IDYLLIC ISLANDS
UnCruises how cases all the sides of Hawaii as they were meant to be explored and experienced.
Hawaii is the most exotic, raw, and naturally beautiful destination in the United States.
Certainly, many hotspots on the islands are routinely bustling with tourists — think places like Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, and Volcanoes National Park. But you can avoid the crowds, engage in thrilling outdoors activities, and travel back in time when you set off on a voyage around the islands with UnCruise Adventures.
The small-ship expedition line offers idyllic sailings in Hawaii that give you an immersive look at the traditional culture and heritage of the islands and its native communities.
“It’s a really unique way of seeing the different islands and getting a feel for the vibe on each one — because each island is superdifferent.”
I hopped on the boutique 36-passenger yacht
Safari Explorer for a weeklong summer itinerary between Moloka’i and the Big Island. UnCruise has placed the three-deck, 145-foot-long ship in Hawaii to offer adventures in paradise all year long.
The weather is ideal any time you visit, and the itineraries are attractive for curious travelers interested in staying active and enjoying memorable cultural interactions. UnCruise’s reputation is built on its energetic brand of exploration and diverse slate of daily adventures. Passionate and energetic guides are excited to help you connect with the special places it sails to around the world. So obviously, Hawaii is a perfect fit for the small adventure cruise line that has destination immersion in its DNA. The company earned the trust of the local community by proving that it shares the goal of preserving the island’s pristine beauty and culture.
After a day of travel and a restful night at Hotel Moloka’i, which UnCruise uses as its hospitality center, my wife Colleen and I already felt ourselves sliding into a more relaxing mood. Palm trees swayed on the beach of the property perched at the water’s edge. We watched the sun rise, had a hearty breakfast, and joined our fellow travelers to begin our journey.
“Sacred, Not Secret” Traditions
Even by Hawaii’s impressive standards, Moloka’i offers visitors a special chance to experience the rich and colorful history of the islands. The UnCruise program includes a visit with a legendary kahuna while on Moloka’i. Pilipo Solatorio is known throughout the island as Anakala (Uncle) Pilipo, and the influential elder is the last native Hawaiian born and raised in Halawa Valley who still lives there. He is a musician, taro farmer, and teacher who, along with his son Greg, welcomes visitors to the valley to share knowledge and traditions. Our visit to their home was one of several unique opportunities we had to explore traditional customs, rituals, and lifestyles during our weeklong trip.
In the Halawa Valley, which is located at the eastern edge of Moloka’i, our group of 20 cruisers heard Greg discuss growing up in the lush region that first settlers from Polynesia made their new home almost 1,500 years ago. Greg and Uncle Pilipo are striving to preserve the stories and culture of what it means to be truly Hawaiian. We sat around a large table and learned about the language, handled artifacts, and helped make poi from scratch by smashing a taro root with stone and wooden tools. We also learned the traditional greeting, which
The mountain ranges, sunsets, and sunrises served as our constant companions. Pods of dolphins frequently tagged along in our wake.
started when Uncle Pilipo blew the conch shell to welcome visitors and had all of us gently touching noses and foreheads while “sharing a breath.”
During our evening in Moloka’i, we attended a pa’ina (a traditional feast) at the Moloka’i Museum and Cultural Center. Our dinner featured delicious cuisine, including pulled pork, seafood, salads, pickled vegetables, and coconut-infused desserts. A hula master led the festivities, singing songs, and telling stories while playing a range of traditional instruments. He was accompanied by a fellow musician and a hula dancer.
Safari Explorer sailed in blue waters. The mountain ranges, sunsets, and sunrises served as our constant companions. Pods of dolphins frequently tagged along in our wake.
We spent time at Kona on the Big Island and hopped into traditional wa’a wooden canoes to try our hand at paddling along the coast. Building and using a wa’a is a sacred part of Hawaiian culture. Long ago, these single- and double-hulled canoes with an outrigger were used to travel the islands. Today, Hawaiians of all ages use them for exercise, recreation, and racing.
At the tiny island of Lanai, we had time for hiking along the sea cliffs to Sweetheart Rock and a visit to a cat sanctuary. During an afternoon at Lahaina Town on the west coast of Maui, Colleen and I went for a run and cooled off with a refreshing shaved ice.
Tranquil Adventures
Of course, the primary focus for many in our group was diving into the vibrant marine environment to spot fish, turtles, dolphins, and other creatures.
Snorkeling and kayaking were the staples of our daily activities, which also offered the short hike on Lanai and several skiff tours. We enjoyed plenty of chances to jump off the ship for swimming sessions in the blue waters while we were at anchor.
We went out for snorkeling sessions on most mornings and several afternoons, led by our expedition guides Sophy and Lauren. At Honolua Bay off Maui, our group was transfixed by green sea turtles and tropical fish. At the Olowalu “turtle reef ” stop, we joined dozens of turtles, spotted several whitetip reef sharks, and a pair of mating octopuses.
While visiting the waters around the Big Island, we went for a night snorkel with giant manta rays and a long morning kayak excursion to the Blue Lagoon, a turtle resting and mating area with calm waters that is fringed by lava rock covered by fascinating swirled patterns.
Safari Explorer hotel manager Jose Bravo, who has been with UnCruise for five years, said passengers see Hawaii in a special way on these expeditions.
“We take you to different islands, and you do different things on multiple islands,” he says. “It’s a really unique way of seeing the different islands and getting a feel for the vibe on each one — because each island is super- different.”
Close Quarters, Fast Friends
Safari Explorer is a non-fancy vessel that offers a comfy place to call home. It’s built for fun, with cabins that open straight into the fresh air on deck. It carries kayaks and Zodiacs, and we launched our daily forays from the large aft marina to experience the wild delights.
A dining space adjacent to the lounge/ bar allows new friends to mix over informal meals at tables that seat eight. The delectable cuisine features fresh ingredients, and the menu is highlighted by regional specialties like fresh fish and other dishes, and desserts are made daily from scratch.
These included a tasty chicken curry, Thai basil red snapper, Kona coffee–rubbed beef tenderloin, and venison loco moco. The talented chefs can easily meet any dietary needs and are happy to take special orders.
The standard staterooms are tight and functional but serve as little more than a comfy place to keep your stuff and lay your head each night. The top deck and bow area are wonderful open spaces to watch the sunrises, sunsets, whales, dolphins, seabirds, and mountain ranges on display during a week of blissful sailing.
We enjoyed an energetic time with our fellow cruisers who all hailed from the United States (except for a mother and daughter from Australia). Sharing time jumping from the ship to play in the waters and laughing in the ship’s lounge while trying creative cocktails and local beers — your fare includes drinks! — created strong bonds for everyone on board. Even the crew felt like new family members as we all danced and sang during a sunset party on the top deck on the final night of the cruise.
UnCruise Adventures offers 7-night adventure cruises on Safari Explorer, from Moloka’i to Hawaii, or reverse.