Families headed to Oahu now have a new high-tech way to experience the island’s beauty. XploreRide Hawaii, Oahu’s first-ever cross-reality (XR) sightseeing tour, uses virtual animation to bring local landscapes to life, turning a drive through Waikiki into a fully immersive adventure.
Designed for kids ages 7 and up (and their parents), XploreRide takes explorers on a 45-minute “mission,” guided by a mythical Hawaiian guardian spirit known as an ‘aumakua. As the zero-emission electric bus passes real island landmarks, passengers watch sea turtles swim across their windows, see ancient volcanoes erupt in front of them and encounter Hawaiian legends through 360-degree visuals, all synced to their individual headsets.
The bus tour, launched in partnership with creative studio Naked, Inc., is both educational and culturally respectful.
“We collaborated closely with a cultural advisor to ensure every element of the experience — from music and sound design to chants and storytelling — honors Hawaiian traditions,” said Mitsuru Sakane, senior manager of operations at HIS, the travel company that runs XploreRide. “Most of the audio, including music and sound effects, incorporates traditional Hawaiian instruments and rhythms that reflect the spirit and aesthetic of the islands.”
From authentic chants and soundscapes to traditional tattoo designs on characters, every detail honors local heritage while keeping kids engaged through the interactive story.
XploreRide also honors its environment by providing a sustainable alternative to potentially harmful wildlife excursions. By creating virtual marine encounters, the tour gives visitors an opportunity to get up close and personal with sea creatures without impacting their natural environment.
“Take sea turtles, for example — in real life, watching them can involve taking vehicles, stepping on coral, getting too close and stressing the animals or polluting the water with sunscreen,” Sakane said. “With XR, we can help minimize those environmental impacts while still providing people with a way to appreciate these creatures up close.”
For families looking to pack education, entertainment and environmental care into one memorable hour, XploreRide is a great new way to explore Hawaii, for return visitors and first-timers alike.
