Hawaii
Tropical Splendor: Exploring the Hawaiian Islands
Program No. 11513RJ
Learn the stories of Hawaii on this adventure of a lifetime as you experience four islands: the Big Island, Maui, Kauai and Oahu.
Participant Reviews
Based on 53 Reviews
SHOWING
Road Scholar is the best way to see and experience the Hawaiian Islands.
— Review left February 3, 2026
A wonderful program. Great way to experience Hawai'i. Highly recommended!
— Review left January 28, 2026
Our hosts, Pat & Glenn, shared their love of Hawaii through each facet of our tour. We learned to not only appreciate the beauty of Hawaii, but her people, culture, history and the journey forward. So very grateful!
— Review left November 25, 2025
This is THE way to see, learn about and experience Hawaii. Great group leaders to share the islands and their stories. I, a long- time Road Scholar traveler, highly recommend this program
— Review left November 23, 2025
A bucket list item completed. This was great experience with outstanding leaders in Pat and Glenn. Seeing Hawaii with Road Scholar was best way to go. Strongly encourage anyone who wants to not only see the islands but experience the people and land to go with this program
— Review left November 22, 2025
A fun and informative way to sample the Hawaiian islands! Our hosts, Pat & Glenn, made our journey exceptional. Their personal anecdotes and kindness really accentuated Hawaiian hospitality. Truly feel like we are a part of their “ohana - family” now.
— Review left November 22, 2025
This was my first Road Scholar program, my first trip to Hawaii, and my first cruise. My expectations were exceeded! I will be enrolling in more programs with Road Scholar.
— Review left November 20, 2025
If you are interested in a people's culture and how it has developed this is the perfect trip. So much more than just sand and sun.
— Review left November 18, 2025
The program, "Tropical Splendor: Exploring The Hawaiian Islands", as presented by Road Scholar is great and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wish to visit the Hawaiian Islands without the hassle of having to plan it all by themselves. Also, with the included island hopping cruise, you are enjoying two experiences in one program. Go for it. Road Scholar delivers.
— Review left November 17, 2025
'Tropical Splendor: Hawaii' is a great first trip to these beautiful islands. The locations we visited and the learning experiences provided were exceptional.
— Review left October 31, 2025
Fantastic program, highly recommend!! I learned lot about the Hawaiian history and culture and 4 stunning islands all different in their own respects and met many new friends along the way. The educational lectures were given by passionate, authentic, knowledgeable, engaging presenters. The ship was top notch in service and food and excursions were fun and educational. I would encourage participants, if they feel up to it, to schedule a helicopter ride in a free time segment when on Kauai. It is just a once in a lifetime chance to see this incredibly beautiful island in a different way. Just an FYI, the helicopter port is just a few miles away from where the ship docks, and Ubers were very efficient and timely there.
— Review left September 23, 2025
The Road Hawaiian Splendor trip was outstanding. It was entertaining and quite educational. We would recommend it highly for anyone who is interested in experiencing and learning about this magical place.
— Review left April 22, 2025
Excellent program. Leaders were outstanding. A lovely experience.
— Review left April 22, 2025
This was an adventure of a lifetime! The trip was long for me, but Road Scholar and the wonderful guide, Frank Lau, provided a helpful and interesting
experience.
— Review left April 17, 2025
The Tropical Splendor: Exploring the Hawaiian Islands is an outstanding program, we learned about Hawaii's amazing culture, history and geology. We highly recommend this program!
— Review left March 29, 2025
This was a very enjoyable trip. Frank and Lee are great leaders and were able to get instructors that had great enthusiasm on their subjects.
— Review left March 20, 2025
Hawaii is a beautiful place with friendly people. If you can go, do it. It is getting quite crowded with tourists, so going slightly off season is a good bet. The culture is interesting, and the history is fascinating!
— Review left March 4, 2025
This is a great way to explore Hawaii. Frank and Lee were great group leaders: kind, organized and knowledgeable. We enjoyed getting to learn about Hawaiian culture, language and history while exploring these beautiful islands. It was the first time for group travel and we loved it. Highly recommend!
— Review left January 28, 2025
So glad I took this trip! Frank, the tour leader, was warm, kind, well-prepared and attentive to our needs. The land and seascapes are stunning. Hawaiian history and culture is fascinating; I learned so much!
— Review left January 23, 2025
— Review left September 23, 2024
This is a great program for anyone who is interested in the natural history, cultural history, and recent history of the Hawaiian Islands.
— Review left March 11, 2024
This program is the best I’ve ever experienced and I highly recommend it.
— Review left March 11, 2024
Above and beyond my expectations. I recommend this trip for anyone.
— Review left March 10, 2024
Very good program, good leadership, good agenda.
— Review left February 15, 2024
Another great Road Scholar program. Frank & Lee were especially good group leaders. We got a different perspective on the history & culture of Hawaii than the average tourist. Highly recommended.
— Review left February 2, 2024
Great introduction to the land and people of Hawaii. And it's mostly on a ship.
— Review left February 1, 2024
I had fun and thank you!
— Review left November 28, 2023
HIghly interesting and educational program. Dr. Cheryl Gansecki and local organizer Kimberly Bartels added greatly to our well-being and knowledge of the subject.
— Review left November 21, 2023
Excellent program full of adventure, learning, camaraderie, and exploration. Highly recommend it to anyone interested in getting to know the world and the people in it a little better.
— Review left November 17, 2023
The Hawaii trip was terrific! Organized and well led. The program was full of background in the local history of the people and island flora and fauna. We learned about the history of how Hawaii became an American state which was enlightening. Our time discussing the geological structure of the Hawaiian islands was just terrific and our instructor was extremely well versed in volcanoes and research into volcanoes. I would highly recommend this trip
— Review left November 13, 2023
I have been on 2 Road Scholar trips, including this one to Hawaii. Both were outstanding. I could have just flown to Waikiki on my own and stayed in Honolulu. Some who do that might think they know Hawaii. On this Road Scholar program, we went to 4 islands. Our (local) leader was outstanding. By the end of our program, I felt I was in touch with the heart and soul of Hawaii.
— Review left October 29, 2023
This trip is a great way to see the real Hawaii and learn about the culture and history of Hawaii as well as to see the most interesting sights. Our leader was superb. Being on the Norwegian Cruise line for part of the tour gave us more options for activities. It felt great to see the volcanos with a real professor of volcanology rather than try to learn on our own.
— Review left October 26, 2023
Our trip started 28 days after the Lahaina fires and we did not know if we would be able to tour any of the Maui island. We were able to keep the original itinerary and, although we could not see Lahaina, we did see other areas burned by the wildfires. Hawaii is beautiful but a drought has moderated some of it’s lush beauty. Our RS guides were Frank and Lee Lau. They were organized, amazingly knowledgeable and so much fun. I would be happy to travel with them again. The cruise ship was comfortable and the local experts at each stop were marvelous. Kilauea volcano began erupting 2 days after our program began and our local expert on that excursion was the volcanologist, Cheryl Gansecki. We had many questions and she really enjoyed sharing her knowledge with us. So many residents of the Hawaiian islands are working to bring back the natural beauty and richness of the islands, the fires being just the latest of the challenges that have affected Hawaii. It was a pleasure to have the time to talk with them and to see, smell and taste the uniqueness of the islands. This trip is worth repeating.
— Review left September 28, 2023
Tropical Splender tour is a great experience for seeing a bit of each island. We'll be planning another trip one day. The ship experience made it fun and convenient for us.
— Review left September 25, 2023
This program offered a very nice overview of the land, culture, and history of Hawaii. It made me want to return to delve into certain islands more deeply. I would highly recommend it.
— Review left September 18, 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed our Hawaiian adventure with Roads Scholars! It was our first trip and will not be our last with Roads. The program met all our expectations and took us places we would not have experienced had we toured Hawaii on our own or with another group.
— Review left April 11, 2023
This program was a bucket list trip and did not fail to impress -- the knowledge gained and the sites seen and the memories made were priceless...it was amazing to me how little I really knew about Hawaii and was so glad to expand my horizons on this trip...enjoyed it immensely and recommend it wholeheartedly!
— Review left April 10, 2023
The Tropical Splendor: Exploring the Hawaiian Islands program with Frank Lau as the Group Leader provides everything a Road Scholar Trip is meant to provide. I have a whole new understanding of this well known-but remote part of the world. Also, it works very well for a solo traveller.
— Review left February 21, 2023
This trip was amazing! We were totally satisfied with the organization, educational opportunities, and group and local guides,, all in the middle of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. A great break from our Alaska winter!
— Review left November 27, 2022
Excellent introduction to the human history, native culture, and natural history of the Hawaiian Islands. This trip was our first visit to Hawaii, and the Road Scholar program provided exactly the overview of the islands that we wanted. We were especially pleased with the amount and quality of presentations and field trips related to nature.
— Review left November 27, 2022
I highly recommend this trip. Beautiful scenery, interesting history and culture. We were busy and kept moving without it being exhausting.
— Review left November 24, 2022
Experience the wonder and beauty of these islands and the Aloha Spirit of the peoples. So much to learn and experience on each unique island. It is a WOW adventure.
— Review left March 22, 2020
Our hosts Frank and Lee Lau were just fabulous! They were always gracious and kind, and they were both very knowledgeable. The sites we visited and the local guides we met gave me a new understanding of the Hawaiian geology and culture. I especially loved the Cloud Rain Forest experience. The Pride of America cruise ship was a perfect base and our balcony cabin, although small, had plenty of storage space.
— Review left March 16, 2020
One feels less a tourist (which you are no matter what) because of the inside you gain in the lectures and under the guidance of excellent guides with their enthusiasm for the work they do and in their love for Hawaii
— Review left March 3, 2020
This was our first Road Scholar experience and and my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We had an excellent leader along with several expert presenters who enriched the trips to the many sites we visited and experiences we had.
— Review left February 17, 2020
We just returned from the Tropical Splendor: Exploring the Hawaiian Islands tour. It was exceptional! Great instructors, guides, accommodations, food and more! We highly recommend this tour. Exploring the islands by cruise ship is the best way to go.
— Review left January 25, 2020
The Tropical Splendor: Exploring the Hawaiian Islands met our needs for fulfilling one of the travel goals on our basket list. We were able to visit 4 islands and see many interesting and educational sights. It was great going to sleep on one island and pulling in the next morning at another .
— Review left April 7, 2019
I encourage anyone who truly enjoys educational trips and meeting fellow travelers to consider a Road Scholar’s trip. So much to choose from and they make even challenging trips much easy.
— Review left March 3, 2019
The Road Scholar program is a tremendous learning and social experience, I would highly recommend it to anyone!!
— Review left February 17, 2019
Road Scholar has outdone itself with putting this Hawaiian package together. We were able to see 4 of the Hawaiian islands without wasting time flying from island to island. The cruise component was so much fun, the food was great but most of all, the guide, Pat Lau, and the INFORMED instructors, were beyond all expectations.
— Review left January 30, 2019
I have been on 13 RS trips. This is clearly one of the best. Our team leader and every instructor was first class.
— Review left January 27, 2019
My husband and I had a fabulous time on Tropical Splendor: Exploring the Hawaii Islands. We loved the Prince Waikiki Hotel in Honolulu and enjoyed our second cruise ever on Pride of America. Fellow participants were a great group and our tour leader Pat was fantastic! Hawaii is beautiful and so interesting and we had the best weather to enjoy it all.
— Review left January 24, 2019
If you want an experience of a lifetime and an unexpectedly wonderful vacation for your curious mind, this is it.
— Review left January 21, 2019