Science in Hawaii
Astronomy - Volcanology - Biology - Archeology - Geology - History
Hilo – Volcanoes National Park – Mauna Kea Observatory – Coffee Plantation – Marine Reserve – Kailua - Kona

Day 1  Flight from your gateway to Honolulu, Hawaii. Catch inter-island flight to Hilo, Hawaii and transfer to our hotel where we settle into surroundings for next 4 nights.

Day 2  We spend the day in and around the city of Hilo. We visit the Lyma Memorial Museum to learn of Hawaiian heritage and history. See a full size grass house, many stone age implements, and a Taoist Shrine brought from China piece by piece in the luggage of immigrants. What a first day!

Day 3  The adventure continues. We start by heading South on the Volcano Highway to Keaau and then Phoa, and the area devastated by 1955 eruptions of Kilauea. We continue on to Kalapana and Kaimu Black Sand Beach (sorry no swimming here). On to the Queens Bath where Hawaiian Royalty bathed (peeping toms risked the death penalty). We backtrack to route H137 enjoying the views of the magnificent coastline. Our roller coaster road winds through jungle and black lava patches from recent flows. At Kapoho (Highway 32) we inspect a village swallowed by a lava flow. We also visit Lava Tree Park, where eerie tree molds have been formed.

Day 4  South again to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one of the most interesting places on Earth. Highway 11 leads us to Park Headquarters where we check in with the Rangers. We visit Volcano House and then begin the 11 mile loop around the Kilauea Caldera. Hikes from the road will include the 450 foot Thurston Lava Tube set amidst a fern jungle, through the skeletal forest of Devastation Trail (1959 eruption), Halemaumau Crater (still steaming), and the Kau desert where astronauts were trained for moon Missions. Time permitting, on this very busy day, we visit the Puuloa Petroglyphs and the Jaggar Museum to study Volcanology.

Day 6  Today is really is an exciting day for budding astronomers. We ascend Mauna Kea to the 11,000 foot level and have the opportunity to see, and possibly visit, Keck, Nasa or another observatory. Please note we cannot guarantee visits to observatories. With a little luck we can see the very rare silver sword plant, found only in Hawaii. Alternately we can visit the black and green sand beaches at the southern tip of the island and learn how nature has created such an oddity. Mauna Loa Mountain, in the distance, is the largest mountain mass and highest mountain from base to tip in the world.

Day 7  Depart for the opposite side of the island. Of course, we will visit many sights en route. We stop at Akaka Falls State Park to witness the 400 foot drop of water down a sheer cliff face. We learn about how sea-borne volcanic activity can affect those on land. Stop at Laupahoehoe Point where 24 students and teachers were swept away by a tidal wave (Tsunami) in 1946. Visit Waipio Valley and drink in the beautiful vistas of this valley abandoned by the Hawaiians long ago. A century ago three or four thousand Hawaiians lived here, now there are only a few. Learn why? We drive past sugar plantations, forests of Cedar and Eucalyptus, prairies and rangeland. Finally arrive at Waikoloa. The scenery here is spectacular. Carry on to the coast and our hotel for the remaining nights.

Day 8  Drive South to the Kealakekua Bay Marine Reserve. Kealakekua Bay boasts frequent visits by Spinner dolphins who swim quite close to shore, as well as a vast array of plant and marine life. We visit a coffee plantation to learn how coffee is planted, nurtured and how the beans are harvested. Drive by mango trees, banana fronds, macadamia nut orchards and terrific sunbursts of wild flowers. See the monument to the great explorer Captain Cook and learn of the fate of this great English explorer. His life did not have a happy ending. Optional activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, or diving and sea kayaking as well as submerging in the 80 ton submarine, the Atlantis to see Hawaii from a different angle.

Day 9  Our last day is free to enjoy the sunshine and warm waters or visit some of the beautiful resorts in the area. The Royal Waikoloan Hotel has a large private lagoon frequently visited by dolphins. Shop in nearby Kailua-Kona. Flight will depart today or day 8.

Day 10  Depart for home. More than likely you will return to Hawaii. Almost every visitor does, at some time.

We will customize the tour to your precise specifications.  We can place special emphasis on any Scientific Field of Study.

Please call for a customized program and prices.