Hawaii

The perfect introduction to Hawaii. Step off the plane and into a garland of fresh flowers, the traditional Hawaiian symbol of welcome.

When Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, the enormous U.S.S. Arizona sunk completely within nine minutes. See the battleship, still beneath the water, from the memorial built to honor those who died in the attack. Take time to walk by the USS Bowfin, as well as learn about the events of that fateful “date that will live in infamy” at the museums inside the Visitor Center.

A walk through historic Honolulu is never a hurried affair, as the gentle breezes and flowering trees spread tranquility throughout the area. Featuring a unique mix of English architecture, modern skyscrapers and pure Hawaiian culture and history, downtown Honolulu delivers a little bit of everything, each in the perfect amount.

Delve into Hawaii’s natural and cultural history through the Bishop Museum’s extensive collection of native Hawaiian cultural artifacts.

Travel to the legendary King Kamehameha’s birthplace to see the gold swathed statue that was created in 1878 to commemorate the 100 years since Captain Cook’s "discovery" of Hawaii.

Make your way up a steep gravelly trail, through a small tunnel and up a narrow spiral staircase to the observation platform on the top of the volcanic cinder cone known as Diamond Head for a breathtaking view of the turquoise waters, pristine white beaches and lush green countryside of O’ahu.

Climb up to the top of this cliff on the Ko’olau Mountain for a breathtaking panoramic view of the lush green country and sparkling turquoise waters of O’ahu.

Get your ukuleles and grass skirts ready—it’s time for the quintessential Hawaiian experience. Experience a traditional flower lei greeting, sit-down luau dinner and show. The luau, originally a celebratory feast for family and friends, got its name from the leaves of the taro plant, which are used to wrap food before it’s placed in a traditional underground oven. The highlight of the meal is the roasted pig cooked in this oven, but you’ll also see poi (pounded taro root), fish, shellfish, chicken, vegetables.… After all this food, you’ll wonder how anyone has the energy to hula.

Double-hulled canoes bring talented dancers, singers, and islanders right to the water's edge and everyone joins in the fun. In Hawaiian, Huki means to pull. From the legend of Maui pulling up the islands, to the history of Laie pulling fishing nets at its world-famous hukilau, Huki reminds us that the ocean doesn't divide us, it unites us.

Experience the symbolic story of Mana and his beloved Lani, punctuated by Polynesian dance, music and blazing fireknives.

Your flight home may be overnight. In that case, you will return home on Day 6.