Hawaii: Aloha 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 program ahead and get to know your group before a delicious 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.

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.

We’ll spend the day working at the ranch and fill our afternoon with downtime and game time. Then we make the journey into the hills for an unforgettable stargazing experience at Mauna Kea.

We pack up from the ranch to make the journey across the island to the windward side. This is the rainy side of the island and famously one of the rainiest places on earth. Hilo is very colorful and is 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 head to our local beach and enjoy the sun and sand.

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 Hilo Food Bank. Then it’s off to the jungle for a thrilling zipline adventure through the lush canopy.

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.

Surfing originated throughout Polynesia – cave paintings date it back to the 12th century – but it became most advanced on the Hawaiian islands. It is one of Hawaii’s most valuable treasures and offers a deep connection to the history and culture of the Hawaiian people. Your introduction to the sport starts with lessons on the basics, but before you know it you’ll be sliding on waves and having the time of your life. We’ll spend the entire day surfing and playing at the beach today.

Hop aboard a catamaran for a day on the sea! Explore the world under the water during a morning of snorkeling. Look for 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 shave ice while in town!

Today we return to our work on the ranch. We’ll reconnect with the soil of the island while we dig back in to our eco-service. In the afternoon, we’ll get a lesson on archery and have the chance to practice our aim on the target range. In the evening, we have a fun event planned where we’ll each make our own pizzas with a wood-fired pizza oven. After dinner, tie everything together with Rustic Pathways’ signature closing ceremony. At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds.

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