New tour available! We call it the West Oahu Snorkel and Sail Adventure Tour, where you will discover Hawaii on the west coast of Oahu.

West Oahu Snorkel and Sail Adventure Tour

A world of wonders awaits you just below the ocean’s surface! Enjoy a scenic sail boat trip from West Oahu, complete with roundtrip Waikiki hotel transportation, lunch, and snorkeling. Witness tropical marine life found only in Hawaii and create everlasting memories!

The beautiful Ko’Olina Marina has all the equipment you need to enjoy Hawaii’s clear blue waters. Your captain will take you to two of Oahu’s best snorkel spots.

See Hawaii's Tropical Marine Life Below The Ocean Surface 12345678910

Sea creatures you might see:

• Tropical fish
• Hawaiian green sea turtles
• Unique plants
• Hawaiian Monk Seal below the waves! (a rare occasion, but it could happen!)

After your snorkeling session, a delicious lunch will be ready for you to enjoy, featuring:

• Check-in snacks: coffee, muffins, tea
• Island favorites and refreshments
• Full bar with beer, wine available for purchase

Finish the tour with a leisurely cruise on the open ocean. Take in stunning views of the island’s west coast, characterized by mountain and crystal blue waters.

Join us for a West Oahu snorkel and cruise experience today!

Read more: West Oahu Snorkel and Sail Adventure Tour Now Available

February 1st marks the beginning of Black History Month. Hawaii has a rich culture and  African Americans have made many contributions to our islands.

Because this Hawaii blog focuses on the Hawaiian Islands, we want to explore historical information about African Americans in Hawaii and how Blacks have influenced the islands.

The history of Black History Month

Black History Month was initially conceived in 1925 and was first celebrated in 1926 as Negro History Week with the efforts of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) and scholar Carter G. Woodson.

Carter G. Woodson

February encompasses the birthdays of two important figures in Black history: Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. One of President Lincoln’s greatest achievements was issuing the Emancipation Proclamation to move America past slavery. Douglass is remembered as one of the greatest leaders of African Americans of the 19th century. For these reasons, Woodson chose February as the most appropriate time to highlight African American history.

Although Woodson died in 1950, ASNLH continued to host Negro History Week. The annual celebration quickly became integral to African Americans. The efforts made by Woodson and ASNLH had brought Black history to more Americans each year.

Fifty years after the first Negro History Week, in 1976, the ASNLH proclaimed the very first Black History Month.

Black History in Hawaii

University of Hawaii professor Miles M. Jackson, who has research black history in Hawaii since 1980, said the first Blacks came to Hawaii from the South (Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana) to work on plantations on Maui and the Big Island in January 1901.

Other scholars have noted that Blacks were crew members aboard Captain Cook’s ships during Cook’s second and third Pacific voyages. In the 1800s, East Coast shipboard crews consisted of about 25% African Americans in ports at cities like New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Providence.

Plantation Owners and Labor

Plantation owners believed recruiting laborers from the South would ease the shortage of labor in the islands. However, working conditions were so bad on that many workers ended their contracts immediately and returned to the mainland. The Blacks who stayed in Hawaii blended in with the local culture and citizens, who, aside from the Whites (called “haoles”), were mostly dark-skinned Hawaiians, Latins, Filipinos, Pacific Islanders and many others.

Although the African American community didn’t quite flourish in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as did racial groups like the Chinese, Japanese or Filipino, there were several notable influential Africans who lived in Hawaii.

More to come this month

We will continue to publish more stories for Black History Month in Hawaii throughout February, including stories about prominent African figures in Hawaii, stay tuned!

Read more: Black History Month: Hawaii and African Americans

In December 2011, the Obama family took a holiday vacation to Hawaii. While visiting Sea Life Park, the Obamas (minus Michelle) pardoned four green sea turtles at Hanauma Bay, located nearby.

Let’s take a look at three ways to experience Hawaii and discover a trio of attractions not unlike the Obama’s vacation.

Green sea turtle sunbathing.

Green Sea Turtles

Sea Life Park is the only place in the entire country that raises green sea turtles in captivity. For nearly four decades, nearly 12,000 green sea turtles have been released into the wild thanks to the Sea Life Park program, which partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The four turtles that the Obamas released were 18 months old and tagged with unique IDs.

If you’re taking a tour of Oahu and want to see green sea turtles, Sea Life Park may not be your best bet.

In fact, one of the best places to see turtles on Oahu is Laniakea Beach, a North Shore beach where turtles love to hang out. If you take one of our Oahu circle island tours, there’s a chance that you’ll see one of these magnificent creatures sunbathing!

Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay

One of Oahu’s most popular beaches is Hanauma Bay, where thousands of visitors come to swim, snorkel, and enjoy a day of fun in the sun. The bay is home to unique Hawaiian tropical fish and coral reefs.

In fact, if you go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, you might see a turtle or two swimming by!

Obama landmarks

On our historic Honolulu tours, which include sightseeing of the Kamehameha Statue, Iolani Palace, and Kawaiahao Church, we often pass by Obama landmarks like nearby Punahou School or the Baskin-Robbins where President Barack Obama had a summer job as a youth.

Which tour should you take?

Right now, our Circle Island Tour with Pearl Harbor is a great choice! Visit the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the USS Arizona Memorial, the North Shore, Pali Lookout, Hanauma By and many more sights!

Learn more about Oahu with our Hawaii Travel Guide!

Read more: Obama, Turtles, and Hanauma Bay: Tying It Together on a Tour

Aloha! We’ve just launched two new tours on our website! Both tours are hosted by the Waikiki Rigger Catamaran, a 45-foot sailing vessel that cruises Oahu’s coastline on an exciting, engaging ocean adventure!

We are very excited about this new addition to the ever-growing selection of activities brought to you by Discover Hawaii Tours.

The first cruise is a snorkel and sail activity. The second is a sunset cruise, which is the perfect way to enjoy a Hawaiian sunset.

Waikiki Rigger Snorkel and Sail Tour

Waikiki Rigger Snorkel and Sail Tour

You’re in Hawaii. Now’s your chance to escape to the clear blue ocean waters surrounding the island of Oahu!

Hop on board the Waikiki Rigger catamaran for a fun-filled, exciting adventure on the open sea! Sail Oahu’s most breathtaking coasts and spend your morning snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing in Hawaii!

Highlights for this snorkel and cruise tour include:

• 45 foot sailing vessel
• 2 1/2 hour snorkel off Oahu coast
• Abundant sea life at snorkel location
• Cruise along Oahu’s coast
• Snorkel the Reefs at Turtle Canyons
• Snorkel equipment provided (No Fins)
• Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure
• Refreshments available for purchase

Click here to learn more about this tour.

Waikiki Rigger Sunset Cruise Tour

Waikiki Rigger Sunset Cruise Tour

Breathe in the fresh ocean air as you sail out toward a setting sun, just as the evening draws near for the day.

You’re in Hawaii, on a catamaran cruise ship and there’s only one thing in mind: a gorgeous Hawaiian sunset! Join us for an unforgettable cruise that will paint your trip to Hawaii in the most beautiful colors of the sunset!

Highlights include:

• 45 foot sailing catamaran
• 2 1/2 hour Sunset Cruise
• Views of Oahu’s Coast
• Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure
• Refreshments and cocktails (21+) served on board

• Book a Waikiki Rigger Tour today!

• Hope to see you on the open waters in Hawaii!

Read more: Waikiki Rigger Tours Now Available

Discover Hawaii Tours hereby challenges the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl players in a contest to lift an 11,000 pound tour bus.

The competition, should the players accept the proposal, will challenge teams of 11 players to lift a Ford E450 bus, weighing approximately 11,000 pounds, for at least ten seconds.

The prize? The winning team will have the opportunity to donate the company’s popular Full-Day Circle Island Oahu Eco-Adventure Tour to a local charity of their choice, a value of $3,000 for up to 25 passengers.

“In the spirit of the upcoming Pro Bowl — and friendly competition — Discover Hawaii Tours would like to challenge the Pro Bowl players to a test of strength, teamwork, and generosity,” said James Owen, General Manager.

Players can form teams of 11 players from their respective NFL teams or choose teammates regardless of division or NFL team. In the event of a tie, the team that lifts the bus for the longest amount of time wins.

“We think it’s possible, and hope that the players will rise to the challenge. After all, it’s for a good cause,” said Owen.

Discover Hawaii Tours is ready to accept teams that wish to compete.

The challenge must be completed before Sunday’s Pro Bowl game, and bus-lifting will take place at our headquarters at 955 Waimanu Street, Honolulu, 96814, unless the players request a more convenient location.

For more information, please contact Eagle Strayhorn, VP of Online Marketing at (808) 737-3700.

Download the PDF Press Release here.

Read more: Local Tour Company Challenges 2012 Pro Bowl Teams