Monday’s Tour: July 17th, 2017 – South Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park & Kona Joes Coffee Tour Schedule:

9:00am - Depart Hilton Waikoloa Resort 10:30am - Visit Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park 12:30pm - Visit Kona Joes Coffee 3:00pm – Arrive back at Hilton Waikoloa Resort

Extending along the lava flats of the Kona Coast, Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is home to some of the most significant traditional Hawaiian sites in the Hawaiian archipelago. One of the most prominent features of the park is the pu'uhonua or place of refuge which is enclosed by the Great Wall, a massive 965 foot long masonry wall. Serving as a sanctuary in ancient times for defeated warriors, noncombatants, and those who violated the kapu (sacred laws), the Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau remains a most sacred place to those who step foot on its grounds. The protected waters of Hōnaunau Bay combined with the availability of water from brackish springs provided the ideal location for the ali'i-Hawaiian royalty-whom established important residential and ceremonial sites nearby, an area known today as the Royal Grounds. For several centuries, the pu'uhonua, the Royal Grounds and adjacent areas formed one of the primary religious and political centers within the traditional district of Kona.

As you walk through the park and visit these sites, we ask that tread lightly, stay on the marked trails and paths, and take only photographs. Federal laws prohibit the excavation, destruction, defacement or disturbance of archeological resources. Damages to resources can also occur from walking on top of or climbing on or over walls, platforms, and other structures. Kona Joe is the world's first trellised coffee plantation, with the patent to prove it. They grow their own coffee like wine, and their goal is to farm, process, and roast the world's finest Kona Coffee. They firmly believe you will love it. Their award winning coffee is grown, processed, and roasted in the USA. All Internet orders are shipped direct from their farm for maximum freshness and flavor.

Kona Joe Coffee is a family-owned coffee farm located in the “Gold Belt of the Kona Coffee District,” near the Mauna Loa Volcano on the big island of Hawaii. This 20-acre estate began its business in 1994 and produces one of the best coffees on the island. Visitors can take a tour of this farm and learn all about coffee production, from its cultivation to brewing.

Kona Joe coffee has a rich, sweet taste with exotic flavors captured from the unique Kona climate and soil. They slow-roast only the best beans of the harvest and pack them in gas-valved stand up pouches. This locks in all of their legendary flavor immediately after roasting. Like most of life's finer pleasures, it costs a little more than other types of coffee, but this handcrafted coffee is well worth the extra cost.

What is Kona Coffee? So what makes Kona coffee so unique from other coffees? In order to be distinguished as Kona coffee, the coffee must be grown within the North and South districts of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, USA. To preserve the unique flavor the coffee plants must also be of the variety Kona Typica, an Arabica coffee unique to the Kona region. Tuesday’s Tour: July 18th, 2017- North Hawaii Hamakua Macadamia Nut Co., Shopping in Hawi, and Visit King Kamehameha Statue

Tour Schedule:

9:00am - Depart Hilton Waikoloa Resort 9:30am - Visit Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company 10:30am - Shopping in Hawi 11:40am - Visit King Kamehameha Statue 1:00pm – Arrive back at Hilton Waikoloa Resort

In 1977, the President and Co-Owner Richard Schnitzler came to Hawai‘i from Michigan, to work for Theo H. Davies & Co. sugar operations. From sugar, he moved into macadamia nuts and over the next 12 years worked with some of the largest macadamia nut producers in the state, before founding his own enterprise, Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company, in 1994. Richard’s philosophy, then and now, is to work with private growers and ensure they get fair treatment and the best possible price for their product. Using only 100% Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts, and employing local Hawaii people, he began a small canning operation in Kawaihae.

His family trust has been involved in conserving land for agriculture and wildlife, and Edmund is also an active partner in the 500-acre OK Farms in Hilo and the Ka‘u Coffee Mill, helping farmers succeed in producing world-class coffee without traveling to Kona for processing. “I couldn’t have picked a better partner,” said Richard. “It’s not about the money for him—and for us— it’s about doing good things with it.” Richard and Edmund are absolutely committed to providing 100% Hawaiian macadamia nuts, 100% of the time, in ways that are economically efficient and environmentally responsible. “Our goal is to provide a future for the growers, provide jobs for our local workers and produce great products to sell to the world.” Shopping in Hawi

Stroll through the peaceful haven of Hawi, North Kohala’s biggest little town, best known as the bicycle turnaround for the annual Ironman World Championship held every October. This historic town, set in the green northern tip of the island, was once the busy hub of North Kohala’s now defunct sugar industry.

Today, Hawi is home to a handful of charming art galleries, boutiques and restaurants set in colorful and lively plantation buildings. You’ll find everything here from handmade jewelry and crafts to homemade fudge and 100% Kona coffee. The Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery was once voted best restaurant on Hawaii Island and is a great stop for a fresh island style meal. Beyond Hawi is the town of Kapaau, home of the original King Kamehameha Statue.

Shops in Hawi Antiques Bamboo Restaurant & Bar As Hawi Turns Tropical Dreams Hawaiian Ice Cream Upstairs At The Mill - Shaved Ice & Homemade Fudge Pacifica Jewelry & Seashells Elements Jewelry & Fine Crafts Star Light Crystals, Jewelry & Rare Treasures L. Zeldman Gallery Lighthouse Delicatessens Olivia Clare Boutique Sushi Rock Restaurant Visit King Kamehameha Statue

A great warrior, diplomat and leader, King united the into one royal kingdom in 1810 after years of conflict. Kamehameha I was destined for greatness from birth. Hawaiian legend prophesized that a light in the sky with feathers like a bird would signal the birth of a great chief. Historians believe Kamehameha was born in 1758, the year Halley’s comet passed over Hawaii.

Given the birth name Paiea, the future king was hidden from warring clans in secluded Waipio Valley after birth. After the death threat passed, Paiea came out of hiding and was renamed Kamehameha (The Lonely One). Kamehameha was trained as a warrior and his legendary strength was proven when he overturned the Naha Stone, which reportedly weighed between 2.5 and 3.5 tons. You can still see the Naha Stone today in Hilo.

During this time, warfare between chiefs throughout the islands was widespread. In 1778, Captain James Cook arrived in Hawaii, dovetailing with Kamehameha’s ambitions. With the help of western weapons and advisors, Kamehameha won fierce battles at Iao Valley in and the Nuuanu Pali on . The fortress-like Puukohola Heiau on Hawaii’s Big Island was built in 1790 prophesizing Kamehameha’s conquest of the islands. In 1810, when King Kaumualii of agreed to become a tributary kingdom under Kamehameha, that prophecy was finally fulfilled.

Kamehameha’s unification of Hawaii was significant not only because it was an incredible feat, but also because under separate rule, the Islands may have been torn apart by competing western interests. Today, four commissioned statues stand to honor King Kamehameha’s memory. Every June 11th, on Kamehameha Day, each of these statues are ceremoniously draped with flower lei to celebrate Hawaii’s greatest king.