All Reviews for Top Places to Visit in Hawaii

Watching the sunset and stargazing at Mauna Kea became a lifelong memory. The sight of the sun sinking into the sea of clouds was mystical, and the starry sky was breathtakingly beautiful. The guide's explanations were thorough, allowing us to enjoy the experience with peace of mind. Warm clothing is essential, but it's definitely worth it!

マウナケアでの夕焼けと星空観賞は一生の思い出になりました。夕日が雲海に沈む光景は神秘的で、満天の星空は息をのむ美しさ。ガイドさんの解説も丁寧で安心して楽しめました。防寒対策は必須ですが、その価値は十分にあります！

The tour guide primarily spoke English, but they were kind and attentive even to those who couldn't speak English. I was very satisfied as I was able to get many beautiful photos taken!

ツアーガイドさんは英語メインでしたが、英語が話せなくても親切で丁寧に声をかけてくれました(^^)綺麗な写真も何枚も撮って貰えて大満足です！

We usually skip tours and try to experience places through the locals, soaking in real culture over curated stops. But this tour into Waipio Valley with Forrest changed everything.

From the start, it was clear this wasn’t a typical tour. Forrest’s love for the valley, his deep knowledge of its history and sacredness, and his powerful storytelling made us feel connected to every inch of this land. He didn’t just drive us through—he invited us in.

The peace we felt in Waipio was unreal. Waterfalls, wild horses, taro fields… all of it wrapped in a stillness that felt spiritual. We walked away with more than photos—we walked away with perspective and gratitude.

If you get the chance, go. And hope Forrest is your guide. It’s an experience we’ll never forget.

About six months ago, I decided on this tour for the new moon in June and planned my trip. The weather forecast in Japan indicated that it would be clear the whole time, but when I arrived at the location, it was mostly cloudy. The highlights of the tour were watching the sunset at the summit and stargazing. I was able to enjoy both quite a bit. Since it's about the weather, there's nothing to do but pray, but it seems that the moonlight significantly affects stargazing. All 11 guests were Japanese, and the guide was of Japanese descent (we called him Sho-chan) and provided the tour entirely in Japanese, which was very helpful. The topics covered ranged from safety to sightseeing, keeping us entertained without getting bored. His photography skills were particularly impressive. It seems that we can download the photos of the sunset against the backlight and the portraits under the starry sky later. The explanation of the starry sky was also good. He used a laser to explain the constellations. I highly recommend this tour.

半年ほど前から、6月の新月の日にこのツアーを決めて旅行を組みました。日本の天気予報では、ずっと晴れが続くことになってはいたのですが、現地に着くと、雲の多い天気が続いていました。ツアーの目玉は頂上での日没と星空観察です。｡何とか二つとも十分楽しむことができました。天気のことなので、祈る以外はないのですが、月のあかりは、星空観察には大きく影響するみたいです。ゲストは11人全員が日本人でガイドは日系の方で(私たちは正ちゃんと呼んでいましたが)日本語だけで案内していただけました。これはありがたかったです。話の内容は安全に関することから、観光に関することまで飽きさせることなく楽しませてくれました。特にカメラの腕は素晴らしいです。逆光の夕日、星空の中での人物の写真はあとで、ダウンロードしていただけるようです。また星空の解説は良かったです。星座についてレーザーを使って説明してくれました。お勧めできるツアーです。

We’ve done a few ziplines in other states and I can say this was one of the best. David and BoBo were fun, friendly and professional. They made our experience a memorable one.

In June, the summit of Mauna Kea was said to be 7°C, but it didn't feel as cold as I expected. On the way up the mountain by car, thick clouds made it hard to see anything, but at the summit, we broke through the clouds and had a clear view of the surroundings. There were some clouds higher up, but the sunset from there was very beautiful. The guide also provided various tips and took three poses for us.

For stargazing, there were some areas where it was a bit hard to see due to the clouds, but the guide's explanations were thorough, and I was able to understand the constellations well.

6月のマウナケアの山頂は7℃と言われましたが、思った程寒く感じませんでした。車で山を登る途中は厚い雲で周りが見えないほどでしたが、山頂はそのその雲を突き抜けて、周囲はクリアーに見ることが出来ました。また更に上空には若干の雲はかかりましたが、そこから見る夕陽がとても綺麗でした。ガイドの方も色々とアドバイスしてくれて3ポーズ撮影していただきました。
星空観察も雲のかかったままでやや見えづらいところもありましたが、ガイドの方のご説明も丁寧で星座などもよく理解できました。

We only found out about this tour because we knew a local person. There’s no sign at the road near the bay as to where to turn or park. Parking cost $38 in the public beach parking area. Once you get to the parking lot, there’s no sign as to where the boat is docked or where the kiosk for the tour company is. One girl working the kiosk told us that they didn’t offer glass bottom boat tours; the kiosk name matched our reservation. The website is very unfriendly. The tour guide was good but the captain could go a bit slower when over a reef so that we unfamiliar with it can focus our eyes to see the fish.

The best thing we did in Hawaii. The manta rays were so close & there were so many. Cannot recommend enough.

Kool show super packed parking was crazy I recommend parking off site because 200 people plus a fishing tournament and whatever else is happening in the area leaving at the same time it took 45 min just to get out of the parking lot.

This was a great experience. Getting to see the observatories and look out over the clouds above everything on the Big Island was really amazing. Watching the sunset and then doing some star gazing was awesome. Very happy with everything.

We had a fun time on our canoe adventure and snorkeling at a special area with just the 3 of us. We saw a lot of beautiful fish and our snorkel gear was great! Our guide Kai was very friendly and attentive to our safety on the canoe and in the water. It was a bit tough for us to get back into the canoe after snorkeling but he worked with us and we made it!! We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and it will be a very special memory for us all! Thank you Kai!

The purpose of participating in this tour was not only to see the sunset from the summit but also to experience the best starry sky and the Southern Cross from the slopes of Mauna Kea. A significant difference from the sunrise tour I participated in before is that we head to the summit while it’s still bright, allowing us to fully enjoy the scenery along the way, the sea of clouds, and the surrounding mountains. Although it was foggy and rainy until we broke through the clouds, we were blessed with good weather from the visitor center and were able to witness an amazing sunset. During the stargazing afterward, as soon as we arrived at the viewpoint, the Southern Cross was clearly visible right next to the ridge! It’s nearly impossible to see this in Japan, so I made sure to imprint it in my memory and take photos. Since the moon wasn’t out, the starry sky was even more spectacular than a planetarium. Thank you for such a wonderful time.

今回このツアーに参加した目的は最高峰からのサンセットはもちろんのことマウナケア山麓で観る最高の星空と南十字星です。以前参加したサンライズとの大きな違いは、まだ明るい時間に山頂へ向かいますので、道中の景色や雲海、周りの山々がしっかり見られることです。雲を抜けるまでは霧と雨でしたが、ビジターセンターからは天気にも恵まれ、感動のサンセットを観ることができました。その後の星空鑑賞ではポイント到着後すぐに稜線のそばにはっきりと南十字星が！日本で観ることはほぼ不可能ですのでしっかり目と写真に焼き付けました。月も出ていなかったので満天の星空はもうプラネタリウム以上でした。本当に幸せな時間をありがとうございました。

The staff who spoke Japanese (Mr. Shotaro) provided a thorough guide!! I was moved to see the Milky Way for the first time. I'm looking forward to seeing the photos!

日本語を話せるスタッフ(正太郎さん)が丁寧に案内してくれました！！
初めて天の川をみて感動しました。写真を見るのが楽しみです！

This team is top notch, they took us to a great location. They provided a wealth of information on mantaray's while we prepared for the event. We had so much fun.

We had so much fun on this tour. Really great snorkeling. We found eels, puffer fish, and even an octopus.

The greeter was friendly and on time. I surprised my wife for our anniversary.

I visited the Big Island for the first time, and one experience I definitely wanted to try was the Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing. The weather was great, and both the sunset and the starry sky offered the best views. The two guides were kind and created a fun atmosphere, which made me feel comfortable participating. Although it was an English-guided tour, they mixed in some Japanese, so even Japanese speakers could enjoy it. The BLT and cocoa they prepared were also very delicious. It became a memorable experience of a lifetime. Thank you very much.

初めてハワイ島を訪れたのですが、必ず体験してみたいと思っていたのがこのマウナケアの夕日星空鑑賞でした。天気も良く夕日も星空も最高の眺めでした。ガイドのおふたりも優しく楽しい雰囲気でツアーが行われたので安心して参加できました。英語ガイドでしたが、日本語も混ぜてくれたので日本人でも楽しむことができました。用意してくれていたBLTやココアもとても美味しかったです。一生に残る思い出になりました。ありがとうございました。

I had a very meaningful experience. At the pickup location, it was summer clothing, but it gradually got colder as we approached the slopes of Mauna Kea. We acclimatized to the thin air at around 2800 meters and then headed to the summit. The clear air and the sight of the setting sun were amazing. Additionally, the stargazing after sunset was easy to understand thanks to the guide's thorough explanations, and we were lucky enough to see shooting stars. The starry sky was the best experience.

とても有意義な体験ができました。ピックアップ場所では夏服でしたが、マウナケア山腹に近づくにつれて徐々に寒くなって行きます。2800メートル付近で酸素の薄さの慣らしをしていざ頂上へ。空気が澄んでいて沈んでいく太陽見られたのは最高でした。また、サンセット後の星空観測はガイドさんの丁寧な解説付きで分かりやすく、運良く流れ星も見えました。満天の星空は最高の体験でした。

From the captain to his crew to the boat, it was all perfect. We had the perfect day even with a 17 month old with us. The crew and captain Dante were so accommodating and welcoming. We would definitely recommend this tour for your family.

We enjoyed a great day learning and exploring the Volcanos, Craters, Lava Tubes. The bus was clean and on time, the tour guide (Torrie) was really good and informative. The lunch was really good as was the dinner. Overall it was a great experience. I would definitively recommend this company and tour.

This tour was truly wonderful. The guide was kind and very knowledgeable. It started at the coast, climbed up the mountain, and continued with breathtaking views of the sunset at the summit, and finally the starry sky. The hospitality was excellent, and the sandwiches and hot chocolate were very delicious! I can seriously recommend this tour.

このツアーは本当に素晴らしかったです。ガイドさんは親切で知識も豊富でした。海岸から始まり、山を登り、頂上の夕焼け、そして最後には星空まで、ずっと絶景が続いていました。おもてなしも最高で、サンドイッチとホットチョコレートもとても美味しかったです！このツアーは本気でおすすめできます。

As the title suggests, there were surprisingly very few Japanese people giving tips. Since most of us are Japanese, we think tips aren't necessary, and in the end, someone even asked, "Is there a need to give tips?" It's quite embarrassing.

表題通り
日本人はチップ渡してる人予想よりめちゃくちゃ少なかった。
ほぼ日本人だからチップ要らないよねと
しまいには「あげる必要あるんですか？」ともう来るなよ恥ずかしい。

We enjoyed a relaxing sunset together as a couple. The boat hardly swayed, so we didn't get seasick at all.

夫婦2人でゆったりゆっくりとサンセットを満喫しました。殆ど揺れることもなく船酔いにもなりませんでした。

I was very satisfied with the lucky tour filled with rainbows, sunsets, dolphins, and manta rays. I requested hotel pickup as it was included in the tour, but since most people rent cars on the Big Island, that might have been a better option. It's essential to prepare a jacket for the return boat ride, as it gets cold and chilly. I had a great time!

レインボー🌈、サンセット、ドルフィン、マンタ満載のラッキーなツアーで大満足です
ホテルでのピックアップがツアーに含まれていたのでお願いしましたが、ハワイ島はレンタカーを借りる人がほとんどなのでその方が良かったかなぁ
帰りの船の中は身体が冷えて寒くなるので上着の準備は必須ですね
楽しかったです

We had a great time paddling out to a snorkel spot, jumping overboard for a snorkel with Toa! He was a great guide and really patient with us. :-)

The shuttle was late by 15min because of "an issue with some customers at the previous pickup location." I personally don't think the shuttle should wait if someone is late by more than 5min.

But James was a cool tour guide, told us a lot about the island and his personal experience/stories. A funny guy to talk to and helped take pictures, gave us sandwiches, served hot cocoa, and adjusted the telescope for us when someone wanted to look at a specific star

I was able to see the sea of clouds, and on top of that, I witnessed the sunset. I enjoyed the starry sky to the fullest. I took a lot of photos, so I am satisfied.

雲海も見られて、その上サンセットまで見られました。満天の星空を堪能しました。写真も沢山撮って頂いたので満足です。

I highly recommend this luau. I was very satisfied with the delicious food and entertainment.

The process starts with checking in at the hotel, after which you are guided to outdoor party tables. Before the show begins, there is a drink bar and interactive activities. You can enjoy free games, a dance experience, and watch the digging up of kalua pig, which is cooked in an underground oven called an imu. Everyone was taking lots of videos and photos! Please note that this activity ends fairly early.

The buffet meal is followed by the grand entrance of King Kamehameha from the sea, and the show starts on stage! There are plenty of dances and songs inspired by Tahiti and Samoa, the ancestors of Hawaiians. The final fire dance was breathtaking. The emcee speaks entirely in English, but I think you can enjoy it fully even if you don't catch everything.

To be honest, I hesitated about whether to participate due to the price, but I ended up being very satisfied.

◆ One point to note is to arrive early for check-in. Check-in starts at 5:15 PM, but when we arrived at 4:45 PM, there were already about ten groups in line. Seating is assigned in the order of check-in, and you proceed to the activities from there, so if you check in late, it might be difficult to participate in the activities.

こちらのルアウはとてもお勧めです。
美味しい食事とエンターテイメントを楽しめてとても満足しました。

流れとしてはホテル館内で受付後、野外のパーティテーブルに案内されます。
ショーが始まる前にドリンクバーと参加型のアクティビティがありました。無料のゲーム、ダンス体験やイムという地中の釜で料理したカルアピッグ（豚の丸焼き）を掘り出す様子を見られます。皆さんビデオや写真をたくさん撮っていました！
このアクティビティははやい時間で終わってしまいますので注意が必要です。

ブッフェのお食事、海からのカメハメハ王の登場に続いてステージでショーがスタート！
ハワイアンの祖先であるタヒチやサモア風のダンスや歌が盛りだくさん。最後のファイアーダンスは圧巻でした。
司会はすべて英語ですが、すべてを聞き取れなくても充分に楽しめる内容だと思います。
正直なところ、お値段的に参加するかどうか迷いましたが結果は大満足です。

◆注意点は早めに受付に行くことかと思います。
受付スタートは17:15-ですが、私たちが16:45に行った時にはすでに10組ほどが並んでいました。席は受付順で案内され、その流れでアクティビティに進むので、受付が遅くなるとアクティビティ参加がむずかしくなるかもしれません。

I was moved by the beautiful sunset.
During the stargazing, I was taught a lot in Japanese, and it was very easy to understand.
Both the sandwich and cocoa were delicious.

綺麗なサンセットに感動しました。
星空観察では日本語でたくさん教えてくださり、とてもわかりやすかったです。
サンドイッチ、ココアどちらも美味しかったです。

Francis was a very knowledgeable and talkative guide. Very much enjoyed our conversations!!