Day 1 You'll See:
Day 2 You'll See:
Day 3 You'll See:
- Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial
- City Tour of Honolulu
- National Cemetery of the Pacific
- Washington Place
- Hawaii State Capitol
- Iolani Palace
- King Kamehameha Statue
Day 4 You'll See:
- Authentic Hawaiian Luau
- Free Time
Day 5 You'll See:
For the group that is short on time but not on expectations, the best of Hawaii 5 Day Trip is a great option! This trip packs in all the most popular attractions on the island of Oahu as well as some unforgettable cultural experiences that are synonymous with a native Hawaiian heritage. All you expect and more in just 5 short days, but the memories will last a lifetime.
1
Traditional Flower Lei
Your student travel group has landed - a warm, tropical breeze kisses your face as you draw your first long breath of Big Island essence. Friendly island greeters approach, welcoming you and your fellow travelers with a warm "aloha" and place a beautiful lei crafted of colorful, fresh, and oh so fragrant exotic blooms— a heartwarming traditional symbol of welcome and love in Hawaii – around your neck. The magic begins!
2
Kualoa Ranch
Enjoy a full day of amazing adventure including kayaking and exploring, a canoe ride, and a rousing beach volleyball game on the scenic 4000 acre Island refuge of Kuoloa Ranch. You will delight to an authentic Fire Show performed by Chief Sielu, visit a macadamia farm and relax and enjoy a BBQ lunch on the secluded and serene white sands of Secret Island offering unparalleled views of Mokoli’i Island (Chinaman’s Hat) and lovely Kaneohe Bay. Along Came Polly, You, Me and Dupree, Fantasy Island, Fifty First Dates, and other popular Hollywood productions were filmed at this very location!
Learn the Hula
After lunch on the Secret Island, a Hawaiian Kumu (teacher) will introduce you and your student group to the origins of Hula, the ancient island dance that combines grace, spirituality, and athleticism. Hula is one of Hawaii’s definitive cultural practices and this is a favorite, fun-filled, interactive learning experience, the perfect way to top off your Kualoa Ranch excursion while dancing off a little of that delicious BBQ!
3
Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial
You will forever remember the powerful experience of a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center; over one million guests make the trip across the water every year to pay their respects to the selfless 1177 men and women who lost their lives in the ultimate sacrifice on December 7th, 1941 - “The Day of Infamy.” Accessible only by boat, the iconic USS Arizona Memorial spans the sunken hull of the ambushed battleship without ever touching it. A world of exploration through a sobering cross-section of wartime history awaits guests upon arrival; sweeping panoramic views of now-peaceful Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial serve as a grand backdrop to this fully - immersive WWII history lesson.
City Tour of Honolulu
Enjoy exploring legendary Honolulu landmarks on this short city tour that treats guests to an interactive island history lesson! You’ll visit the Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific (Courts of the Missing), The Governor’s Mansion (Washington Place), the State Capitol Building, the grand Iolani Palace – the only royal compound on U.S. soil - and see the King Kamehameha statue.
National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl)
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, located at Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu, Hawaii, is charged with the important task of honoring those brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Millions of travelers visit the cemetery each year, and it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hawaii. The Cemetery showcases a magnificent pathway lined with scores of memorials donated by various organizations and foreign governments to honor America’s veterans, most commemorating service members of 20th-century wars, including those killed at Pearl Harbor.
Washington Place (Governor’s Mansion)
Built in 1847 for well-known American trader, Capt. John Dominis, the elegant mansion is perhaps best known as the former home of Queen Lili‛uokalani, Hawai‛i’s last reigning monarch. Following her marriage to the Captain’s son in 1862, she would call Washington Place home for the next 55 years. This stately home has remained at the center of social and political life in the Hawaiian Islands for more than 160 years and has served as the official residence for the Governor of Hawai'i since 1922.
State Capitol Building
A must-see on any Capitol City tour, this structure’s interesting design is deeply symbolic, with its pillars resembling palm trees, its legislative chambers shaped like volcanic cinder cones, and its central court - open to the sky - calling to mind Hawaii's open society. 7500-pound replicas of the Hawaiian state seal hang above both its entrances; reflecting pools evocative of the Pacific surround the entire building, which replaced Iolani Palace in 1969 as the seat of government and houses the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the state legislature.
Iolani Palace
The Iolani Palace that exists today is actually the second to sit on the grounds and the ONLY Royal compound on U.S soil. The original was a wooden building called Hanailoia and was built by Mataio Kekuanao’a in July 1844, long-time Royal Governor of Oʻahu, for his daughter Princess Victoria Kamāmalu. The current structure served as the official residence of the Hawaiian monarch until 1893 and features a unique architecture seen nowhere else in the world; it was completely restored and opened to the public as a museum in 1978.
King Kamehameha Statue
A magnificent warrior, diplomat, and leader, King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810 after years of conflict; this famous statue stands in front of Aliiolani Hale (home to the Hawaii State Supreme Court) just across from Iolani Palace and a short walk from historic Kawaiahao Church and the State Capitol. The 18-foot bronze is one of Oahu’s most photographed landmarks, and each year on Kamehameha Day it is ceremoniously draped with fragrant lei in celebration of Hawaii’s greatest king.
Free Time
4
Free Time
Authentic Hawaiian Luau
Get ready for the real deal – a Hawaiian Chief’s Luau hosted at Sea Life Park Hawaii’s stunningly scenic Makapu'u Meadows in the shadows of dramatic sea cliffs and overlooking the deep blue Pacific! Show off your newly acquired Secret Island hula skills then stuff yourselves at a lavish Hawaiian feast featuring wonderful traditional music, fabulous entertainment, and loads of laughs, all generously splashed with that legendary island hospitality. For a special treat, you’ll enjoy another dazzling performance by world fire-knife champion Chief Sielu.
5
Hike Diamond Head
The unique profile of landmark Diamond Head (Le'ahi) juts about the landscape near the eastern edge of Waikiki's coastline; you and your student group will enjoy a pleasant morning hike on the mountain before you depart the Big Island for home. Learn about its volcanic creation, European discovery, and cattle ranching history as well as modern-day military use of the “Gibraltar of the Pacific” as you’re escorted on a 763’ trek to the summit. Once at the top, you’ll discover cool old bunkers on the crater rim and a navigational lighthouse built in 1917, and enjoy stunning 360-degree panoramic views of beautiful Waikiki Beach, emerald green mountains, and the sparkling Pacific. This memorable excursion lasts approximately 3 hours and is a notable accomplishment, indeed: hikers are presented with an authentic Certificate of Achievement upon completing their trek. Don’t forget your cameras!