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Oahu, Hawaii
Cross-Cultural Bridges

Hawaii.jpg

Trip Type

Connect Trip - These trips are primarily hands-on service. They focus on how to actively develop partners in your own neighborhoods so that, together with your neighbors, you can work to make your community a place where all people can thrive.​ Learn more about the different between Connect Trips and Reach Trips by clicking here.

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Ages

High School Students, College Students, Adults​

 

Maximum Group Size

25 people, including adults

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Available Dates​​​

  • June 8 to 13, 2025

  • June 15 to 20, 2025

  • June 22 to 27, 2025

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When you think of Hawaii, what most picture are the blue waves of the Pacific Ocean and ancient, lush volcanic mountains rising above its urban centers and countryside. It's a paradise of beautiful land and a colorful diversity of people and cultures! Our island is rich in aloha, heritage, history, and the multi-cultural population that calls Oahu, the gathering place, home. But did you know that one out of every five people living on Oahu was not born in Hawaii?

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During Be The Neighbor’s trip to Oahu, you will learn about the culture of Hawaii, the impact of colonialism to the Hawaiian islands, the manner in which immigrants, specifically those from Micronesia, experience racism and discrimination (as they have been the latest immigrant culture to arrive and make their home in Hawaii), environmental concerns, and more. You'll learn about the island of Chuuk, where many of our immigrants call home, the journey to Hawaii, and some of the struggles the Chuukese face in this new land.  

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Through speakers, creative experiences, and hands-on faith in action, you'll discover more about the Hawaiian culture and Micronesian culture - specifically Chuukese. You'll be hands-on involved in facilitating Chuukese families in sharing their sacred story through the arts, music, and videography so that their culture can be better understood in Hawaii and across the USA. Talking story in Hawaii is sacred and manifested in being community. You will be an integral part of the Chuukese culture and families experiencing racism and discrimination, as you listen to their stories, share your story, celebrate the diversity, and facilitate in bringing their story to life through creating videos to be shared with the media and news.  

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One of the highlights of your trip will be working with Chuukese children and youth in both play and learning activities. It's only as we listen and understand one another's story, and honor the sacredness of each person's story, that we can walk beside our neighbor and find. We hope that this trip will plant a passion within you to celebrate the story of different persons and cultures and to give voice to your own story. 

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Your group will explore how the topics you’re learning about are relevant to your own community and will develop a plan for how you can continue this work when you get home. Be The Neighbor weeks are learning and launching trips, meaning participants will leave the week equipped to live lives of love, service, and justice in ways that are relational, sustainable, and dignity-affirming!

 

Be The Neighbor’s summer programming begins on Sunday evening and concludes on Friday morning. You may stay an additional night to explore see the city in this location for an additional $30 per person. Check out is 10 am Saturday morning.


Trip costs follow our equitable pricing model. You can read more about it here. We want everyone to be able to participate no matter their financial realities. Regardless of which level you select, your trip includes: 

 

  • A simple breakfast, lunch and snack Monday morning through Friday morning

  • A dedicated Site Director and Intern(s) to facilitate your week

  • Fully planned service and educational experiences

  • Theological reflections created to engage participants in connecting what they are learning to their faith

  • Lodging, including showers, dedicated sleeping rooms, gathering rooms, and kitchens use - most sites include air mattresses or cots for all of your participants

  • Costs covered for honorariums for speakers, activities, supplies for projects with community partners, and any entrance fees for educational experiences

  • A reusable water bottle for each participant

  • Discussion guides for small groups on Reach trips and small group interactive education led by BTN staff on Connect trips

  • Journals for each participant

  • Online orientation for your adult leaders 

  • A coupon code to get t-shirts at-cost (shirts will be included at the Neighbor pricing level)

 

Please note that your group will be responsible for dinners and transportation during the week.

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