2010 ConferencePre- and Postconference Tours

Before and after conference, take some time to explore Hawaii through educational tours, workshops, and events that will both entertain and enlighten.

Southeast Oahu Geology |World War II | Botany Tour: Hawaii Loa Ridge Hike
Ho‘okele (Polynesian Navigation) | Kohala Waterfall Adventure
Imiloa Astronomy Center

Southeast Oahu Geology Tour (SOLD OUT)
Friday, October 1
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

The island of Oahu is constructed from two main shield volcanoes, the Waianae and the Koolau. This tour will examine the geologic structure, history, and features of the southeastern part of the Koolau volcano. You’ll learn how massive landslides, violent volcanic eruptions, and steady erosion help shape our island over millions of years into what we see today.

This half-day tour will be led by geology experts from Bishop Museum and the University of Hawaii. We’ll start at one of the best views on Oahu, the Nuuanu Pali lookout, overlooking the 1,000-foot cliffs of the Koolau Mountain range. It was here in 1795 that King Kamehameha and his warriors defeated the Oahu armies by sending them over these steep cliffs, claiming victory and uniting the Hawaiian Islands. We’ll learn how these majestic cliffs formed through a combination of catastrophic landslides and gradual erosional processes.

Next, we’ll wind our way through the towns of Waimanalo and Kailua, where we’ll examine ancient sand dunes and reefs that correspond to higher sea level over 100,000 years ago. After stops at road cuts for some hands-on geology, we’ll end our journey at Hanauma Bay. Now a world famous snorkeling destination, this was the site of violent volcanic eruptions tens of thousands of years ago. The visit will include time for swimming and snorkeling, so come ready to jump in the water!

What to bring: durable footwear, bathing suit, towels, sandals for beach walking, sunscreen, and a hat. This trip will involve a good deal of walking over somewhat bumpy terrain. Snorkeling equipment is available for rent at Hanauma Bay.

Preregistration required: (check event on registration form) Coach departs from the Waikiki Beach Marriott at 8:00 a.m. and the Ala Moana Hotel at 8:20 a.m. and returns to the two conference hotels at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Tour fee: $40; includes transportation, box lunch, and admission to Hanauma Bay.

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World War II Tour
Friday, October 1
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

The United States’ role in World War II started with the bombing of Pearl Harbor and ended with Japan’s surrender on the deck of the USS Missouri. This half-day tour includes visits to both sites.

At Pearl Harbor, your 75-minute tour includes a 23-minute documentary film on the Pearl Harbor attack and a brief boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, built over the still-visible hulk of the vessel that suffered the greatest damage and loss of life in the December 7, 1941, attack. You will be able to explore other exhibits about Pearl Harbor on the grounds of this National Park Service site. (Note: Due to security measures, no backpacks, purses, camera bags, or other containers that could provide concealment are allowed on the site. You may carry a camera.) The morning finishes with a visit to the Battleship Missouri Memorial to see the historic vessel on which General MacArthur accepted the surrender of the Japanese on September 2, 1945, bringing World War II to an end.

Preregistration required: (check on registration form) Coach departs from the Waikiki Beach Marriott at 8:00 a.m. and the Ala Moana Hotel at 8:20 a.m. and returns to the two conference hotels at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Tour fee: $50; includes transportation, box lunch, admission to sites. Minimum participation is 15; maximum, 50.

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Botany Tour: Hawaii Loa Ridge Hike (SOLD OUT)
Friday, October 1
8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The Hawaiian Islands harbor some of the planet’s rarest botanical species—90% of Hawaii’s flora are found nowhere else on Earth! But to meet these novel plants, one must venture far from Waikiki and the convention center. Join botanist Clyde Imada, a 25-year veteran at the Bishop Museum, for a walk on the wild side up Hawaii Loa Ridge in the leeward Koolau Mountains. This intermediate-level hike starts out as a gently graded ridge among weedy dry scrubland and planted forest, but in the second half becomes steep, muddy, and slippery as we enter the native-dominated wet forest. Our goal is the Koolau summit, at 2,520 feet, with its panoramic views of windward Oahu. Along the way, Clyde will tell the stories of a wide range of native and nonnative plants, and talk about the unique natural history of the Hawaiian Islands. If we’re lucky, we may have a chance encounter with the endangered ‘elepaio bird!

What to bring: Hiking boots or walking shoes with tread, lightweight pants or shorts (jeans not recommended), lightweight shirt (short- or long-sleeved), rain jacket, hat, sunscreen, gloves (optional), and daypack with 1 liter water (minimum) and binoculars/camera

Preregistration required: (check event on registration form) Coach departs from the Waikiki Beach Marriott at 8:00 a.m. and the Ala Moana Hotel at 8:20 a.m. and returns to the two conference hotels at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Tour fee: $50; includes transportation and box lunch.

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Ho‘okele Tour (Polynesian Navigation)
Friday, October 1
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Inspired by the story of Polynesian navigation and its recent revival, the theme of ASTC 2010 is “Ho‘okele–To Navigate.” Here is a chance to see those great Polynesian voyaging canoes for yourself! In between their journeys across the vast Pacific, the canoes are maintained and dry-docked at the Marine Education Training Center on the Honolulu waterfront. Staff of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the Friends of Hokule‘a and Hawai‘iloa will provide tours and overview of these unique vessels.

Preregistration required: (check event on registration form) Coach departs from the Hawaii Convention Center at 1:00 p.m. and returns to ASTC conference hotels at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Tour fee: $50; includes transportation and box lunch.

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Kohala Waterfall Adventure
Wednesday, October 6
7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

This adventure begins at Bishop Museum’s Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook, Hawaii Island, where attendees will have the opportunity to see the world’s largest collection of Native Hawaiian and endemic plants. Garden manager Peter Van Dyke will take us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the garden’s unique campus. Then we’ll immerse ourselves in Kohala’s stunning beauty and rich history with a fun, off-road adventure and relaxed trail walk, experiencing dramatic views of Pololu Valley, charming foot bridges, historic taro terraces, and intimate waterfalls. Throw in the opportunity to swim at a waterfall and stroll the quaint plantation village of Hawi, and this is the perfect way to discover Hawaii Island!
What to bring: closed-toe walking shoes, reef walkers or sports sandals, bathing suit under shorts, hat, sunscreen, and light jacket

Preregistration required: (check event on registration form) Meet at Hawaii Forest & Trail Headquarters (74-503B Queen Kaahumanu Hwy.) at 7:00 a.m. Participants will need to arrange their own transport to the pick-up point; generally a rental car is essential for exploring the Big Island.
Tour fee: $169; includes breakfast and lunch, bottled water, access fee, walking staffs, raingear, and warm wear. Fee does not include airfare to Hilo from Honolulu, which runs approximately $200 roundtrip. Minimum participation is 8; maximum, 24.

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Imiloa Astronomy Center
Imiloa Astronomy Center, an affiliate of the University of Hawaii at Hilo and an ASTC member, is located in Hilo on the Island of Hawaii (also called “the Big Island”). Imiloa is coordinating a three-part postconference experience that draws on the wonders of the Island of Hawaii. Partners include Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Maunakea Observatories and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These experiences include two post-conference tours of some of the most exciting aspects of Hawaii Island (October 5–7); a three-day planetarium workshop at Imiloa’s dome (October 6–8); and a navigation festival (October 8–10).

Preregistration required: Register directly with the Imiloa Astronomy Center for this post conference tours by contacting:
Amy Bugado, Executive Assistant:
Email: abugado@imiloahawaii.org
Phone: (808) 969-9701
Fax: (808) 969-9748

Malama Honua: ka ‘Aina, ke Kai, ka Lani (Caring for Our Island Earth: Earth, Sea, Sky)
Tuesday, October 5
5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

The program begins on Tuesday evening. Participants arriving at Hilo Airport after 5:00pm will be shuttled to Hilo hotels listed above. A 6:30 p.m. shuttle will take them from the hotels to a reception/dinner and keynote speech at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center’s popular Sky Garden Restaurant. After dinner, there will be an opportunity to explore exhibits and watch a 3-D full-dome planetarium show about Maunakea.
Dinner fee: $45.

Ka ‘Aina (Earth)
Wednesday, October 6 or Thursday, October 7 (offered both days)
8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.

Walk across the floor of a volcanic crater or to a volcanic summit and learn about the geology, flora, and fauna of this area. View the plumes of smoke pouring from the current eruption at Halema‘uma‘u crater. Hike to an active lava flow, viewing the spectacle after dark, when the tongues of lava are most visible.
Tour fee: $180; includes lunch, ground transportation, program fees. Not included: hotel, breakfast on mornings of tour, and roundtrip airfare. Maximum enrollment is 60; minimum enrollment is 20.

Ka Lani, ke Kai (Sky/Sea)
Wednesday, October 6 or Thursday, October 7 (offered both days)
8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.

Start at Mokupapapa Discovery Center, a NOAA facility that interprets the natural science, culture, and history of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Travel through the varied regions of Maunakea to the Maunakea Visitor Information Station, at 9,000 feet, for a presentation about the unique cultural and scientific aspects of Maunakea. Tour some of the world’s premier observatories at the mountain’s 14,000-foot summit. Dine in the astronomers’ dining hall. Participate in a night Star Tour outside the visitor’s center.
Tour fee: $180; includes lunch, transportation, program fees. Not included: hotel, breakfast on mornings of tour, and roundtrip airfare. Maximum enrollment is 48; minimum enrollment is 20.

Imiloa Planetarium Sessions
Wednesday, October 6–Friday, October 8
8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.

Imiloa’s state-of-the-art planetarium houses the world’s first 3D stereoscopic dome. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to see how cutting-edge astronomical research is being presented to the public, and how the sacred mountain of Maunakea is a place where the voyage of discovery continues. Planetarium session topics will include Hawaii’s sky connection; cultural connections to the sky; science visualization/planetariums of the future; audience engagement: live presentations in the Dome; and a vendor showcase. Participants will also be given a tour inside some of the premier observatories atop Maunakea and dine with astronomers at the 9,000 ft. elevation level. As a tie-in to this workshop, there will be a Digital Full-Dome Film Festival at Imiloa from Tuesday, October 5, to Sunday, October 10, including new programs from Sky Skan, Mirage 3D, Evans & Sutherland, AMNH, and more.

Preregistration required. Participant fee: $400; includes lunch, ground transportation, program. Not included: hotel, breakfast on morning of tours, and roundtrip airfare. Maximum enrollment is 60. Minimum enrollment is 20

Imiloa Navigation and Wayfinding Festival
Friday, October 8–Sunday, October 10
This is an annual event at Imiloa Astronomy Center that is free to the public. The festival celebrates the historic feats of Pacific navigators and current efforts to revive and expand celestial navigation skills and interest in long distance deep-sea canoe voyaging. ASTC attendees are invited to participate.

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