Discover Hawaii Tours Blog

As we welcome 2010 it is a time of celebration and new beginnings. While most people make plans to lose that extra holiday weight or to stop bad habits, here at Discover Hawaii Tours we too are committed to resolutions for the upcoming year. As a growing company we are committed to providing excellent customer service that surpasses the industry’s standards. Enjoy our list of our Top 5 New Year’s Resolution for 2010.

1. Go Green! – Reducing the amount of resources used is our top priority. Our office staff is committed to reducing the amount of paper used by sending our guests emails instead of printed vouchers. We are also committed to recycling everything including our used oil for the busses, plastics, and papers.

2. Provide Superior Customer Service – We are constantly finding new and fun ways to offer our guests the best experiences on their vacations. Our “Mystery Shopper” program allows our guests to receive $20 off their tour. Mystery Shoppers just have to fill out a quick online survey after their tour to receive the discount. This is just one of the many ways Discover Hawaii Tours is committed to providing excellent customer service.

3. Expand to Eco and Cultural Tours – New for 2010 our Eco & Cultural Tours will share with you the “Real Hawaii.” Escape the crowds and explore the tranquility of the rainforest as our naturalist guides walk you through some of the most scenic terrain where a hidden waterfall awaits you. We also offer guided hikes to the top of an extinct volcanic crater, Diamond Head, where you can tower 765ft above the white sandy beaches of Waikiki.

4. Ongoing Tour Guide Training – All of our guides go through an extensive training program and are constantly being evaluated to ensure a professional tour every time. Greg, our newest tour guide supervisor, is committed to keeping his staff well trained and prepared for the upcoming year. We are committed to our tour guide training program and look forward to serving our guests needs.

5. Provide State-of-the-art Multimedia Experience – One of our newest and most anticipated departments of Discover Hawaii Tours is our Video/Media production team. Creating the most visually compelling and engaging videos are just some of the ways our Web Department interacts with our guests. Filming has already begun for our upcoming TV commercial and online testimonials. Who knows, while on tour you might get your big break and end up on camera!

According to the most recent publications from the popular travel magazine, Recommend, Hawaii was named the “Best Selling Destination” in North America in its 13^th Annual Reader’s Choice Awards. 

For those who have ever visited the island state already know how special of a destination Hawaii truly is.  Whether you are a local or visitor alike, there is always something to do on the islands.  Not only does each of the islands have their own “personalities” but each also has their own unique adventures waiting for you.  Exploring the islands on your own can be fun, but if you want to truly relax and enjoy yourself let one of our professional guides show you only the best spots to visit. 

Here are some of the most popular “not-to-be-missed” activities in Hawaii.

Kilauea – The World’s Most Active Volcano

Located on the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, Kilauea truly is one of the most “jaw-dropping” attractions in the state.  Let us take you on our Hawaii Volcano Night Eco Tour – Tour 33, (available from all islands) where you can witness nature’s fury upfront and personal.  Explore the only national park on the islands, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you learn all about Hawaii’s fiery origin.  Get a chance to see black sand beaches, jungle waterfalls, gardens, and historic Hilo town.  Join us on a fun filled fiery day which is “not to be missed” by anyone!

Pearl Harbor War Memorial Tour

USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri

Learn about a day in history that changed the world forever as you re-live the day that started WWII for America.  Enjoy a professional guided tour that depicts the opening scenes of Pearl Harbor and witness first hand the devastating repercussions of the Japanese Naval and Air force attack on Pearl Harbor.  Join us on any of our Pearl Harbor tours including: Tour 2: A Day at Pearl Harbor Tour, Tour 3: Pearl Harbor and Historic Honolulu, Tour 5: Discover the North Shore and Pearl Harbor Combo Tour, Tour 6: Arizona Memorial/Aloha Stadium Flee Market Tour, Tour 7: Circle Island Tour with Pearl Harbor, Tour 8: WWII From Beginning to End, Tour 11: Pearl Harbor/Dole/Polynesian Cultural Center Tour, Tour 19: Dolphin Swim, Pearl Harbor, and Scenic Oahu, Tour 41: Pearl Harbor Tora Tora Tora, Tour 42: Pearl Harbor War Memorial Tour, Tour 50: Hawaii Experience Package.

Road to Hana – Maui

Wailua Falls from the road to Hana

No trip to Hawaii is complete until you’ve been on the Road to Hana.  Experience one of the most scenic drives on earth where every turn offers an even more amazing view than the last.  Complete with more than 615 curves, the road to Hana stretches all the way from Kahului Maui to Hana town and offers amazing scenery the whole way through. From this incredible roadway, see black sand beaches, great views of the Pacific Ocean, waterfalls, and beautiful green landscapes.  Join us on our Tour 21A, Discover the Road to Hana Tour From Waikiki and enjoy a free complimentary breakfast and a gourmet picnic lunch.

Merry Christmas or Mele Kalikimaka as we say in Hawaii to all of you! Yes it is that time of the year again and believe it or not, people in Hawaii do celebrate Christmas. Those of you who are used to a white Christmas might find it hard to imagine celebrating Christmas on a beach while enjoying 85 degree temperatures and cool ocean breezes. 

Sure, some of the traditional holiday favorites like enjoying a nice warm cup of hot cocoa might be replaced with a refreshing ice cold pineapple slushy, but the holiday spirit remains alive on the islands.  Christmas in Hawaii has always been a special time for visitors and locals alike.  Where else can you see Santa Clause arriving on the white sandy beaches of Waikiki onboard a canoe?  Sorry Rudolf, unless you can swim we might not get to see your bright red nose. 

Here on the islands we do things island style, including Christmas.  Join us on our many tours that visit downtown Honolulu including, Tour 3A: Pearl Harbor/City Tour, Tour 42: Pearl Harbor War Memorials Tour (available from Waikiki, Kona, Lihue, Kapalua, and Kahului), Tour 8: WWII Beginning to End Tour, Tour 41: Tora Tora Package, Tour 50W: Hawaii Experience Package, and Tour 2A: A Day at Pearl Harbor.  Not only will you see a 30 foot tall, barefoot Santa Clause throwing a shaka to the crowd, but in downtown Honolulu you can also take part in the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony followed by the Honolulu Parade of Lights.    

Historically, the Hawaiians did not participate in Christmas until the arrival of Captain Cook in 1778.  However, the Hawaiians did celebrate this time of year as their “Harvest Season” or “Makahiki” which lasted for about four months.  During this time people enjoyed a time of rest, relaxation, and feasting.  Any wars or battles were also put on hold during this season to ensure time of peace of relaxation.     

We ask that you make the most of your holidays and hopefully you can also enjoy a truly memorable “Non- White” Christmas in Hawaii.  There really is no other place on earth like Hawaii to spend Christmas.  Mele Kalikimaka!

When most visitors think of historic Pearl Harbor, they are most likely to focus on the USS Arizona Memorial. Less widely known but frequently visited is another historic museum at Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Aviation Museum. Located on Ford Island, the Pacific Aviation Museum houses numerous aircraft from around the world. Two of the most notable aircraft here are a Japanese Zero plane – the Grumman Wildcat – utilized in the WWII surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and the Stearman which was flown by the youngest aviator at that time, President H. W. Bush.

Japanese Zero Plane

Recently, local news stations have announced that there will be some new arrivals to the Pacific Aviation Museum. Flown in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, a collection of fighter jets: two F-86 Sabres, an F-4 Phantom, an F-102 Delta Dagger, and a Soviet MiG-15 will join the list of historical aircraft available for viewing at the museum. With exciting news like this, a trip to the Pacific Aviation Museum during your stay in Hawaii is sure to be enjoyable and memorable.

Delta Dagger

We offer daily tours to the Pacific Aviation Museum with included hotel pick up in Waikiki and airfare from Maui (Kahului and Kapalua), Kona, and Kauai. If you are interested in visiting the Pacific Aviation Museum, join our 42: Pearl Harbor War Memorials Tour. Included in this one-day long adventure to Pearl Harbor is a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine, and the Pacific Aviation Museum. Also, you will enjoy a deluxe Honolulu city tour featuring the Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha Statue, and Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific. Throughout the whole tour, listen to your guide as he/she offers narration filled with intriguing historical and cultural facts. What you get from a guided tour, you can never achieve on your own.

Grab a seat on the Discover Hawaii Tours mini-coach to Pearl Harbor and be one of the first to see these new aircraft at the Pacific Aviation Museum!

F-86 Sabre Fighter Jet

Over the past month, we have been adding new tours for guests to enjoy on a regular basis.  One that we are particularly excited about is the Tour 19: Dolphin Swim, Pearl Harbor and Scenic Oahu.  This tour is available with hotel pick up in Waikiki or as a 19M, 19H, or 19K with airfare provided from Kahului, Maui, Kona, Big Island, and Lihue, Kauai respectively.  Swimming with dolphins is a wonderful activity for families, couples, and individuals and often appears on personal bucket lists.

A happy dolphin at Sea Life Park

So let us take you on a tour that you are sure to remember for the rest of your life.  The dolphin swim on tour is entitled the “Dolphin Swim Adventure” and is 45 minutes in length.  You will kiss, play and learn about the dolphin.  You will also have the exciting opportunity to partake in a dolphin handshake and a dorsal fin ride.

Dolphin and new best friend

Your Dolphin Swim Adventure will take place at Oahu’s Sea Life Park which is situated on the south shore.  Also available for viewing while stopped at this location will be various shows and attractions featuring sea creatures such as penguins, sting rays, sea lions, and more.

Dancing Penguins

In addition to your Sea Life Park excursion, your tour will include a visit to the USS Arizona site at Pearl Harbor as well as a tour of Oahu’s south shore.  A no-host lunch will also be included in the tour at Honey’s Restaurant on the Koolau Golf Course.

We are currently selling this tour for a special introductory rate.  Become friends with a dolphin and witness must-see sites on Oahu.  Our special introductory rate won’t be available for long so we encourage you to book ASAP.  You’ll be sure to enjoy every moment!

Please note: If you are traveling with children under the age of 8 and are interested in this tour, please contact us about other dolphin swim options.  The “Dolphin Swim Adventure” requires that participants be at least 8 years of age.

Beginning on October 10^th, 2009, the USS Missouri Battleship will be closed for repairs. It is expected to reopen mid-January.

To take the place of our Tour 2: A Day at Pearl Harbor and our Tour 8: WWII Beginning to End while the USS Missouri is dry-docked, we would like to introduce the 42: Pearl Harbor War Memorials Tour. This tour is available as either an inter-island tour with roundtrip airfare from Lihue, Kapalua, Kahului, or Kona included or as an on-island tour with pick-up from Waikiki Hotels included. Visits to the USS Arizona Memorial and Visitors Center, the USS Bowfin Submarine, and the Pacific Aviation Museum are all included in this affordable one-day excursion, as well as a historic Honolulu city tour and an exploration of Barack Obama’s childhood homes and schools.

Our Pearl Harbor War Memorials Tour is our first Pearl Harbor excursion to involve an exploration of the USS Bowfin Submarine. The USS Bowfin found its place in the Naval Fleet in the year 1943. After a short time in service, it was decommissioned in the year 1947. Yet, with the start of the Korean War in 1950, the US realized the USS Bowfin was an integral member of the fleet. Therefore, it was recommissioned in 1951. Used primarily for training purposes, the submarine held its place as a commissioned vessel for another 20 years, finally closing down in 1971. It was named a National Historic Landmark in the year 1986, and is currently one of the most popular war museums open for tours at Pearl Harbor. With the intrigue of its narrow hallways, mess halls, and sleeping quarters, the Bowfin is sure to be a pleasurable tour portion.

USS Bowfin Submarine

For further information about our new Pearl Harbor War Memorials Tour, visit its description page. We would be happy to bring you along on this one-day exploration of three phenomenal Pearl Harbor museums, so go ahead and click on the “Make A Reservation” button and join us soon!

Salute to the fallen

The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is “ground zero” where World War II began for the United States. The event where Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto stated: “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant…”
The USS Arizona serves as the final resting place for many of the battleship’s 1,177 crew members who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. 

Strict security measures prohibit purses, handbags, fanny packs, backpacks, camera bags, diaper bags, luggage and/or other items that offer concealment. Visitors may bring a camera and cam-recorder. A storage facility is available for visitors coming to the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, the Battleship Missouri and the Pacific Aviation Museum. The facility can be found at the entrance to the USS Bowfin Sumarine Park. There is a nominal storage fee. 

Tora Tora Tora

Our new world war II tour will allow passengers to experience Pearl Harbor from both the ground and air. The tour is named Tora Tora Tour 41 because the air portion will trace the actual path take by the Japanes Zero aircrafts on their way to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The tour will be a fabulous way to experience to experience Pearl Harbor and nothing like it has ever been offered before.