Post on 05-Aug-2020
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS• Mentor and Inspire Students at the Boys and Girls
Club
• Learn to Surf and Perfect Your “Hang Ten” Skills
• Restore Beaches with a Local Non-Profit Foundation
• Explore the Breathtaking Na’Pali Coast by Foot and Boat
• Camp Beachside in the Famous Hanalei Bay
• Snorkel the Pristine Waters of Kauai
• Master Your Teamwork and Nautical Skills on an Outrigger Canoe
• 30 Hours of Community Service
Day 2: Orientation and Agricultural Service
This morning, we cover program basics such as how to set up tents and use camp stoves. Through games, team-
building activities and cooking our first meal together, the adventure truly begins. We also introduce the role of
HAWAIILOCAL CONNECTIONS
Days 1: Arrival
Participants are met by their leaders at the Lihue Airport on the Island of Kauai (or in San Francisco International
Airport if on the escorted flight). After a quick welcome and introduction to ARCC, we head to our campsite on
the beautiful North shore, just outside the surf town of Hanalei, and spend our first night under the Hawaiian stars.
Accommodations: Campground
Spotlight Project: Building a Sustainable KauaiHawaii is one of the most remote and remarkable inhabited island chains in the world. Known for its beautiful
beaches, lush forests and volcanic peaks, most visitors consider this small collection of isles to be an unspoiled
paradise. That said, vacationers rarely consider the impact they have on Kauai’s delicate ecosystem while on holiday.
The Local Connections Program allows students to go well beyond traditional tourism and immerse themselves in
the community to give back, while becoming a larger part of the Hawaiian Ohana (or Family). Work hand-in-hand
with community leaders and local non-profit organizations to build a more sustainable Kauai. Together with locals
students, we build community gardens, aid farm-to-school programs, battle invasive species, and learn about the
cultural importance of native Hawaiian plants while becoming a force of positive change in Hawaii’s future. This
summer, earn the respect of locals and elders alike and play a vital role in preserving paradise!
“Leader of the Day,” discuss expectations, and learn more about our new
island home. This afternoon, we get a hands-on experience helping our
friends at a nearby farm with a few hours of service. Taking to a lush green
field, we learn about taro farming and how to make the taro into “poi,” a
staple food of early Hawaiians. Accommodations: Campground
Days 3 - 4: Boys and Girls Club Service
Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” the BGCH’s clubhouses provide
guidance-oriented character development programs six days a week for
Hawaiian children aged 7-17 years old. Working alongside the awesome
people involved with the BGCH, we organize and implement an “Olympic
Sports Day” or “Fear Factor Day” with rotating events, stations and prizes
for elementary school Boys and Girls Club members. Through our interac-
tions with locals we not only build stronger bonds between the islanders
and the mainland, but also build lasting friendships with the amazing kids
and volunteers of the organization. Accommodations: Campground
ARCC Programs | Hawaii: Local Connections
Day 8: Archaeological Nature Preserve Visit and Service
Today, we focus our service efforts helping an amazing non-profit. We
wake up early and head to the National Botanical Garden at Limahuli
located on the Northern Coast of Kauai and consisting of three sepa-
rate ecological zones: a pristine stream, a lush valley and many ancient
Day 5: Outrigger Canoeing
Outrigger canoes first arrived in Hawaii around 200 AD, some large
enough to hold up to 80 people, and were filled with essential items like
edible plants, water and animals to ensure a safer voyage for the brave ex-
plorers who took off in search of land. Rowing has always been an impor-
tant part of Hawaiian Culture, and we have a chance to practice and learn
this ancient form of exploration! Accommodations: Campground
Day 6: Na’Pali Coast Day HikeWe take our Hawaiian adventure to new heights by hiking along the spec-
tacular Na’Pali Coast. It is exciting to see the coast from such a different
perspective. We hike through lush rainforests on a trail rising above the
blue-green water and the rugged and rocky shore of the Kauai coastline
where we pass waterfalls over 100 feet high. We stop for lunch at one of
the coast’s many spectacular beaches and work our way back to our home
away from home in Hanalei Bay. Accommodations: Campground
Day 7: Island Exploration and Beach Day
A week into our program we take a day to explore the island, visit hidden
beaches and relax in the shade. We also do laundry, make calls home and
plan for our upcoming service. This much needed respite helps us reset for
our upcoming adventures and offers a good fix of island time. Accommo-
dations: Campground
Day 9: Ocean Service and Surfing
Today we work with a large non-profit grassroots organization whose goals are
aimed at improving the ocean and beaches of Kauai, which have become dam-
aged by the influx of tourism in recent years. We are educated on their mission
statement of C.A.R.E. (Conservation, Activism, Research, and Education) and,
with the help of professionals, we assist in conservation and research projects
on the beach and in the ocean. Accommodations: Campground
This afternoon, we experience the world-famous break of Kauai’s South
Shore. We learn the fundamentals of the exhilarating sport of surfing with
the help of professional surf instructors. After a lesson on land, we head into
the water. Under the care of our instructors, we learn proper stance, ocean
safety and how to maximize our paddling strokes. With a little determina-
tion and luck we soon find ourselves coasting towards the beach atop crest-
ing waves! Accommodations: Campground
ARCC Programs | Hawaii: Local Connections
Day 10 - 11: Sustainable Food Service and Koke’e State Park
Hawaii is one of the most isolated island chains in the world and if supplies
were to stop, the island would only have about 5 days’ worth of food to
feed its population. Partnering with a community-based nonprofit organi-
zation that focuses on advocating, educating, and driving action towards
a sustainable Kauai, we work to complete a number of food related out-
reach projects designed to stimulate the community towards agricultural
self-reliance. Utilizing their community food forest, fruits and vegetables are
donated to local food banks. We work together to complete farm-to-school
projects and advance Kauai towards a more sustainable future.
Today we leave our beach haven on the North Shore for a few days of moun-
tain splendor in Koke’e State Park. Settling into our bunkhouse in the center
of the island gives us another perspective of Kauai’s varied climate. From
here we will have a chance to explore the red and yellow cliffs of Waimea
Canyon and gain more stunning coastal views on nearby trails overlooking
the Na Pali Coast. Accommodations: Bunkhouse, Koke’e State Park
Hawaiian archaeological sites. We work together planting native vegeta-
tion and have a picnic lunch amidst the beautiful scenery. This preserve
is one of the most pristine and beautiful environments of all Hawaii,
and we are lucky to help protect this land. In the afternoon, we take a
well earned dip in the preserves crystal clear stream in search of native
o‘opu fish suctioned to the rocks. Accommodations: Campground
Day 12: Zodiak Raft Tour and Snorkeling
Today we celebrate all of the service we have completed during our time
on Kauai with a day of ocean exploration and snorkeling. We board a Zo-
diak raft and experience the dramatic Na Pali coast from the ocean as we
discover enchanting sea caves, waterfalls, and secluded beaches. We have
the opportunity to snorkel the astounding reef in search of sea turtles and
colorful fish while we soak in the sun surrounded by new friends in this stun-
ning paradise. Accommodations: Bunkhouse, Koke’e State Park
Want to Learn More? Contact the Regional Director:
Eben Coenen | Regional Director: Hawaii: Local Connectionseben@arccprograms.com415-332-5075 Ext. 227
ARCC Programs | Hawaii: Local Connections
Day 14: Departure
Eventually all good things must come to an end. After packing up camp,
we drive to the airport, say our goodbyes and board our flights home. The
memories of the experience and the group will carry us through to next
summer!
Day 13: Group Led Outing and Final Activities
On our last full day in Hawaii, we have a chance to choose our own adven-
ture. Working together with some guidance from our leaders, we have the
opportunity to plan an adventure of our own. Whether it be visiting “Se-
cret Beach” or the Kilauea Lighthouse, it is bound to be an unforgettable
final day on the Garden Isle.
After an amazing two weeks full of service and activities, we head back to
our camp for one last night together and have our Final Feast to celebrate
all that we have accomplished together! Accommodations: Campground