Traveling with Aloha: Experiencing the True Heart of Hawaiʻi
- Learn why understanding Hawaiʻi’s complex history, including the overthrow of the monarchy, is the first step toward being a respectful and thoughtful visitor.
- Discover actionable ways to travel with aloha, such as honoring the ʻĀina (land), protecting the Kai (ocean), and supporting locally owned businesses to benefit the community directly.
- See how Road Scholar programs offer a solution by providing direct learning experiences with cultural guardians and supporting local restoration projects like the Heeia Fishpond.
The Hawaiian Islands call to us with a power that’s hard to resist. They promise breathtaking beauty, from volcanic peaks to turquoise waters. But as Road Scholars, we know the most profound travel experiences come not just from seeing a place, but from truly understanding its heart.
And in Hawaiʻi, connecting with its heart means listening to the stories of its people and learning the history that shapes the present. For many of us, this is second nature — it’s the curiosity that drives us to explore the world. It’s the understanding that our presence as visitors has an impact, and it’s the desire to ensure that impact is a positive one. This shared value is what unlocks a deeper, more meaningful connection to the islands.
The Story That Shapes the Islands
The history taught in mainland schools often glosses over the pivotal events that shaped modern Hawaiʻi. The independent Kingdom of Hawaiʻi was a sovereign nation on the world stage. That changed in 1893, when American-backed sugar planters, concerned about their financial interests, overthrew the reigning monarch, Queen Liliʻuokalani. This act dismantled a sovereign nation and led to its eventual annexation by the United States.
This history is not just in the past — it directly informs the present. The shift from a self-sufficient kingdom to a tourism-based economy has created complex challenges, including the commercialization of sacred traditions and a significant strain on natural resources. Today, a powerful movement led by Native Hawaiians seeks to reclaim and preserve their cultural heritage, which includes fostering a more sustainable and mindful form of tourism.
Traveling with Intention: Our Guiding Principles
For thoughtful travelers like us, understanding this history naturally reinforces the way we choose to move through the world. While these principles may already be part of your travel ethos, they take on a special significance in Hawaiʻi.
- We Honor the ʻĀina (The Land): We travel with a deep respect for the land as a living, breathing entity. This means we stay on marked trails, leave every stone and grain of sand in its place, and ensure the only trace we leave behind is our gratitude.
- We Protect the Kai (The Ocean): We act as stewards of the ocean and its vibrant life. We choose reef-safe sunscreen, give marine animals their space and are mindful of keeping the beaches pristine for generations to come.
- We Support Local Communities: We know that where we spend our dollars matters. We seek out locally owned businesses, restaurants and artists, ensuring our journey contributes directly to the community that so graciously hosts us.
The Road Scholar Difference: Learning as an Act of Respect
At Road Scholar, we believe that the most powerful way to honor a culture is to learn directly from its passionate local experts. Our programs in Hawaiʻi are built on this principle, creating a system where our learning directly supports the communities we visit.
We Learn from the Source:
- Instead of just reading about history, our participants stand in its presence. On our program, Tropical Splendor: Exploring the Hawaiian Islands, we visit Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaiʻi’s last reigning monarchs, and explore the world-class Bishop Museum, the premier institution for Hawaiian and Pacific culture. On our programs, we partner with organizations like the Ladies of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I. Our donations support their mission to provide educational opportunities for young Hawaiians, meaning our journey of learning directly contributes to the future of their community.
We Support Cultural Restoration:
- On Best of Hawaii: Oahu, Big Island and Maui, participants get to experience the front lines of cultural revitalization by visiting Heeia Fishpond, a remarkable 800-year-old feat of Hawaiian engineering, and learning about the efforts to restore this sustainable food source. At Kakoo Oiwi, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring traditional farming, you can see firsthand how the community is reclaiming its agricultural heritage. These opportunities are a chance to witness and support a culture in the process of strengthening itself.
We Connect with the Spirit of the Land:
- On our program, A Volcanic Exploration: Hiking on Hawai'i's “Big Island, ” the experience goes beyond the physical trail. Accompanied by local experts, participants get the opportunity to spend three nights in the awe-inspiring presence of Kīlauea, the home of the volcano goddess Pele. Many of our Group Leaders on this program are Native Hawaiians who share moʻolelo (stories) and traditional oli (chants), connecting you to the spiritual landscape in a way few visitors get to experience.
We know you’re here because you are choosing to be part of a respectful and sustainable exchange. Road Scholars choose to learn, to connect and to leave a positive impact on the people and places they have the privilege to visit.
Time to experience the true heart of Hawaiʻi? Start your journey with any of the above or explore our entire collection of learning adventures in Hawaiʻi.
