Description

Project Hawai'i is a unique summer experience to provide teens from all over the world to come together and make a difference in the lives of homeless children. Working hands-on interactively with their "camp buddy", teens will help build self-esteem and healthy life choices. Teens will gain mentoring and leadership qualities needed to become successful leaders of our future. Teens will earn 200 community service hours in the field of leadership, mentoring, marketing, implementing programs, fundraising and project planning as well as recommendation letters to their school officers. NEW FOR 2012!! We are awarding teens with the Presidents Volunteer Service Award for all teens attending this years program.

Over the 4 week tour, the teens will also learn about the Hawaiian Culture while sharing and developing life-long friendships with their group. On the tours we will embark on the wonders of 2 Hawaiian Islands, attend authentic Hawaiian Luau, learn the hula, jump aboard a snorkel cruise, and explore the mountains from above on the eco-adventure. Hawai'i will not be complete without learning to surf with the award-winning pro surfers of Northshore in their own secluded beaches, and each teen will have private lessons to make them masters in no time. Hiking the volcano's and waterfalls of the Big Island, Surfing the white sands of Waikiki, and absorbing the culture on Oahu will make this adventure complete.

Students arriving from outside of the United States will also have the option of attending ESL classes to help improve their language skills. These teens also have the option of arriving one week early for an intensive ESL training program. (teens from the US will not have this option)
Our first week teens are able to explore the wonders of the island, beautiful beaches and immerse into the culture. Spending their days with the children at the Adventures Abound Day camp is a great way to see the island as well. The teens will guide their camp buddies through daily activities and themes designed to help with social skills and life experiences. We will visit the Imiloa Astronomy center, tide pools, coral reefs, zoo, and more island delights. Teens will spend their evening learning the culture and weekends exploring the islands.

Second week we are off to the island of O'ahu to learn hands on the art of Hula and Ukulele playing with local celebrities. Ukulele lessons will be given by CJ Kama from HI Town featuring 4 songs on the TOP 5 countdown. Surf Northshore with Hawaiian legends and pro surfers at their secluded beaches. O'ahu tour would not be complete without the nightlife of the tiki tourch lite Waikiki white sands beach. Our full day adventure tour of the Polynesian Cultural Center will also share the aspects of what our islands natives combine with culture. Like visiting 9 different countries in one fun-filled packed day. A wonderful opportunity to met native Hawaiians who wish to share their culture the way it was meant to be seen.

Our third and fourth week lands us back on the Big Island with a new terrain and more time with your camp buddies for a full week of day camp activities. Your adventure will also lead you to the Kilauea Volcano, the beautiful beaches of Waipio Valley (a sacred Hawaiian land), Hapuna Beach for the worlds best snorkeling and bodyboarding, as well as more cultural events to assure you feel the true Hawaiian Aloha before your tour ends. Don't forget this is your last chance to meet even more local boy surfers at the hangout in the town of Kalapana; the legendary town the volcano overtook, and only the "diehard" Hawaiians still remain on their sacred lands.

To end your Cultural experience, you will actually help create and perform at an authentic laua you have designed for your camp buddies families. This will include making your own real ti' leaf hula skirt, flower lei, and laulau (of course these Hawaiian words will be common knowledge by the end of your tour...can't wait). You will have the opportunity to put your new found Hawaiian musical and dance skills together with our islands own infamous band...Brown Boys and members from HI Town.

Our farewell party will allow all the teens to say their good-byes at the Karaoke on the beach.

Highlights

Highlights of the tour include the famous Waikiki Beach, 2-island tour, Snorkel Cruise, Volcano Hiking, Zip Line Adventures, Dolphin Cruise, Authentic Luau, surfing with professional award-winning pipeline surfers, learning the culture through the eyes of Native Hawaiians, learning to dance Hula and play music with the islands top performing bands, bonding with your Homeless Camp Buddy and being able to provide them with their new school supplies and outfits to start their new school year off ready to learn. And most of all, making footsteps in the Hawaiian sands worth following. Project Hawai'i is the most incredible experience anyone can have.

But most of all the Cultural experience of working hands on with local Hawaiian people learning to make authentic Hawaiian dishes from the earth, to playing ukelele with newest Hawaiian band to hit the radio and music shelves "Hi Town".

Teens will also learn to make a real Hawaiian Hula skirt from start to finish...picking the ti leaves, stripping them, and then weaving them to make the most beautiful skirt imaginable. And there's more...teens will learn to ride the waves first time out with professional surfers of Hawai'i, the one's you see riding the pipeline on t.v. and then finish the evening on the white sand beaches of Waikiki with the Opihi Pickers, a hot band that will play live and join in the Laua grinds.

PLUS the tuition is tax deductible!! Can't beat that.

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration
• Student Tours

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Early Enrollment Bonus USD 6,900 by May. 31st, or 2012 price of USD 7,800.00 June 1

Program Fees Include:

This is an all inclusive package. We will take care of every expense once you land on Oahu.

For students arriving from outside the US that would like to participate in the pre-arrival ESL class, there is an addition fee for the classes, and accommodations. (Please inquire for the full details)

You are responsible for your own roundtrip ticket to and from Oahu, Honolulu, Hawai'i. You will also need to purchase or provide medical insurance and travel insurance is optional.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Community Centers
• Community Development

This Program is open to

American, Australian, Canadian and European Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 4-24

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 days after application rec.

Project Hawai'i with Cultural Institute of America's Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower teens to make a difference in their tomorrow while making changes in present through interactive solutions. Providing the teens leadership skills to enhance the lives of homeless children and helping to end the cycle of poverty in America. While learning about and exploring the Cultural aspects from true Hawaiians and Fostering Cultural Exchange, awareness and acceptance.

Year Founded

1990