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Eight days on Kauai, the Garden Isle. Daily Mass, the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon and the only state with two canonized saints. An optional three extra nights follow, with the chance of a rare day trip to Kalaupapa on Molokai.
Chris and Natalie have been married for 27 years and share a passion for bringing people to the “LIFE to the full” (John 10:10) that Jesus promised us.
They are so excited to share that life with you, in the place where Natalie came to faith, and the only state with two canonized saints.
A priest travels with us for the whole pilgrimage, offering daily Mass, confession and the sacraments.
We will announce our chaplain here once he is confirmed.
Soaring above rainforests, hidden waterfalls and the Na Pali Coast. A perspective on God’s creation that few ever witness.
Day five · Thursday, July 15 · Doors-off helicopter tour
Eight days on the Garden Isle. Mass each morning, an evening session with Chris most nights, and afternoons that leave room to breathe.
Our pilgrimage begins as we make our way from across the United States to Kauai, Hawaii’s oldest and northernmost island, known as the Garden Isle for its lush, unspoiled landscapes. Upon arrival we check in to our oceanfront resort at the Sheraton Poipu. This evening we gather on the beach lawn for a welcome reception with Chris and Natalie Stefanick, enjoying appetizers and drinks as the sun sets over the Pacific.
We open the day with Mass on the beach lawn, followed by a group breakfast. Our vans take us to two of Kauai’s most breathtaking landmarks: the Kalalau Lookout, gazing out over the valley and the Pacific beyond, then Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, where deep red cliffs, green valleys and waterfalls stretch across miles of untouched terrain. We stop at Spouting Horn Park before a group lunch at RumFire. The afternoon is free. In the evening we attend the Auli’i Luau and the Rhythm of Aloha show.
Following Mass and breakfast we make our way up to Hanalei, one of Kauai’s most beautiful coastal towns, set beneath dramatic green peaks. The morning is spent on the water: kayak or paddleboard on the Hanalei River, beneath the historic bridge and into the wildlife refuge, or head out toward Hanalei Bay, where sea turtles are a common sight. Lunch is on your own. We return in the late afternoon for dinner and an evening session with Chris Stefanick, Josh Kapika and Dallas Carter. Josh and Dallas, both native Hawaiians, share the history of Catholicism in Hawaii and the mission they run today.
After Mass and breakfast we visit the National Tropical Botanical Garden for a guided Best of Both Worlds tour of the McBryde and Allerton Gardens. Set along the Lawa’i Valley, the Allerton Garden features a series of garden rooms, rare tropical plantings and the Moreton Bay fig trees made famous by Jurassic Park. We return for a group lunch and a free afternoon, then gather in the evening for dinner and a group session.
Today offers one of the most extraordinary experiences of the pilgrimage: a doors-off helicopter tour over Kauai. Soaring above rainforests, hidden waterfalls, Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast, this flight offers a perspective on God’s creation that few ever witness. Those who prefer a quieter day may enjoy the resort, the beach, or optional surf lessons steps from the Sheraton. We close the evening with dinner followed by Adoration.
After Mass and breakfast the day is yours. Thrill-seekers may take on the Koloa Zipline above the valleys of the south shore. Golfers may tee off at Poipu Bay Golf Course. For those drawn to the water, Brennecke’s Beach is one of the best spots on the island to snorkel alongside Hawaiian green sea turtles. Whether you spend the day on the beach, in Poipu, or simply resting, this is a day to breathe deeply. We gather in the evening for dinner and a group session.
We depart early for Port Allen Marina to board our catamaran with Captain Andy’s. A light breakfast is served onboard as we set out along the Na Pali Coast, past towering sea cliffs, hidden sea caves and waterfalls accessible only by water. The morning includes time for snorkeling, and a BBQ lunch is served onboard. On the way back we stop at the Kauai Coffee Estate, the largest coffee farm in the United States. Back at the resort we gather for Mass, dinner and shared reflections.
We gather one final time for breakfast together before saying our farewells and departing for Lihue Airport. We carry home the beauty of these islands, the grace of the sacraments celebrated together, and the friendships deepened along the way.
Everything below is covered by the package price.
Seven nights on the south shore, steps from Poipu Beach. Mass and the welcome reception are held on the resort’s beach lawn. Accommodations subject to change.
Land package per person. Airfare is quoted separately, see the airfare options below.
$6,799 / pp
$6,999 / pp
$7,849 / pp
$9,499 / pp
$8,249
$8,549
$10,049
$13,249
Some pilgrims come as a couple, some bring the whole family, some come with a friend from the parish, and plenty come on their own. Everyone is welcome.
$200 per person is non-refundable. For the Kalaupapa Saints Tour, $450 per person is non-refundable.
Payment plans are available if you would like to make smaller payments before the final payment date.
Those who wish to linger a little longer are warmly invited to stay on at the Sheraton Poipu. Daily Mass continues each morning, and Chris offers evening reflections on select nights.
Extension begins
Mass this morning and the first of three unhurried days. Those assigned to today’s Kalaupapa departure head out early for Molokai. Chris offers an evening reflection.
At leisure
Another day to rest, explore, or take in the beauty of Kauai. Mass is celebrated this morning; a Kalaupapa group departs. Evening reflection with Chris.
At leisure
Our final full day on the island. Mass this morning, the last Kalaupapa departure, and a final reflection together in the evening.
Farewell & departure
A final breakfast at the resort before checking out and making our way to Lihue Airport. Breakfast included.
One of the most sacred Catholic pilgrimage sites in the United States, and one of the hardest to reach. Not included in the extension. Priced separately and open only to pilgrims on the July 18 to 21 extension, offered first come, first served, with departure days assigned at random across July 18, 19 and 20.
Visiting Kalaupapa is not easy, and that is precisely what makes it so rare. The peninsula sits at the base of some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world, accessible only by small aircraft, mule trail, or sea. Public tours were suspended for five years and only resumed in late 2025, limited to a handful of people per day.
From 1866 until 1969 this cliff-bound settlement served as an isolation colony for those diagnosed with Hansen’s disease. St. Damien de Veuster arrived in 1873 and gave his life in service there, dying of the disease in 1889. St. Marianne Cope arrived in 1888 and continued his work for more than three decades. Together their witness transformed Kalaupapa into a place of hope and holiness.
Departures on July 18, 19 and 20, assigned at random. $450 per person is non-refundable. Not included in the extension: this is charged in addition to the extension price above.
Add-on prices per person, on top of your land package. You are always welcome to arrange your own flights instead.
A pilgrimage is not a vacation or excursion but a unique spiritual journey that provides many opportunities to deepen your relationship with God and enrich your Catholic faith by bringing Scripture to life. Pilgrimages offer the opportunity to let Christ draw you near, and your chaplain is there to guide you spiritually on the journey.
This is an active programme. Days usually start with a wake-up call around 7am and departure by 9am, and we aim to be back at the hotel between 5pm and 6pm. We encourage all pilgrims to be able to walk 3 to 4 miles per day. The pace is moderate, but you will encounter uneven surfaces, stairs and significant slopes, and some tours involve walking in the open air with no shade and no seating.
Today you register: we collect contact and travel details and how you would like to set up your pilgrimage. Full payment is due 90 days before departure, which is also the last day to sign up if space remains. At 30 days your pilgrim travel kit is mailed: travel app invitation, flight and trip itinerary, name badge, luggage tag, a Magnificat and a copy of the Canterbury Tales.
Solo travellers are always welcome; a single supplement applies if you wish to room alone. If you wish to share, we will attempt to connect you with another pilgrim of the same gender. Shared rooms are always doubles with two beds. Doubles are available in one or two bed configurations. In the USA, expect one king bed or two queen beds.
Kauai and Molokai are within the United States, so no passport is required for US citizens travelling domestically. Bring valid government-issued photo identification that meets TSA requirements for your flights. If you hold a passport from another country, please check US entry requirements.
We strongly encourage travel insurance for all of our pilgrims, and we partner with Allianz Travel Insurance to offer affordable coverage. Most of our pilgrims choose the Classic Plan. Insurance can be quoted and purchased after registration.
We will always do what we can to accommodate pilgrims who need specific seating due to a medical condition or disability, and wheelchair assistance is available from the airline. On the ground, uneven surfaces and some stairs are part of this itinerary. We can arrange handicap-accessible rooms where available, and wheelchair rentals pending availability. Wheelchair users must have a designated travel companion.
Yes. Booking airfare yourself lets you spend airline miles, handpick seats or deviate from the group. Group transfers on arrival run between 10am and 4pm on the 11th; hotel check-in is guaranteed at 4pm with the welcome reception at 7pm. Please schedule departures from Lihue for 11:00 AM or later on the 18th, or the 21st for the extension.
Call or email one of our pilgrimage specialists today. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm ET.
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