By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald

Star of the Sea parishioner Edward Lum, who is a certified travel counselor, is organizing tours from Hawaii to Italy and the Holy Land that will include being in Rome for the canonization of Father Damien.

These tours are not connected with the official Diocese of Honolulu canonization tours being organized by Seawind Tours and Travel.

Lum operates Providence Travel and has organized past pilgrimages to Guadalupe and to Rome for the beatification of Mother Marianne Cope.

Lum’s tour number one, to Italy, Oct. 2-13, includes stops at Rome, Assisi, Loreto, Lanciano, San Giovanni Rotondo and Mont Sant’Angelo. The activities in Rome includes visits to the Vatican Museum, the Catacombs, the Sistine Chapel and the major basilicas, the canonization celebration of Father Damien and more. The cost is $3,449, plus an estimated tax of $125. Insurance, which is optional, is $185 more. Single room accommodations is an additional $499.

Lum’s tour number two, to Italy and the Holy Land, Oct. 2-18, includes all the stops and activities of tour number one, plus Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Mt. Zion, Bethany, Jericho, Dead Sea, Qumran, Masada and more. The cost is $4,449, plus an estimated tax of $150. Insurance, which is optional, is $271 more. Single room accommodations is an additional $699.

The prices include airfare, hotels, tours and admissions, breakfasts and dinners, local tour guides and all tips.

For reservation and information, contact Edward Lum at (808) 352-7192 or (808) 373-3098, or e-mail elum_provtravel@yahoo.com