Immerse yourself in the epic Polynesian journey on this gap program! Explore the rich cultures of Hawaii, Fiji, and New Zealand, from traditional villages to the vibrant spirit of Aloha. Volunteer alongside locals, learn ancient traditions, and experience the beauty of the South Pacific through hands-on adventures and beach bliss. This program is your chance to retrace the footsteps of Polynesian explorers and discover the heart of their enduring legacy.
You will learn all about the varied Polynesian culture,from the origins of Hawaii’s Aloha spirit to the modern-day villages of Fiji and cities of New Zealand. You will absorb, explore, interact with, and understand the beautiful diversity and development of culture throughout the region. Your days will be as varied as the countries you visit, with a fusion of hands-on project work, connecting with locals during village stays, camping under the stars, and seriously healthy doses of mountains and beaches.
The who, what, and why of the Polynesian journey is not entirely understood by historians, although there are some agreed-upon facts that have established a rough picture of the narrative. Polynesians are primarily from Asian descent, and despite there being conflicting reports as to why they embarked on their original journeys, we now recognize that they were most certainly intentional and not accidental. Explorers took enough mating pairs, plants, and animals needed to establish sustainable colonies. Considering the lack of maps and sailing routes, it was likely they used the stars as navigational devices, and the trade winds as natural support. Over the course of the next 800 years, they explored and settled every single habitable island in the Pacific, including Hawaii, and Fiji. Their final destination brought them to the shores of Polynesia’s largest land mass, New Zealand.
The who, what, and why of the Polynesian journey is not entirely understood by historians, although there are some agreed-upon facts that have established a rough picture of the narrative. Polynesians are primarily from Asian descent, and despite there being conflicting reports as to why they embarked on their original journeys, we now recognize that they were most certainly intentional and not accidental. Explorers took enough mating pairs, plants, and animals needed to establish sustainable colonies. Considering the lack of maps and sailing routes, it was likely they used the stars as navigational devices and the trade winds as a natural support. Over the course of the next 800 years, they explored and settled every single habitable island in the Pacific, including Hawaii, Samoa, and Fiji. Their final destination brought them to the shores of Polynesia’s largest landmass, New Zealand.
Highlights include:
- Roll up your sleeves at a permaculture farm practicing local farming techniques in Hawaii
- Conservation project alongside park rangers at Tawharanui Regional Park
- Give a helping hand to a local Fijian community in Nasautoka Village
- Explore Akaka Falls and Green Sand Beach in Hawaii
- Snorkel and kayak in the pristine waters of Fiji
- Relax your muscles in natural hot springs and mud pools
- Prepare a Hawaiian Imu feast where we take the food from ground to table
- Get led by a Fijian local through Tapa making and a Kava ceremony
- Attend a Maori cultural performance with a powerful display of haka song and dance
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