LGBTQ+Hawai’i
This trip is an invitation to learn and share experiences in a land that has been historically negatively affected by Tourism and Militarization. Our tour is a collaboration with Kanaka kumus (Native Hawaiian teachers) to create a completely regenerative model to feed directly into the land, community and people beyond financial aspects.
a 6-day / 5-night educational tour of O'ahu
Tour highlights:
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Learn
From Native Hawaiians about the effects of military and invasive tourism on their everyday lives.
From queer activists about their role in the fight for Land Rights.
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DINE
Harvest your own lau lau on the taro farms of the Hawaiian valleys and experience an authentic “luau”.
We cater kalua pig slowly smoked in an imu (underground oven) that is 100% kanaka grown and locally produced from the land.
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EXPLORE
'Iolani Palace and learn about the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.
The occupation of Pearl Harbor with a Hawaiian veteran to discuss the destruction of the sacred spaces that once existed.
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STAY
At a unionized hotel where the majority of workers are generationally Hawaiian from the plantation era and whose manager was born and raised in Hawai'i.
Walking distance to the beaches along the Waikiki strip with access to speakeasies, restaurants and world class shopping.
Your chance to connect awaits!
Did You Know?
Ti leaf is not native to Hawai'i but is embedded in Hawaiian life ways. It is used for hula skirts, underground ovens & treating fevers. When you receive a ti leaf lei, you are receiving healing
Day 1
Welcome to Hawai'i!
Cleansing Ceremony & Leis
Prepare to have a trip of a lifetime! You'll come straight off that long plane ride and into the ocean for a cleansing ritual called KAPU KAI or ceremonial sea bath which is done in privacy and with prayer to purify oneself from any physical or spiritual defilement. Here we will set out intentions for the trip, clean our energy and greet the akua (gods).
When you emerge from the waters, you'll be walked through Hawaiian Protocol on how to behave moving forward before getting into our first activity of the trip: LEI MAKING.
Lei and gift-giving are Polynesian traditions so today we will be making our gifts to give to our kumus (teachers) for the remainder of the trip! Sit down in the grass with your Lei Kumu and get ready to make Ti Leaf Lei. Ti leaf is one of the most traditional leis to make and most common in hula.
You’ll then check you into your hotel, freshen up, and get ready for your WELCOME DINNER!
Each meal is specifically selected to tell the story of Hawai'i.
Day 2
Hawaiian History & Hula
Next we head over to 'Iolani Palace for HAWAIIAN HISTORY. You'll learn about Hawaiian royalty and what the palace grounds were to the ali’i (Hawaiian nobles) before there was a monarchy. Then learn about how it was all destroyed when American businessmen illegally overthrew the Queen.
The decision to annex Hawai’i as a US state was made without a single Native Hawaiian in the room nor with the ability to vote.
Our last activity of the day is HULA DANCING! Learn not only the moves, but the significance of the dance.
Did You Know?
The majority of Native Hawaiians signed a petition and successfully convinced the Senate not to annex the nation. However, the petition was hidden & found 100 years later accidentally by a Hawaiian student!
Did You Know?
The word "lu'au" actually means the top of the leaf, which is usually what is cooked at an 'AHA'AINA or a gathering meal.
Day 3
Pono Luau
Today we head over to the valleys of Oahu to spend a full day immersed in the land. Meet with a celebrity chef to harvest our own taro leaves and prepare to make our own lau lau - a traditional Hawaiian meal that is wrapped in two different types of leaves. Once we harvest and gather, clean and stuff, we wrap the food in leaves and then leave them to bake.
Next, we kick off our shoes and get straight into the 'aina (land). Here is our community give back where we will weed the taro patches and learn the mo'olelo of what taro means to the Hawaiian people.
You will learn a lot of how Hawaiian lifeways are directly tied to food and how Hawai'i used to be a fully self sustaining land before the illegal takeover and decimation of native species with mono crop cultures & big ag.
This is a full day activity on the land..
A $700 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot.
Day 4
Demilitarization Day
Pearl Harbor is the most visited monument in Hawai'i. While it's an important landmark to Americans, it is also a very important place to Hawaiians for different reasons. Our DEMILITARIZATION kumu is a Native Hawaiian veteran who speaks from the perspective of being both inside and outside of the military.
He will explain what is Pearl Harbor to Native Hawaiians as you see oblivious tourists walking around without any idea of what this place is, as well as the WATER POISONING & AMMUNITION DUMPING OF RED HILL.
The remainder of today will be spent relaxing on the beach!
Did You Know?
The average home in Hawai’i costs $1 million–displacing many Native Hawaiians resulting in the highest rates of homelessness in the US.
Day 5
Mahu Stones
Our final day starts at the MAHU STONES. Where you will learn about the legend of the stones and what it means to be QUEER in Hawai’i. The concept of being “trans” exists in a totally different way.
We’re joined by our kumus for a DISCUSSION WITH GAY ACTIVISTS FIGHTING FOR LAND RIGHTS. Meet the queer activists who laid their body on the lines defending Mauna Kea - Hawai’i’s sacred mountain. They’ll speak to us about their experiences as they were arrested and chained themselves to the ground in protection of the land and how their queerness is tied into their fight.
Did You Know?
Hawai’i is 3,000 miles away from any land base making it the most isolated island in the world. Therefore its biodiverse ecosystem exists ONLY on these islands.
Day 6
Closing Ceremony
Our last day together will end with a Native Hawaiian led reflections workshop on everything we learned before entering into a CLOSING CEREMONY.
Snag Your Spot!
Price: $5,500
All quoted prices are based of double occupancy (shared rooms).
Private rooms are available at an additional cost.
A $700 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot.
What’s included:
Accommodations
Breakfast + lunch included everyday from Kanaka-owned and/or generationally Hawaiian locally owned businesses
Welcome dinner
All activities lead by kanaka kumus
Airport and ground transport
A welcome gift bag
24/7 support
All you can drink coffee + tea + water at your accommodations
Free passes to the Bishop Museum & Honolulu Art Museum should you want to do this in your free time
Free beach chairs + umbrellas (based on availability) + beach towels for your free time
A full list of recommendations of walkable dinner spots we support
What’s not included:
Airfare
Entrance/VISA fees
Alcohol
Daily dinner
Souvenirs
Meet your Host!
Ready to Stare Bio.
