Welcome to Hawaii
Experience the island of Oahu, the cultural center of the Hawaiian Islands. Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is
the capital and most populous city in the state of Hawaii and the southernmost major city in the U.S. It is the center of Hawaiian government, transportation, and commerce, and it is home to Hawaii’s best-known destination, Waikiki Beach!
Honolulu’s cultural offerings are vast. Polynesian culture is preserved and respected in locations on Oahu such as the Bishop Museum and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Choral traditions are strong throughout the island too, and Hawaiians have their own native folk music, which they are eager to share with visitors from abroad. With a rich history and culture to explore and magnificent natural beauty to enjoy, your ensemble will love the “aloha spirit”!
Itinerary
Aloha! Welcome to Hawaii!
Your Music Contact International tour manager will be waiting to greet your group at Honolulu Airport on the island of Oahu. You are now close to paradise – a US island in the Central Pacific with a fabulous climate, gorgeous natural setting, and warm, friendly people. Take delight in your new surroundings as you drive through the city to your hotel at the beach.
Settle into your hotel in Waikiki and refresh from your journey. Rehearsal can be arranged.
Later, take a scenic walk to Kapi’olani Regional Park and enjoy a welcome dinner as you watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
Each day of your tour in Hawaii begins with fresh breakfast at your hotel.
Then, visit the Bishop Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Polynesian cultural and scientific artifacts. The museum has been showcasing Hawaii to the world for over 120 years!
Tour ‘Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii’s monarchy. The estate has been meticulously restored to its former grandeur and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
Tonight, after time for dinner, get moving with hula lessons, the iconic Hawaiian dance form. Have fun and practice your moves in Hawaii to impress friends back home!
This morning starts with church where your choir will sing for the worship service and enjoy fellowship with the friendly congregation. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience real Hawaiian culture and hospitality.
Afterwards, head over to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet to purchase lunch, snacks, and souvenirs.
Return to the hotel to enjoy time on Waikiki Beach. Surfing lessons can be arranged upon
request.
Tonight, you could perform a concert at a popular locale such as the Ala Moana Center* for an enthusiastic crowd of both locals and tourists. Treat yourself to dinner on-site.
Make a solemn visit to Pearl Harbor. Explore the USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the ship’s 1,777 crewmen who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. While there, perform a concert at the Visitor Center*. Your performance will serve both as entertainment for the other visitors and a tribute to the sailors honored by the memorial. Pearl Harbor visits and concerts are pending strict availability.
Musical highlights continue this evening at a friendship concert with a local ensemble. Perform jointly, for each other and invited audience, and enjoy this unique opportunity to make friends with Hawaiian singers.
This morning, hike on Diamond Head, one of the most recognized landmarks in Hawaii. Climbing on the dormant volcano is a popular activity. The trail to the summit is only 0.8 miles each way, but quite steep, so the walk will be adjusted to the comfort and fitness of your group.
Then, take an excursion to the Polynesian Cultural Center where your group will experience island village life and join in on a variety of Polynesian activities and games. Watch entertaining presentations and learn about unique aspects of Polynesian culture. As part of your visit, perform a concert on the outdoor stage* for the other visitors.
Enjoy a buffet dinner before experiencing “HA: Breath of Life,” a fantastic performance featuring Polynesian dance, music, and blazing fire knives!
On your last morning in Hawaii take a snorkeling excursion to Hanauma Bay.
Formed within a volcanic cone, scenic Hanauma Bay is protected from ocean swells and
known for its calm, shallow water, white sand, sea turtles, and fish.
A festive Hawaiian luau feast with traditional Hawaiian dishes, local favorites, and entertainment under another spectacular island sunset, wraps up your tour on a high note!
Heartfelt goodbyes are exchanged, and your group is sent off with a fond, “Thank you for connecting our world through music. Until we meet again!”
Return home with wonderful memories of your concert tour in Hawaii.
Concert Tour Highlights
PEARL HARBOR VISITOR CENTER
Located on the south coast of Oahu, Pearl Harbor is Hawaii’s largest harbor. A US National Historic Landmark, Pearl Harbor is famous for being the target of a surprise attack by Japanese fighter planes on December 7, 1941 that propelled
the US into World War II. During your excursion, visit the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the USS Arizona Memorial, the final resting place for many of the USS Arizona battleship’s crew members who lost their lives when the ship was sunk. While at the memorial, you ensemble will perform an open air concert at the Visitor Center.
FRIENDSHIP CONCERTS IN HAWAII
Friendship concerts are a featured experience on our tours and are at the heart of our mission to foster cultural connections through music. We benefit from a vast international network in the choral world built over our thirty years of helping choirs share their music both in the United States and abroad. Your choir will share a venue and a concert program with a host choir from the region. Your singers will have the opportunity to hear their host choir's repertoire (often showcasing local musical styles) and to share your own repertoire in turn. Fellowship time is planned around the friendship concert, giving both choirs the chance to mingle and enjoy the camaraderie of creating cross-cultural connections through a shared love of music.
POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
At the Polynesian Cultural Center, learn about the distinct and rich cultures of the island nations of Polynesia: Tonga, Tahiti, Marquesas, Fiji, Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and Hawaii. The Center is divided into 7 regions, one for each distinct island culture. Performers present entertaining and culturally informative presentations throughout the day. Your ensemble will perform on open air concert for visitors to the Polynesian Cultural Center on the covered band shell stage.
THE BISHOP MUSEUM
The Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed
Bishop in memory of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family.
Established to house the extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms of the Princess, the museum has expanded to include millions of artifacts, documents and photographs about Hawaii and other Pacific Island cultures. Today, it is the largest museum in the state and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific.