The Perfect Trip

 

At the top of Diamond Head Crater with students from the class of 2022, Wednesday, June 1, 2022

At the top of Diamond Head Crater with students from  the class of 2020, Monday, June 6, 2022.

Since the last time I took a group of eighth graders to Hawaii--eight years ago--I've done a cruise to the Bahamas, trips to Puerto Rico,  Chicago, Niagara Falls & Toronto, Atlanta, and a road trip around the Southeastern United States.  And while all of those trips have been amazing, Hawaii still rules them all. I still feel the way I did in 2014--that I'd be happy to take every class to Hawaii.  It really is my favorite destination.

I'm sure people are inclined to wonder: "Why Hawaii? For 8th graders?"  And I will concede that Hawaii presents some pretty daunting challenges.  It is expensive.  When our class began fundraising for the trip, I really wasn't sure we could pull it off.  Each student had to raise $2000 a piece.  And that wasn't even the full per person cost of the trip (the rest was covered by our whole class fundraisers and my personal fundraising efforts).  When people are out there struggling, it's a hard sell that our kids should get this "extravagant" trip. 

 And it is a long trip to get there.   The kids are really far from home--there are foreign countries that are much, much closer than Hawaii.  So not every class is cut out for a trip of that magnitude. I've had classes who wanted to go to Hawaii--but it became clear that the group wasn't ready and we chose a closer, cheaper destination. 

 Yet, I still maintain that Hawaii is the perfect trip. You see, I try to ensure the ideal class trip contains most if not all of some key elements. Every trip should incorporate some first time experiences, some time outside in nature, cultural exposure, a little bit of history, something fancy, and if, there's time an activity that's "just for fun."  Hawaii nails them all and then some. 

Air, Land and Sea: The Triple Threat of First Time Experiences

I love watching my students in the airport.  For many of them, it is the first time they have ever flown.  Sure, sometimes they're scared but the fear is usually outpaced by wonder. When we go to Hawaii, an airplane is the only way to get there.  

 For most of my students, Hawaii marks the first time they have been to a tropical island. And what an island!  The vistas are incredible and watching my students drink in the views is such a pleasure. 

Our class chaplain of the class of 2022 at the peak of Diamond Head Crater with Honolulu spread out below

And finally, there's the beach. I was surprised by how many students have never been to the ocean.  It wasn't entirely pleasant for them:  "It's so salty," they said, and fussed when the seawater stung their eyes.  But that's the thing about new experiences--part of what makes them great is the challenge that often accompanies them.  And the kids did acclimatize.  We made it a goal to get in at least a couple hours at the beach every day no matter what else was on the agenda.

Some of the class of 2020 enjoying Kailua Beach, Monday, June 6, 2022

The Greatest Outdoors:

Even in water this shallow, the kids could see amazing fish at Hanauma Bay. Thursday, June 2, 2022 (the Class of 2022's final day in Hawaii)

 Almost everything we did in Hawaii was outside.  There was the beach of course, but the Polynesian Cultural Center, the hike up Diamond Head, even the luau were all outside.  But even beyond merely being outside or doing an "outside activity"--was being exposed to nature in a way that was both profoundly educational and new to my students.  Our day at Hanauma Bay exemplified this.  It's now much more difficult to get into Hanauma Bay than it was eight years ago. It's $25 per person--up from $7.50 last time I was there--and getting the advance reservation tickets online is virtually impossible.  They are snapped up within minutes.  We ended up having to go really early and wait in line for two hours.  But the wait was worth it. Hanauma Bay is a protected nature preserve containing a vibrant coral reef teaming with hundreds of species of fish--some that are found nowhere else in the world--as well as the occasional sea turtle or sea lion.  Because the fish are used to people they tend not to scatter as you approach.  As a result even my non-swimming students were able to dip their heads under waist deep water and see beautiful tropical fish.  At Hanauma Bay you are not at the aquarium, you are in the aquarium. It's a priceless experience.

My  2022 student gives Hanauma Bay (in the background) a thumbs up

And for my second, older group, the students from the class of 2020 we were able to take it to the next level and go on a cage diving adventure to see sharks in the wild!

Belvia Jackson took this photo from the boat while we were in the cage watching the sharks. Wednesday, June 8 2022

America but Not American:

A student tries his hand at weaving a basket from pandanus leaves (Class of 2022, Tuesday, May 31, 2022)

A Tongan presenters shares about Tongan food

The students try to start a fire with two sticks. Our class president managed to generate some smoke.

The students try out canoeing and . . .

. . .spear throwing

Some of the fellas with their (temporary) Fijian tattoos

At the Fijian section of the Polynesian Cultural Center

  One of my favorite things about Hawaii is being able to introduce students to a new culture.  They get a taste of language, lifestyle, and yes food, that is new to them. Most of my students have had little to no exposure to any Pacific Island culture and have limited knowledge of Asian cultures (which also have a strong presence in Hawaii).  Their experiences at the Polynesian Cultural Center learning about the people of Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji, and Hawaii was a rich experience. The kids get to try their hand at traditional cultural activities like starting a fire with two pieces of wood or learning some basic hula moves.  They learn more about Hawaiian culture at the luau where they feast on Hawaiian cuisine, listen to Hawaiian music, and watch the beautiful and powerful dances of the various Polynesian cultures they've learned about. It's an added plus that my students can experience this "foreign" culture without needing a passport!

Royalty and Remembrance:  

The  2022 students outside Iolani Palace, Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Here's the class of 2020. You can barely see them but you get a better view of the palace (Tuesday, June 7, 2022)

The throne room of Iolani Palace

History is not usually my students' favorite part of any class trip. Those museum trips have to be in small doses otherwise they zone out.  Fortunately, our two history stops in Hawaii are both short and gripping, so they really register with the kids.  First we go to Iolani Palace, the only official royal residence on American soil.  The palace was the last home of the Hawaiian kings and queens before the monarchy was abolished with the imprisonment of the last Hawaiian monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, in one of the bedrooms of the palace.  She was held in that room for 8 months before being released.  We always take the audio tour and the narrative of the dispossession of the Hawaiian people of their land is both moving and sobering.

The Class of 2020 at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Thursday, June 9, 2022 (I was already on my way home by this time.  Parent chaperones Belvia Jackson and Tricia Crawford stayed with the kids an extra two days in Hawaii.  Belvia snapped this pic and the one below.)

The USS Arizona Memorial as seen from a distance.  Neither class was able to secure tickets to visit this sacred place. We will aim to get them next time.

Also on a solemn note, is the visit to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial--the site of the Japanese attack on the United States that ushered our country into World War II. Unfortunately, getting out to the Arizona Memorial  is now extremely difficult with the limited number of tickets snatched literally within seconds of being available. As a result, the class of 2022 missed Pearl Harbor.  But the Class of 2020 was able to visit the Pearl Harbor visitor's center if not the Arizona Memorial itself. For future groups I will book with a tour company (and pay the exorbitant $72 per person for what is ordinarily a free tour) as that seems to be the only way to get out to the Arizona. 

Luau: The Dress Down Banquet:  

The Class of 2022 at the Luau, Tuesday, May 31, 2022

One of my students at the luau with her mom, Robin, who was one of our chaperones

Me with our class vice president

Group Shot of the Class of 2020 at their Luau, Sunday, June 5, 2022.  One of the cool things about taking two classes back to back is that the staff at the places recognized me from my previous visit with the Class of 2022. I felt like an old hand. And the front desk employees at our hotel the Ohana Waikiki East by Outrigger, were like old friends by the end of the trip.

Starting with our class trip to Chicago in 2016, I've always tried to plan a special dinner where the kids can dress up fancy.  Well, Hawaii isn't really a dress up kind of place, but there's still a very special dinner--the Hawaiian luau!  This year we went to the Paradise Cove Luau on the western side of the Oahu. In addition to the delicious feast, we were treated to a lei greeting, a picture perfect sunset (we got lucky but it almost felt like that sunset was part of the package), and a fantastic show featuring the music and dances of Polynesia.  Obviously the fire knife dancer from Samoa was a highlight.

Missing the Fun? Not hardly!

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay

Hiking Diamond Head Crater

Playing in the sand at sunset on Waikiki Beach. I don't think these kids were sad they didn't get to go to a theme park.

  The one thing we don't have in Hawaii is a "just for fun" day.  This is not a must for me on class trips, but if we've covered the history, culture, and outdoors and we still have space in our trip, I'll throw in some time at the local amusement or theme park.  What I love about Hawaii is that even though we don't have time for a "just for fun" day, it's also not needed.  In between our planned activities the kids can go shopping or grab an extra swim at Waikiki.  But Hawaii is unique in that all of the other experiences we have are also really fun and interesting.  As you may have noted, each activity in Hawaii kills multiple birds with one stone. One event can be outdoors, historical, cultural, and fun.  You can't beat that!  We don't even bother swimming in the hotel pool (which is usually the number one thing kids want to do when we go on a school trip).  I think we hit the pool once for about 40 minutes when we first got to Hawaii, while we were waiting for everyone to be ready to go to dinner and then a sunset swim at the beach. I found the pool small and crowded, and we never went back.  And honestly, who goes all the way to Hawaii just to swim in the hotel pool!  

The Eye-Opener Bonus: 

In our Aloha shirts (Students from the class of 2022, on Thursday, June 2, 2022)

 There's one final thing that makes Hawaii special. It's that it opens my students eyes to the possibilities life offers them.  Visiting Hawaii makes them realize that the whole world is open for them to explore if they choose.  They have options, choices that they can pursue and achieve with focus and hard work.  They don't have to be excluded from places like Hawaii.  They can not only visit Hawaii--they realize, they could live there if they wanted.  It's hard to explain, but giving my students the world is one of the greatest rewards of these class trips.  And with Hawaii that gift really registers.  The students of 2022 are already talking about a return visit in ten years.  And the class of 2020 wants to travel somewhere together after they graduate in two years--it doesn't have to be Hawaii, but somewhere. Hawaii is the jumping off point to seeing the world.

Next year, as the class of 2023 considers it's options for class trip, you can bet I'll be strongly encouraging them to consider Hawaii as the perfect trip!