Aloha Tour
This tour has been rescheduled for Spring of 2023
|
WE’RE OFF...AGAIN! This time, it’s to HAWAII
QuinTango is announcing our Fans & Friends artists-as-diplomats tour destination: Hawaii, our first F&F tour in the United States. We will visit the Big Island and Maui, with an optional post- trip to Kauai. We will travel on to Kailua- Kona (Big Island). Those who have time for a post-trip adventure will fly to Kauai for four nights. Interested in joining us? Read on. |
Our focus will be the Big Island, where Polynesians from the South Pacific first landed and whose legacy can still be seen.
We begin our adventure in Kailua-Kona, where QuinTango will be performing at Gertrude’s Jazz Bar, a funky island favorite with great drinks and view of the sunset over the Pacific. A day to recover from the trip at an oceanfront resort, a little local history, some water activities at Hapuna Beach State Park (voted Hawaii’s best beach this year) and then we are off upcountry to the village of Waimea, where we’ll headquarter for the week far from the tourist scene.
QuinTango will have three performances on the Big Island: Gertrude’s in Kona, Kahilu Theatre in Waimea, and the People’s Theatre in Honoka’a. Each venue is a local landmark with deep roots in the community.
We begin our adventure in Kailua-Kona, where QuinTango will be performing at Gertrude’s Jazz Bar, a funky island favorite with great drinks and view of the sunset over the Pacific. A day to recover from the trip at an oceanfront resort, a little local history, some water activities at Hapuna Beach State Park (voted Hawaii’s best beach this year) and then we are off upcountry to the village of Waimea, where we’ll headquarter for the week far from the tourist scene.
QuinTango will have three performances on the Big Island: Gertrude’s in Kona, Kahilu Theatre in Waimea, and the People’s Theatre in Honoka’a. Each venue is a local landmark with deep roots in the community.
Kahilu Theatre, Waimea
You will have plenty of activities (and restaurants) to choose from in Waimea – a farmer’smarket, chocolate and macadamia nut farms, coffee and tea plantations, hikes, a Sunday morning beach mass (if COVID restrictions are lifted) and even a 3-hour zipline adventure for the younger set.
|
|
|
My friend Penny, a resident of Hawaii for 40+ years, will clue us in to Hawaiian customs and culture and teach us a few key words in Hawaiian. QuinTango will work with students from the local school. We will visit a ranch to learn about the paniolo culture (Hawaiian cowboys).
|
|
We’ll also have a tango lesson or two with QuinTango’s longtime friend Murat Erdemsel, a professional dancer/teacher who currently lives in Zurich, but who serendipitously will be on the Big Island in January. Murat’s presence is an exciting addition to our schedule. He is a charismatic performer and sought-after teacher.
“Volcanoes” is our theme on the Big Island. Our favorite F&F scientist, Irwin Singer, will talk us through the geology of Hawaii, including an introduction to Waimea’s neighbor volcano, the rumbling, dormant Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest mountain – 32,000 feet if measured from its underwater base to its peak. This 13,803-foot peak is home to the largest collection of telescopes in the world, including the Keck Observatory. It is a rugged trip up with serious altitude challenges, so we will opt for the in-town Keck Headquarters.
“Volcanoes” is our theme on the Big Island. Our favorite F&F scientist, Irwin Singer, will talk us through the geology of Hawaii, including an introduction to Waimea’s neighbor volcano, the rumbling, dormant Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest mountain – 32,000 feet if measured from its underwater base to its peak. This 13,803-foot peak is home to the largest collection of telescopes in the world, including the Keck Observatory. It is a rugged trip up with serious altitude challenges, so we will opt for the in-town Keck Headquarters.
|
But we have a real treat for you -- we will have an evening with Keck Observatory Director Hilton Lewis, a resident of Waimea. He will share news of Keck’s recent discoveries and answer your questions about the stars. All you scientists, get your questions ready!
We will spend a full day at Volcanoes National Park, the natural setting of two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the most active in the world, and Mauna Loa, one of the largest in the world. |
Lots to do at the park: hikes across the floor of a dormant crater, view ancient petroglyphs and steam vents, a towering primeval fern forest, once-inhabited lava tube caves, endangered species, and, of course, a great gift shop and the Volcano House restaurant. We will split into groups so that everyone can choose a comfortable activity level. This will be a long, but memorable day.
Nene - Official State Bird of HI (endangered)
|
Entrance to Lava Tube, Volcanoes National Park, Big Island
|
But the Big Island is not just about volcanoes. We’ll visit Honoka’a, an historic sugar plantation town, now popular for its fine food, artists, shops and “the last cinema in Paradise,” the Peoples Theatre, where QuinTango will perform. Before the concert we’ll meet the theater owners and our dancer Murat at the marvelous restaurant next door for drinks, pupu (Hawaiian munchies) and conversation. There will be an excursion to the Waipio Valley Overlook for a breathtaking view of the “valley of kings,” scene of the devastating 1946 tsunami, and even a stop for the Hawaiian specialty malasada at the famous Tex Drive-In!
After our week on the Big Island, we will fly to Maui, the Garden Island, for an oceanside resort experience in sharp contrast to upcountry Waimea.
|
|
In addition to incomparable snorkeling, humpback whales, kayaking, lush vegetation, and a visit to historic Lahaina, we will have two great concerts on Maui. QuinTango has been invited to perform at ProArts Playhouse in the west coast town of Kihei; you all will be there for our Maui debut!
Our final evening of the tour will be an unforgettable house concert in Kula, high in the mountains. You’ll have drinks, tangos, and dinner with local residents while marveling at the 360-degree view of the ocean. Divine! The next day we fly home – unless you are staying on for the post-trip.
POST-TRIP: January’s post-trip is to the iconic tropical island of Kauai, location for JURASSIC PARK, BODY HEAT, GILLIGAN’S ISLAND, AVATAR, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK – and many more. This is a chance to experience Kauai’s tropical jungles, stunning Na Pali coast and laidback lifestyle before we plunge back into the Mainland winter. If there is interest we can stop in Honolulu to see Pearl Harbor.
So pack your summer clothes and a swim suit and get ready for the tropics!
Our final evening of the tour will be an unforgettable house concert in Kula, high in the mountains. You’ll have drinks, tangos, and dinner with local residents while marveling at the 360-degree view of the ocean. Divine! The next day we fly home – unless you are staying on for the post-trip.
POST-TRIP: January’s post-trip is to the iconic tropical island of Kauai, location for JURASSIC PARK, BODY HEAT, GILLIGAN’S ISLAND, AVATAR, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK – and many more. This is a chance to experience Kauai’s tropical jungles, stunning Na Pali coast and laidback lifestyle before we plunge back into the Mainland winter. If there is interest we can stop in Honolulu to see Pearl Harbor.
So pack your summer clothes and a swim suit and get ready for the tropics!
Na Pali Coast, Kauai
The nuts and bolts
For those of you who have not traveled with QuinTango, we use music to bring together different segments of the community by working with students and giving concerts. Each of you, our wonderful fans & friends, is an essential part of our diplomatic team through your interactions with residents at performances, receptions, house concerts, and dinners. QuinTango’s trip will include beautiful beaches and plenty of tropical drinks, but we will be venturing beyond the resort scene to discover the Hawaii that inspired Mark Twain’s famous description: “It is the only supremely delightful place on earth.”
Cost: Hawaii is expensive, especially post-pandemic Hawaii. Finding the right accommodations and experiences to make this an affordable trip is my challenge. I am flying in for two weeks in August to firm up details, so will have real prices after that. My estimate now is somewhere between $4600 and $5700 per person for the 2 weeks.
What I can assure you is that it will be eye-opening, memorable and that you will find the QuinTango Fans & Friends community exceptionally welcoming. We combine group activities with time to explore on your own. You will be “on the bus” with the musicians, and we are a very fun bunch (if I do say so myself)! Wherever we go on this trip, you will be able to participate at your own comfort level. All activities are optional. Speaking of activities, there may be some changes; things are in flux as we recover from the pandemic. We all have to be flexible as we move toward normality.
You will need to be fully vaccinated to go on this trip. The good news is that now anyone fully vaccinated in the USA can travel to HI without having to quarantine or do a COVID test. You will receive instructions on the protocols for entry, but know that things are definitely improving. HI has been a vigilant state and it is paying off.
Airfare: As usual, you will book your own airfare. I will send specific instructions in the next letter. If you need the help of a travel agent, I have one in Hawaii who is ready to help you. I will share QuinTango’s flight schedule once I organize it. Flights are reasonable now – the sooner we all book the better.
If you want to be added to the reservation list, let me know before August 4 so I have an estimate when I am in Hawaii. To reserve your spot, please complete the following form and submit a $100 deposit. A day-by-day itinerary will be coming in late August, after my trip. Here we go!
Mahalo, Joan
Travel Dates (Postponed):
January 15 - Fly to Kailua-Kona, Big Island (KOA) January 24 – Fly to Kahului, Maui (OGG)
January 29 – Arrive home (main trip)
February 2 – Arrive home (post-trip)
Post Trip: Jan 28-Feb 2 (Postponed)
This optional post-trip will take us to the smallest and oldest Hawaiian island, Kauai. I envision a laidback oceanfront 4-night stay with beach walks, seaside dinners, happy hours with our QuinTango family and local adventures. Traveling from the Mainland to Hawaii is a long trip, especially from the East Coast. If you have the time and the resources, this is the perfect finale. My friends in Hawaii have repeatedly advised me not to overschedule. “Give Hawaii time to heal you,” they say, “it’s what Hawaii does best.” This post-trip will be that time. We will tailor the activities (or lack thereof) for the travelers who sign on. Talk to me if you are interested. I’m hoping some of you will join me – I will need that healing time after this tour!
Click here for a PDF version of this page.
For those of you who have not traveled with QuinTango, we use music to bring together different segments of the community by working with students and giving concerts. Each of you, our wonderful fans & friends, is an essential part of our diplomatic team through your interactions with residents at performances, receptions, house concerts, and dinners. QuinTango’s trip will include beautiful beaches and plenty of tropical drinks, but we will be venturing beyond the resort scene to discover the Hawaii that inspired Mark Twain’s famous description: “It is the only supremely delightful place on earth.”
Cost: Hawaii is expensive, especially post-pandemic Hawaii. Finding the right accommodations and experiences to make this an affordable trip is my challenge. I am flying in for two weeks in August to firm up details, so will have real prices after that. My estimate now is somewhere between $4600 and $5700 per person for the 2 weeks.
What I can assure you is that it will be eye-opening, memorable and that you will find the QuinTango Fans & Friends community exceptionally welcoming. We combine group activities with time to explore on your own. You will be “on the bus” with the musicians, and we are a very fun bunch (if I do say so myself)! Wherever we go on this trip, you will be able to participate at your own comfort level. All activities are optional. Speaking of activities, there may be some changes; things are in flux as we recover from the pandemic. We all have to be flexible as we move toward normality.
You will need to be fully vaccinated to go on this trip. The good news is that now anyone fully vaccinated in the USA can travel to HI without having to quarantine or do a COVID test. You will receive instructions on the protocols for entry, but know that things are definitely improving. HI has been a vigilant state and it is paying off.
Airfare: As usual, you will book your own airfare. I will send specific instructions in the next letter. If you need the help of a travel agent, I have one in Hawaii who is ready to help you. I will share QuinTango’s flight schedule once I organize it. Flights are reasonable now – the sooner we all book the better.
If you want to be added to the reservation list, let me know before August 4 so I have an estimate when I am in Hawaii. To reserve your spot, please complete the following form and submit a $100 deposit. A day-by-day itinerary will be coming in late August, after my trip. Here we go!
Mahalo, Joan
Travel Dates (Postponed):
January 15 - Fly to Kailua-Kona, Big Island (KOA) January 24 – Fly to Kahului, Maui (OGG)
January 29 – Arrive home (main trip)
February 2 – Arrive home (post-trip)
Post Trip: Jan 28-Feb 2 (Postponed)
This optional post-trip will take us to the smallest and oldest Hawaiian island, Kauai. I envision a laidback oceanfront 4-night stay with beach walks, seaside dinners, happy hours with our QuinTango family and local adventures. Traveling from the Mainland to Hawaii is a long trip, especially from the East Coast. If you have the time and the resources, this is the perfect finale. My friends in Hawaii have repeatedly advised me not to overschedule. “Give Hawaii time to heal you,” they say, “it’s what Hawaii does best.” This post-trip will be that time. We will tailor the activities (or lack thereof) for the travelers who sign on. Talk to me if you are interested. I’m hoping some of you will join me – I will need that healing time after this tour!
Click here for a PDF version of this page.