All Reviews for Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

I participated in a cruise that departed at 9 AM.

On the day of the cruise, we were the only Japanese people, and the rest were foreigners. All the explanations were in English, but I didn't have any particular difficulties. On the way there and back, we encountered dolphins. We were able to stop the boat and enjoy watching the dolphins until they left. Unfortunately, the dolphins weren't at the snorkeling point, so we couldn't swim with them, but the rental snorkeling gear was very clean, and the boat had a slide that the kids could enjoy (the adults were sliding down too). They provided anti-fog spray for the snorkeling masks and tubes as substitutes for floatation devices, which made for a very comfortable experience. The snorkeling point was in shallow waters with not much wave action, and there were plenty of fish, so even kids could have fun.

There was someone celebrating a birthday that day, and we all sang a birthday song at the end. It was a fun tour.

朝9時出港のクルーズに参加しました。

当日は日本人は私たちだけであとは外人さんたちでした。
説明はすべて英語ですが　特に苦労はしませんでした。
行く途中と帰りにイルカに遭遇。
船をとめて　イルカが去るまでゆっくり堪能できました。
残念ながら　イルカがシュノーケルポイントに居なかったので一緒に泳ぐことはできなかったのですが
レンタルのシュノーケルもとても綺麗だし、船には滑り台がついていて子供も楽しめます（大人もみんな滑ってます）
シュノーケルの際のマスクの曇り止めや浮き環の代わりのチューブなどが準備されていて　とても快適に過ごせます。
シュノーケルポイントも波があまりない浅瀬で、魚もたくさんいるので　子供でも楽しめます。

当日は誕生日の方がいて　皆で最後にバースデーソングを歌ったり。　楽しいツアーでした。

The captain and staff speak English, but they provide a paper with important notes and destination explanations in Japanese at the beginning, so there's no need to worry. They know a lot about Japan and speak in friendly, easy-to-understand English.

We traveled to the snorkeling point by rubber boat, and we immediately encountered swimming sea turtles in the harbor. Once we hit the open sea, we sped towards our destination. The sudden increase in speed made me think I might be thrown into the water at first (laughs), but I quickly got used to it and enjoyed the beautiful blue sea and the coastline of the Big Island while cheering on the bouncing boat.

Kealakekua Bay, where Captain Cook's monument is located, is a natural spot facing steep cliffs. The waves were calm, making it safe for me, even as a first-time snorkeler. The water was crystal clear and bright with sunlight, and the beautiful coral reefs and colorful fish made me lose track of time. Although it was far away, I was also able to see a pod of dolphins.

I had a great time, but when I got back and looked in the mirror, I noticed my back and the back of my thighs were sunburned and my butt had clear tan lines from my swimsuit. Please make sure to apply sunscreen thoroughly before you go!

キャプテンもスタッフも英語ですが、最初に注意事項や行き先の説明を日本語で書いた紙をくれるので、心配ありません。日本のことも良く知っていて、やさしい英語で気さくに話しかけてくれますよ♪
シュノーケルポイントへはゴムボートで行くのですが、港内でさっそく泳ぐ海亀に遭遇。海に出た後は目的地まで猛スピードで行きます。いきなりスピードアップしたので、最初は海に放り出されるかと思いました（笑）でもすぐに慣れて、飛び跳ねるボートに歓声をあげながら、真っ青な海やハワイ島の海岸線の景色を楽しむことができました。
クック船長の記念碑のあるケアラケクア湾は断崖絶壁に面した自然いっぱいの場所です。波も穏やかでシュノーケリングが初めての私でも安心でした。海は奥深くまで透き通って日の光で明るく、綺麗な珊瑚礁と色とりどりの魚たちには、時間が過ぎるのを忘れてしまうくらいでした。遠くでしたが、イルカの群れも見ることができました。
とても楽しかったですが、帰って鏡を見たら、背中、腿の裏が日焼けで赤くなってました。お尻も水着の跡がくっきり。日焼け止めは念入りに塗って行って下さいね。

Absolutely amazing snorkeling coral reefs, sea caves, history ... just outstanding! Thanks to Captain Liam and crew for a truly memorable experience.

Aloha! We attended Island Breeze Luau, and we had a great time! This was our first Luau, and our 12 and 16 year old was with us. They had a great representation of Hawaiin Foods, as well as American foods for those who didnt want the full experience. The entertainment was great, and it was obvious that they loved their work. The passion for thier culture, and familys was beautifully done. By the time you left, you felt like you were part of their Ohana. The only thing I may suggest is to have more fresh fruits for those on a limited diet and more flower leis for sale, as they ran out the first 25 customers. I would give it a 4 1/2 stars.
Thanks for the memories!!

Thank you for the magnificent lava plains of the Big Island, the breathtaking views of the mountains in nature, and most of all, to Mr. Yamamoto and Mr. Kurt from Alan1.net for a wonderful time!

Mr. Yamamoto, I was truly impressed by the enjoyable conversations and knowledge shared from the time of pickup until we returned. Thank you for passionately explaining the names of various Hawaiian flowers and plants, the history of lava, and especially all the constellations spread across the night sky. I was amazed by the constellations that cannot be seen in Japan. I was also grateful for the thorough preparations, from meals to drinks and warm clothing.

Mr. Kurt, at the time of pickup, I thought you might be a bit serious, but once you started talking about Hawaiian history, I truly understood your love for Hawaii. As time went on, you gradually conveyed your kindness and humor! I thought she must be chasing after you. Thank you for the long drive. I felt the depth of kindness and thoughtfulness of the people of Hawaii. The B-class gourmet food was also very delicious! Thank you very much.

ハワイ島の壮大な溶岩平野、大自然が広がる山々の景色、何よりすばらしいAlan1.netの山本さん、カートさん、楽しいひと時をありがとうございました！　
山本さん、ピックアップの時より帰り着くまで本当に楽しい会話と知識に感動しました。　　様々なハワイの花や植物の名前や、溶岩の歴史、特に夜空に広がる星座の全てを体を張って説明してくれてありがとうございました。日本では見られない星座に感動感動でした。　　そして、食事の用意から飲み物の用意、防寒服の用意まで至れり尽くせりで感謝感激でした。

カートさん、ピックアップの時は何やら難い人かなと思いましたが、ハワイの歴史を語り始めてカートさんのハワイを愛する心が心底わかりました。　　時が経つにつれてやさしさや面白さを徐々に伝えてくれましたね！　彼女が追いかけて来る筈だと思いました。　　でも、長い時間の運転ありがとうございました。　　ハワイの人たちの優しさや思いやりの深さを感じました。B級グルメでもとても美味しかったです！　　本当にありがとうございました。　

　

There is no Japanese announcement, so it can be a bit confusing if you can't understand English, but I think it was very good that they showed us a paper with guidance in Japanese.

日本語のアナウンスがないので、英語を聞き取れないと少し戸惑いますが、日本語のガイダンスの紙を見せてくれたので
それがとてもよかったと思います。

Is this really Hawaii?? It was freezing at the summit of Kilauea, but there are definitely emotions there that you can't experience anywhere else.

The guide's explanations and thoughtfulness were thorough, and despite shivering from the cold, it became a wonderful memory.

これがハワイか？？？？と思うくらい極寒のキラウエア山頂でしたが、絶対！！！味わえない感動がそこにはあります。

ガイドさんの説明、心遣いも行き届いていて、寒さに震えながらも素敵な思い出になりました。

After gathering and listening to the instructions, we boarded the boat and headed out to sea. We encountered a sea turtle as we left the harbor. Once we departed, the boat accelerated quickly, cutting through the wind. I was surprised by the speed! Once I got used to the rhythm of the waves, it was a lot of fun. (However, if you are prone to motion sickness, it might be a good idea to have some medication on hand.)

On the way to the snorkeling point, we enjoyed the coastal scenery, including beaches. The snorkeling point is right next to Captain Cook's monument. Even from a distance, the coral was beautifully visible, and when I went snorkeling, I was amazed to see so many fish. The colorful fish eating the coral were adorable. I also spotted a pod of dolphins in the distance.

The weather was cloudy and a bit chilly, but I had a great time. On the way back, we stopped by the blowhole and caves, and the captain provided explanations for each. It was a bit challenging to catch everything since the explanations were in English, but it was nice to realize that all the other participants were foreigners, making it feel like we were truly enjoying marine sports abroad.

The meeting point was easy to find thanks to clear signage, so I arrived without getting lost. I highly recommend this experience!

集合して、注意事項を聞いた後、ボートに乗って海へ。
港を出るときに海亀に出会いました。港を出るとどんどん加速して風を切って走っていきました。そのスピードにびっくり！波のリズムに慣れるととても楽しかったです。（ただ、乗り物酔いする方は酔い止めがあった方が安心かもしれません。。）
ボートでシュノーケリングポイントへ行く途中、ビーチなどなど海岸沿いの景色も楽しめました。
シュノーケリングポイントはクック船長の記念碑のすぐそば。遠くからでもサンゴがきれいに見えて、シュノーケリングしてみるとたくさんの魚がいて感動でした。
色とりどりの魚たちが珊瑚を食べてる姿がかわいかったです。イルカの群れも海の向こうに見えました。
天気が曇っていて少し寒かったのですが、とても満喫できました。
帰りがけに潮吹き岩や洞窟によって、船長さんがそれぞれの説明をしてくれました。説明が英語だったので聞き取るのが大変でしたが、参加者が私たち以外はみんな外国の方で、外国でマリンスポーツをしていることをとても実感。よかったです。
集合場所も目印の看板が分かりやすくて迷わず到着することができましたし、おすすめです！

We went on the deluxe snorkel cruise. The boat was phenomenal! The boat itself is one of the nicest I've ever been on, and I was impressed with the overall quality of everything on board. The snorkeling was great! We swam with tropical fish and even a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle. Along the coral reef I saw an octopus and an eel. This was such a great experience!

I received a notification from Alan the day before that there were too few participants for the scheduled date, but I was able to change the date and participate successfully.

I joined the afternoon tour, but it was cloudy that day, and the snorkeling time at Kealakekua Bay, which I was looking forward to, felt a bit dark underwater. If you can wake up early, I think the morning tour would have better weather conditions. Although I stayed in Kona, it often became cloudy in the afternoon even if it was sunny in the morning.

I was the only Japanese person on the tour, but they provided a Japanese-language pamphlet during boarding, so I could grasp the general idea, and the captain was friendly and chatted with us, so there were no problems at all.

The rafting was a bit nerve-wracking at first as I felt like I might be thrown off, but once I got used to it, it was fine. We were shown lava caves and blowholes in a rubber boat. On the way back, we had a brief encounter with dolphins, which was enjoyable.

申し込んだ日時の参加者が少なく実施出来ないとの連絡が、Alan1より前日に宿泊ホテルにありましたが、日時の変更をして頂き無事参加しました。
午後のツアーに参加しましたが、当日は曇りで楽しみにしていたケアラケクア湾でのシュノーケルの時間は少し海中が暗い感じでした。早起きできれば、午前のツアーの方が天気の状況は良いと思います。コナに滞在しましたが、午前中は晴れていても午後曇ってくることが多かったです。
日本人は私一人でしたが、乗船時に日本語の解説パンフをくれるので大体の感じは掴めますし、船長も気さくにお話ししてくれますので、全く問題ありません。
ラフティングは出だしは振り落とされそうで緊張しましたが、慣れれば問題ありません。ゴムボートで溶岩の入り江の洞窟や潮吹き岩を見せてもらいました。
帰りに短い時間でしたがイルカとも遭遇し楽しめました。

This time, I participated in the Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing tour.

The staff provided excellent service, and it was a lot of fun, but the literal sunset and starry sky were absolutely the best...

Watching the sunset sink into the sea of clouds far below, with Haleakalā and other landmarks in the distance, was breathtaking. After that, seeing the Earth's shadow on the opposite side and the countless stars visible from about 3,500 meters made me wonder where they had been hiding all this time.

It truly made me feel like a part of this planet, and I would definitely love to participate in this tour again if I have the chance.

今回はマウナケアサンセット＆星空観測のツアーに参加しました。

スタッフの方もサービス満点で楽しかったのですがなんといっても文字通りのサンセット・星空が最高でした。。。

ハレアカラなどをはるか下に見て雲海の中に沈んでいくサンセットは圧巻でしたがその後逆側にできる地球の影、そして３５００Ｍくらいで見た満天の星空はいままではどこに隠れていたのかって言ううくらいの星達。

間違いなく自分たちは地球号の一員なんだなと感じさせられ、機会があればぜひまた参加してみたいツアーでした。

One notable aspect of Masashi's tour is the abundance of warm clothing options tailored for those who are sensitive to the cold. While other tours seemed to only provide knee-length jackets, this tour also offered overalls with insulated pants, allowing us to lie on the ground during stargazing after sunset. That said, women who are particularly sensitive to the cold might feel more comfortable bringing their own thicker hoodies or lightweight down jackets. I also brought leg warmers. However, the gloves I borrowed were quite thin, and I wished they were a bit warmer.

Additionally, there was a service offering warm tea during stargazing, which was truly thoughtful. The explanation of the constellations was clear, using a laser pointer, and it made me realize that we, as Japanese, can only see a small part of the constellations. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Southern Cross, which I thought could only be seen in the Southern Hemisphere. The guide, Mr. Yama, who explained the constellations, was very entertaining, making it a tour filled with laughter.

マサシのツアーの特筆すべき点は、やっぱり日本人の寒がりに対応した防寒着の充実でしょう。他のツアーでは、膝丈の上着だけのようでしたが、当ツアーでは、オーバーオールタイプの綿入りズボンも用意されており、日が落ちてからの星空観測でも地面に寝転べるほどでした。とはいえ、寒がりの女性はご自分でも分厚めのパーカーや薄手のダウン等準備されたほうが安心です。私は加えてレッグウォーマーも持っていきました。ただ、お借りした手袋は結構薄めで、もう少しあったかいといいなーと思いました。
加えて、星空観測中に暖かいお茶のサービスがあり、本当に至れり尽くせりでした。
星座の説明は、レーザーポイントを使ってわかりやすく、私達日本人は星座のほんの一部分しか見えてないのだなあと実感しました。南半球でしか見えないと思っていた南十字星を見ることができたのもうれしい驚きでした。星座の説明をしてくれた山さん？というガイドさんの話はとっても楽しく、笑い声の絶えないツアーでした。

I was a bit anxious about the English tour since I hardly understand English, but the captain was kind, and I had a very enjoyable time. I couldn't understand more than 90% of what was being said, which was a bit lonely, but I participated knowing that would be the case, so it can't be helped. They provide a Japanese paper with the initial talking points, so it might be helpful to read it well at the beginning.

I got to see wild dolphins, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and see lava caves. All of my wishes were fulfilled. Therefore, I am very satisfied. Thank you for the wonderful time.

英語がほぼ分からないので、英語ツアーに少し
不安は感じていたけど、キャプテンも優しく
とても楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。
話してる内容は９０％以上わからなかったので
そこが寂しかったけど、わかっていて参加したから
しょうがないですね。
最初に話す内容などを日本語の紙で渡してくれるので
最初によく読んでおくと分かりやすいかもしれません。
野生のイルカを見ること。
透明度の高い海でシュノーケルをすること。
溶岩の洞窟を見ること。
全て叶えてもらいました。
だからとても満足です。
楽しい時間をありがとうございました。

This is a great activity except if you're prone to motion-sickness then it is not for you. Two hours was way too long for us. I was doing well in the first hour when we were shown the volcanoes and mountains but in the second hour I could not keep my eyes open due to my motion sickness. And that sucked because in the second hour is when he shows you the beautiful valleys and waterfalls! Thank God my husband was able to record it for me but it still wasn't the same. I would recommend a 45-minute-1 hour tour but not the 2 hour tour.

We participated as a family.
This was our first time going whale watching.
Since there were few Japanese passengers, there were no staff who spoke Japanese on board.
As a result, all the announcements and explanations were in English.
I couldn't understand the detailed explanations, but I thoroughly enjoyed the whale watching.
With fewer passengers, we were able to move around to various positions on the boat, making the watching environment the best.
I was particularly moved by the sight of the whales breaching.
I couldn't help but scream in excitement.
However, since we were expecting to see the breaching right in front of us, it was disappointing that the moment happened quite far away.
Lastly, perhaps due to the bad weather, the catamaran rocked quite a bit. Even though I took motion sickness medication, I still got seasick.

家族で参加しました。
>
> ホエールウオッチングは、今回が初めてです。
>
> 日本人の乗船が少なかったため、日本語を話せるスタッフは乗船しません でした。
>
> そのため、全て英語の案内及び解説でした。
>
> 詳しい解説等は、理解できませんが、十分ホエールウォッチングは満喫できました。
>
> 乗船人数が少ないので、船のいろいろなポジションに移動できたのでウォッチング環境はベストでした。
>
> 特に、クジラのブリーチングの姿は感動しました。
>
> 思わず、絶叫してしまいました。
>
> しかし、クジラのブリーチングの姿を私たちの目の前で見れるものと期待していた分、ブリーチングの瞬間は、かなり遠くでの観測だったので、残念でした。
>
> 最後に、天候が悪かったせいか双胴船でもかなり揺れました。乗り物に弱 い私は酔い止めの薬を飲んでいても、船酔いしました。

On April 2nd, I participated with my family of four. It was the perfect day for stargazing, being the third day after the full moon. The clear sky without any clouds added to the excitement when we got off the bus; it was an indescribable feeling.

As the stars seemed to be falling around us, we received thorough explanations. My son had just finished his junior high school entrance exams, so he had retained a lot of knowledge about astronomy, making it a wonderful experience to connect theoretical knowledge with reality. We even got a good look at the rarely visible Cancer constellation.

We confirmed Saturn through the telescope, but it appeared small; the one we saw at the planetarium in Tokyo was larger (perhaps due to the telescope's precision???).

The sunset at Mauna Kea before that was also stunning, with oranges reflected in the clouds and the indescribable colors of the sun's afterimage... everything was wonderful. Additionally, our guide, O, provided a wealth of knowledge backed by data, and his modest yet friendly demeanor made for a truly great tour.

With all these three elements combined, it became an unforgettable Mauna Kea tour for us.

One disappointing aspect was that we had to wait 20 minutes during the tour pickup. This was not the guide's fault, but rather due to some participants not keeping time. Since it was a group activity and we were participating online, unexpected delays can cause anxiety. I encourage those who will participate in the future to keep time so that everyone can enjoy the experience comfortably.

　4月2日に、家族4人で参加しました。
　満月から3日目に当たる日のため、星を見るには最高の日和でした。また、雲のない絶好の空も重なり、バスを降り立ったときの感動は言い表せないほどのものです。
　まるで星が降ってくるようななか、丁寧に解説をしていただきました。ちょうど息子が中学受験を終えたばかりでしたので、天体の知識はばっちり残っており、机上の理論と現実の目が重なり何よりの収穫だったと思います。
　あまり見えないかに座もしっかり確認。

望遠鏡では土星を確認しましたがちいさく、東京の科学館の星空観察会で見せてもらったものの方が大きかったです。（たぶん望遠鏡の精度が落ちる？？？）

　その前にあったマウナケアの夕日も雲に反射したオレンジや、太陽の残像のなんともいえない色・・・どれもすばらしい。
　また、ガイドのOさんの、データーに裏づけされた知識量と、控えめ且つほどよい親しみで本当によいツアーとなりました。

　以上3拍子そろい、私たちにとって忘れられないマウナケアツアーとなりました。
　
ひとつだけ残念なこと、ツアーのピックアップ時に20分待たされたことです。ガイドさんのせいではなく、参加者の中の時間を守らないということですが、団体行動であること、インターネットで参加をしているので、不測の事態には不安がつのるので、これから参加される方は、ぜひ時間を守ってみんなが気持ちよく過ごせるよう協力しましょう。

The staff was great and tour was better than expected. We saw lots of turtles.

On April 1st, we participated as a family of four in the morning.

The weather was great, and the waves were calm, making it perfect for snorkeling. Since we stayed at the Waikoloa Marriott, we arrived at the meeting point, the Honokohau Harbor, in about 20 minutes. The check-in location was easy to find, and the process was smooth with the presentation of our virtual tickets.

Once we boarded the boat, we quickly spotted dolphins; a large pod of wild dolphins surrounded our boat. We were the only Japanese people there, but the American children were friendly, which created a great atmosphere. Everyone was friendly, and we had a fun cruise. The captain resembled Mariah Carey, and the boat moved at an incredible speed. We spotted a whale along the way, and it was thrilling to see it up close. The crew kindly searched for dolphins and whales, so we were never bored.

While snorkeling in the clear water, we saw many colorful tropical fish. This was my first time experiencing such beautiful water and snorkeling spots. There was plenty of time, and I highly recommend it.

We booked online and handled the arrangements ourselves, and everything went smoothly. The staff was quick to respond, and we were satisfied.

As others have mentioned, everything was in English, which was a bit disappointing. I understood the necessary information, but I couldn't catch the explanations about the sightseeing points, which was a shame. It’s a great tour, and I hope they can offer a tour for Japanese speakers in the future.

P.S. My two children (middle schoolers) are still saying they want to go again. I hope everyone enjoys it too!

　現地4月1日に朝に、家族4人で参加しました。

　お天気もよく、波も穏やかで絶好のシュノーケリング日和でした。ホテルはワイコロア・マリオットでしたので、集合場所のホノコウア桟橋まで20分ほどで到着しました。
　チェックイン場所もよくわかり、バーチャル券の提示で手続きもスムースでした。
　船に乗り込み、すぐイルかを発見、本当にたくさんの野生のイルカの群れが船を取り囲んでくれました。日本人はうちだけでしたが、アメリカ人の子供が人なっつこく雰囲気はよくなりました。皆さんフレンドリーで楽しくクルーズできます。船長さんはマライヤキャリー似のエンジェル。すごいスピードで進んでいきます。途中鯨を発見。すぐ近くで見ることができ感激。親切にイルカやくじらを探しながら進むので退屈しません。
　シュノーケルは透明な水の中、色とりどりの熱帯魚がたくさんいます。こんなにきれいな水や、シュノーケルポイントは初めてです。時間も十分ありお勧めです。

　今回インターネットで申し込み、自分たちで手続きしましたがうまく行きました。スタッフの対応も迅速で満足です。

　みなさんが書いているとおり、すべて英語なのでその点だけ残念。必要なことは理解できましたが、観光ポイントの説明が聞き取れず惜しいです。たいへんよいツアーなので、ぜひ日本人向けのツアーができること希望します。

　追伸・子供2人（中学生）はもう一度行きたいと今も行ってます。皆さんも楽しんでください。

I saw many comments about how wonderful the starry sky is, so I decided to participate and see it for myself. It was even more amazing than I expected, and I was truly moved. Above me was a sky full of stars, the Milky Way, and shooting stars, and I was able to see Saturn and the Pleiades through a telescope, which was breathtaking. The sunset from the summit was also fantastic. The sunrise I saw on Maui was also moving, so next time I definitely want to see it from the summit of Mauna Kea.

星空が素晴らしいとの書き込みが多くあったので、是非見てみたいと思い参加しました。期待以上の素晴らしさで感動しました。頭上には満天の星・天の川・流れ星などまた望遠鏡で土星・スバルと見られ感動しました。山頂のサンセットも素晴らしいかった。マウイ島で見たサンライズも感動的だったので次回は是非マウナケア山頂で見てみたいと思いました。

I would not recommend this activity unless you've already done most everything else on this island. Everyone we talked to after getting back was dis-appointed. It sure isn't what I thought. First the transportation isn't very convenient. Getting to and from the pick up points should be improved. Next on the way up the mountain we stopped at a gift/visitor shop. Thats where we had a cardboard box dinner in the van. Someone else said bring a sandwich. I also recomend that. Going on up the hill. The observatories we only got to see from the outside, and was just told about them. We did watch a nice sunset at 13,780 feet of elevation. It was a nice view although I like the sunsets over the beach better. After the sun went down we left and went down to about 7000 feet elevation and they set up 11inch Celestron telescopes. Nice telescopes, i have a friend who has one. We saw several stars and clusters ect. Beautiful clear sky. Chitchen-Itza ruins in Mexico was just a clear a

To start off with when we were making reservations transportation aparently wasn't available. Don't let them tell you that. They have vans and make pick-ups from the hotel we stayed in. We took the big island spectacular 2 hour. It was nice. The volcano part wasn't what i thought. I expected to see flowing lava. All you see is the top crust of past lava flows. Even the volcano vent wasn't what I thought it would be. The VOG was so thick thast about all you could see. A little let down. Although the 2nd part was the tropical rain forest. We had a nice ride along the ocean front. Went up the valleys and saw more waterfalls than I could keep track of. Pilot even sighted some whales and circled for us. Wind turbulance in some of the valleys made me tighten my seat belt a bit. Later I learned the pilot is a retired coast guard pilot. Wish I knew that going in, I would have been a bit more relaxed.

This was my first relaxing trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, where I felt the power of nature and the universe throughout my body.

It was a lucky day with a crescent moon perfect for stargazing, and I was breathless at the changing reds of nature during the sunset, the sea of clouds, and the white rainbow... And then, as soon as I got off the bus, I was greeted by a sky full of stars... I couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow!!"

Thanks to my hat, gloves, and warm clothing, I was able to lie on the ground and was moved to spot shooting stars...

Adapting to the high altitude of 4,200 meters was no problem at all, thanks to Mr. Ochi's guidance...

The silhouette photo of my profile looks like it was taken 40 years ago (?), and it became a wonderful memento! Thank you very much.

今回はじめての　ハワイ島のんびり旅行で　自然と　宇宙のパワーと　癒しを体中で　感じる旅でした。

　星をみるのに具合のいい三日月というラッキーデーと　雲海　白虹　　夕日の刻々と変わる自然の赤の変化に息をのむほど・・そして…・バスを降りたとたんの満点の星　星　星・・・思わずわーー！！

帽子　手袋防寒具のおかげで地面に　寝ころんで　流れ星を　見つけられた感動・・・・

４２００Ｍという高地への　順応も　越智さんの御指導で　まったく問題なし・・・

横顔のシルエット写真・・４０年前のようで（？）すごくいい記念になりました！！
ありがとうございました。

I was overwhelmed by the great nature of the Big Island of Hawaii.

ハワイ島の大自然に圧倒されました。

I definitely think you should participate in the Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing tour. This tour allows you to observe the stars from a higher location than the Onizuka Center, so you can enjoy it without being with other tour guests, and you can clearly see the Milky Way, which I highly recommend.

Since we stayed at a B&B, we were supposed to be picked up at a designated supermarket, and after the tour, we were supposed to be the first ones dropped off. However, the guide mistakenly went to the hotel first, which delayed our return home by 30 minutes. I believe the other participants who were dropped off after us were delayed by over an hour.

We had been sightseeing around the island with a rental car before the tour, so I regretted not speaking up earlier when I noticed something was off. The tour itself was enjoyable, so it's unfortunate. The bento box with Japanese food and miso soup was delightful. It was also helpful that they provided pants for warmth, as we were the only ones with them. I'm glad I participated since you can't go to Mauna Kea on your own.

マウナケアのサンセットと星空ツアーには絶対に参加すべきだと思います。
こちらのツアーはオニヅカセンターよりも高い場所で星空を観察するので他のツアー客と一緒にならずに、ゆったりとでき、天の川もハッキリと見れてオススメです。
私達はＢ＆Ｂ宿泊だったので指定されたスーパーでピックアップしてもらい、ツアー後は最初に送ってもらえるはずだったのですが、ガイドさんが間違って先にホテルに行っていまい帰宅時間が３０分も遅くなりました。
私達の後に送ってもらう他の参加者さんは１時間以上も遅くなったと思います。
ツアー参加までにレンタカーで島内観光していたので途中でおかしいと思っていたので早めにアピールすべきだったと後悔･･･ツアー自体は楽しかったので残念です。
お弁当は和食にお味噌汁が嬉しかったです。
防寒着もズボンがあるのはこちらだけだったので助かりました。
マウナケアには個人では行けないので参加して良かったです。

I can't say enough good about this Luau. The food was good, the show was great. It was just a wonderful time.

Ron

We participated with our elementary school child, making three of us.
Snorkeling in a beautiful cove.
The kids were thrilled to jump into the sea from a slide on the boat.
For lunch, they grilled hamburgers right there, and we got to make our own burgers.
Freshly grilled was definitely delicious.
Since we could only play for a little over two hours, I wish we could have stayed a bit longer.

小学生の子供を連れて3人で参加しました。
きれいな入り江でのシュノーケル。
船から滑り台で海に飛び込めたりするので、子供は大喜びでした。
ランチは、その場でハンバーグをジュ―ジュ―焼いて、ハンバーガーを作ってくれます。
焼きたてはやっぱり美味しかったです。
時間的に2時間ちょっとしか遊べないので、もう少し長く滞在出来たら良かったと思います。

Perhaps it was the season of March, but we encountered a pod of mother and baby whales. Two and a half hours passed in the blink of an eye.

３月という季節がよかったせいかクジラの親子の群れに遭遇。２時間半があっという間に過ぎました。

This was my first time participating and I went alone. Before going, I was a bit anxious about attending by myself, but the guide, Mr. Yamamoto, was very entertaining, and the tour was fantastic! On the day of the tour, the rainbow was stunning, and since the stargazing was conducted at a location conveniently close to the summit, there were no clouds obscuring the stars at all. Mr. Yamamoto's knowledge about Hawaii is incredible! (By the way, he mentioned that people observing at the Onitsuka Center that day couldn't see well due to the clouds.) The sunset at the summit was different from other tours, as they provided us with warm clothing, gloves, and knit hats, which made me very satisfied. Next time, I definitely want to join this tour with friends and family.

初参加で一人参加でした。
行く前は1人で参加する事に少々不安でしたが、ガイドをしていただいた山本さんがとても面白く、ツアーは最高でした！
当日は虹が最高に見え天体観測もこちらのツアーだけは頂上に程よく近い場所で行った為に、雲で星が隠れるような事は一切無かったです。
しかし山本さんのハワイに関する知識はすごい！！
（ちなみにこの日オニツカセンターで観測された人は雲で良く見えなかったとしきりにおっしゃっていました。）
頂上でのサンセットは、他のツアーと違い、上下の防寒具や手袋・ニット帽まで貸し出ししていただいたので、大変満足です。
今度は友達や家族と是非このツアーに参加したいです。

I was looking for a tour to go snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay. I decided to join this tour, which seemed more active and enjoyable, as it offered rafting on a rubber boat and a high chance of encountering whales and dolphins!

There was one other Japanese couple (four of us in total), along with about ten other people. Just a few minutes after getting on the boat, we encountered a whale, which was a surprise since I was just hoping to catch a glimpse! After that, we were able to see the magnificent whales multiple times. There was even a moment when a whale appeared right in front of us, almost colliding with the boat, but that close encounter left a lasting impression and became the highlight of my trip.

As for snorkeling, I felt there were fewer colorful fish than I had imagined, but I was still satisfied just enjoying the atmosphere! On our way back, we also got to see dolphins jumping. The boat had a great sense of speed, making it a truly enjoyable time for active travelers. I think knowing English would enhance the experience even more.

On the day of the tour, there were some reservation mix-ups that caused inconvenience, but the staff handled everything with great care, and I am truly grateful to them. It was an incredibly satisfying tour! I highly recommend it to anyone going to the Big Island, and I hope to participate again someday with my children.

For those bringing a camera, I think it's best to be cautious (you might get splashed). I decided against bringing my DSLR and opted for a compact camera instead. However, there were people taking photos with DSLRs as well.

ケアラケクア湾でのシュノーケリングをしたくてツアーを探していました。
ゴムボートでのラフティングを楽しめる！クジラやイルカとの遭遇率も高い！と言う事で、大きな船ではなく、アクティブに楽しめそうなこちらのツアーに参加。

日本人は私達と同じ新婚カップルが１組（計4人）。他には10名程の方が一緒でした。ボートに乗って数分で、少しでも見えたらいいなーと思っていたクジラと遭遇！本当にビックリ。その後、何度も迂回しすばらしいクジラの姿を見ることができました。ボートにぶつかりそうなほど、目の前にクジラが現れるというハプニングもありましたが、この間近で見たクジラが目に焼きついていて、旅行中の一番の思い出になっています。

シュノーケリングは、想像よりもカラフルな魚は少なかったような気がしますが、雰囲気を楽しむだけでも充分満足！帰り際には、イルカが飛び跳ねる姿も見ることができました。とにかくボートはかなりのスピード感がありました。アクティブ派にとっては本当に気持ちの良い時間だと思います。英語が出来ると、より楽しめると思います。

当日は予約の手違い等で、大変ご迷惑をかけてしまいました。全て丁寧に対応してくださって、スタッフの方々には本当に感謝しています。本当に大満足のツアーでした！！ハワイ島へ行く方には是非お勧めしたいツアーです。そして、いつか子供を連れて参加したいと思いました。

◎カメラを持っていかれる方は、やはり気をつけたほうがいいと思います。（しぶきがかかります）私は一眼レフは断念し、コンデジにしました。でも、一眼レフ持って撮影している方もいましたよ。

I finally went to the stargazing event I had wanted to attend for a long time. It was absolutely wonderful!! The night sky was cold, but it felt like I was watching a planetarium show. The stars in Hawaii are beautiful, but the view from the mountaintop is something else entirely. I'm really glad I participated.

前々から行きたかった星空観測へ行ってきました。もうとてもよかったです！！星空は寒かったけどプラネタリウムを見ているようでした。ハワイ島は星がきれいに見えるけど、山頂から見る星空は別物です。本当に参加してよかったです。