Hawaii – Tropical Paradise

 Aloha! This afternoon our group will travel to Bloomington and gather at a hotel near the airport. We’ll get a good night’s rest before heading to the airport to check in for our morning flight to Paradise.

Does the name Hawaii conjure up visions of white sandy beaches and blue waters, beautiful waterfalls tumbling over rocky cliffs, or ocean waves crashing against black volcanic rock shorelines? If so, come along and see! Our jet arrives in Honolulu where a Polynesian Adventure Tour coach meets our group for a transfer to our hotel, across the street from Waikiki Beach. After freshening up, let’s meet for a little walk-about. After checking out the beach, and locating dining areas, you’ll have the evening free to explore.

No big rush this morning, you may sleep in or take an early morning dip in the ocean. Polynesian Adventure Tours will pick up our group and take us to the Polynesian Culture Center on the north side of Oahu. Walking with guides to the different areas of the park, you’ll learn about the cultures and lifestyles of the early people of the Pacific Islands. At just the right time, they will bring us to the river where a parade of canoes will pass featuring the dress and music of the islands. IMAX theater tickets are included, along with a Hawaiian buffet and later, in the theater, there is a Grand Finale Show, “HA, Breath of Life.” (B) (D)

Our coach is waiting to take us on a city tour of Honolulu. You’ll see the Iolani Palace, Downtown Honolulu, King Kolani Palace, Kamehameha Statue, State Capital, Punchbowl National Cemetery and much more. After an included lunch, it’s off to Pearl Harbor. The Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, lasted two hours; over 2,000 men were killed, and over 1,000 wounded. After seeing a 20-minute documentary, a Navy shuttle boat will take us to the memorial. (B) (L)

This morning, we fly to Kauai. You’ll see that each of the four islands has a different personality. Kauai is the Garden Island! A Polynesian Adventure coach will meet you and shuttle you to the hotel for a two-night stay. Our group will meet in the lobby for a trip to the Wailua River enjoying a 90-minute narrated cruise on the way to the Fern Grotto. This is the only navigable river in the Islands. The grotto is a small cave covered in ferns, with a small waterfall flowing over the top. At Smith’s Tropical Paradise you’ll enjoy thirty acres of tropical plants, lagoons and fruit orchards. There are peacocks and other birds all over the park. Tonight, we included their luau - which is known as the best on the island. (B) (D)

Rise and Shine! It is time to explore the beautiful Garden Island. One of the highlights is the Spouting Horn. It is a spout that is formed when water from incoming waves rushes under a lava shelf and bursts through a small surface opening. A nearby blow hole gives off weird moans and, as legend has it, it is a large lizard still trapped in a lava tube. This is the most tropical of all islands; our driver/guide will show and tell as much as time allows. After all, he knows you want to spend time by the ocean. (B)

Once again, our bags are checked into the airport and we fly to the Big Island of Hawaii. Our hotel for two nights is located on the western shores of Hawaii at Kailua, Kona. The remainder of the day is your own to enjoy the resort. The resort is located along a busy street with lots of shopping for souvenirs, or you may just spend a lazy afternoon on the beach or in the pool. (B)

Once again, our bags are checked into the airport and we fly to the Big Island of Hawaii. Our hotel for two nights is located on the western shores of Hawaii at Kailua, Kona. The remainder of the day is your own to enjoy the resort. The resort is located along a busy street with lots of shopping for souvenirs, or you may just spend a lazy afternoon on the beach or in the pool. (B)

The fourth and last island on the tour is Maui. Each island has its specialties, but people who know “The Valley Isle” know that Maui has it all. It is said they have some of the most beautiful beaches. Our group checks in for three nights on Ka’anapali Beach. The remainder of the afternoon is free, with time to take a trolley to Whalers Village or get sand between your toes should you choose. (B)

Mini buses are lined up waiting to take our group on the well-known Road to Hana. The road winds through brushy ravines, bamboo forests, past gorges, and waterfalls. Hana is the site of a very historic ancient battleground. This is a narrated, all-day road trip full of interesting facts and beautiful scenery. The evening is free to enjoy sandy beaches and watch the sun set over the ocean. (B)

Sleep in this morning, (but don’t miss breakfast)! This is your FREE DAY to lie on the beach, enjoy all of the amenities of our resort, or walk to Whalers Village for some shopping. (B)

After a relaxed breakfast, this is your last opportunity to enjoy our resort before our departure tonight. After an included lunch, we depart our resort and travel to Lahaina for a two-hour Whale Watching Tour. These warm waters are the home of the humpback whales during the winter months, and then they travel to Alaska for the summer months to feast on salmon. After some free time to visit the newly opened shop in Lahaina, we travel to the airport for an overnight flight back to Minnesota. (B) (L)

Upon arriving back to Minneapolis/St. Paul a Rustad coach will be waiting to bring you back to your cars in Kerkhoven.