Stanford Confuses Lanikai Islets With Melanesia
Just wait until the Hawaii Tourism Authority hears about this one.
The of Stanford University is promoting an expedition to Melanesia in spring 2013.
The trip includes visits to Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Problem is, the cover of the appears to feature a photograph of Na Mokulua — Hawaiian for “the two islands” — which are actually located off of Lanikai on Oahu’s Windward Coast.
How “the Moks” ended up on the brochure cover is unclear.
Civil Beat spoke with Elizabeth Jones, associate director of the Stanford Travel/Study Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center, who said she would check with the brochure’s designer and get back with us.
“We are usually very good about locations,” she said Wednesday, adding that it would be “obviously horrifying” if there was an error.
Jones called back within one hour.
“You are absolutely correct,” she said. “I appreciate you bringing this to our attention. I am really embarrassed. It’s just unfortunate.”
Cocktails Included
Jones said some of the brochures had already been mailed out, but that it might be possible to reprint those that had not — “which is good.”
Airfare for the 17-day Melanesia Expedition is estimated at $2,825.
The trip itself, which includes 12 nights on a cruise ship, meals, lectures and cocktail receptions, starts at $11,480 (Deck A) and runs as high as $20,380 (Bridge Deck).
“Most activities involve a relatively moderate level of exertion,” according to the brochure. “You will need to be able to climb into and out of Zodiacs for snorkeling activities and excursions ashore.”
Paul Ehrlich, a professor of biology and the Bing Professor of Population Studies at Stanford, is the faculty leader for the expedition.
Ehrlich “and a world-renowned team of naturalists will introduce us to cultural and historic treasures and amazing wildlife as we journey through this tropical paradise,” Brett Thompson, director of Stanford Travel/Study, says in the brochure.
