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CAU > Seminars and Study Tours > Natural History of Hawaii

Natural History of Hawaii

February 2-9, 2005

The registration period for this program has passed.
Please contact us if you have any questions.

Overview

The Hawaiian islands are one of the world's showcases of natural history. Here one can observe the lush vegetation and colorful marine life produced by a favorable climate and warm waters, as well as the evolution of islands that have risen from the sea by slow volcanic action. Designed especially for CAU by our favorite Cornell zoologist and anatomist Howard E. Evans, with the assistance of Erica Evans, our Hawaiian expedition is meant to help you savor and appreciate this island state, located further from the continents than any other spot on Earth.

Faculty

A special feature of this study tour will be the participation of Roy Pollock '78 DVM. Roy is one of Howie's favorite Cornell students, an experienced nature photographer, wonderful teacher, world traveler, and terrific fellow. At every site along the way, Roy will help you refine and expand your photographic skills and awareness, whether you use traditional film or a digital camera.

Itinerary

Starting at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel in Honolulu, located on a quiet stretch of beach, with Diamond Head in the background, we'll meet for breakfast on the scenic Hau-tree-covered terrace overlooking the ocean. We'll explore Oahu, from the Pali mountain ridge overlooking Honolulu to the botanical collections at the University of Hawaii, Foster Gardens, and the excellent Waikiki Aquarium next door to our hotel. We'll snorkel, too (it won't be a problem if you haven't snorkeled before; we'll teach you how).

From Oahu we'll head to the Big Island of Hawaii. Here we'll explore Volcanoes National Park, and overnight at Volcano House on the rim of the world's largest shield volcano, where live lava floes mark the places where the island of Hawaii is still being formed. We'll conclude our journey along Hawaii's Kona coast at the Keauhou Beach Resort, a wonderful place for snorkeling, photography sessions with Roy, and easy access to the lively streets, restaurants, and shops of Kailua-Kona. Throughout our journey, Howie will help you enjoy and understand plants, trees, animals, and our natural surroundings, and guide our forays to special collections and research facilities.

For those of you who would love to linger in Hawaii a little longer, we'll also offer an optional extension, February 9-12, with Howie and Erica, to Maui, where we'll enjoy the newly redesigned Sheraton Maui Kaanapali Beach Hotel. Aboard our catamaran, we'll snorkel with turtles and observe whales up close. En route to Haleakala Volcano, we'll hike through Hosmer Grove (named for Cornellian Ralph Hosmer) in search of two species of honeycreepers (the famed, now rare, Hawaiian birds), and continue on to the summit of Haleakala, with its amazing views and unique vegetation.

Program Cost and Travel Arrangements

The program fee of $3,995 (per-person, double-occupancy) includes all lodging, most meals, inter-island flights, all site visits and admission fees, all land transportation, full escort services, taxes, gratuities, and the full educational program. The supplement for single occupancy is $1,095. The program fee (per-person, double-occupancy) for the optional extension to Maui is $1,950 (supplement for single occupancy is $460). Participants will be responsible for their air arrangements to and from Hawaii, but Stone Travel of Ithaca will be happy to help you with your flights and with any arrangements you'd like to make in Hawaii before or after the CAU program.

Physical Requirements

This is not a physically rigorous program, but we will be walking over uneven terrain, climbing steps, and, on Maui, we'll spend one day at Haleakala Volcano at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet. We expect temperatures to be warm but pleasant throughout the trip, but rain showers are always a possibility (and it can be chilly on Haleakala). We hope you'll join us!

Map

How to use the map:

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