Warm sun. Beautiful beaches. Sounds almost perfect right? Imagine spending time in paradise and learning about the islands and its people while your at it. With a Road Scholar trip to Hawaii, you can get all that and more. Hawaiian Road Scholar, formerly Elderhostel, trips will teach you about the history, people and culture while giving you a smashing good time.
Elderhostel's New Name: Road Scholar
In 2009, Elderhostel International changed the name of its travel and learning programs to Road Scholar. Although the organization has a different name, it still offers seniors the opportunity for educational travel programs and learning experiences that are fun and affordable. Although members must be at least 55 years old, they can travel with a family member or friend of any age. Each year Road Scholar offers more than 8,000 programs in all fifty states and more than ninety countries throughout the world.
Choose the Perfect Elderhostel Trip to Hawaii
Road Scholar offers more than twenty different Hawaiian trips. Naturally, not every trip to Hawaii is offered all the time. To find out which Hawaiian adventures are currently being offered, visit the Road Scholar website.
The following are highlights of several types of the Road Scholar Hawaiian adventures.
Adventures Afloat Study Cruise
The Hawaii on the Horizon: A Transpacific Voyage Into Island Culture and Nature cruise includes 16 days and 15 nights. The cruise ship leaves from San Diego and travelers will visit:
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hilo, Hawaii
- USS Arizona Memorial National Historic Park, Oahu, Hawaii
- Sugar plantations and magnificent tropical gardens of Lihue, Kauai
- Haleakala National Park, Lahaina, Maui
- Ensenada, Mexico
Exploring North America: American Studies & History
On the Road: Best of Oahu and Maui includes nine days and eight nights. The program begins with the first night in Honolulu, Oahu, and ends after breakfast in Kahului, Maui. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from Hawaii. Included in the program are visits to and classes about:
- Orientation to the program and a class introducing Hawaiian culture
- National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
- The Bishop Museum
- Queen Emma Summer Palace called Hanaiakamalama
- Kawainui Marsh
- Nuuanu Pali
- Oahu scenic drive includes Diamond Head, the Ko`olau Mountains and Pali
- Classes on Hawaii's coral, coral reefs and island formation
- USS Arizona Memorial National Historic Park
- Pearl Harbor
- Kepaniwai Park and Heritage Gardens, Maui
- Iao Valley State Park
- Classes on the humpback whale
- Lahaina
- Maui Ocean Center
This program allows free evenings and a free afternoon for travelers to explore their own interests.
Outdoor Adventures
The Tall Ship Sail Training: Sailing the Hawaiian Islands is for seven days and six nights. Participants sail on a 96-foot, three-masted schooner through the Hawaiian Islands as they learn various aspects of sailing including:
- Navigation
- Helmsmanship
- Setting sails
- Striking sails
- Knot tying
- Bow watch
- Handle lines
- Safety drills
- Meal preparation
While on the ship, participants also learn about the culture and history of Hawaii and get to visit the port town of Kaunakakai on Molokai and Front Street on Maui.
Additional Road Scholar Trips to Hawaii
- Tropical Splendor: Exploring the Hawaiian Islands on the cruise ship Pride of America
- The Entire Island Is a Classroom: Molokai
- Islands of Life in the Pacific
- Submarines, Volcanoes and Tropical Forests: Intergenerational Hawaii
- On the Road: Best of the Big Island: Hawaii
- Hawaii's Humpback Whales and Marine Environment
- Hawaii: Birthplace of Kings and Presidents
- Birding Hawaii: A Big Island Adventure
- Big Island of Hawaii Odyssey: Earth, Sky, and Sea
- On the Road: A Taste of Paradise - Hawaii's Foods, Fruits and Flowers
- Hawaiian Water Adventure: An Intergenerational Marine Exploration
- On the Road: Best of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai and Oahu
- All Hands on Deck: Maintaining the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor
- Paradise Adventure From Mountains to Sea
- A Birder's Paradise: Kauai and Hawaii
- On the Road: Best of Hawaii and Kauai
- Snorkeling Hawaii's Spectacular Marine Environments
- Best of Kauai's Natural and Cultural Wonders
Perfect Hawaiian Trip
Whether you want to explore the Hawaiian Islands from a cruise ship or begin your Island adventure after your plane lands at Honolulu International Airport, the variety of trips offered by Road Scholar ensures that there is certain to be a program that is the perfect Elderhostel trip to Hawaii for you.
