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Location
  • United States of America
Length
2 - 4 weeks
Program Categories
Adventure Travel Cultural Immersion Service Learning Volunteer Abroad

Program Details

Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Dormitory Host Family Lodge Tent
Age Min.
14
Age Max
18

Pricing

Starting Price
7395
Price Details
Covers all program activities, does not include souvenirs or round trip flight to Hawaii.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Travel Insurance
Oct 05, 2021
Aug 31, 2022
Wish List
1 traveler is looking at this program

About Program

Experience the indigenous knowledge of Hawai’i‘s people, dive into the environmental history of the Big Island and its progressing efforts to role model self-sufficiency. Blending awe-inspiring beauty and transformational learning and service in the areas of permaculture, natural building, and climate justice with a foundation of Hawaiian culture and exploring social justice issues, this program will be an unforgettable, perspective-shattering experience.

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Video and Photos

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students doing alternative construction
students outside wrapped up in blankets by sunset
students working on a farm outside
students gathered in a circle relaxing
student showing slug
students drinking coconuts
students watching sunsets
tent camp setup
students walking home under big clouds

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Program Highlights

  • Experience the power of nature and creation as you watch lava give birth to new earth as it merges with the ocean at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
  • Immerse yourself into Hawaiian culture: language, food, mythology. Learn about the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and hear ‘story’ from elders in the community.
  • Practice Mālama ‘Āina (to take care of the land) as you dive into the key principles of permaculture, traditional and modern approaches to sustainability, eco-forward practices, and climate justice.
  • Experience 11 of the 13 microclimates, all on one island and get way beyond the traveler’s track.

Program Dates

Application Deadline
Program Dates
-

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 4 reviews
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  • Growth 4.75
  • Support 4.5
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 4.5
  • Safety 4.5
Good for Under 18, Students
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Default avatar
Maya
20
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience!

Aug 31, 2022

So this was my second time going on a trip with Global Routes and once again it was THE BEST! I learned a lot about Hawaii, about myself, and I met so many amazing people and made new friends. I had a whole new outlook on life after coming back. I felt more confident, responsible, independent, and ready to go out into the world as an adult. I gained important life skills that will be important for college, adult life, and beyond.
One thing I particularly love about a Global Routes program is not having your phone for the duration of the trip. I think that really helped me to be more present & engaged, and I made deeper and more meaningful connections with people.
I would recommend Global Routes for any high schooler who wants a more meaningful travel experience, to be pushed out of their comfort zone, and a whole new perspective about the world.

Pros
  • You get a break from technology
  • The land is beautiful and the people are so kind
  • You really get to push yourself out of your comfort zone
Cons
  • Lots of bug bites
18 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Ella
17
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Global Routes - Hawaii 2022

Aug 22, 2022

This Global Routes' program was such an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to meet so many people from across the world who shared many common interests. I also had the privilege of being exposed to many sacred spots around the island thanks to the connections our leaders had with the local community. All of the people we met along the way were super welcoming and eager to share their knowledge with us. This time we spent farming and working with the land was always super rewarding beautiful. I'll forever be grateful for this experience and thankful for the people I met as a part of the journey.

Pros
  • Sense of community
  • Insanely beautiful land
  • Insight and shared knowledge
Cons
  • Bug Bites
16 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Zoe
19
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Hawaii Experience Review

May 18, 2022

This trip was one of the best experiences of my life. The people I met in my group and within the communities and homestays are some of the most influential in my life and they'll always be in my heart for the experiences we shared. The work we did farming and learning about the land on the big island were so transformative in the way I think about my food and where it comes from. I will never forget the growth I endured and the perspectives I am so appreciative of being able to see. 100/10 experience! I can't wait to go back!

Pros
  • Wonderful people
  • Beautiful land
  • Perspective
Cons
  • Malaria
22 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
ainslie
22
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Global Routes Hawaii Review: 100000/10!!!

Nov 3, 2021

Global Routes' programs have forever changed my life!!! I would recommend their trips to anyone looking to step outside of their comfort zone and ready to try new things. Global Routes has given me a million more reasons to smile, travel, and build connections with the people around me. I am grateful to the amazing GR team and leaders:)! As I reflect months later, I think about the impact the Hawaii program has left me with. There is not a day that goes by where I don't think about the program and how I have truly changed for the better because of it. I'm forever grateful for both opportunities to travel with GR to Costa Rica and Hawaii! If I could give you one piece of advice it would be to pick up your phone and call Adam. I promise you will not regret it!!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
On the second or third day, we got the opportunity to hike across the Mount Kilauea Volcano crater!! To make the experience even more memorable, there was a rainbow right over it as we were crossing. By far one of the coolest things I've ever seen! (See picture below!)
34 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
My friend Delaney and I crossing the Mount Kilauea Volcano crater!

Questions & Answers

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Odessa Armstrong

Program
Hawaii (Big Island): Leadership and Hawaii's Sovereignty Movement
Job Title
International Educator & Trip Leader
Odessa is devoted to transformational learning and has worked in diverse classrooms throughout the US and across the globe for 12 years. Her educator journey has included living and teaching at a tribal run school in South Dakota serving students from over 15 different tribal nations, Chaiyaphum and Phuket, Thailand and her roots in Baltimore City.
Odessa Armstrong

What is your favorite travel memory?

A highlight of our time in Lauders was the chance to experience dinner with different families in the community every Monday through Thursday. Each night we split up into groups and walked through the lush mountain roads of Lauders, Grieggs and Lowmans in the warm evening air and spent hours engaging with our hosts, asking questions, cooking and sharing delicious Vincy meals together. Beyond eating and cooking, our evenings were often filled with music, dancing, games of cricket and many conversations where we got to know our lovely hosts more and more with each visit.

After our first week at camp, we had the opportunity to hike La Soufriere, an active volcano and the tallest peak on the island, where we pushed ourselves physically and mentally to hike through the clouds to the top of the mountain. We were joined by some local members of the community as well, some of whom had never climbed the volcano themselves! It was awesome to share that experience with them.

Once we reached the top, high above the clouds (and in them), we were treated with a glorious view into the depths of the crater. Upon arriving back home we were surprised by a big home-cooked lunch prepared by Mama Cupid to congratulate us on our first successful week at camp!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have grown in so many ways working with Global Routes, more so than I could have ever imagined. Global Routes has helped me to deepen my learning of experiential education, has allowed me to leap even further from my comfort zones, has renewed a sense of joy and passion for serving in the world.

I feel so empowered, loved, inspired and supported by this organization and am beyond grateful to work with the Global Routes team.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

One of the students, who had a difficult time during the first half of the Caribbean program, was able to break her facade and make incredible self-growth. Demonstrating empathy, shining as a leader, becoming a big source of encouragement where previously was acting like a bully.

Additionally, she went on her second program the next summer to Nepal and made major transformations to the thriving and serving the community without any idea of expecting things in return. Bringing joy to the local kids and creating lots of opportunities to have fun together as a community.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would love to go on our Tanzania program because the relationships we have built there in part through the incredible heart, and the efforts of our Africa Program Coordinator are authentic and deeply rooted.

I have wanted to travel to the continent in an intentional way that empowers and respects the communities in which are visited and learn from the folks there. This program is a gift and an amazing way to experience Tanzania.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Global Routes strongly maintains authenticity, intentionality, and realness in a competitive sea of student travel companies that are more concerned with making money.

Global Routes truly holds itself accountable for striving to do right in all aspects of programming, including ethical travel & photography, equity in access to opportunities, and considering the best practices in experiential education from a holistic frame.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Global Routes is an incredibly empowering company to work for and truly values every single member. Allowing for the creation of a team with vast, dynamic skills and experiences to come together in order to develop meaningful relationships with our communities and to create deeply powerful programs.

Every single person working for Global Routes is cared for and given the best environment to thrive so that we can uplift others and offer unique program experiences that help every individual grow.

About Global Routes

Be more than a tourist with Global Routes. Global Routes seeks to foster personal development in our students through cross-cultural experiences that encourage them to step outside of their boundaries and open their hearts and minds to new and diverse people, cultures and ideas. Service to the global community, cultural immersion and adventure...
Learn More
  • Go Overseas Award

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