Exciting tours have started in the Hawaiian Islands: travel every week

From volunteer activities to fireworks cruises and the ever-changing snorkeling adventure, there are some new options to consider when booking tours in Hawaii as the destination returns from the pandemic hiatus.

• In Pearl Harbor, the Ford Island bus tour is one of these new options. It takes visitors on a cruise to Ford Island to see the USS Oklahoma and USS Utah memorials, which are not accessible because they are on an active military base. The 90-minute guided tour is led by a National Park Service ranger, who interprets and answers questions. Reservations are required.

• Also on Ford Island, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum opened a firehouse exhibit that takes visitors into the operations building and a tower tour that takes the elevator up to the red and white control tower. It ended on December 7, 1941, months after the attack. Following a $7 million renovation, the tower offers visitors a 360-degree view of Battleship Row, the barracks, and the USS Arizona Memorial.

“The Ford Island Control Tower stands as a symbol of endurance and peace,” Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Executive Director Elisa Line said in a statement. “It’s time for the world to witness Pearl Harbor from the air.”

Only 120 top tickets are available each day, so it’s best to book early.

• Earlier this year, the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s long-standing Friday night fireworks tradition returned after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions. The return of the popular weekly event has opened the door for tour operators to open night cruises to view the spectacular pyrotechnics.

Known for its submarine dive tours and whale watching cruises, Atlantis Cruises now offers Friday Fireworks and Cocktail Cruises on the Majestic, a three-level ship with a cocktail lounge and full-service bar. The Waikiki Cruise departs from the Aloha Tower in the afternoon and guests can roam freely and watch the sunset from the deck, listen to live entertainment and watch the fireworks display continuously.

• Hawaii Wow Tours launched the Waikiki Gondola Experience at Alawai Canal in June. It offers day and night tours, including a Friday night fireworks tour.

“Our gondola cruises are perfect for those special romantic or family/friend based events where you can relax and enjoy luxury,” said Shantel Kalmanson, one of the owners of Hawaii Wow. “Sip on iced sparkling apple cider and eat delicious pastries as your friendly gondolier guides you on a melodious ride to Magic Island for the majestic view of Diamond Head and pass under the three bridges of what we affectionately call the Waikiki Grand Canal.”

• On the Big Island, Hawaii Forest and Trail in 2011. In 2018, he added a private lava tube tour to the volcano’s official tour, and late last year he launched a volunteer tour called the Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Experience. The tour takes visitors into the Waikoloa Dry Forest before climbing to the summit of Mauna Kea.

“The experience allows our guests to immerse themselves in this endangered dry forest and learn about the areas they visit at Mauna Kea and how they can best protect them for future generations,” said Jonathan Wilt, Hawaii’s director of sales and marketing. Forest and trail. “After the return portion, guests will walk to Mauna Kea on a platform for sunset and then stargaze at low altitudes with the Celestron and Stellana telescopes.”

Such philanthropic activities are on the rise as renewed tourism continues to be a major focus of the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Malama Hawaii program. Volunteer opportunities include restoring an old fishing pier with the Malama Loko Ea Foundation, planting native trees with the Hawaiian Heritage Reforestation Initiative, and participating in the restoration of the USS Missouri Memorial.

• PacWhale Eco-Adventures is offering a new Maui snorkeling tour that takes visitors “where many larger ships can’t.” The adventure, called Maui Nui Wild Side Lahaina, is a six-hour cruise on a 34-passenger cruise that departs from Lahaina.

The captain offers guests an open itinerary and chooses two destinations on the day of the tour based on ocean conditions. Possible snorkeling spots might include Honolua Bay, the Cartagena wreck, or two spots on the island of Lanai.

“You will see many beautiful reef fish and corals with views of dolphins, green sea turtles, octopuses and many other marine animals,” the company said.

Run by the nonprofit Pacific Whale Foundation, the tour will have certified marine naturalists on hand to answer questions. Lunch and snacks are also provided.