Hawaiian Islands - Itinerary

day 1

The Big Island, or the Island of Hawaii is our first of many destinations. We should be able to see the towering volcanic craters of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea -- the largest mountain of the world if measured from its base below the ocean. On the Big Island, we will settle into our new home on the beach and await our first adventure!

day 2-3

Begin your service adventure at Habitat for Humanity of West Kona. You'll get your hands dirty and be part of something truly lasting. You will learn more about yourself and the community than you ever dreamed possible.

day 4-8

Hope you have done your SCUBA PADI homework. During the next five days you will have the opportunity to SCUBA dive and explore Hawaii's amazing underworld. You will be nose to nose with incredible sea life. You’ll have a chance to do a night-time snorkel where you’ll experience the famous Manta Rays and their 15 foot wing span swimming all around you. On our last day of diving, we'll drive to the more central part of the Island and experience the wonders of the Mauna Kea Astronomy Observatory! We'll drive to the summit, 9300 ft above sea, and view the stars and planets from an entirely awe-struck vantage point.

day 9

Volcanoes National Park! Hawaii is continuously growing as plates continue to shift along this hot spot. In Volcanoes National Park, we will walk along the ancient lava flows of Mauna Loa or Mauna Kea and watch from a safe distance the constant eruptions of Kilauea into the ocean.

day 10

We’ll hop aboard a Hawaiian jet for our next destination: Kauai, the "Island of Discovery" and arrive in time to watch the sunset on our beach campsite.

day 11-12

During the first two days on Kauai, we'll spend time at Kokee Discovery Center learning about invasive plant species and trail maintenance. We'll help address potentially devastating species problems in this area of the state. We'll stay at a renovated Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp, enjoying the amenities of a full kitchen, and embracing the stars above during our moon-ups.

day 13-14

Let's head off to discover some of the watery secrets of Kauai! We’ll use our paddling skills to kayak the Wailua River, the only navigable river in Hawaii. The river’s fresh water pours from Mt. Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth. The Wailua will lead us to a hidden trail deep in the lush forest where we can hike to a "secret" waterfall. We’ll also get to hear whispers from the famous blue lagoon from our crafts. Next we will take to the ocean in our vessels to explore one of the most sought after paddles of the Americas, the Na Pali Coast. Along this coast visit sea caves, spot wildlife, view waterfalls, or just breathe in the peaceful Hawaiian air.

day 15-18

Now is the time to grab a surf board and learn proper surfing techniques from professional guides. After we catch the perfect wave, or at least have fun in the surf while we try, we’ll explore the coastline, set up camp, and feast on fresh Hawaiian fruits while we await a gourmet dinner, Moondance style. We'll spend the mornings surfing and the afternoons at Waipa Foundation. We'll work alongside native Hawaiian children planting trees and sustainable crops. We'll also get a chance to clip in and complete the infamous ropes course.

day 19-20

We'll spend our last day on the lush island of Kauai cleaning our gear, playing Iron Chef!, and preparing for our departure tomorrow. Enjoy a traditional Hawaiian feast and our last moon-up of the adventure when we sleep one last night to the soothing sounds of the waves. We'll head to the airport tomorrow and say "see you later" to our new best friends.