Educational Activities at Kualoa
Kualoa offers a wide range of outdoor tours and activities for Hawai‛i school groups to learn about our natural environment and celebrate our rich island heritage. To make a reservation, contact our Education Office.
Animal Friends Tour
This tour provides young children with the opportunity to explore their natural interest of animals. After an overview of cattle ranching and paniolo (cowboys) in Hawaiʻi, students will learn about the different animals as they pet and feed them.
Ancient Fishpond Tour
Learn about the unique fishpond system created by ancient Hawaiians to provide a sustainable food source for the people of an ahupuaʻa (land division). Students will also discover what lives in the pond and how it affects the pond environment.
Environmental Exploration Tour
Kualoa stretches across three ahupuaʻa (land divisions); Hakipuʻu, Kualoa and Kaʻaʻawa. Each section of land offers a unique environmental experience. Students will take a walking tour and listen to mo’olelo (stories) to learn about each special place and Hawaiian culture.
- Hakipuʻu (“broken hills”) Made up of small ridges and valleys, this tour will take children through an open valley, along a stream, and uphill to visit an ancient loʻi kalo (taro patch) area that is being restored.
- Kualoa (“long back”) A short hike will take students to a lookout point where they can get a birds’ eye view of Kaneʻohe Bay, Moliʻi Fishpond and Mokoli’i Island. Children will learn about the plants they see and visit a historical cultural museum.
- Kaʻaʻawa (“the aʻawa” wrasse fish) This large, open valley offers a walk surrounded by the majestic mountains. Children will explore the stream and visit a reproduction of a Hawaiian Village.
Mālama ʻĀina (caring for the environment) Tour
This program aims to foster a sense of stewardship through active participation in service experiences. Students learn about land stewardship and conservation efforts at Kualoa then participate in a service work project. Current projects include:
- Moliʻi Fishpond (removing invasive seaweed and mangrove)
- Hakipuʻu Mauka Loʻi (removing weeds, cleaning the stream and other maintenance)
- Various Sites (invasive plant species removal, Hawaiian species outplanting)
Team Building Challenge Courses
Kualoa offers a variety of Team Building opportunities for school groups. Our experiential learning programs are designed to promote self-discovery, self-confidence, leadership skills, cooperation, teamwork and more, all in a positive and fun environment. We will customize a program that focuses on your specific goals.
- Palikū Challenge Course – Located at the base of majestic Kualoa Mountain with panoramic views of Kaneʻohe Bay and the Koʻolau mountain range. Includes stationary events such as Low Cables, Telephone Pole and Whale Watch.
- Mobile Challenge Course – We set up activities at your desired location on property including Moliʻi gardens and Kaʻaʻawa Valley. Series of activities such as A-frame, Skis, Firewalker and Blind Tag.
- Secret Island Beach – Includes beach activities and ocean play at our private beach location. Various beach games available including kayak races, canoe paddling, sand castle creations and relays.
- High Ropes Challenge Course – enjoy this challenge that is tucked away in beautiful Kaʻaʻawa valley. Our trained staff will assist your group to ensure an experience that is rewarding and safe.
Horsemanship
This programs offers opportunities to experience and develop horseback safety and riding skills for children as young as 4 years old.
- Keiki Horse Rides – Young children will ride a horse that is being led around by one of our experienced staff. Age restrictions: 4 – 9 years old.
- Keiki / Mini Rider Class – These lessons are to introduce horse safety, grooming, parts of the horse and tack in addition to the beginning steps of riding. Minimum age is 6 years old.
- Keiki / Mini Horsemanship Class – This is an intermediate program where you will learn more about horse safety, grooming, parts of the horse and tack. Students will ride in a small arena. Minimum age is 8 years old.
- Therapeutic Horse Rides – Kualoa is proud of its therapeutic horseback riding program for people with disabilities. Employee Kuʻuipo McCarty, who is passionate about the program, was essential in developing it. This program is offered most Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
