Surf, Snorkel, and Service

Arrive at Kona International Airport (KOA), where you’ll be greeted by your Rustic Pathways Program Leaders. Head to the hotel and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. After everyone arrives, we’ll make our way to a ranch on the slopes of Hualalai above Kailua-Kona which will be our base for the week. You will have an orientation for the week ahead and get to know your group before a delicious home cooked dinner. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture.

Let’s get started on our island lifestyle by taking a morning hike. After that, we can gather together for an impactful session discussing our purpose and plans for the future. Finally, we can get our hands dirty and help make a delicious meal from farm to table; all the way from harvesting the ingredients to eating the finished product. It’ll be a rewarding experience that you won’t want to miss!

Head down to the water for an unforgettable experience! Get ready to slip into your snorkel gear and jump into the water to get up close and personal with a squadron of majestic manta rays. These gentle giants can grow up to 10 feet across, and you’ll be amazed as you watch them gracefully cruise the water, scooping up plankton. It’s an experience that you’ll never forget!

Today is a big day! The tropical environment of Hawaii looks idyllic, but it faces many different kinds of environmental pressures from farming to invasive species. We’ll help with work to control and remove invasive plant species and to plant native species.
Later in the day, we’ll head up the slopes of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano with a peak above 13,000 feet. Watch the stars come up and learn about the connection the Hawaiian people have to the stars and celestial navigation that they used to cross these vast oceans.

Observe the world’s most active volcano to better understand its geology, history, and ties to Hawaiian culture. Learn about the most recent volcanic activity in the visitor center before hiking through the park and exploring the power and natural beauty of this portion of the island. You’ll explore lava tubes, hike lava fields, and see the glow of active lava flows in the dim light of dusk.

Hit the waves in the morning with an expert instructor. The fun doesn’t end there. After we dry off, we’re headed to Kailua-Kona to explore this fun town perched on the water’s edge. In the afternoon, learn to make leis with a local teacher, then sit with an oral historian and hear stories of the Hawaiian people. Be sure to save room for a traditional Hawaiian dinner tonight!

We’ll hit the trails one last time today, with a hike up an ancient cinder cone that offers us a commanding view of the Kona coast. Take it in, and hold onto the precious memories from this journey and this new group of friends.
In the afternoon, we’re headed back to the beach for a relaxing time in the water and on the sand. We end the day with a pizza party and sharing a campfire. During their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

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. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

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