BHS students say "aloha" to Hawaii

About 50 members of the Bluffton High School band, as well as about 21 adult chaperones, are traveling to Hawaii for seven days. The following activities come from their travel agency's itinerary. Learn more in the Wednesday, June 13, News-Banner.

Thursday, June 14

• 8 a.m. — Start our adventure with the Grand Alii Tour, a narrated drive across the Koolau Mountains to the tropical Windward side of O’ahu. Includes brief stop at the Nuuanu Pali Lookout.
• 9 a.m. — We are met by our guide, a Polynesian Chief, who will share some of the customs and cultures of the native islanders. We’ll enjoy an educational stroll through botanical gardens and learn to make fire from sticks, husk and open a coconut and much, much more.
• 10:30 a.m. — It’s not over…. Imagine boarding a raft to access our secluded getaway to Secret Island. Watch out for the live barracuda! The tour includes “fun in the sun” at a private island for the day to include volleyball, canoeing, kayaking, horseshoes, badminton, sunbathing, lazin’ in hammock and more! Also included is a delicious catered lunch!
  

Friday, June 15

• 8:30 a.m. — Board buses for transfer to Pearl Harbor to see where history was made. On the way we’ll drive pass the Iolani Palace—the only royal palace on American soil, the King Kamehameha Statue, Hawaii State Capitol, and through China Town.
• 10:30 a.m. — Pearl Harbor Remember the Heroes Performance Time: You are now officially a part of history! Fort Smith Southside Spotlight Performance is followed by a Wreath Ceremony, and a Flag and Trophy Presentation. After our performance we will have lunch and tour the Bowfin Visitor Center. At the Pearl Harbor’s U.S.S. Bowfin, we’ll go below deck to wind our way through the narrow compartments where the Bowfin’s crew worked, ate and slept though nine harrowing war patrols. You will learn about the Bowfin, which served with great distinction in WWII and earned her nickname “The Pearl Avenger.”
• Next we head over to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial Visitor Center and experience the film “Pearl Harbor Story”, the visitor center museum, boarding a Navy launch and entering the memorial. We will witness the actual sunken hull where over 1000 servicemen were entombed during the December 7, 1941 sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. Tour times will be as follows:
• 1 p.m. — Enter theater for start of Arizona Tour
• 2:30 p.m. — We’ll board our bus to take the Honolulu City Tour. We’ll drive pass the Iolani Palace—the only royal palace on American soil, the King Kamehameha Statue, Hawaii State Capitol, and through China Town.

Sunday, June 17
4:30 p.m. — Group will meet at the lobby to board bus for a dinner cruise aboard the Alii Kai Catamaran, the largest Hawaiian catamaran in the world. Enjoy one of the best local buffets. Witness the most beautiful shoreline in the world as well as the sunset along Waikiki. The cruise turns into a giant dance party until we hit the dock.

Monday, June 18
8:30 a.m. — Start stretching as we prepare to hike about 3/4 of a mile to the 760 foot summit of the most recognized mountain in the world - Diamond Head Crater! Bring your camera for a fantastic 360 degree view of the southeast coast! Below, we'll see the lighthouse, coral reefs, sailboats, and even surfers on the waves at Diamond Head Beach! Return to hotel approx 11am. 4:30 p.m. — Go Native! Become a part of “America’s Best Luau” as filmed by ABC’s Good Morning America. Feel like “one of the family” at Germaine’s Luau as you learn to dance the popular Hukilau hula. Help yourself to a 16-course, ALL YOU CAN EAT buffet of traditional Island dishes and continental cuisine (for you less adventurous eaters).