Whatever Happened To... An update on past news

Waikiki trail tour will now have fee

Answer: Officials with the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association decided last month to discontinue the free tour due to a lack of funding.

The tour that covers sites from Kapiolani Park to the Moana Surfrider Hotel was offered free to the public over the last four years. The tour was first offered six days a week and was later whittled down to three days a week.

Between 2,000 and 3,000 people have taken the tour annually since its inception in 2002.

Starting this month, the tour will be fee-based and available only by appointment. There is a minimum of $150 for up to 25 people, said Dorien Smith McClellan, fiscal manager of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association. Special rates will still be available for student groups.

The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association also operated the Kalia Road tour from Fort DeRussy and the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The Kalia tour eventually became a paid tour under a contract between the association, the Bishop Museum and Hilton Hawaiian Village in 2003 to help promote the new Bishop Museum collection in the Kalia Tower.

The tour ran for six months from April to October 2003 but ended because it was not marketable within the association's budget, McClellan said.

Historian George Kanahele, who promoted Hawaiian cultural values, envisioned a historic trail in Waikiki. Architect Charlie Palumbo carried out his vision after Kanahele died in September 2000.

Those who are interested in making an appointment for the Queen's Tour can call the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association at 441-1404.