What to Expect

Your experience begins in the North Shore countryside, where you’ll be greeted by members of a Native Hawaiian family who have called this land home for generations. After a warm welcome and a short orientation, you'll board a custom-outfitted Jeep Gladiator, designed for backcountry travel with open-air bench seating, a canopy top for shade, and a rear step ladder for easy access.

The Jeep climbs quickly into the hills, trading paved roads for muddy trails, red dirt switchbacks, and thick jungle corridors. As the tires buck and slide over uneven terrain, your guide begins to share the moʻolelo (oral history) of the area layered with cultural insights, legends, and stories of the ʻāina (land). These stories, handed down through generations, bring meaning to every ridge, valley, and stream you pass.

You’ll traverse ridgelines with sweeping coastal views and wind through dense groves where wild fruit trees grow untamed. Depending on the season, you may stop to pick fresh guava, mango, or mountain apple—an experience that connects you directly to the land’s bounty.

One of the tour’s most memorable moments comes as you descend into a deeply forested valley to visit the headwaters of Anahulu, Oʻahu’s longest river. There, tucked beneath the canopy, lies a clear freshwater pool where you’re invited to take a swim, an invigorating, peaceful pause in the middle of the ride.

Throughout the 2.5-hour journey, you’ll hear not just facts about the island, but lived stories from those who carry its traditions forward. It’s an experience that fuses high-energy adventure with cultural connection—offering both the thrill of exploration and a deeper understanding of Hawaiʻi’s past and present.

Included

• Guided by a Native Hawaiian family with ancestral ties to the land
• Custom-outfitted open-air Jeep Gladiator
• Rich moʻolelo (oral storytelling) and historical insight
• Access to private off-road trails and mountain overlooks
• Seasonal wild fruit foraging
• Optional swim in a secluded freshwater pool
• Rain ponchos (as needed)

Requirements

• No children under 6 years of age
• Not recommended for those with back/neck issues or pregnant women
• All participants must sign a waiver prior to tour
• Please arrive 10 minutes before start time
• This is a rugged off-road tour with sudden movements and exposure to weather

What to Bring

• Covered shoes (required)
• Swimwear and towel (for swimming stop)
• Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
• Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty