Hawaii Service

Arrive at Kona International Airport, where you’ll be greeted by your Rustic Pathways ohana. After everyone arrives, you’ll head to your new home in Kona. You will have an orientation for the weeks ahead and get to know your group before a delicious home cooked dinner.

Settle in for the next week at your base in Kona. Students will be in shared rooms separated by gender and will have access to hot water and toilets.

Today we’ll head out for our first morning of service. Dive into conservation projects that promote environmental sustainability, and see why Hawaiians have a strong connection to the land. After your hard work, cool off at the beach. Soak in the sun while relaxing in the sand. Taking a dip in the water, and then enjoy Hawaiian dishes for dinner. Wrap up the day with a group discussion on your service success. 

Strap on your hiking shoes as you travel to the Pu‘u Wa’awa’a Forest Reserve. You’ll trek through the diverse landscape and view a 100,000 year-old volcanic cone. Stop to eat your packed lunch. Then attend a lei making workshop and learn the oral history of native Hawaiians. You’ll end the day cooking a meal together at the ranch and then enjoying a sunset swim at Kua Bay.

Time to catch some waves! You’ll start with surf lessons to learn the basics or more advanced skills. You’ll have the rest of the day to work on your skills. Paddle out into the water to search for the perfect wave. Check out the scenery from a seaside view. Get to know your fellow travelers. As the daylight hours dwindle, dry off and then head back to the ranch for dinner. Then gather for a group reflection and chill time after your meal.

Today you’ll get your hands dirty again as you launch into another morning of service working on conservation projects. You’ll get a new perspective on our reliance on the land for food. Then you’ll gather for a unique experience. You’ll learn about tea from the first westerner to travel the ancient Tea Horse Road over the Himalayas by foot (a 3,100 mile journey!). We’ll then gather easier-to-obtain local ingredients to create a farm-to-table meal. End the day by testing your competitive spirit while playing games.

Hop aboard a catamaran for a day on the sea! Explore the world under the water during a morning of snorkeling. Look for the marine life like reef fish and sea turtles. After your adventure on the water, you’ll head to downtown Kona and stroll through the town. Make sure you enjoy some ice cream and shave ice while in town!

You’ll get a glimpse at a different part of the island when you drive to the haven of Hawi for environmental service work. Break for lunch in the quaint town. Unwind during an afternoon on the beach, and then head back to the ranch and make pizza. You’ll enjoy your last night at the ranch while hanging out around the fire pit.

This morning is dedicated to lessons about food insecurity in Hawaii. Around 47% of people on the Big Island report not having enough food to feed their families. You’ll pack food for those in need at the Kona Food Basket. Afterwards, you’ll hit the road for a drive to the Hilo side of the island. You’ll spend the next week getting to know the wet side of the island a little better. First, we’ll join in a mid-trip discussion to reflect on what we’ve experienced so far. 

Hilo is very colorful and id proud to have one of the best farmers markets where you can find fresh fruits and veggies year round. Peruse the local food options there and try some tropical fruits. Stroll through downtown and enjoy some shopping. Eat poke bowls for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll hike through the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden. Watch the landscape change as you drive and hike through seven ecological zones. Then kick back for an unforgettable stargazing experience at Mauna Kea.

You’ll spend two mornings work in a botanical garden in the mornings and learning more about local conservation efforts. In the afternoon soak in the sun at a beach that’s set amid a rockier coastline. Take a nature drive. Dig into tacos for dinner and gather for a night of movies.

Travel to a place that feels like it’s on another planet. Visit two of the world’s most active volcanoes to better understand their geology, history, and ties to Hawaiian culture. We’ll spend the day hiking to beautiful lookouts, exploring different lava flows, and learning about how the Hawaiian islands were formed. We’ll see lava tubes and the Holeili Sea Arch and drive the Crater Rim. Afterwards, we’ll cook dinner back at the house and join in a closing discussion.

We’ll get another view of the farmers market as we visit it on a busy Sunday. Try one more Hawaiian dish for lunch. Pack up and enjoy your last moments on your program. Gather for the traditional Rustic Ties ceremony, cementing your newfound friendships.

Pack your bags and say one final Aloha to your group and program leaders before leaving Hawaii.