Tour 1:
Day trip to Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri, and Honolulu City Tour (Full Day Tour)

Date: Mon., Oct. 15, 2012
Repeats as Tour 9 on: Sat., Oct. 20, 2012
Time: 4:30a-8:15p
Cost: $495 plus gratuity. (Includes continental breakfast, roundtrip airfare between Kona and Honolulu, roundtrip ground transportation between Hilton Waikoloa Village and Kona Airport. Lunch and dinner on own.)

Stand in the shadows of the heroes!  Board the Navy launch for a historic journey across the hallowed waters of Pearl Harbor to the Arizona Memorial.  Tour the USS Missouri, the last battleship built by the US Navy which served from World War II through Desert Storm.  The Missouri was the site of the Japanese surrender to the Allies in 1945.  View ‘Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil.  See the historic attractions of downtown Honolulu including Kawaiahao Church, State Library, the famous statue of King Kamehameha, Honolulu Hale and Mission Houses Museum. Experience the serenity of Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific and Court of the Missing. This all day tour includes Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri, I’olani Palace, City Hall, Civic Center, State Library, Historic Archives, Mission House, Kawaiahao Church and Shopping opportunities.

Tour 2:
Snorkeling

Dates: Mon., Oct. 15, 2012
Repeats as Tour 5 on: Wed., Oct. 17, 2012
Time: 8:00a-12:30p
Cost: $155 (Includes roundtrip ground transportation, tax and gratuity)

Enjoy a beautiful scenic coastline sail and explore the spectacular undersea world in warm, sparkling blue waters abundant with marine life and unique coral reefs. Calm waters afford visibility up to 100 feet. This is a comfortable tour that offers both exhilarating sailing and great snorkeling opportunities.

Luxury catamarans depart from ‘Anaeho‘omalu Bay which is located at the Waikoloa Resort or from Kawaihae Harbor depending on weather. ‘Anaeho‘omalu Bay departures board on the beach through the surf and guests may get wet up to their knees. The 3.5 hour sail includes buffet lunch, beverages, snorkel gear, instruction, and towels.

The boat is equipped with Marine rest rooms. Guests should wear a swimsuit under shorts and shirt. Shoes will be left on the beach! Bring sunglasses, hats, sunscreen and cameras.

Tour 3:
Volcano National Park & Waterfall Explorer
(Full Day Tour)

Date: Tues., Oct. 16, 2012
Time: 6:30am-7:45pm
Cost:  $170 (Includes continental breakfast, admission into Volcanoes National Park & tax. Does not include gratuity, lunch or dinner.)

Marvel at the wonders of the Big Island in all its grandeur! Circumnavigate the island on this amazing 260-mile tour. On your way to Volcanoes National Park, learn about Captain Cook and Kealakekua Bay. Sample world famous Kona Coffee. View the past lava flows of Mauna Loa. Walk upon the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. Then on to the most fascinating experience of your life as you explore the incredible Volcanoes National Park on the summit of the most active volcano in the world!

Visit the Jaggar Museum and walk through the fascinating Thurston Lava Tube. You will be amazed as you drive by Steam Vents, Fern Tree Jungle & Kilauea Iki Crater, weather permitting. On your return, visit Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm and Big Island Candies. See beautiful Rainbow Falls, and drive through the Parker Ranch lands in Waimea.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. How often do you get this kind of experience?

 

Tour 4:
Kohala Mountain Kayak Cruise

Date: Tues., Oct. 16, 2012
Repeats as Tour 6 on: Thurs., Oct. 18, 2012
Time: 7:30a-Noon
Cost: $230 (Includes roundtrip ground transportation, tax, & gratuity)

A completely new and ultimate Eco-adventure floating in mountain Kayaks exploring the famed Kohala Ditch System. Our tour begins with a very cool off-road excursion on our custom Pinzgauers to our launch site high in the Kohala mountains. Immersed in a jungle setting, a short hike over a 150 ft. FLUME BRIDGE overlooking a waterfall and a fascinating earth tunnel is the prelude to our kayak journey.

We board our kayaks and cruise for 2.5 miles through a Hawaiian rainforest, 10 earth tunnels, water flumes and native flora & fauna. Our knowledgeable 5th generation native guides will share genuine history and Hawaiian folklore. Absolutely Amazing!

The system was built in 1905 and 1906 to transport water from valleys and rain forests of North Kohala to irrigate sugar cane in the lowlands of the region. The cruise is a leisure trip, through pristine rain forests, over ravines and waterfalls and through dark, mysterious tunnels. The Kohala area is rich in Hawaiian history, culture and legends. Kayak experience is not required. You will get wet! This is a very popular tour.

Guests should wear T-shirt, swim trunks, water shoes, or sandals. Wear clothing you don’t mind getting wet. Bring sunscreen, a towel and change of clothes for after the tour. Water camera recommended. Maximum person weight limit is 300 lbs.

 

Tour: 7: Atlantis Submarine

Date: Fri. Oct. 19, 2012
Time: 9:00a-12:30p
Cost: $224 (Includes roundtrip ground transportation, lunch, tax and gratuity)

The journey aboard the high-tech Atlantis submarine will travel 100 feet below the surface for a captivating experience through Kona's natural undersea world of endemic fish and coral reefs. The spacious, air-conditioned submarine offers extra large viewing ports to easily observe the changes as you descend.

The viewing adventure continues as you rise to the surface and shuttle back to Kailua Pier. Guests must be a minimum of 36" in height to ride the submarine. Each guest is required to independently navigate a nearly vertical 7-step ladder into and out of the submarine. 90-minute tour includes shuttle trip between the submarine and pier.

You will then have an opportunity to have lunch and shop at leisure in Kona. This tour will provide you with a lunch voucher to be used at one of Kona’s many waterfront restaurants.

 

Tour 8:
Kohala Waterfalls Adventure

Date: Sat., Oct. 20, 2012
Time: 7:00a-2:30p
Cost: $185 (Includes lunch, tax & gratuity.)

This 8-hour tour combines incredible natural beauty with a one-of-a-kind 6-wheeled vehicle providing you with the best off-road adventure in Hawaii!

Leave the trappings of the modern world behind and join us as we explore the remote Pololu Valley on the northern tip of the Big Island. Climb aboard the 6x6 Pinzgauer Scrambler and we’ll ramble through a changing landscape of rushing stream, ocean cliffs, cascading waterfalls and lush green forest, before slowing the pace and exploring the area by foot.

Out of the Pinzgauer, you'll delve into ancient Hawaiian history, visiting a former taro farming site just off the path. Kick off your shoes and take a dip in a cool mountain pool or simply relax and enjoy the breathtaking coastal and valley vistas.

Beverages and lunch are served including bottled water. Rain jackets provided if needed.

Golf Tournament

Date: Sat., Oct. 20, 2012
Time: 7:00a-1:00p
Cost: $209 (Includes tournament, lunch, shared cart, bottle of water and unlimited use of the facilities all day, and roundtrip ground transportation between the Hilton Waikoloa Village and the Waikoloa Beach Golf Resort.)

Rental Clubs Rate: The Waikoloa Beach Golf Resort will offer a special rental rate of $35 for Callaway rental clubs (normally $55.)

Optional Green Fees on other days: The Waikoloa Beach Golf Resort will also offer a green fee rate of $115 any day throughout the week for any AFSA guests staying at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort.

Winding its way through ancient lava fields along the breathtaking Kohala coastline, Waikoloa’s Beach Course is, quite simply, resort golf at its finest. But don’t let the swaying coconut trees and gentle ocean breeze lull you into a false sense of security. The Beach Course can also be a significant challenge for quality players. The classic Robert Trent Jones Jr. design was literally carved from the lava flow along the picturesque Waiulua Bay.

Immaculate greens are well-guarded by numerous white sand bunkers and strategically placed water features. The crowning glory of the Beach Course is the 502-yard, par-five, known throughout the islands as the most spectacular oceanfront par-five in Hawaii. Not only is it a challenging golf hole, it’s a great place to catch splendid views of the other Hawaiian Islands.

This tournament will be a four-person team scramble. Contests include longest drive and closest to the pin for both men and women.

 

PLEASE NOTE: The AFSA tours (described above) have been designed for our members who enjoy a group experience that includes all transportation - from pickup at the hotel to the return at the end of the tour - and a guide throughout the day. Space is limited, and we expect them to sell out quickly. For those members who choose to rent a car and explore on their own, there are many other tours and activities available through the Hilton Waikoloa Concierge desk and other tour companies. 

One very special onsite option includes the Hilton Waikoloa's Dolphin Quest adventure. Take a journey into the world of the dolphin through astonishing personal encounters onsite at the Hilton Waikoloa. You can touch, feed, play, and swim with the impressive mammals. Also, onsite at Hilton Waikoloa Village is the Kohala Spa, a world class resort spa offering luxurious massages, exotic body treatments, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, salon services, relaxation facilities and much more.

Other options on the Big Island of Hawaii include: helicopter tours, ziplining across the rainforest, dinner cruises, horseback riding, ATV rides, scuba diving, bird watching, surfing, motorcycle & bike rentals, sailboat and jet ski rentals, planetarium viewing, deep sea fishing and of course, golf and shopping!

Make your plans early!
Because the Ironman Triathlon World Championship takes place in Kona the week before AFSA's convention, many of the island tours will sell out well in advance.