Hawaii
Hawaii’s National Parks: Exploring Four Islands from Volcanoes to Pearl Harbor
Program No. 2810RJ
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Hawaii’s National Parks: Exploring Four Islands from Volcanoes to Pearl Harbor
Hawaii’s National Parks: Exploring Four Islands from Volcanoes to Pearl Harbor
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Participant Reviews
Based on 9 Reviews
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From the first point of contact on the website, Road Scholars needs to clearly state that the National Park Service closed Kalaupapa National Historical Park in March 2020 to protect elderly residents from COVID and other infectious diseases. A visit to the national park is not possible at this time. Currently the Kalaupapa experience is from the "topside" of Molokai Island, overlooking the historic site. Participants will meet and interact with local residents who have deep connections to Kalaupapa and be able to participate in a presentation about Father Damien's work in the settlement.
— Review left February 9, 2025
This is a great trip. If you want to experience the full spectrum that is Hawaii, this is an excellent way to do it. The reviews of previous trips are mixed with some high praise and some discontent with the Molokai portion. Some in our group also had reservations about Molokai, but I felt it was very valuable. Molokai represents "old" Hawaii with much less development and a population that isn't built around serving tourists. That made it interesting and I never felt unwelcomed by the locals we met. The highlight of Molokai is Kalaupapa since it is so important to the island's legacy. We were the first group to be allowed to visit since the pandemic, but it was on a very limited basis-we could spend a few hours on a philanthropic project but not to tour. The no touring policy was unfortunate but it was what the Park Service was willing to do so we abided. Even so, it was valuable to see what we did and to actually experience the place-kudos to Road Scholar for arranging it. Hopefully the park service relaxes the restrictions for future tours. The rest of the trip was wonderful with great visits to National Parks and National Historical Parks and great local guiding; thanks to Cheryl, Kala and Valerie for greatly enhancing our knowledge, and we were blessed with a superb Group Leader, Will McGough, who was just right and made the trip fully rewarding. Highly recommended.
— Review left March 8, 2024
Hawai’i’s National Parks is an outstanding program. Knowledgeable instructors will fill your head with information, friendly people will fill your heart with aloha spirit. Good food, lovely music, sandy beaches and volcanoes!
— Review left April 1, 2023
I absolutely loved this program! Our leader, Steve Kooiman is very kowlegeable and his love of Hawaii and the Hawaiian people and culture are obvious! He did a great job keeping the program on track in spite of some issues (Mokulele Airlines!) I found the cultural presentations particularly informative and interesting. Kala's discussion during the walk through Lili'uokalani Gardens and into Hilo was fascinating! I loved watching him weave coconut leaf baskets as we walked. It was a pleasure to see him with his "Auntie" 2 days later at the Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park where he also gave a cultural presentation. I loved all of the National parks we visited, including Hawaii Volcanos National Park and Haleakala National Park with its spectacular views. Of the islands we visited, I particularly enjoyed Molokai and its peaceful nature. The walk through Kalani Pruet's flower farm was beautiful but the highlight of our time on Molokai was most definitely the pa'ina (lu'au) at the museum on our final evening on the island. The following day we transferred to Oahu and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial was our first stop after lunch. It is very moving and interesting (so much so that I returned after the Program ended to see what I did not have time to experience on the day the group visited).
I frankly don't understand the reviews that criticize this program. The transportation on Molokai was disclosed in the information packet provided before the trip. I received an email more than two months before the trip informing me that the Kalaupapa National Historical Park remained closed to the public and a partial refund was provided and the flights to and from Molokai are limited by the whims of Mokulele Airlines. A canceled flight led to an incredible amount of work between our group leader and the office to get us all to Oahu in time to visit Pearl Harbor. All in all this was a fantastic trip with a great group of participants and an excellent leader!
— Review left March 30, 2023
Extremely disappointed that Road Scholar is publishing an itinerary they KNOW cannot happen. This trip has 3+ days on Molokai and almost everything on the agenda doesn't exist: the ferry has been closed for over 6 years, the National Historic Park has been closed to visitors since the pandemic, the Nene sanctuary is closed, the sugar mill isn't restored to operational, etc.
Molokai itself is not conducive to tourism. The Sheraton has been closed for a long time, leaving an unappealing half star as the only option. The transportation was laughable - old/dirty passenger vans that BOTH broke down, or a school bus. The food was the worst on the trip and the lunches were terrible cold box lunches - largely left uneaten. The local guide made disparaging remarks about the United States, and there were signs for "no tourism" and "go home".
Why road Scholar would continue to publish a fictional itinerary that has been inaccurate for 6 years is beyond me and insulting. Unfortunately, the poor treatment we received on Molokai has tainted my opinion of the entire trip.
— Review left March 4, 2023
Hawaii is a beautiful state and this program is designed to see as much as possible. We missed some parts of the itinerary (field sites and free time) due to flooding and road closures as well as plane delays. Kilauea was amazing, Pearl Harbor was sobering and educational, field trips were great, our leader and field experts did a wonderful job. My one suggestion would be to reduce time spent on Malakai.
— Review left February 28, 2023
Another very disappointing trip. Before covid, I would have highly recommended RS, but after they let 3/4 of their staff off due to covid, their trips have been horrible. We did not see what was advertised, the guide was drinking a bit too much, only had one "expert lecture" the whole trip. We spent a whole day listening to the local guide telling us, this is where the pineapple plantations USED to be. Here is where the fancy hotel USED to be, this over- grown field is where the golf course USED to be. I cannot recommend this trip.
— Review left February 10, 2023
The Hawaiian Islands are so much more than pretty beaches and surf. This program is a wonderful opportunity to experience 4 islands where you can learn about the geologic and cultural history. You will see many beautiful sights and historical locations you would likely miss if drawn only to the traditional tourist locations. These experiences are enhanced by entertaining and knowledgeable instructors as well as interesting and fun fellow participants attracted to this trip.
— Review left April 11, 2022
Fantastic trip for my first visit to Hawai'i. I love National Parks and all seven we visited were great. Molokai and Pearl Harbor were particularly moving. Volcanoes and Haleakala were breathtaking. The accommodations were comfortable and all very different. Meals were fine and sometimes exceptional. Cultural experiences were educational and fun. This trip made me long to return to Hawai'i.
— Review left February 2, 2020