We launched our Hawaii eco tours last year with a focus on bringing new opportunities for visitors who want to experience the greener side of our islands.

So far, our efforts have paid off: the Full Day Island Eco Adventure Tour on Oahu is one of our most successful tours yet.

At the Pali Lookout on the Full-Day Circle Island Eco-Adventure Tour

Back at the office, we continue our eco-friendly efforts by doing lots of recycling: motor oil, copy paper, aluminum cans and plastic bottles. It’s drinking bottled beverages that pays off, though, because Hawaii’s bottle tax/deposit means we get back 5 cents for every can and bottle recycled.

Recycling cans and bottles at Discover Hawaii Tours

We want to hear from you:

What efforts do you make to reduce, reuse, and recycle at home? At the office?

We recently turned our ‘hard-earned’ stash of recycling goods into enough money to purchase snacks like oatmeal, raisins, peanut butter, celery, Cheez-Its, and ginger ale! (which I’m going to drink right now… be right back…)

Ginger Ale break, be right back...

Needless to say, the entire office was happy to have food to snack on throughout the day. Of course, we asked the entire office if they had any suggestions or requests before going to the grocery store, so everyone got what they wanted.

What other ideas do you have for a community office fund?

Here’s a few more ideas for the next round of recycling:

• Starbucks/coffee run
• Holiday/Christmas decorations, lights
• Brand new yoga ball (trust us, this one’s a good idea!)
• Community umbrellas/rain gear
• Magazine subscriptions

We’d love to hear your ideas, because soon there’s going to be another round of recycling at Discover Hawaii Tours!

Read more: Enjoying the fruits of our eco-friendly efforts

Discover Hawaii Tours guides are always looking for an adventure. If you’re on our Oahu Eco Tour, you’ll find yourself hiking beneath the gorgeous Koolau Mountains, kayaking along Windward Oahu, and ziplining near Kaneohe–all with the help of a friendly, knowledgeable guide.

Bruce is no exception, he knows just how to make your tour memorable on your next Hawaiian eco adventure.

Bruce leads his group on a hike in the Koolau Mountains

Bruce is an expert in Hawaii’s natural landscapes.

Not only did he grow up exploring Hawaiian rainforests on Oahu, he’s been an instructor in sciences.

Now that he’s with Discover Hawaii Tours, Bruce continues to use his knowledge to engage guests with interesting Hawaiian facts and history.

Tree nuts grow wild in Hawaii, and the quickest way to taste one is to crack it open!

Another thing about the forests of Hawaii is their abundance of fresh foods, herbs and flowers. On the waterfall hike, located in the same forest as the Nuuanu Pali Lookout, you’ll find avocados, mountain apples, kukui nuts, orchids, mamaki (a native Hawaiian plant), and more!

Sampling a few slices of wild mountain apples.

Searching for food in Hawaii’s rainforests

It really helps to be with an expert who knows where to find these edible treats! 

In fact, at the beginning of the tour, someone asked Bruce about his walking stick, which looked strikingly different than the sturdy wooden ones each guest had.

“Just wait and see, you’ll find out soon!” he told everyone.

Turns out this special walking stick doubled as an avocado-picking device. As we descended down the mountain after visiting the hidden waterfall, Bruce stopped and pulled out a net, which attached to the end of his walking stick, which then extended into a long, slender pole. Bruce started picking fresh avocados for us!

Thanks Bruce for the avocado, as well as the fascinating tour of Hawaii’s natural landscapes!

Do you have a story to share?

Leave your comment with a story about your experience on tour!

Read more: Adventures on the Oahu Eco Tour with Guide Bruce

Yesterday was too gorgeous not to get out of the office! We headed to Kualoa Ranch where the Koolau Mountains are at their best–majestic, tall and commanding.

We met up with one of our Hawaii tour groups on the Oahu Circle Island Eco Tour. (Click here to learn more about the Full Day Circle Island Eco Adventure Tour.)

Kualoa Ranch Tours

Kualoa Ranch offers a variety of fun things to do on Oahu, like horseback riding and ATV adventures through the valley. We recently launched a variety of easy-to-book tours at Kualoa, including:

• Horseback
• ATV
• Movie Sites & Ranch
• Jungle Expedition
• Ocean Voyaging
• Secret Island (includes Ocean Voyaging Tour and counts as two 1-hour tours)
• Ancient Fishpond & Gardens
• Legends & Legacy
• Hula Lessons

If there’s one lesson everyone learns when they’re vacationing in Hawaii, it’s to be prepared for the sun! We recommend wearing sunscreen and bringing drinking water on your day trips. Don’t forget your sunglasses and a camera, too!

Secret Island at Kualoa

One secluded area on Windward Oahu that is owned and operated by Kualoa Ranch is Secret Island, which requires access via boat ride and has a beautiful, quiet beach where you can swim, sunbathe, and kayak.

While on the Secret Island Boat Ride, look “mauka” (toward the mountains) for a stunning view of Oahu’s Koolau Mountain Ridge. Check out more on our previous blog post.

The scenic drive home

Leaving Kualoa, highway 63 will take you either North toward La’ie or South toward Kailua. It’s one of the most scenic drives on Oahu–along the way you’re right next to the beach or directly below mountains. It’s one of my favorite highways on Oahu!

Windward Oahu on Highway 63

Read more: Kualoa Ranch and Chinaman’s Hat Video

Hawaii’s extreme natural beauty and warm tropical weather creates idealistic conditions to hike and explore the islands. Many people often over look a few basic safety precautions which can ultimately save lives. During the month of January, Oahu saw two separate fatalities involving inexperienced hikers. Safety for our guests is one of the top priorities here at Discover Hawaii Tours; all of our hiking and eco guides are CPR and First Aid certified. Hiking with a certified guide is one of the best ways to ensure a safe adventure, however if you find yourself hiking in

Hawaii you should remember the following hiking tips:

Hiking trails are not paved sidewalks. Pay special attention to where your feet go.

Often forest floors can be muddy and uneven, proper shoes or boots should be worn

Trails do not often have clearly marked street signs. Stay with your guide or learn to carry and use a map

Don’t hike alone, be sure to hike with a buddy or group for safety

Don’t take unnecessary risks. Be safe

Hiking is one of the best ways to explore the Hawaiian Islands, and it’s also a great way to stay in shape too. Discover Hawaii Tours offers guided hikes to hidden waterfalls and to the tops of volcanic craters. While on tour, many guests get the chance to observe many native plants and birds. On your next Hawaiian vacation be sure to join Discover Hawaii Tours on our either our 16B Hidden Waterfall Eco-Adventure Tour or our 15A Diamond Head Guided Eco-Hike. Remember, safety first!

Read more: Hawaii Hiking Safety Tips