All Reviews for Sightseeing / Guided Tours

We booked this tour based on these reviews, it seems that these reviews were spot on. Our tour started when Tod picked us up on time and whisked us off to our island adventure. He was very knowledgeable and went out of his way to explain Hawaiian culture and pointed out things in our drive that were informative.

The stargazing portion of our tour was an incredibly unique and awe-inspiring experience. Tod was a knowledgeable guide and took us to a dark and remote location in Mauna Kea, perfect for stargazing. With the use of his personal high-quality telescope, binoculars and a powerful laser pointer, we were able to see constellations, planets, and even faint nebulae. Tod also shared interesting facts and stories about the night sky, making the experience both informative and enjoyable.

Tod even made the experience memorable by playing The Planets by Gustav Holst, its those little details, that made this tour the highlight of our Big Island Vacation.

Overall, this tour is a must-do for anyone who wants to see the stars in all their glory accompanied by our an amazing guide Tod.
Make sure to request him on your next stargazing adventure.

Fortunately, all the participants were Japanese, so the Japanese guide provided detailed explanations and took beautiful photos. I was able to enjoy Mauna Kea, which I had wanted to visit once in a lifetime. The weather was bad on the ground, and I was worried, but as the guide said, once we got above the clouds, the new moon allowed us to see the stars clearly, and the wind was gentle, making for a comfortable tour without needing to wear pants.

The only disappointing thing was that I was told the snacks for a member who couldn't participate due to health issues were lost somewhere, so we couldn't hand them out.

幸運にも全員日本人参加者だった為、日本語ガイドさんが、詳しく説明してくれ、写真も綺麗に撮ってくれた。一生に一度行きたかった、マウナ・ケアを堪能できました。地上は天気が悪く、心配してましたがガイドさんのいう通り、雲の上に出れば新月で星も良く見えて、風も弱かったので、ズボンを履かないで快適なツアーでした。
一つだけ残念だったのは、体調不良で参加できなかったメンバーの軽食がどこかで無くなったのでお渡し出来ないと言われたのが残念です。

This was a great hike with our guide Jennifer. She adjusted it to match my kids’ level of interest. She was well prepared with all the supplies including backpacks, snacks, rain gear and jackets. On our visit we got sun and rain and sun and rain. My kids’ were tired so we cut our hike short but it was just enough to have great introduction to the park, and the plants and history around it.

i really liked this luau! right near the water and very productive evening

In late May, I participated in a sunset and stargazing tour at the summit of Mauna Kea, which was an incredibly valuable experience. Since there were many Japanese participants, our perfect bilingual guide, Sue, navigated in Japanese.

The local information that isn't found in guidebooks, the mysterious and magnificent scenery along the way, the unexpected cold despite being in a tropical location (and the warmth of the borrowed jackets), the delicious sandwiches we had at the summit, the breathtaking sunset, the ever-changing colors of the sky and clouds, the opening of the observatory and the start of the observations, and the view of the star-filled sky and constellations—all of these were truly wonderful and exceeded my expectations, providing a surprising and moving experience.

During the stargazing, when Sue pointed out the constellations and we were all gazing at them, a huge shooting star passed by, and everyone cheered together. That became an unforgettable memory.

Thank you so much, Sue (Stephan). The photos you took with professional skill are a wonderful record, and I am grateful.

５月下旬、マウナケア山頂サンセットと星空観測ツアーに参加し、大変貴重な体験をさせてもらいました。
日本人参加者が多い回だったので、完璧なバイリンガルガイドのスーさんが、日本語でナビゲートしてくださいました。
ガイドブックにはないローカルの情報、道中の不思議で雄大な景色、南国にもかかわらず体験する歯も噛み合わない寒さ（と貸してくださった防寒ジャケットの暖かさ⁠)、山頂で食べた美味しいサンドイッチ、息を飲むようなサンセット、刻々と変わる空と雲の色、天文台が開き観測を開始する様、満天の星と星座の見方、どれもこれも本当に素晴らしく、想像を遥かに上回る、驚きと感動体験でした。
星空観測中に、スーさんが指し示した星座を皆で眺めている時、大きな大きな星が流れ、参加者全員で歓声を上げたこと。忘れられない思い出になりました。
スーさんことステファンさん、本当にありがとうございました。
プロ並みの腕前で撮って頂いた写真は、素晴らしい記録になり感謝です。

The sunset above the clouds at the summit of Mauna Kea was truly magical. It was an unforgettable beauty. And the starry sky. At first, I told my son, "There aren't as many stars as I thought," but as it got completely dark, the sky was filled with stars! The guide's explanations were enjoyable, and I truly felt that it was a tour worth taking. Thank you very much.

マウナケア山頂雲の上のサンセットは、本当に幻想的でした。忘れられない美しさでした。
そして星空。最初「思ったほど星の量ないね」と
息子に言っていたのですが、完全に暗くなってくると
空が星で埋め尽くされていました！ガイドさんの説明も楽しく、行ってよかったなぁとこころからそう思えるツアーでした。ありがとうございました。

Tour was excellent, Aaron was a great host. Very informed, engaging. Had fun all along the way. We had plenty of time at all the stops to experience and enjoy. Made our 1st trip here an experience to remember. We are telling everyone if they come to the Island they need to take this tour.

In addition when we 1st booked, we were told that our location was around 90 minutes from the tour pickup. We chose to go ahead but very much appreciated the help and advice. Excellent service all around.

Standing at the summit of Mauna Kea at an altitude of 4,200 meters, I was able to wait for the sunset without any discomfort thanks to proper altitude acclimatization. The sight of the sun setting between the various observatories from around the world was magnificent. During the stargazing, the explanations about the seasons and constellations were very clear and refreshing. The sandwiches for dinner and the hot chocolate were also very delicious.

標高4200ｍのマウナケア山頂に立ちますが、高度順応が適切にされ違和感なくサンセットを待つことができました。
世界中の天文台が立ち並ぶ隙間に太陽が沈んでいく様子は素晴らしいです。
星空観測では、季節や星座についての説明がとても分かりやすく新鮮でした。
夕食のサンドウィッチもホットチョコレートもとてもおいしかったです。

On the day of my visit, the weather unexpectedly worsened, and I couldn't go beyond the Onizuka Visitor Center. I was disappointed that I couldn't fulfill my dream of coming to the Big Island, but I was happy to see the "Silversword" (Argyroxiphium sandwicense) near the visitor center, thanks to the staff's guidance. I hope to have the opportunity to visit the summit of Mauna Kea again.

当日、まさかの天候悪化で、オニヅカビジターセンターから先に行けませんでした。
ハワイ島に来た夢が果たせずがっかりでしたが、スタッフに教えてもらって、ビジターセンターの近くにある「シルバーソード（銀剣草）」を見ることができて、それは嬉しかったです。
また機会があれば、マウナケア山頂に行きたいと思います。

We had a great time on this trip. Our tour guide, Stefan, was excellent! He was friendly and informative the entire time. Even though we took the tour on an overcast night, there was so much to see and the views were unforgettable. Five stars, would book again!!

We had a blast! A very unique experience, especially if you enjoy sunsets, heights, and amazing views.

This was a great way to see a lot in one day. The ride was very comfortable, our driver was extremely knowledgeable and engaging and we saw and learned so much!

The food was good, the DJ and our tour guide was excellent.

Delicious food paired with amazing local Hawaiian talent. This was one of our favorite luaus on Big Island after a few past years of trying around.

From local coffee to black sand beaches to wineries to lava flows to lava tunnels to a charming sunset, this tour is a entire day filled with memories. The guides were knowledgeable and so kind and accommodating, which we appreciate :)

This was my first tour on the Big Island of Hawaii, and the reservation process and pickup location on the day were very clear. Although I couldn't speak English, there were staff members who assisted in Japanese, and I was very satisfied with the service. Above all, I was deeply moved by the magnificent view and sunset from the summit. I didn't experience any altitude sickness, and I was able to have a wonderful time. During the stargazing, I enjoyed lying on the ground, amazed by the closeness and size of the countless stars. (laughs) I'm really glad I participated in this tour. When I come back to the Big Island, I would like to join other tours as well. Thank you very much.

初めてハワイ島で参加したツアーでしたが、予約や当日の送迎場所も分かりやすく、英語が話せなかったのですが、日本語で対応してくれるスタッフもいて、対応にはとても満足でした。そして何より山頂から見た壮大な景色とサンセットに大感動。心配していた高山病もなく、良いひとときを過ごすことが出来ました。星空観測では満天の星たちの近さと大きさに、道に寝転んで楽しみました。(笑)このツアーに参加して本当に良かったです。またハワイ島に来たときには他のツアーにも参加したいと思いました。ありがとうございました。

I was able to learn a lot about lava from the very detailed explanation. Although we couldn't see the starry sky, we can't go against nature.

非常に丁寧な説明で、溶岩について、多くを学ぶことができました。
星空が見えなかったですが、自然には逆らえないですね。

Awesome day on the Big Island. A full day with a coffee farm, tour of the Volcanoes National Park, then stargazing on a clear night. Our Tour guide Aaron was the best. His knowledge of Hawaiian culture, the volcano, and then the night sky was awesome. He was so helpful and kind. This was a once in a lifetime experience. The volcano stopped erupting a few days after our tour. So, we felt so lucky to get to see an active volcano. Be sure to take a sweatshirt or jacket. It got cold in the evening. It is a full day, but so worth it.

We really enjoyed our experience on this tour. Our tour guide, Aaron was very informative! I mean who better to have for a tour guide than a history teacher!! The only part that could use some improvement are the meals. We expected a meal with more substance.

Not only does it cover so many aspects of the island, you have an excellent guide the full time that makes you understand each area you are stopping at and the history!!

Our guide, Stephan, was wonderful. Out of the 10 tour participants, 8 were Americans, but he provided a lot of explanations and support in Japanese. Stephan is also a photographer, and he took beautiful photos that looked like wedding pictures under a perfect starry sky! Thank you very much!

ガイドのステファンさんが素晴らしかったです。ツアー客10人中、8人はアメリカ人の方でしたが、日本語でたくさん説明&フォローしていただけました。ステファンさんは、さらに写真家で、
満点の星空のもとウェディングフォトのような素敵な写真を撮っていただきました！
ありがとうございました！

Just want to say that my husband and I really enjoyed our tour with Zachary he was very knowledgeable and attentive with everyone in our group! Thank you!

The van that arrived at the meeting place was labeled Hawaiian Eyes Tour, with no mention of the operating company, Masashi Nature School, which was confusing. There was no such information provided by VELTRA, but upon checking the Masashi Nature School's website, it clearly stated that the operating company is Hawaiian Eyes Tour. (I wish this had been communicated through VELTRA as well.)

On the day of the tour, there were ten guests, six of whom were Japanese. According to the guide, the number of Japanese customers has decreased due to the pandemic, so there are no longer Japanese language tours. The guide could speak some Japanese, but not enough to provide a full tour in that language, so the entire ride was in English.

That said, the sunset from the mountain top and stargazing were great experiences, and the guide made an effort to explain things in Japanese, which I personally appreciated. Additionally, I was grateful to receive the photos the guide took via AirDrop.

We were staying at a hotel in Waikoloa, so it was helpful that we were dropped off there on the way back. However, there were two Japanese guests from a hotel outside the Kona area who mistakenly thought they would be dropped off at their hotel and ended up getting off at the pickup location, Queens Marketplace. Considering that it's difficult to catch a taxi in that area and the return time was before 10 PM, I think it would be beneficial to offer a paid option for hotel drop-off.

　集合場所に来たバンが、催行社のマサシネイチャースクールとはどこにも書いてなくHawaiian Eyes Tourとなっていて戸惑った。
　VELTRAではそのような案内は全くなかったが、マサシネイチャースクールのHPを確認すると、しっかり催行会社がHawaiian Eyes Tourであると記載されていた。（VELTA経由でもしっかりそこは案内して欲しかった。）
　当日は、１０人の客で、うち日本人は６人いたが、ガイドさんによると、コロナ禍で日本人客が減ったから日本語ツアーは無くなったとのこと。
　ガイドさんも日本語はできるが案内するほどの語学力がない、ということで、行き帰りの車中はずっと英語だった。
　とはいえ、山頂の夕陽や星空観測等、ガイドさんが、日本語でも頑張って案内してくれて、個人的には非常に良かった。
　また、ガイドさんが撮ってくれた写真もAirDropでもらえたのもありがたかった。
　私たちは、ワイコロアのホテルに泊まっていたので帰りはホテルまで送ってもらって助かった。
　ただ、コナ地区外のホテルから参加していた日本人の親子２人組が、帰りホテルまで送ってもらえると勘違いしていて、結局ピックアップ場所のクイーンズマーケットプレイスで降りることになった。
　タクシーもなかなか捕まらない土地柄で、帰着時間が22時前になるということを考えると、有償でのホテルまでの送ってくれるオプションがあると良いのではないかと思った。

This tour was worth every penny. The sites and culture we experienced were beyond our expectations. The tour guide was so friendly and her knowledge of each and every site visited and of the Hawaiian culture and history was beyond outstanding. This tour has to be the highlight of our visit to the Big Island. If you want an exciting, exhilarating, beautiful, and culturally immersive experience this tour will meet your every expectation.

The guide was very friendly and shared many interesting stories! Everyone participating was American, and we all had a great time together. We were able to see a starry sky that you can't experience in Japan. The guide also explained about the stars, which was very enjoyable.

ガイドさんが非常に気さくな方で色々な面白い話をしてくれました！参加していたのはアメリカ人だけでしたがみんなでワイワイしてました。日本ではみるようなことができない満点の星空を見ることができました。ガイドさんが星の解説もしてくださり非常に楽しかったです

This tour was a great way to see the highlights of the entire Big Island. To start off, our tour guide, Christopher, was fantastic. He was exceptionally knowledgeable about the island, interesting to listen to, energetic, and willing to do anything needed to make our tour great. We started out being picked up at our resort in a very comfortable Mercedes van. We visited Kona Joes coffee farm where we had a good lunch. We toured the southern side of the island, and stopped at the Punalu’u Bake Shop to have excellent pastries. Next stop was the black sand beach where we watched the huge surf crashing into the rocky coast, and saw two very lazy green turtles sunning themselves on the beach. After that, we went to the Kilauea volcano crater to see it in the daytime. Wind and rain hampered this visit, so we went to dinner at a great resturant nearby. On the way, we stopped to tour the rain forest and walked through a lava tunnel. Both were great experiences. Finally, to top it all off, we say the lava eruptions at night at the crater. Fantastic experience...

Magnificent performance from all involved dealing with the history of the hawaiin islands and the Polynesian empire. The buffet was way too much to take in!!

This was our first luau and it was exceptional! The staff was courteous, professional, welcoming, and overall delightful! The food was very well prepared and there was a wide variety of selections. The show was both entertaining as well as informative and all of the performers ( host, dancers, and musicians) were great!!

I would love to do this again some time!

It's not every day you can say you saw new earth being formed in front of your eyes. We loved seeing the glow of lava at night. Not many places you can do this in the world.

We really enjoyed our full day tour filled with waterfalls, visiting volcanoes national park and capping it off with a stargazing tour at the end. Our guide was good but would have liked him to relate more of his stories to our grandaughter. When we did the stargazing, he was great. You could tell this was his passion.