Skip to Main Content
Road Scholar logo
A vast volcanic crater in Hawaii featuring red and black cinder cones under a bright blue sky and a layer of white clouds.
Hawaii

Hawaii’s National Parks: Exploring Four Islands from Volcanoes to Pearl Harbor

Program No. 2810RJ
Watch Video
See More Photos
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
13 days
12 nights
What's Included
31 meals ( 12B, 10L, 9D )
2 expert-led lectures
16 expert-led field trips
3 flights during the program
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
12 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Expand All
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Dinner:
Welcome dinner at hotel
Evening:
Introductions: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead as we begin to explore Hawaii from an insider’s perspective. This Road Scholar program is designed for students of lifelong learning who may be first-time visitors as well as those returning to a place they love. Please read the daily schedule carefully to understand what is included. There is a limited amount of free time so that we can cover as much as possible. If you have special interests that are not part of the Road Scholar program, we recommend making plans to arrive early and/or stay on after its conclusion. Road Scholar Travel Services can assist you in making such plans.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles, streets, sidewalks, dirt roads for morning and afternoon field trips. Getting on/off bus.
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Travel and transfers will be via bus, and/or van depending on local conditions and schedules at the time of the program. Periods in the schedule labeled and "Free Time" and "At Leisure" offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable while going out to explore on your own, engaging in available activities independently, making new friends among fellow Road Scholars, or simply relaxing. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. After Orientation, we’ll then head out on a walking field trip led by a local expert to an overview of historic Hilo to learn about its history and culture.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will drive to nearby Rainbow Falls which cascades 80 feet over a lava cave. In the afternoon we will return to the hotel for a lecture on the Geologic Formation and Evolution of the Hawaiian Islands to prepare us for our field trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tomorrow.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from your program to give you an opportunity to explore on your own. Your group leader is happy to recommend some options.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach for multiple stops throughout field trips; driving approx. 70 miles on field trips; about 2 hours total aboard motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day on varied terrain
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
We will depart via bus mid-morning for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We will be joined by a local expert who will share with us the history of this geological wonder. From the National Park Service: “Hawaii Volcanoes National Park displays the results of at least 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution in the Hawaiian Island-Emperor Seamount chain — processes that thrust a bare land from the sea and clothed it with complex and unique ecosystems and a distinct human culture.”
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will make multiple stops within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, determined by the evolving conditions of this fascinating geologically active area.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
After dinner, we will ride back to our hotel in Hilo. Prepare for morning check-out and transfer to Kona.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approx. 110 miles total throughout the day with stops; about 2.5 hours aboard motorcoach. Walking approx. 2 miles; uneven trails, sandy paths. Puuhonoua is considered a sacred site; observe guidelines, stay on marked trails and paths, take only photographs.
Breakfast:
At hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll transfer to Kona, with a stop en route at a black sand beach.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
In the afternoon we will visit Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park located along lava flats of the Kona Coast. The entire complex covers about 420 acres including significant sites that recall four centuries of Hawaiian history. This location was a sacred sanctuary and place of refuge in ancient times. Mark Twain visited this site in the 1860s and remarked, “ The walls of the temple are a study. The same food for speculation that is offered the visitor to the Pyramids of Egypt he will find here – the mystery of how they were constructed by a people unacquainted with science and mechanics.” After our Field Trip, we’ll proceed to our hotel in Kailua-Kona and check in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approx. 70 miles total throughout the day with stops; about 1.5 hours aboard motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles; park-maintained, coastal, sandy and rocky trails.
Breakfast:
At hotel.
Morning:
We will depart on bus to Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, established in 1978 and a culturally significant Ancient Hawaiian settlement. We will then travel to Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, "The temple on the hill of the Whale.” Built by Kamehameha I in 1790-1791 to incur the favor of the war god, Kukailimoku, this was the last major heiau (temple) built in the islands.
Lunch:
Picnic style lunch at a beach.
Afternoon:
We’ll linger at the beach with an opportunity to relax or take a stroll. We’ll then return to the hotel with time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from your program to give you an opportunity to explore on your own.
Evening:
At leisure to prepare for tomorrow's departure to Maui.
Activity Note
Flight time is approximately 35 minutes but the trip could take 3-4 hours due to transfer times. Getting on/off bus; driving approx. 90 miles total throughout the day with stops; about 3 hours altogether. Walking up to 1 mile for the day; some uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll transfer with luggage via bus to Kona International Airport. We will fly to Maui Island.
Lunch:
Lunch location varies based on flight schedules.
Afternoon:
We will set out for our afternoon in Haleakala National Park with a local expert and visit the summit area of Haleakala, an active shield volcano. We’ll learn about Hawaii’s indigenous animals and plants, including the endemic Ahinahina (silversword). The park is recognized by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve. After our Field Trip we will depart the park for our hotel.
Dinner:
At hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Today is on your own to explore the island. Consider booking a Whale Watch (Nov - May), Road to Hana day trip, or enjoying Maui's world-famous beach. It is recommended to book in advance if you are looking for an organized activity as many activities sell-out.
Breakfast:
At hotel.
Morning:
At leisure to explore what interests you most.
Lunch:
On own
Afternoon:
At leisure to explore what interests you most.
Dinner:
On own
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Flights to Molokai on 9-pax prop planes. Transport in 15-passenger vans or school bus (no AC) while on Molokai. Walking on grassy lawn at Molokai Museum.
Breakfast:
At hotel.
Morning:
Check out of the hotel, depart via bus for Kahului airport for flights to Molokai on 9-passenger planes.
Lunch:
Lunch location varies based on flight schedules.
Afternoon:
Upon arrival in Molokai, board vans and depart for Molokai Museum and Cultural Center which features the historic R. W. Meyer Sugar Mill (1878), with its century-old steam engine, mule-driven cane crusher, and other vintage equipment. A museum docent will guide us through the historic mill, which is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. We’ll examine some of the original mill equipment as well as handwritten records of the German-Hawaiian family who started it all. In the museum gallery, view a photo exhibit on Kalaupapa history including artifacts from patients. At the conclusion of the field trip we will depart for the hotel and check-in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off variety of multi-passenger vehicles/vans, driving 40 miles on narrow winding country roads; hike to valley waterfall 3.4 miles roundtrip, 5-6 hours, includes rock and river crossings.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
We'll travel one of the island's most scenic and panoramic roads on the east end of the island to Halawa Valley. Spend the day with native Hawaiians as they share their family stories and the history of this ancient land. The trail to Mo’oula Falls at the back of the valley is 1.7 miles each way. There are rock and river crossings along the route so be prepared to get wet. Along the way, you will learn about native and invasive species, ancient taro terraces, historical rock walls, and worship sites. After reaching Mo’oula falls, a refreshing dip in the beautiful pool is a welcome relief; swimming permitted if conditions allow.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch picnic-style.
Afternoon:
When our field trip ends, we’ll return via vans back to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure
Activity Note
Getting on/off variety of multi-passenger vehicles/vans; driving about 20 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
We will depart from hotel via vans to the Kalaupapa Peninsula Overlook. As we stroll down a paved path, we will view the isolated peninsula of Kalaupapa National Historical Park where Father Damien ministered to thousands of leprosy patients. The Park is restricted to patients, family, administrators and staff, no visitors are allowed at this time. At the lookout, time permitting, we'll follow a short trail to the famous Phallic rock. At the Molokai Museum and Cultural Center, we'll hear experts share the history of Kalaupapa and bring the stories of Father Damien and Mother Marianne to life. Both were canonized after dedicating their lives to caring for those with Hansen's Disease in the isolated community. Father Damien’s efforts attracted worldwide attention for those with Hansen’s disease. The settlement gradually became a place to live rather than to die. Father Damien lived and worked at Kalaupapa for 16 years. He contracted Hansen’s Disease and died in 1889 at the age of 49. His life of devotion inspired multitudes, and he was canonized as Saint Damien of Molokai in 2009.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch picnic-style.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll return to the hotel for some time to reflect and relax before departing for a celebratory dinner.
Dinner:
We will transfer in vans to the Molokai Museum and Cultural Center for our very own private Hawaiian Pa'ina (party). We will experience traditional luau food prepared by the museum staff with an array of fresh local foods.
Evening:
After dinner, we'll be entertained by local musicians, singers, and dancers. Return to the hotel to finish packing and prepare for next morning's early check-out and transfer to O'ahu.
Activity Note
Boarding bus; driving approx. 20 miles; up to 1 hour depending on Honolulu Traffic. Walking up to 1.5 mile during the course of the day on streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight to Oahu Island.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After claiming our luggage, we’ll transfer via motorcoach to the Bishop Museum. While here, we’ll have a docent led tour of Bishop Museum with time to explore the museum. We will continue on to our Waikiki hotel and check in later afternoon.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Boarding bus; driving approx. 40 miles; up to 2 hours depending on Oahu Traffic. Walking up to 1 mile during the course of the day on streets and sidewalks. Pearl Harbor has a no bag policy. Bags that offer concealment, such as purses, handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, camera bags, diaper bags, etc. that exceed the measurements of 1.5" X 2.25" X 5.5," are not allowed at the monument. There is a baggage storage center onsite that costs an additional fee or use a clear bag instead.
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
We’ll begin the day with a drive to Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center where we will pick up self-guided audio tours. As the National Park Service reminds us, “Pearl Harbor was the home port for much of the Pacific Fleet and the surprise attack on December 7, 1941 drew the United States into World War II. A total of 2,390 American service members and civilians were killed that day.” While here, we’ll view a historical film in the park theater, take a launch boat ride across Pearl Harbor to the USS Arizona Memorial with National Park Service rangers, and upon returning, have some time to explore the museum. Please note that the National Park Service does not allow guided interpretation of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, so your visit here will be self-guided.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
On our way back to the hotel we will drive through The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, commonly known as “Punchbowl.” We are not permitted to get off the bus but will have commentary aboard. There will be some free time after lunch for exploration or relaxation before a late afternoon Cultural Activity. At the hotel meeting space, we will be joined by a cultural organization for demonstrations and other activities.
Dinner:
Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Say farewell to new Road Scholar friends and prepare for departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out is by 11:00 am.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys! Aloha!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.