At the end of June, a group of Trinity Hall students and chaperones embarked on an immersive trip to Hawaii for six days of hiking, snorkeling and exploring in Honolulu and Kailua-Kona (the Big Island).
The trip began on Kailua-Kona with a guided hiking tour through the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary. The group learned how tropical cloud forests benefit the ecosystem and how they developed on the slopes of Hualalia. The girls then participated in a hands-on activity – removing invasive greenery and replanting local flora to help enhance the trails in the sanctuary.
Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park provided students with an opportunity to experience and connect with Hawaiian history and culture. When asked about what she gained on the trip, Nessa L. ’27 shared, “I learned significantly more about the culture in Hawaii. This was a new and exciting point of view for me because I assumed that it would be similar to the rest of the United States. However, the food, history and people were all different and it was fascinating to learn about it.”
The last day on Kailua-Kona was packed with visits to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls State Park and Rainbow Falls at Wailuku River State Park. Each location highlighted the variety of landscapes and habitats that make Hawaii such a beautiful and interesting place to travel. Aanya P. ’27 explained, “The experience taught me to appreciate the wildlife and nature of the Hawaiian ecosystems…learning about the environment in Hawaii was so interesting and left me wanting to know more.”
A favorite among the group was the snorkeling excursion at Kailua Pier where the group explored the coral reef, tropical fish and other marine life up close. Elizabeth F. ’25 named the snorkeling trip as her favorite activity, “The adventurous activities were so fun, and it was such a great experience to learn about the history and environment of Hawaii.”
Following their snorkeling adventure, students arrived in Honolulu and were immediately immersed in U.S. History. They toured the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, visited the USS Arizona Memorial and stepped foot onto the surrender deck of the USS Missouri where General Douglas MacArthur signed the treaty to end World War II. Visiting the memorials gave students a better understanding of the events they learned about in history and theology classes, as well as an appreciation for landmarks in the area.
The final day of the trip began at Diamond Head State Monument, which comprises more than 475 acres of hiking trails among the crater of Waikiki’s stunning coastline. The trail to the summit was built in 1908 and is a steep and strenuous hike ascending 560 feet from the crater floor. The hike was described by many of the students as challenging but worth it. "At the top of Diamond Head, there is a fantastic view,” said Julia P. ’27. “This trip was very memorable for me because I got to experience all of Hawaii’s beauty with my closest friends. I got to experience so much of Hawaii’s scenery in the short amount of time I was given…this trip has taught me patience, perseverance and gratitude. I believe all Trinity Hall students should experience this trip and learn the same important aspects in life as I did.”
For the Trinity Hall students who traveled to Hawaii, this trip was fun, fulfilling, informative, adventurous and memorable. It was an opportunity for them to experience new things with friends while also giving them time to get to know girls from other classes. “I loved being constantly busy,” said Claire L. ’25. “It’s a great way to meet new girls in the school while also seeing a place you might not normally be able to see. You can also form bonds with teachers you might not have, and you learn a lot.”