Cultural Archaeological Field Trips & Eco
Tours of Hawai'i
Mauka Makai Excursions, Inc. is a Hawaiian
owned and operated cultural eco-tour
company offering full and half-day field trips on
the island of O'ahu. We escort our guests into cultural
archeological wahi pana (legendary
places and sacred sites). Using these sites as visual props and
through mo'olelo (story-telling) we
interpret the culture and make the sites come alive again.
We'll share with you which gods were dedicated there, what type of
ceremonies were conducted there, any myths or legends as well as
the natural history about the surrounding area. We have a
niche market in regards to cultural eco-excursions on O'ahu.
Short nature walks or easy level
hiking is required to reach most sites. Along
the trail our guides will point out native plants and animals
describing their different cultural or ethno-botany uses.
In April 2000 we received the coveted and prestigious Kahili Award
in the Hawai’i Visitor & Convention Bureau “ Keep It Hawai’i “
award program. HVCB presents these awards for the
preservation of our culture. We took first place for our
category!
In
April 2002, Travel Holiday Magazine awarded us their “Wanda
Award”. The Wanda Award celebrates Travel Holiday’s 100th
Anniversary as an advocate and resource for travelers, it
recognizes quality in travel, which means that they are confident
in recommending our cultural eco-tours to their readers.
We try to be pono (in the right;
righteous; morally or culturally correct) on these special
fieldtrips to sacred sites. We have received the blessings of
our na kupuna (elders) to share these
sites. Reciting chants, asks permission to approach, blessing
bestowed upon, knowledge gained, protection provided (these sites
still contain a lot of mana) and a deep appreciation developed for
the rich culture of the kanaka maoli
(Hawaiian). Mana is like a spiritual power or cosmic energy, life
force, chi or ki in Asian cultures. Hawaiians know this as
mana.
Fully narrated, these small group eco-tours are a
welcome change in destination travel from the mass-marketed bus
tours.
Television Appearances
The Travel
Channel ~ Secrets of Forbidden Hawai`i,
Intersection: Honolulu, Brady Bunch Revisit Hawai`i
The Learning
Channel ~ The Secret World of: Hawai`i
Canadian Travel
Channel ~ Quebec
German Travel
Program ~ TH3
Contact us today
for more information about our Hawaiian eco-tours, field trips, and cultural
adventures!
