A Big Island Adventure with Rachel Stafford

Dinner at a local restaurant is included. Your dinner will typically be 1 entree and 1 non-alcoholic beverage, subject to change.

“Aloha” is more than a greeting; it embodies love, kindness, and respect. In the welcome session, Rachel will introduce how the spirit of Aloha can be applied to self-care, empathy, and community connection. After getting to know each other and what drew us to this experience, Rachel will share additional themes for her daily teachings on self-growth that are related to Hawaii’s unique cultural, natural, and spiritual environment. Rachel will lead the group in identifying personal goals for the trip and how those goals can enrich life upon the return home. Rachel will also share practical ways to get the most out of our experience.

Overnight near Kona

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Hotel breakfasts typically offer continental, full/American, or buffet-style options. The specific breakfast menu will be determined by your confirmed hotel.

An exclusive farm experience, this Private Guided Tour gives your group a seed-to-cup perspective into the world of 100% Kona Coffee. You will visit many places the free tour cannot go, including the the roasting room, the farm, wet mill, nursery and dry mill. The farm has multiple varieties of fruit trees, flowers and other commercially grown products that guests can experience on a seasonal basis. Greenwell Farms is a 5th generation family farm established in 1850 and is one of the rare vertically integrated coffee operation in the Kona Coffee Belt. Guests will see “behind the curtains” in every aspect of bringing coffee from fruit to cup. Guests will also be able to sample 8 different types of 100% Kona Coffee at our sampling station. **Please note this is a one hour walking tour on uneven terrain with mild upslope and downslope on grass, gravel And pavement. Hat, sunglasses, tumblers of water are highly recommended.

Depart the coffee farm and transfer to Hapuna Beach.

An included picnic lunch at the beach. Picnic lunches typically features sandwiches or wraps accompanied by a variety of sides such as salads, fresh veggies with dips, crackers, fruit, trail mix, granola bars, and more.

Spend the afternoon at one of the largest white sand beaches located along the Big Island's Kohala Coast. It is a great place for swimming, sunbathing and other water activities like snorkeling and body surfing.

Transfer from Hapuna Beach to Ho'okena Beach Park Campground.

Dinner at camp is included. Sample dishes may include tacos, pasta, gyros, curries, burgers, and stir-fries, all served with a side salad and dessert. Your camp menu will vary, with meals inspired by your guide's signature recipes and culinary creativity!

In Hawaiian culture, "mana" refers to the spiritual energy or power within every person. Today’s teaching from Rachel will focus on how to tap into one's personal mana through practicing presence, breathwork, and visualization. Before embarking on the day’s activity, Rachel will offer a daily intention as well as an introspective journal prompt. Following the day’s activity, Rachel will lead the group in sharing their experience and insights they discovered.

Ho'okena Beach Park

Breakfast at camp is included. Most mornings, a variety of cold options will be available, with the occasional hot breakfast served when time allows. Typical offerings include bagels, toast, yogurt, cereal, fresh fruit, juice, and coffee or tea.

This morning you'll spend time snorkeling in one of the best places in all of Hawaii. Honaunau Bay is home to impressive coral reefs, turquoise waters and lava rock pathways that teem with marine life. Please exercise caution when snorkeling as the ocean can be unpredictable. There are also sea urchins so please ensure to wear water shoes or protective footwear. Snorkel not included. Please note, the order of the day's activities will be dictated by the weather and ocean conditions.

An included pack lunch will be provided for your hike. Lunch typically features sandwiches or wraps accompanied by a variety of sides such as salads, fresh veggies with dips, crackers, fruit, trail mix, granola bars, and more.

After lunch, walk over to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the Royal grounds before taking a 2 mile round trip hike on the 1871 Trail to the remains of Ki'ilae Village. Please note, the order of the day's activities will be dictated by the weather and ocean conditions. Distance: 2 miles / Elevation Gain: 50 ft / Duration: 2 hours / Difficulty: Easy

Dinner at camp is included. Sample dishes may include tacos, pasta, gyros, curries, burgers, and stir-fries, all served with a side salad and dessert. Your camp menu will vary, with meals inspired by your guide's signature recipes and culinary creativity!

The Hawaiian concept of ‘Āina (land) represents not only the physical environment but also the relationships between people and nature. Today’s teaching session from Rachel will focus on how immersion in nature can lead to greater self-awareness, balance, and wellness. Before embarking on the day’s activity, Rachel will offer a daily intention centering on personal growth through connecting to nature. Rachel will provide an introspective journal prompt for discussion at the end of the day around the campfire.

Ho'okena Beach Park

Breakfast at camp is included. Most mornings, a variety of cold options will be available, with the occasional hot breakfast served when time allows. Typical offerings include bagels, toast, yogurt, cereal, fresh fruit, juice, and coffee or tea.

Take a transfer from the campground to Papakolea Green Sand Beach trailhead.

You first stop will be at the Southernmost point in the USA - Papakolea Green Sand Beach. To get here, you’ll need to hike to it. The 5.6 mile out-and-back trail is considered a moderately challenging route. This is a dirt trail and sturdy shoes/boots are recommended. Distance: 5.6 miles / Elevation Gain: 321 ft / Duration: 4 hours / Difficulty: Moderate.

After your visit to Papakolea Beach, you’ll take a 40 minute transfer to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. On the way you’ll make a stop at Punal’u Bake shop where you’ll pick up lunch (at your own cost) to enjoy at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. After lunch, you will then continue to Hilo on the other side of the island.

Continue your transfer onward to your campground in Hilo.

Dinner at camp is included. Sample dishes may include tacos, pasta, gyros, curries, burgers, and stir-fries, all served with a side salad and dessert. Your camp menu will vary, with meals inspired by your guide's signature recipes and culinary creativity!

The ocean symbolizes many aspects of personal growth—flow, adaptability, resilience, and the ability to release what no longer serves us. Today’s teaching from Rachel will focus on letting go of past pain and riding the waves of change. Before embarking on the day’s activity, Rachel will offer a daily intention and breathwork practice, as well as an introspective journal prompt. Following the day’s activity, Rachel will lead the group in sharing their experience and insights they discovered.

Overnight near Hilo

Breakfast at camp is included. Most mornings, a variety of cold options will be available, with the occasional hot breakfast served when time allows. Typical offerings include bagels, toast, yogurt, cereal, fresh fruit, juice, and coffee or tea.

Your first stop today is at Rainbow Falls, a 15 minute transfer from the campground, where you enjoy the shining morning sun. The next stop 30 minutes away will be Akaka Falls. Through a leisurely half mile walk (loop) inside, you can see orchids, bamboo groves and draping ferns.

The final stop of the day is at Lava Tube. This is an incredible way to get up close with the raw forces of nature that forged the foundation of the Hawaiian Kingdom. You’ll be able to explore the cave a short distance in both directions before the lava tube enters private property. Please note that this activity may not be suitable for people with claustrophobia.

An included pack dinner will be provided during the star gazing this evening. Dinner typically features sandwiches or wraps accompanied by a variety of sides such as salads, fresh veggies with dips, crackers, fruit, trail mix, granola bars, and more.

This evening you will take a private sunset tour to Mauna Kea one of the world's premier stargazing locations. Travel from sea level to the summit of Mauna Kea in the comfort of your private vehicle. We have evolved a far superior method of introducing you to the wonders of the Universe….a laser pointer powerful enough to seem to go all the way to the object. We show you the clusters and individual bright Stars that ancient Hawaiians used to navigate the Pacific and to Tahiti and back. We show you zodiac signs as they occur during the year. A packed dinner is included.

Volcanoes reshape the landscape around them, creating new environments from destruction. Similarly, personal struggles or challenges often act as catalysts for transformation. Today’s teaching from Rachel will focus on growth that comes through difficult times and how to embrace adversity as part of your transformation. Before embarking on the day’s activity, Rachel will offer a daily intention and journal prompt focused on the potential for renewal after life’s most difficult moments. Participant responses will guide our evening session.

Overnight near Hilo

Breakfast at camp is included. Most mornings, a variety of cold options will be available, with the occasional hot breakfast served when time allows. Typical offerings include bagels, toast, yogurt, cereal, fresh fruit, juice, and coffee or tea.

Take a 1 hour transfer to Volcanoes National Park.

You will start our exploration of this National Park at the visitor's center. You will see the steam vents and make a scenic stop at Kailauea overlook before your first hike along Kailaeua Iki Trail loop trail. Begin on the rim of the crater before hiking down and across a 50 year old solidified lava lake with steam escaping the cracks in the floor. After you hike across the crater floor, you’ll end up back at the beginning. Distance: 3.2 miles / Elevation Gain: 740 feet / Duration: 2-3 hours / Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

An included pack lunch will be provided for your hike. Lunch typically features sandwiches or wraps accompanied by a variety of sides such as salads, fresh veggies with dips, crackers, fruit, trail mix, granola bars, and more.

After lunch you’ll cross the road and explore Thurston Lava Tube. You’ll descend into the lava tube on a half mile loop that will bring you back to the beginning. This is one of the many lava tubes on the island, created by molten lava. The path in the tube is paved and illuminated. Please note that this activity may not be suitable for people with claustrophobia.

After leaving Thurston Lava Tube, you’ll continue on a 45 minute scenic Chain of Crater’s Road to Holei Sea Arch. You will make stops at viewpoints along the way however the exact stops will be decided based on the traffic/parking conditions on the day. After reaching Holei Sea Arch, you’ll have views of the rugged coastline. Snap some photos before transferring back to Hilo.

Take a return transfer back to your campground.

Dinner at camp is included. Sample dishes may include tacos, pasta, gyros, curries, burgers, and stir-fries, all served with a side salad and dessert. Your camp menu will vary, with meals inspired by your guide's signature recipes and culinary creativity!

A volcano erupts when the pressure inside becomes too much to contain. In a similar way, repressed emotions can lead to emotional outbursts or breakdowns. Today’s teaching from Rachel will focus on releasing pent-up emotions in healthy ways before they explode in unhealthy manners. Before embarking on the day’s activity, Rachel will offer a daily intention and journal prompt to help participants let go of emotional baggage, which is key to personal growth and emotional well-being. Strategies for living a balanced life, including stress management, decision-making, and personal boundaries will be the topic of the evening session around the campfire.

Overnight near Hilo

Breakfast at camp is included. Most mornings, a variety of cold options will be available, with the occasional hot breakfast served when time allows. Typical offerings include bagels, toast, yogurt, cereal, fresh fruit, juice, and coffee or tea.

Take a private transfer from Hilo back to Kona, arriving at Royal Kona Hotel. Due to airport regulations a transfer cannot be provided to Kona International Airport (KOA) as part of the tour. You will be responsible for your travel arrangements from Royal Kona Hotel. If departing today, we recommend flying out of Kona International Airport (KOA). Please remember to book your flight after 2pm.

In Hawaiian culture, “Ohana” refers to family, but also to the wider sense of community. On our final day together, Rachel will lead a teaching on the importance of building meaningful relationships and seeking support in times of need. We will reflect on the bonds of connection we have made, as well as explore practices of gratitude and collective care. Travelers will be invited to articulate their newfound commitments as we prepare for re-entry into our daily lives.