All Reviews for Top Places to Visit in Hawaii

Todd, our guide, was great. Great driving up the steep dirt road. Great info about the geology, topography, observatories, constellations and more. Engaging, informative. All the other details too - nice sandwich, hot beverage and clothing for the cold. Did I forget to mention the views? Fantastic views of the sun setting into the Pacific and a clear night sky.

The whole family loved the experience and had a blast! Fun, informative and friendly staff. Would love to do it again.

About 15 minutes ago, I took an Uber to the meeting point, and the guide was waiting for us. In Hawaii, I was able to catch an Uber even at 6 AM without any issues. I think it's a good idea to check the app a bit before you head out. After dropping off valuables and a change of clothes, I put my phone in the waterproof bag and set off.

We arrived at the kayak launch area right away. I wore flip-flops, but since it's not a beach, I think marine shoes would be better. We boarded the kayak from the rocky area. From there, we kayaked for about an hour and a half, entering a cave along the way. After that, we snorkeled for about an hour. We were able to see large sea urchins and various fish while circling around. Since there was quite a bit of time, it might be good to have an underwater camera to take your own pictures.

We kayaked back for an hour, and that concluded the tour. There’s a shower or a water tap where you can wash off just a few minutes' walk from the kayak launch area. You can change clothes in the nearby restroom. The day before, when I confirmed over the phone, the guide mentioned that they would take pictures, but unfortunately, the guide had to be replaced due to health issues, so I couldn't get any photos. However, I really enjoyed experiencing the Hawaiian sea.

15分くらい前にUberで集合場所へ行くと、ガイドの方が待ってくれていました。
ハワイ島のUberは、6時台でも普通に捕まりました。
出る前に、ちょっとアプリで確認しつつ出発すると良いと思います。
貴重品や着替えなどの荷物を預けて、借りた防水バックに携帯を入れて出発。
すぐにカヤック乗り場です。
ビーチサンダルで行きましたが、ビーチではないので、マリンシューズに方が良いと思います。
岩場からカヤックに乗り込みます。
そっから、1時間半程度カヤック、途中に洞窟に入ったりします。
そこから1時間程度のシュノーケリング。
ぐるぐる回って、大きなウニや色々な魚を鑑賞出来ました。
結構時間があるので、自分で撮れる水中カメラがあると良いかも知れません。
戻りでカヤック1時間で、ツアー終了です。
カヤック乗り場から見える、歩いて数分の所にある港にシャワー？と言うか、浴びれる水道があるので、そこで体を洗えます。
着替えは、その近くのトイレで行う感じです。
前日、電話で確認した際は、ガイドの方が写真を撮ってくれるとの事でしたが、体調不良でガイドの方が交代したようで、残念ながら写真は取って貰えず。
ただ、ハワイの海を堪能出来たのは楽しかったです。

I arrived at the Onizuka Center around 4 PM and quickly received a sandwich and water for dinner. Even though the Onizuka Center is at an altitude of 2,800 meters, my climbing experience has taught me that appetite decreases at higher altitudes, so I ate quickly. There are restrooms available here, and I put on the down jacket I brought. They also offer rental of warm clothing, so I think it's better to dress warmly.

I stayed for about an hour before departing for the summit. The path is unpaved, so it’s bumpy. It seems you can go by private car, but it’s not covered by rental car insurance, and if you damage it, the charges can be exorbitant. Perhaps due to the altitude, I felt sleepy, but I was warned that sleeping could worsen altitude sickness, so it’s strictly prohibited.

At the summit, which is over 4,000 meters, I changed locations about three times and waited for about an hour for the sunset at the last spot. After waiting for the sunset, we descended and stopped at a parking lot along the way for stargazing and a photo session, which took about an hour. Each time we took photos, we had to wait for cars leaving the parking lot or passing on the road, which took time. During this, it was extremely cold at around 3,500 meters.

The descent felt longer as it was darker, and I took my time. After passing the Onizuka Center, we took a break for the restroom and to change clothes. By the time I returned to the hotel, it was 11 PM. Since the next day was early, I felt a bit rushed, but I decided to relax. I managed to cope with altitude sickness as advised, by not sleeping and taking deep breaths. Overall, it was quite a challenging tour, but it was a valuable and enjoyable experience.

16時過ぎくらいにオニヅカセンターに到着して、早々に夕食代りのサンドイッチと水を貰います。
オニヅカセンターでも標高2800メートルですが、登山経験で、より高所では食欲も無くなるので早々に頂きました。
ここはトイレもあり、持って行ったダウンを着込みました。
防寒着の貸し出しもやってくれていますので、厚めに着ておいた方が良いと思います。
しばらく、1時間程度滞在して、頂上へ出発。
道が舗装されてないので、ガタガタします。
自家用車でも行けるみたいですが、レンタカーの保険適用外で、壊すと半端なく高額請求されるようです。
高所の影響か、眠くなりますが、寝ると高山病が悪化するので寝るのは厳禁と注意されます。
4000メートルを超えた山頂では3箇所くらい場所を変えて滞在して、最後の場所で1時間くらい日没を待ちます。
日没を待ち下山、途中の駐車場に止まり、星空鑑賞と撮影会を行います。
それもなんだかんだと1時間くらい。
撮影の度に駐車場から出る車や、道路を通る車を待って撮影するので、時間が掛かります。
その間も激寒及び3500メートルくらいの標高。
下りの道の方が暗い中慎重に言っているのか、時間が掛かった感じがしました。
オニヅカセンターを越えて、しばらく行った先でトイレ休憩及び着替え。
ホテルに戻ったら、23時でした。
翌日が早かったので、ちょっと焦りましたが、諦めてゆったり構えてました。
高山病も教えられたとおりに、眠らずに、呼吸を深くで乗り切れました。
まあまあ、大変なツアーではありますが、貴重な経験で楽しかったです。

So from other reviews you know the lines are long, especially in the heat. Now they have water fountains, and it does move semi quickly. But it would make sense to have the vip's seated 1st, then the GA seats enter by sections.

This would help with standing in the sun for to long.

The show it self was fantastic! Very entertaining, and kept you wanting more.

My only gripe, is that I am diabetic, and needed to eat sooner than later, and since I was the last table to be sat, we were the last table to be approved to get up to the Buffet. Also there was no sugar free desserts. Other than that the foods I was able to eat was delicious and flavorful. But I did end up in the restroom for most of the evening once returned back to the room. Could have been that some foods were in the temp danger zone for to long.

We were greeted as soon as we exited the terminal to the baggage claim area with the Lei’s and my kids and I couldn’t have been more pleased with it. Highly recommended especially if it’s your first Hawaii trip.

Wonderful private charter experience. Captain Michael and Gretchen were wonderful - and so attentive. I highly recommend this company - one of the best experiences on the Big Island - don’t miss it.

God’s amazing creativity seen through volcanic activity and celestial bodies. Truly an experience you won’t forget. Maka was the best. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Be forewarned that if you have altitude problems, you may fell icky at the summit. Take it slowly. You’ll fell better when you descend.

Excellent tour of a nearly inaccessible and uniquely beautiful part of the Big Island. Our guide filled in historical notes - this was the first location for settlement on Hawaii nearly 2,000 years ago - an identified loacal vegetation and agricultural factors.

Guide was very informative and friendly. I recommend this trip.

6 members all different ages had so much fun and felt more comfortable then expected in the ocean during evening!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I couldn't travel to Hawaii in 2020 and 2021, but I resumed my trips to Oahu in 2022 and 2023, and this time, it was my first trip to the Big Island in five years. As usual, I stayed at the Hilton resort in the Waikoloa area, but I felt that I couldn't truly experience the Big Island without seeing the traditional luau and hula Hawaiian show, which I also hadn't seen in five years. On the day of the event, it started drizzling, and as we transitioned from the first traditional hula show to dinner, the staff quickly distributed vinyl raincoats. By the time the Polynesian dancers' torch-lit group dance reached its peak, the rain had turned into a light mist, and most of the audience removed their raincoats. With the host's lively lead, the audience became one with the show and was filled with excitement. However, perhaps due to the rainy weather from the start, the program was moved up, and the audience participation hula was skipped, which was a bit disappointing.

コロナ禍で2020、2021年はハワイに行けなかったが、2022、2023年とオアフ島(ホノルル)で旅行を再開して、今回、5年ぶりのハワイ島旅行となった。いつもの様にワイコロア地区のヒルトンのリゾートに滞在したが、やはり伝統のルアウ＆フラ・ハワイアンショーを見ないとハワイ島に来た感じがしないと思い、これも5年ぶりの観覧となった。当日はスタートから小雨模様で、最初の伝統フラのショーから食事に切り替わる頃に、スタッフが手早くビニルのレインコートを配ってまわり、ポリネシアンダンサーのトーチを使った集団ダンスが佳境に入る頃には雨も細かい霧雨に変わり、観客の殆どがレインコートを脱ぎ去り、司会者の軽妙なリードで会場が一体となってショーに熱狂した。今回、スタートから雨模様のためか、プログラムの進行が全て前倒しで進められ、観客参加のフラがスキップされたりしたのが少々、残念であった。

I paddled quite a distance in a sea kayak. On the way, I encountered a pod of dolphins twice. They came so close that I could hear their breathing.
The guide got out of the canoe and led us through the waves of the cave, guiding our canoe into the cove. It was a sight that is not often seen.
On the way back, I encountered the pod of dolphins again, which was very lucky.
Snorkeling was also a lot of fun.

シーカヤックで結構な距離を漕ぎました。行く時にイルカの群れと2回遭遇。息遣いが聞こえるくらいまで近づいて来ました。
ガイドさんがカヌーから降りて、ケーブの波の合間に私達のカヌーをケープの中まで誘導してくれました。なかなか見られない光景を見ることができました。
帰りもイルカの群れに遭遇し、とてもラッキーでした。
シュノーケルもとても楽しかったです。

We expected a better guide around the park then just an app but the bikes were in good condition

The Kona sunsets are beyond words! A great anniversary memory

Smaller than luaus we have seen on other islands, but that did not take away from the love the crew puts into it!

There were quite a few participants on the day, and we set off in two vehicles. Fortunately for our group, which consisted only of Japanese people, we had a guide named Shotaro who spoke Japanese and had a middle name. At the Onizuka Visitor Information Center, the fog thickened along the route to the summit, and we waited for about 30 minutes, worried that the tour might be canceled. However, the fog cleared, and we made it to the summit. The view was spectacular, with Maui Island peeking out beyond the sea of clouds. After descending to the parking lot, we enjoyed stargazing under a sky where the moon was at 29%, and we could see the Milky Way quite well. While sipping warm cocoa, we observed the night sky with the naked eye (including moving satellites) and used a telescope to view the moon's craters, taking many photos. It was a wonderful memory.

当日の参加者が結構多く、2台に分乗して出発しましたが、日本人だけのグループだった我々には運良くショウタロウさんというミドルネームをもった日本語のできるガイドさんがついてくれました。オニズカ・ビジター韻フメーションセンターでは山頂までのの区間で霧が濃くなり30分ほど待機、ツアーが中止になるのではとヒヤヒヤしましたが、なんとか霧が晴れて山頂へ。山頂からは雲海の向こうにマウイ島が顔を出しているのが確認できるなど最高の景色でした。途中の駐車場まで降りてからの星空観察は月が29％の状態で天の川観察もまずまず。暖かいココアを頂きながら肉眼で星空（動いている人工衛星も）、望遠鏡で月のクレーターを観察し、写真も沢山撮って頂きました。とても良い記念になりました。

The sunset was amazing. The guide was very kind and provided excellent service, making it a great experience. The starry sky was ordinary since we viewed it from a bright area after coming down from the mountain. I was a bit disappointed because my expectations were high.

サンセットが最高でした。
ガイドさんもとてもやさしく、丁寧な対応で最高の体験ができました。
星空は山から降りてきて、まわりも明るいところから見たので普通でした。
期待が大きかったので少し残念

Great crew and good food/drinks helped set the mood on the open water. Very understanding of our young kids and spilled drinks haha. We only had one other party on our cruise too which was nice to not be crowded. Would book again!

I was able to climb to nearly the summit at an altitude of 4,200 meters (the actual summit is a sacred site and cannot be accessed on tours), which was a very valuable experience that I could never have in Japan. Despite it being mid-summer, the perceived temperature was below 10 degrees Celsius, but they provided jackets and gloves, so I was completely comfortable and not cold at all. The sandwiches for dinner were also delicious, perfectly seasoned to match the thin air at the summit.

日本では決して体験できない標高4,200メートルのほぼ頂上(頂上は聖地のためツアーでは行けない)まで上ることができ、とても貴重な体験ができました。
真夏にもかかわらず体感気温は10度以下になりますが、ジャケットや手袋を貸していただけるのでまったく寒くなく過ごせました。
夕食のサンドイッチも頂上の空気の薄さに合わせた塩気でとても美味しかったです。

■Guide
The guide was friendly, kind, and provided thorough explanations. The shuttle bus was on time, and they offered a free photography service.

■Tour
The weather was good, and the content matched what was stated on the website. The hot cocoa served while stargazing was very delicious.

■Altitude Sickness Measures
We climbed gradually with breaks, but there were moments when I found it a bit hard to breathe. However, following the guide's instructions to take deep breaths helped improve my condition, and I was able to enjoy the experience without any issues until the end. It seems there is oxygen available for emergencies, so I think it's best not to push yourself too hard.

■Free Photography Service
The guide took photos with their camera and shared them via AirDrop. It seems to be a cultural practice, but since all the photos taken are distributed, my pictures were also shared with other participants. If you're concerned about this, you can politely decline and take your own photos.

■Aside
A couple I met on a snorkeling tour in Maui two days prior was also here, and even though I was participating alone, I was able to enjoy conversations with them. Fortunately, many others were friendly as well, and we were able to take photos of each other.

■ガイド
気さくで親切、丁寧な説明、無料の撮影サービス、時間通りの送迎バスでした。

■ツアー
天候もよくHP記載通りの内容でした。
星空を見ながらサーブされたホットココアがとてもおいしかったです。

■高山病対策
休憩してならしながら登っていきますが、私はやや呼吸がきついタイミングがありました。
ただ、ガイドさんの指示通りしばらく深呼吸すると改善し、最後まで問題なく楽しめました。緊急時の酸素もあるみたいなので絶対に無理はしない方がいいと思います。

■無料写真撮影サービス
ガイドさんのカメラで撮ってくれたものをエアドロで配ってくれます。
文化的なものかと思いますが、撮ったもの全てが配られるため自分の写真も他の参加者に渡ります。気になる方は自分で撮るからと断っても良いかと思います。

■余談
二日前にマウイ島で参加したシュノーケリングツアーにいたご夫婦がこちらにもいらっしゃり、ひとり参加だったのですが彼らと楽しく会話しながら過ごせました。他の方もたまたま気さくな方が多く、写真を撮り合ったりできました。

I went to the location with my wife and son in a rental car. We parked on the street, but be careful of no-parking zones. Before 7:00, we were approached by our Japanese guide, Noni, who helped us complete the procedures and we started right away. After doing some warm-up exercises and learning how to paddle a sea kayak, we finally entered the sea to begin kayaking. Since it was the first time for all three of us, we were worried about whether we could paddle well and if our stamina would hold up, but Noni observed us and provided guidance and breaks as needed, so we managed to paddle safely. In the sea caves, the waves crashed and the roar from deep inside was impressive. Noni made sure to warn us if we got too close to dangerous areas, so we felt safe throughout the kayaking experience. At the snorkeling point, we were able to see various small fish. I wished I had studied the types of fish beforehand. The view of the Big Island from the sea was spectacular, and we were able to take many wonderful photos. Along the way, Noni also shared stories about the island's history and gourmet information, which made it really enjoyable! I highly recommend it!

妻と息子と三人でレンタカーで現地へ行きました。路駐しますが駐車禁止帯に注意。7：00前に日本人ガイドのノニさんに声をかけられて手続きを済ませさっそく開始。準備運動をしてシーカヤックの漕ぎ方を習った後、海に入っていよいよシーカヤック開始。三人とも初めてだったので上手く漕げるか、体力がもつか心配でしたが、ノニさんが我々の様子をみて随時、指導・休憩をしてくれたので無事漕ぎきりました。海中洞窟では波が打ち寄せてドパーンと奥からの咆哮が迫力でした。うっかり危険なエリア近づくとノニさんはちゃんと注意してくれて終始安心してシーカヤックができました。シュノーケルポイントでは様々な小魚を見ることができました。魚の種類を勉強していけば良かったと思いました。海から見るビッグアイランドも壮観で、すてきな写真もたくさん撮ってもらえました。途中では島の歴史やグルメ情報などの話もしていただいて凄く楽しめました！おすすめです！

I'm embarrassed to say that I balked a little at first at the cost of this tour. Let me tell you, 15 minutes into the tour it felt like a total bargain.

The van was super comfortable and clean. We were running a little late and the tour guide called us to make sure we were going to make it. He was kind and understanding.

Our guide's make was Kea. He was the best guide of any tour I've taken in thirty years. So much local knowledge, and very generous with his experience and expertise. He made everyone on the trip feel like an individual. Also, he's hilarious.

The stargazing was simply mind blowing. It was like looking into deep space for nearly two hours. We lost count is the shooting stars after 15.

Kea was also very knowledgeable about the stars and the telescope we used was amazing. We saw nebulas, globular clusters, binary stars, and more.

After a long day, full bellies, and stargazing it was a real relief to have someone else driving us down the dark mountain.

I'll wrap things up by thanking our guide one more time. The quality of this tour really felt like it came from the quality of the person who shared his knowledge with us.

The staff speaks entirely in English, so I feel that listening skills in English are necessary. However, that also gives a sense of being in Hawaii, which is okay.

The snorkeling points are indeed beautiful, but I expected them to be clearer. Still, I think first-time snorkelers would be satisfied. It might be that the sea was rough due to rain the day before. I feel that the clarity of the sea increases when the sunny days continue.

There is plenty of time for snorkeling, and families with children can enjoy it a lot. There are also plenty of floatation devices, so kids can focus on snorkeling without the risk of drowning, which is reassuring.

The staff's service is perfect. Their response makes you want to give a tip. The meals on the boat are made with healthy ingredients, so I felt safe eating them. The operation was such that it was hard to get seasick.

スタッフが全て英語会話なので、英語のヒアリング力が必要な気がする。それもまたハワイ島に来た感じがしてオッケーな気もする。
シュノーケルポイントは確かに綺麗だが、
もっと透き通る綺麗さかと思っていたが、そうでもなかった。が、初めてのシュノーケルなら満足すると思う。もしかすると前日に雨が降った為、海が荒れていたのかも知らない。晴れの日が続くと海の綺麗さ増す気がする。
シュノーケルをする時間はたっぷりあり、子連れはかなり楽しめます。浮き輪なども充実しており、子供も溺れることなく、シュノーケルに集中出来るので安心。
スタッフのサービスは完璧。チップを渡したくなる対応だった。
船の食事は健康的な食材で、安心して食べれた。
船酔いはしにくい運航だった。

We had a great time kayaking as a couple for the first time. Meeting at 7 AM was early for us coming from Waikoloa, but we were relieved to be easily found near the meeting point upon arrival. After receiving instructions on how to operate the kayak and doing some warm-up exercises from Noni, we quickly got into the kayaks and started our activities. The waves were high that day, so we couldn't enter the caves, and getting close was thrilling as we had to navigate the strong waves. We continued to enjoy kayaking, and at the end, we went snorkeling. The snorkeling was done after getting off the kayak. Due to the waves and our energy being spent on kayaking, we only snorkeled a little near the bay. It takes quite a bit of energy, so I was fine with about 30% snorkeling, but if you expect snorkeling to be the main activity, you might be disappointed. Depending on the weather, the plan can change, but for us, it was about 70% kayaking and 30% snorkeling. During a break from kayaking, we visited a hamburger place that Noni recommended, and it was delicious and impressive. Thanks to Noni's guidance, we had a wonderful time. By the way, there are no changing rooms or showers, so we changed in the car and went back to the hotel to shower.

初めてのカヤックで夫婦で楽しい時間を過ごしました。朝7時集合はワイコロアから移動の我々には朝早かったですが、到着したら集合場所付近ですぐ発見されて良かったです。ノニさんからカヤックの操作説明と準備運動をしてから、早速カヤックに乗り、しばらくカヤックでの活動です。当日は波が高く洞窟の中は入れず、近づくと波が高いので一進一退でスリル満点でした。その後もカヤックで楽しみ、最後にシュノーケリングします。シュノーケリングは乗っているカヤックから降りてします。当日は波があり、我々の体力もカヤックで消費していたので、湾の近くで少しだけシュノーケリングしました。体力を結構使うので、私はシュノーケリング3割くらいで良かったですが、シュノーケリングメインと思って、参加するとガッカリかもです。当日の天候により臨機応変になるとのことですが、我々はカヤック7割シュノーケリング3割くらいでした。カヤックの休憩中にノニさんに教えてもらったハンバーガー屋さんに後日、行ったら美味しくて感動しました。ノニさんのガイドのおかげで我々はとても楽しかったです。ちなみに、着替えもシャワーもないので、車の中で着替えてホテルに戻ってシャワーを浴びる感じです。

I participated with my husband, who uses a wheelchair, and our sons, who are in fifth and second grade. The deciding factor for us to sign up was the large boat that allows wheelchair access. Since I used to dive a lot during my student days, I wanted my children to experience snorkeling and dolphin watching at accessible points by boat, but it was quite challenging with a wheelchair. I was very happy that we could go this way.

However, the meeting time was early in the morning, and we had to leave the hotel by 6 AM to drive from Waikoloa, which made my sons look sleepy the whole time. That was a bit disappointing. Still, the snorkel, mask, and fins we borrowed were comfortable, and despite it being their first time snorkeling in open water, they weren't scared at all and had a lot of fun. They also loved the noodle, a long floating device. (My husband wasn't feeling well and didn't snorkel, so I'm not sure if he would have supported them if they had wanted to.)

The kids wore life vests, and I only had the noodle, but it was enough to keep me afloat. The fish at the snorkeling spot were honestly fewer in variety compared to places like Okinawa, but I think it was a good experience for the kids' first time.

We also saw dolphins on the way there! We had breakfast (a variety of breads, fruits, and yogurt) before snorkeling, and during the snorkeling time, we could come up whenever we wanted to eat the hamburgers for lunch. The taro chips served at lunch were a favorite of the kids.

On the way back, we had a longer cruise away from the coast to look for big animals (dolphins, whales, mantas, etc.). Unfortunately, we didn't encounter any, but the cookies they handed out during that time were delicious, and my younger son asked for seconds.

It was a half-day tour, but it became a very enjoyable memory! If I could wish for something, I think a tour with a later meeting time and just lunch would be better. By the way, my children and I took motion sickness medication, so we didn't get seasick. My husband seemed a bit unwell, so I recommend taking motion sickness medication just in case, even for those who usually don't get seasick!

車椅子の夫と小学5年生、2年生の息子たちと参加しました。
申し込みの決め手は車椅子のまま乗り込むことができる大型の船、ということでした。
私自身は学生時代ダイビング三昧だったので、船に乗って行けるポイントでのシュノーケリングやイルカウォッチングは子供たちにも体験してほしいことでしたが、車椅子にはなかなかハードルが高く。。今回このような形で行けてとても嬉しかったです。
ただ、集合時間が朝早く、Waikoloaから運転して行くため6時台にはホテルを出なければならず、息子たちは終始眠そうだったのが残念ポイント。。
それでも、貸していただけたシュノーケル＆マスクとフィンが快適で、初めてのオープンウォーターでのシュノーケリングであったにも関わらず全然怖がらず、二人ともとても楽しんでいました。ヌードルという、細長～い浮き具もお気に入りでした。（今回夫は体調もさほど優れずシュノーケリングはしなかったため、やりたいと言えばサポートしてくれたのかどうかは不明です）
子供たちはライフベストを着用、私はこのヌードルだけでしたが、充分浮いていられました。ポイントのお魚は、正直沖縄などよりは種類も少なかったですが、子供たちの初めての体験としてはよかったと思います。
行き帰りにイルカも見られました！
行きに朝食（何種類かのパンと果物やヨーグルトなど）を食べて、シュノーケリングの時間中好きな時に上がって来て昼食のハンバーガーを食べる、という感じでした。昼食で出たタロイモチップスが子供たちのお気に入りでした。
帰りは大物（イルカ、クジラ、マンタなど？）を見つけるために、行きより海岸から離れての長めのクルーズでした。残念ながら遭遇はできませんでしたが、この時間に配ってくれたクッキーが美味しくて、次男はおかわりしていました。笑
半日のツアーでしたが、とても楽しい思い出になりました！
欲を言えば、集合時間遅めのランチだけのツアーがよいかな、と思いました。
ちなみに私と子供たちは酔い止めを飲んで行ったせいか船酔いはしませんでした。夫は少し気分が悪そうでしたので、普段酔わない方も念のため酔い止めをお勧めします！

I was worried about the high prices due to the weak yen, but I chose this plan because it has Japanese staff and allows participation for elderly people as well. I confirmed the days when Japanese staff would be on board in advance on the official Manta University website before making my reservation. The day before, about 20 mantas showed up, but on the day of our participation, there were only 3 or 4. However, the sight of them opening their mouths wide and doing flips up close was a wonderful experience that you can't have in other regions. The Japanese staff provided excellent support, and I was grateful that they shared the manta images taken with the GoPro. However, it seems that participating as an observer didn't have much meaning, so it might be fine to wait at the hotel instead (I'm not sure if waiting at the store is possible, but I wouldn't recommend it since it would be unattended). We used Uber for the round trip, but on the return, we waited about 20 minutes in the darkness, with only the faint light from the store reaching us. If you can tolerate that, there were no problems at all. Depending on the location of the hotel, plans with transportation can be quite expensive. By the way, we were the only ones using Uber.

円安で高いため悩みましたが、小学校低学年の子供と参加するため、日本人スタッフがいる点、また，高齢者も居るため、見学参加できる点でこのプランを選びました。日本人スタッフが乗船する曜日は予めマンタ大学の公式サイトで確認してから申し込みました。前日は20枚ほどのマンタがきてくれたそうですが、参加日は3、4枚でした。が、近くで大きく口を開けてクルクル宙返りをくりかえす様子は、他の地域では体験できない素晴らしい時間でした。日本人スタッフが甲斐甲斐しくサポートをしてくださったし、GOproで撮ったマンタの画像を共有してくださり、有り難かったです。ただし、見学参加はあまり意味がなかったようですので、ホテル待機でも良さそうです（店舗での待機が可能かはわかりませんが、無人になるのでオススメしません）。往復ウーバータクシーにしましたが、復路は、店舗の灯りがほのかに届くだけの暗闇で20分ほど配車を待ちました。それを許容できるのであれば、全く問題はなかったです。ホテルの場所によっては送迎付きプランはかなり高くつくので。ちなみにウーバー利用は私たちだけでした。

The view of the sea of clouds and the setting sun from the summit of Mauna Kea was incredibly beautiful. During the stargazing, I was moved by the summer sky filled with stars and the Milky Way. Additionally, since it was the day after the full moon, I was lucky to see the reddish moon rising as well! The photo taken with a DSLR camera turned out to be the best shot with the Milky Way in the background. The staff's explanations were easy to understand, and I learned a lot about the Big Island, Mauna Kea, and the stars. I'm really glad I was able to participate in this tour, which will be a lifelong memory!

マウナケアの山頂から見た雲海とそこに沈んでいく夕日がとてもきれいでした。星空観察では、夏の満天の星と天の川に感動しました。さらには満月の次の日ということで、赤っぽい月が昇ってくるところまで見ることができ、とてもラッキーな日で嬉しかったです！一眼レフで撮ってもらった写真も天の川をバックに最高の１枚になりました。スタッフの方の説明も分かりやすく、ハワイ島のことやマウナケアのこと、星のことなど、色々と知ることができました。一生の思い出に残るこのツアーに参加できて本当によかったです！

We departed the hotel after 8 AM and enjoyed the view of Waipi'o Valley from the Waipi'o Valley Lookout. After that, we visited Akaka Falls and had lunch at the Botanical Garden, staying for about an hour before heading to a waterfall located on the grounds of a certain hotel. We parked the minivan on the hotel property and changed in the separate changing rooms for men and women, which I found to be quite clean. We borrowed life jackets and made our way down to the base of the waterfall to swim. It felt cold at first, but once I got used to it, it was pleasant. We were advised not to get too close to where the water falls due to falling rocks, but we could swim freely elsewhere. We swam for about an hour. After that, we went to Rainbow Falls near Hilo to enjoy the view. We returned to Waikoloa via Saddle Road around 5 PM. I don't think there will be any particular issues even if you don't understand English.

八時過ぎホテルを出発し、ﾜｲﾋﾟｵ渓谷展望台からﾜｲﾋﾟｵ渓谷を眺める。それからアカカ滝を見て、ボタニカルガーデンでお弁当。一時間ほど滞在してから、とあるホテルの敷地にある滝に行く。ホテルの敷地にミニバンを停める。そこにある男女別の更衣室で順番に着替える。割と清潔感があると思った。ライフ邪見っとを借りて、滝つぼまで下りていき滝つぼで泳いだ。最初冷たく感じたがなれると気持ちいい。滝が落ちるところは岩が落ちてくるといけないので近づかないように言われたがほかは自由に泳げた。一時間程度泳ぐ。それからヒロ近くのレインボー滝にいく。滝を眺める。サドルロードを通ってワイコロアに戻る。夕方五時過ぎ。英語が分からなくても特に困らないと思う。

For the tour departing at 10:30, we needed to arrive at the heliport an hour in advance. The heliport is located near Waikoloa. We arrived at 9:30, checked in, and then watched a video. When the time came, we took a tour of the Big Island, flying counterclockwise. It was about a two-hour helicopter tour. The pilot, who is from Massachusetts, provided guidance in a mix of Japanese and English. There were a total of seven of us on board: four Japanese, the pilot, and two Americans. It was very helpful that the guide spoke Japanese.

十時三十分出発のツアーで一時間前までにヘリポートに行く必要がある。ヘリポートはワイコロア近くにある。九時半に到着してチェックインしてから、ビデオを見た。時間になりハワイ島を左回りに一周した。約二時間のﾍﾘﾂｱｰ。マサチューセッツ州出身の操縦士が日本語と英語を混ぜながら案内してくれた。登場したのは我々日本人四人と操縦士とアメリカ人二人の合計七人。ガイドは日本語を話せるのでとても助かった。