. To enhance the beachfront experience, you will be served a couple of Mai Tais and a selection of classic island snacks that may include coconut shrimp, pulled-pork sliders and taro chips.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a pyrotechnic sunset from a luxurious waterfront hotel on Wailea Beach.
• Enjoy being serenaded with immensely relaxing, live acoustic Hawaiian music.
• Snack on classic Hawaiian treats that pair perfectly with refreshing Mai Tais.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Gain an overall understanding of Hawaiian history and culture by browsing the Kaua’i Museum, a perfect introduction to seeing the island’s natural beauty in person. Opened more than a century ago, the museum displays a remarkable range of artifacts from early Hawaiian life, the Hawaiian monarchy that continued until 1893 and Kauai’s volcanic formation. The guide will elaborate on the significance of the collection, which will make the attractions to come all the more relevant. One of the highlights will be seeing Opaeka’a Falls, which flows over a basalt cliff created after a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. Its source is the Wailua River, one of the few navigable rivers in all of Hawaii, which you will also behold from an elevated lookout. You will enjoy a cultural immersion at Lydgate Beach, where you will learn to hula, a uniquely Hawaiian dance accompanied by a chant or song.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See museum exhibits that showcase Hawaii’s unique history and culture.
• Take in sweeping views of Opaeka’a Falls and the Wailua River from scenic overlooks.
• Learn the basics of hula dancing at Lydgate Beach near the mouth of the Wailua River.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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

Ride an electric bike through the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and stop along the way at attractions that showcase the unusual nature of the state’s only UNESCO World Heritage site. Traveling by fat-tire e-bike couldn’t be easier because its battery-powered, whisper-quiet motor makes pedaling a breeze, allowing you to go farther with less effort. You will experience that firsthand as you ascend into the park on the way to the visitors center, whose enlightening exhibits will prepare you for the drama of seeing the Kilauea volcano in person. One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea has been steadily erupting since 1983 and the surrounding terrain is extraordinarily dramatic. You will behold this towering shield volcano and its caldera – the cauldron-like depression at the top – from a lookout and from the Volcano House Hotel. You will also pause at the Thurston Lava Tube, a cavernous tunnel that was filled with flowing lava 500 years ago.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Zip around Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on an e-bike that makes pedaling easier.
• Learn about the park’s geology and volcanic history at the visitor center.
• View Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, from several vantage points.
• Stop at the Thurston Lava Tube, through which a river of hot lava flowed centuries ago.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Cruise to the island of Tahaa to visit a vanilla farm and then visit a small islet nearby to comb the beaches, snorkel and enjoy a typical Polynesian picnic lunch.

After departing from the pier in a boat, you will soon enter the protected turquoise lagoon that encircles Raiatea, an island whose name translates to faraway heaven. Upon arriving at the nearby island of Tahaa, it’s a short walk to reach the vanilla plantation. Seventy percent of the vanilla grown in French Polynesia is from Tahaa and it makes for a wonderfully fragrant setting. While strolling about, you can expect to see and smell aromatic vanilla pods curing in the sun. You may also walk among the rows of climbing orchids that produce the pods and learn how they are hand-pollinated. You will also have time to shop for vanilla-infused products.

Re-boarding your boat, it’s a short cruise to one of the lagoon’s gorgeous reef islets, known as motus. Few places are so relaxing, serene and ideal for beachcombing. An island style lunch will be served during your time on the motu, and the remainder of your stay will be free to do as you please. You might sunbathe or relax in the shade, doing nothing more ambitious than watching the waves gently lap at the shore. Or you may enjoy a refreshing swim and a bit of snorkeling (mask and snorkel provided).

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

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.

Sail on a sleek catamaran to beautiful Kealakekua Bay and snorkel its sheltered waters, which are teeming with colorful marine life. The bay lies off the western shore and holds the Big Island’s only underwater state park, a marine sanctuary renowned for the clarity of its waters. The cruise will be immensely pleasurable as the 50-foot catamaran offers plenty of room to stretch out in the sun and relax in the shaded but open-air cabin. On the way, you will dine on classic Hawaiian cuisine and hear about the island’s history, especially while passing the spot where legendary British explorer Captain James Cook was killed in 1779. Still, the underwater wonders are the star attractions, including marine life found nowhere else in Hawaii such as lizardfish and flame angelfish, a flashy species often seen grazing on coral reef algae. Feel free to enjoy the open bar on the return cruise.