From Wednesday through Saturday, while
singers, directors and chaperones are in rehearsals and planned
singer activities, Festival Companions are free to make their
own plans. Companions and off-duty Chaperones may choose to augment
their experience in Hawaii with one of our Optional Sightseeing
Tours.
Our unique tours have been planned exclusively
by our Festival Tour Operator, Present Hawaii, to fit seamlessly
into the Companion Schedule and with very reasonable prices.
Note: These Optional
Tours are in addition to the two tours (Days 7 & 8)
that are already included in your ground package cost.
For information about the Companion Traveler Festival Schedule,
click here.
On-site
Purchase -
Optional Tours may be purchased at the Companion Orientation
Meeting on Wednesday, July 15. NOTE: space is limited when
purchasing on-site.
** Due to new Homeland Security Procedures all
passengers may be subject to a random search of their personal
effects (including carry ons) and all passengers must be able
to provide identification upon the request of personnel or authorities
as proof of his/her identity. Due to these changes it is imperative
that each guest have a valid ID with them at all times.
Experience
all of Polynesia: Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, the Marquesas, Fiji,
the Easter Island exhibit, Aotearoa (Maori New Zealand),
and of course old Hawaii — at the Polynesian
Cultural Center located in Laie, Hawaii, on the beautiful
north shore of Oahu. In addition to enjoying the aloha spirit
of the people, the Polynesian Cultural Center features the Ali'i
Luau — Hawaii’s most authentic traditional
feast, the Rainbows
of Paradise canoe show, special features at the IMAX™ Theater,
authentic island handicrafts and souvenirs.
A ticket to the famous PCC
Evening Show, "Horizons" is included in
the Ground Package Cost (Show only). (All the Festival
Participants, singers, staff, chaperones & companions
are scheduled to be at this show.) It would be a perfect
day for visiting the villages and partaking of the excellent
Luau dinner.
Package
includes:
Admission to all the island nations
of Polynesia – Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji,
Hawaii, The Marquesas, Tahiti, Tonga, the Rapa Nui (Easter
Island) exhibit and the 1850's Mission Complex.
Rainbows
of Paradise Canoe Show
Hawaiian music and entertainment
Authentic Hawaiian food
Preferred seating for "Horizons" performance
Discover for yourself why the Polynesian
Cultural Center's Alii Luau has inherited the deeper meanings
of Hawaiian hospitality and joy inherent in this ancient feast,
and add this unforgettable tour to your Hawaiian experience.
Depart
from hotel: 1:00 pm
Return to hotel: w/ Festival group
On-site Price - $69.99
Thursday,
Day 3 - Option I
A
visit to Honolulu's Historic District with a docent tour of
the Iolani Palace reveals
this Hawaiian national treasure — the only official state
residence of royalty in the United States and the official
residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs — King
Kalakaua, who built the Palace in 1882, and his sister successor,
the beloved Queen Lili`uokalani. During the monarchy period,
Iolani Palace was the center of social and political activity
in the Kingdom of Hawai`i. In this National Historic Landmark,
you can enjoy one of the most precise historic restorations
to be found in America and learn much about Hawaiian history
and heritage.
Following the Palace tour will be lunch
at Willow's
Restaurant, Hawaii's Best Kept Secret for Pacific Rim cuisine.
After lunch, explore the annals of the
most important Natural History Museum collection on Polynesia
in the Pacific. Bishop
Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor
of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last
descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. The Museum was established
to house the extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and
royal family heirlooms of the Princess, and has expanded to
include millions of artifacts, documents and photographs about
Hawai'i and other Pacific island cultures.
Bishop Museum is the largest museum
in the state and the premier natural and cultural history institution
in the Pacific, recognized throughout the world for its cultural
collections, research projects, consulting services and public
educational programs. It also has one of the largest natural
history specimen collections in the world. Serving and representing
the interests of Native Hawaiians is a primary purpose of the
Museum. Attractions include the new SCIENCE
ADVENTURE CENTER and WHALES:
WONDERS OF THE OCEAN.
Depature from hotel: 8:30 am
Return to hotel: 4:00 pm
Inclusions: Lunch, admissions and
tour.
On-site
Price - $91.99
Thursday,
Day 3 - Option II
You will begin your
day with a scenic tour from Turtle Bay to the beautiful Kaneohe
Bay. Nicknamed "God's Country", this beautiful bay
is engulfed by the majestic Ko'olau Mountains and dotted with
popular landmarks such as Gilligan's Island and Chinaman's
Hat. You will then prepare yourself for a water adventure and
relaxing day aboard Captain Bob's catamaran. You will board
the 42' glass-bottom catamaran, and cruise through the amazing
barrier reef - the only one in the United States!
Inside the bay, you will find 56 shallow
coral reefs that the "Honu" or green sea turtle call
home. Over 2,000 species of exotic sea life call these gorgeous
formations home! After the catamaran anchors at the sandbar,
you can swim in the crystal clear waters of the refreshing
Kaneohe Bay. Here, you can participate in swimming, snorkeling,
water sports and a barbecue luncheon. After lunch, we will
take you to an amazing coral reef where you will feed tropical
fish, do some more in-depth snorkeling and discover all sorts
of coral that are grown in Hawaiian waters.
Depature from hotel: 9:00 am
Return to hotel: 4:00 pm
Inclusions: Lunch, gear, boat and
tour.
Lunch includes barbecued hamburgers, baked beans, fruit cocktail,
chips, soda, coffee and tea. (subject to change)
Note: Please wear a swimsuit and bring
a towel and sunscreen. Be aware the tour includes a short
ride on a catamaran.
On-site Price
- $79.99
Friday,
Day 4
Spend the day at the authentic
Hawaiian Kualoa
Ranch and enjoy the Alii Tour hosted by Chief Sielu Avea. The
tour begins in the botanical garden, followed by a ferry ride
around the oldest fishpound on Oahu.
A
special presentation by Chief Sielu includes a demonstration
of how Polynesians cooked, cracked coconuts, and made fire. Following
the presentation, will be the unearthing of an authentic imu
undergound oven. Samples of some of the island foods
including a variety of macadamia nuts as well as Hawaiian Kona
Coffee will be enjoyed.
Return to Kualoa Ranch for a buffet lunch.
Depart from hotel: 10:00 am
Return to hotel: 3:00 pm
Inclusions: Lunch, tour and show.
Note: Please bring covered shoes,
long pants, and sunscreen.
On-site
Price - $69.99
Saturday,
Day 5
Stroll through Waimea
Valley on a comfortable day hike into the beautiful gardens
and waterfalls. The hike is moderate; comfortable shoes,
a water bottle and sun block are advised. The hike includes
stunning vistas of the North Shore of Oahu as well as a botanical
garden to detail the beauriful flora and fauna of Hawaii
.
The
tour will then take you to the annual Hale'iwa
Arts Festival, one of Hawaii's premier fine arts and crafts
events. The ArtsFest presents the works of over 130 juried
visual artists primarily from the Hawaiian Islands, and a few
from mainland and international locales. These artists display
original works and limited editions, both traditional and contemporary,
in oil, acrylic, ceramic, photography, sculpture, watercolor,
fabric, serigraphy, wood, jewelry and glass, as well as other
media. Their art will be available for viewing, browsing and
purchase directly from the artists. There are also many performance
arts, with performers presenting a broad variety of music,
dance, and storytelling.
The ArtsFest site has a broad selection
of food and beverages available. There are also a number of
great restaurants throughout Hale'iwa Town, which is noted
for its excellent eateries from local style to fine dining.
Depart from hotel: 8:30 am
Return to hotel: 4:00 p m
Inclusions: Admissions and transportation. Lunch is on
your own.
You will begin your
day with a scenic tour from Turtle Bay to the beautiful Kaneohe
Bay. Nicknamed "God's Country", this beautiful bay
is engulfed by the majestic Ko'olau Mountains and dotted with
popular landmarks such as Gilligan's Island and Chinaman's
Hat. You will then prepare yourself for a water adventure and
relaxing day aboard Captain Bob's catamaran. You will board
the 42' glass-bottom catamaran, and cruise through the amazing
barrier reef - the only one in the United States!
Inside the bay, you will find 56 shallow
coral reefs that the "Honu" or green sea turtle call
home. Over 2,000 species of exotic sea life call these gorgeous
formations home! After the catamaran anchors at the sandbar,
you can swim in the crystal clear waters of the refreshing
Kaneohe Bay. Here, you can participate in swimming, snorkeling,
water sports and a barbecue luncheon. After lunch, we will
take you to an amazing coral reef where you will feed tropical
fish, do some more in-depth snorkeling and discover all sorts
of coral that are grown in Hawaiian waters. 
Spend the day at the authentic
Hawaiian 
The
tour will then take you to the annual