All Reviews for Kailua-Kona

It was really great. I want to see it again. As expected, Hawaii has people from various countries, and it was fun.

If I could wish for something, I would have liked explanations in Japanese as well.

すごくよかった。また見たい。やはりハワイ、、いろんな国の人がいて、たのしかった。

よくを言えば日本語でも説明してほしかった。

Since I heard about my professor's honeymoon trip to Mauna Kea, it has been a place I've longed to visit. It was colder than I expected! However, the scenery was even more beautiful than I imagined, leaving me speechless. (There were restrooms available at various locations, so no worries there.) The bento and warm miso soup we had on the way were delicious! My husband finished everything. The stargazing after the sunset was incredibly fun—like a real planetarium! We took a lot of photos, and both the starry sky and the memories are perfect!

大学の先生から新婚旅行でマウナケアに行った話を聞いてからずっと憧れの場所でした。
予想以上に寒い！だけど、景色も予想以上に綺麗で言葉を失うほどでした。
（お手洗いは各所に設置されていて心配無用でした）
行く途中で食べたお弁当とあったかーいお味噌汁はおいしかった！主人は完食してました。
夕焼けの後の天体観測もすごーく楽しかったです
リアルプラネタリウム！写真もたくさん撮っていただき、星空も思い出も満点(満天)です！

The sunset sinking into the sea of clouds was a beauty that felt otherworldly. Staff member Sue provided clear explanations about the summit of Mauna Kea, the observatory, and the constellations, and we had a wonderful time enjoying each other's company with the other participants.

雲海に沈む太陽此の世のものと思えない美しさでした。スタッフのスーさんが分かりやすく、マウナケア山頂、天文台、星座の説明してくれて、参加したメンバーとも和気藹々で楽しく過ごせました。

I participated in this tour in March.

On the day of the tour, we couldn't reach the summit due to strong winds, but we climbed a nearby hill and watched the sunset, which became a wonderful memory.

Next time, I want to climb to the summit of Mauna Kea! I will take my revenge next time.

３月にこちらのツアーに参加させて頂きました。

当日、強風のため山頂までは行けませんでしたが、
近くの丘（山）に登ってサンセットを見たり、
とっても良い思い出になりました。

次回こそ、マウナケアの山頂に登りたいです！
次回、リベンジします。

I felt lucky to have Daisuke as our guide. I was able to see dolphins right in front of me. When they jumped in front of me, it was very moving. Thank you, Daisuke. If I go to the Big Island again, I would like to request you.

ガイドのダイスケさんが担当してくださりラッキーと思いました。やはりイルカを目の前でみることができました。目の前でジャンプしたときは、とても感動しました。ダイスケさん、ありがとうございました。またハワイ島に行くことがあればお願いしたいです。

The guides were very kind! We even saw a whale by chance✨ We also saw a manta ray do a full circle right in front of us! However, I wonder if April was not the right season... I almost lost consciousness on the way back due to the cold and seasickness. I'm usually strong enough to read a book in the car without getting sick, but at that moment, the manta ray was so close that I was so moved that my seasickness disappeared. I recommend going during a time when the sea is calm and warm...

案内してくださる方々は、とても優しいです！クジラも偶然見れました✨マンタも目の前でグルっと二回！しかし、4月は時期ではなかったのでしょうか…寒さと船酔いで帰りは意識を失いかけました。車中でも本が読めるほど、酔いなどには強い方なのですが、、
ただ、マンタがあまりに近かったので、その時だけは感動で酔いは吹っ飛びました。
海が穏やかで暖かい時期はおすすめです…

We had the best time! We would do it again for sure!!!

I wanted to go snorkeling, so I joined this tour. I was a bit worried because I brought my 85-year-old mother, but the cruise staff prepared various swimming equipment so that anyone, regardless of age, could enjoy themselves. My mother was able to see tropical fish and coral reefs for the first time without getting her face wet, and she was very moved. I felt it was worth bringing her along, and I'm really glad I participated. I was also concerned about seasickness, but it turned out to be completely fine. In fact, my husband took motion sickness medication and ended up feeling sleepy, and I later thought I shouldn't have given it to him. Anyway, the fun time passed in the blink of an eye, and I wished we could have enjoyed it a little longer.

シュノーケリングがやりたくて、このツアーにに参加しました。　ただ８５歳の母を連れてなので、少し心配していましたが、年齢関係なく、楽しむ気があれば誰でも楽しめるように、クルーズのスタッフの方がたが、いろいろな水泳用具を用意してくださり、母も顔に水をつけずに、熱帯魚やサンゴ礁を初めて見ることができ、とても感激しておりました。　私も母を連れて行った甲斐があり、本当に参加して良かったです。　船酔いも心配しましたが、全く大丈夫でした。むしろ、主人は酔い止め薬を飲んで反対に眠くなってしまい、飲ませなければ良かったと後で思いました。　とにかく、楽しい時間があっという間に過ぎた感じで、もう少し楽しんでいたいぐらいでした。

The guides, Konno and Stefan, were very kind and showed us around. The sunset over the sea of clouds from the summit of Mauna Kea was beautiful, and we could faintly see the Kilauea crater along with a sky full of stars. We were also able to see the craters on the moon through a reflecting telescope. Although it was windy and the temperature was low, we brought hand warmers, so we didn't feel too cold.

ガイドの今野さんとステファンさんが親切に案内してくれ、マウナケア山頂からの雲海に沈む夕日とキラウエア火口がほんのり見え、満天の星空がとてもきれいでした。反射望遠鏡で月のクレーターも見えました。風がふいて気温は低かったですが、ホッカイロも持参して寒さ対策は万全でしたので、さほど寒さは感じませんでした。

My first time at 4,000 meters.
I was moved by the sunset.
I was moved by the opposite side of the sunset.
I was moved by the starry sky.

I was fine health-wise, but it was really cold.
- Ski wear (top and bottom)
- Knit hat
- Gloves
They provide the above three items.
Additionally, I wore a Uniqlo down jacket.
Of course, I also had sneakers and thick socks on.

人生初の４０００メートル。
サンセットで感激
サンセットの反対側で感激
星空で感激

体調自体は大丈夫でしたが、とにかく寒い。
・スキーウェア上下
・ニット帽
・手袋
上記3点は用意してくれます。
加えて、ユニクロダウンを装備しました。
もちろん、スニーカー＆厚手靴下で。

On the day of the trip, the sky over Kealakekua Bay was cloudy, but the water temperature was not as cold as I expected, and I was lucky to swim in the clear sea with a large turtle, which made me very satisfied♪

Along the way, I also saw dolphins three times, which was exciting! They were doing spin jumps and were so cute.

The staff spoke English, but they were friendly and kind. I also received an instruction manual in Japanese.

Overall, ocean rafting was amazing♪

Even though we are in our 40s and 50s, we had a great time♪

You might want to bring motion sickness medication.

After snorkeling, as the reviews mentioned, my body got really cold, and I had to give up on the second snorkeling session. On the way back, the wind felt chilly, so I recommend that women wear a thick hoodie or windbreaker, or even layer up.

During rafting, the sun was strong, and the wind hit my eyes, so wearing sunglasses was definitely the right choice.

On the way back, the waves got particularly high, and the boat bounced quite a bit. It was fun in its own way, but it might be tough for those with back issues (this was also mentioned in the Japanese instruction manual).

We drove from the Marriott Hotel, and it was easy to find; it took less than 30 minutes.

This is a tour I highly recommend and would like to use again.

I will definitely use it next time.

当日、ケアラケクア湾方面は曇り空でしたが 水温は想像より冷たくなく、透明度の良い海でラッキーな事に、大きな亀とも一緒に泳げて満足でした♪　

途中、イルカも３度見れてテンション↑スピンジャンプしたり可愛いかったです。

スタッフは英語ですが、愛想も良く優しかったです。日本語の説明書ももらえます。

とにかくオーシャンラフティング最高♪

４０～５０代の私達ですが、大盛り上がりでした♪

酔い止め薬は必須かも。

シュノーケル後、口コミどうり体が冷え切り、寒くて２回目のシュノーケルは断念。帰りは風が冷たく感じるので、女子は厚手のパーカーかウインドブレーカーを１枚と言わず重ね着をお薦めします。

ラフティング中、日差しが強く目にも風が強く当たるのでサングラスをかけてて正解でした。

帰りは特に波が高くなり、かなりボートが跳ねます。それはそれで楽しかったので最高でしたが、腰の悪い方は確かに キツイかも・・・（日本語の説明書にも記載してありましたが）

マリオットホテルからレンタカーで行きましたが、解りやすく３０分も掛かりません。

また利用したいお薦めのツアーです。

次回、また利用します。

On the day of our visit, the sky over Kealakekua Bay was cloudy, but the water temperature was not as cold as I imagined, and I was lucky to swim with a large turtle in the clear sea, which was satisfying! Along the way, we also saw dolphins three times, which was exciting and adorable. The staff spoke English and were friendly and kind. We received an instruction manual in Japanese as well.

Overall, ocean rafting was amazing! Even though we are in our 40s and 50s, we had a blast! Motion sickness medication is a must. After snorkeling, my body got really cold, just as the reviews said, and I had to skip the second round. On the way back, the wind felt chilly, so I recommend that women wear a thick hoodie or windbreaker, or even layer up.

During rafting, the sun was strong, and the wind hit my eyes, so wearing sunglasses was definitely the right choice. On the way back, the waves got particularly high, and the boat bounced quite a bit. It was fun in its own way, but it might be tough for those with back issues (this was mentioned in the Japanese instruction manual as well).

We drove from the Marriott Hotel, and it was easy to find, taking less than 30 minutes. This is a tour I would definitely recommend and want to use again!

当日、ケアラケクア湾方面は曇り空でしたが水温は想像より冷たくなく、透明度の良い海でラッキーな事に大きな亀とも一緒に泳げて満足♪　
途中、イルカも３度見れてテンション↑可愛いかったです。
スタッフは英語ですが愛想も良く優しかったです。日本語の説明書ももらえます。
とにかくオーシャンラフティング最高♪４０～５０代の私達ですが、大盛り上がりでした♪
酔い止め薬は必須です。シュノーケル後、口コミどうり体が冷え切り寒く２回目は断念。帰りは風が冷たく感じるので女子は厚手のパーカーかウインドブレーカーを１枚と言わず重ね着をお薦めします。
ラフティング中、日差しが強く目にも風が強く当たるのでサングラスをかけてて正解でした。
帰りは特に波が高くなり、かなりボートが跳ねます。それはそれで楽しかったので最高でしたが、腰の悪い方には確かに キツイかも・・・（日本語の説明書にも記載してありましたが）
マリオットホテルからレンタカーで行きましたが解りやすく３０分も掛かりません。
また利用したいお薦めのツアーです。

At 60 years old, my spouse and I participated. It was our first time snorkeling, and I was worried about our age, but we signed up after being encouraged by comments from those with experience. We were the only Japanese participants, but the staff and other participants were kind, so we managed even without understanding English.

We received a Japanese instruction manual in advance for the history and location, as well as how to use the snorkel and goggles, but we left without having time to read it. The snorkeling experience was sufficient with just a brief lesson from the instructor. Apparently, Kealakekua Bay is the best snorkeling spot on the Big Island, and there were so many types of fish and coral that we could have watched them forever. I was surprised by the size of the purple sea urchins and the black sea urchins. We were also able to see dolphins perfectly. The rafting on the military rubber boat was thrilling, and I was very satisfied. We made wonderful memories.

However, you really need to be careful about sunburn. Once you get on the rubber boat, you can't let go of the ropes, so it's essential to apply sunscreen all over your body before boarding. I forgot to apply it on the underside of my feet and ended up with a bad sunburn on my unprotected calves. I brought a cream-type sunscreen from Japan, but all the foreign participants were using spray sunscreen. There are super strong sprays with SPF 100 available, so I recommend buying sunscreen locally. It's a good idea to read the instructions, consider the time needed to apply sunscreen perfectly, and check in early. I would like to participate again when I come to the Big Island.

６０歳、夫婦で参加しました。シュノーケリングは初めてだし年齢的にも心配しましたが、参加経験者のコメントに後押しされ申込しました。日本人は我々２人だけでしたが、スタッフも他の参加者の方々も親切にしてくれたので、英語はわからなくても何とかなりました。

歴史や場所について、シュノーケルやメガネの使い方は、日本語の説明書を事前にくれましたが、読む間もなく出発。シュノーケリングは、インストラクターのワンポイントレッスンだけでも十分でした。アラケクア湾はハワイ島で一番のシュノーケリングポイントらしいですが、魚も珊瑚も種類が多く、いつまで見ていても飽きません。ムラサキウニやバフンウニが大きいことにびっくり。イルカもバッチリ見ることができました。軍用ゴムボートでのラフティングもスリルがあり、大満足。楽しい思い出ができました。

しかし、日焼けには本当に注意が必要です。ゴムボートに乗ってからは、ロープから手を離せなくなるので、乗船前に日焼け止めを全身に塗ることが必須です。私は、足の裏側に塗り忘れ失敗しました。シュノーケリング中に、無防備だったふくらはぎがひどく日焼けしてしまいました。私の日焼け止めは日本から持参したクリームタイプですが、外国の参加者は皆さんスプレー式の日焼け止めを使っていました。SPF100という超強力スプレーもあるので、日焼け止めは現地で買うのがお薦めです。説明書を読み、日焼け止めを完璧に塗る時間を考え、早めにチェックインするのが良いですね。また、ハワイ島に来たら参加したいと思います。

I wanted to show my 10-year-old daughter dolphins on the Big Island, so we joined this optional tour. We tried three times and encountered large groups of dolphins each time.

It was my first time snorkeling, but with the support of Daisuke and Yuko, I was able to challenge myself with confidence. We kept encountering groups of dolphins, and I was constantly amazed by the wild dolphins I was seeing for the first time. I became quite exhausted after the second round, and I apologize to the M family who joined us. (I'm sorry, M family...)

Honestly, I didn't expect to see so many dolphins, so I was truly moved! As a bonus, we were lucky enough to see whales before encountering the dolphins, making it a lucky day.

I chose this optional tour based on other people's experiences, and it was definitely the right choice! Daisuke's love for dolphins is really passionate and impressive.

Lastly, thank you to Taka for being a conversation partner for my mother. She didn't go snorkeling, but she said she could see a lot from the boat and had a great time.

Thank you so much!

ハワイ島で10歳の娘にイルカを見せてあげたいと思い、このオプショナルツアーに参加しました。3回トライして、3回とも沢山のイルカの群れに出会うことができました。
シュノーケリング初めてでしたが、ダイスケさん、ユウコさんのサポートで安心してチャレンジできました。次から次へとイルカの群れに遭遇し、初めて見る野生のイルカたちに感動しっぱなしでした。私は2回目終了後グロッキーになってしまい、一緒に参加していたMさん一家にはご迷惑おかけしました。(Mさん一家、すみません…)
正直こんなに沢山のイルカに出会えるとは思ってなかったので、ほんとに感動しました！
おまけに、イルカに遭遇する前にクジラの姿も見ることができて、ラッキーな一日でした。
他の方の体験談を参考にこのオプショナルツアーを選びましたが、大正解でした！ダイスケさんのイルカ愛、ほんとにアツくて、凄いです。
最後にタカさん、母の話し相手役、ありがとうございました。母は潜らなかったのですが、船上からでも沢山見えたようで、楽しかったと言ってました。
本当にありがとうございました。

Food was tasty but not hot enough. Mai Tai drinks were excellent.

The Japanese guide spoke brokenly and had difficulty communicating. The participants were just my spouse and another young woman who seemed to speak English well, so there didn't seem to be any issues there. However, even though we were in Hawaii, it wasn't warm after the sun set, and the manta rays didn't appear. We had to float in the water for a long time waiting, and the only item to warm our chilled bodies was a single blanket. There seemed to be hot cocoa available if you didn't get seasick, but I felt nauseous and couldn't accept it. I was invited to join again the next day for free since I couldn't see anything, but I declined. To be honest, I wanted a refund for the participation fee. I felt unwell throughout the trip and couldn't enjoy my meals, and planning the manta night at the beginning of the trip was a mistake. As a professional, they should have considered the sea conditions and the needs of older guests better. The guide was overly excited and it became awkward.

日本語ガイドは片言で会話も不自由、参加者は私たち夫婦ともう一人若い女性でその方は英語が話せるようで問題なさそうでしたが、うねりがあってハワイといっても日が沈むと暖かくはなくマンタが現れないので、海の中に長い時間漂って待、冷えきった身体を温めるアイテムもブランケット一枚。船酔いでなければホットココアがあったようですが、吐き気がして受け付けません。見る事ができなかったので翌日無料で参加できますと誘われたけど、断ってきました。はっきりって参加費返してもらいたいくらいでした。旅行中ずっとグワイが悪くて、食事も美味しく食べる事ができず旅行の最初にマンタナイトを計画したのが間違いでした。プロなんだから海の状況でマンタが現れないとか、高年齢のお客への配慮が足りない。ガイドだけが勝手にキャキャハイテンションでしらけてしまった。

Hawaii Forest and Trail stands for competence, professionalism, passion and respect for the environment they allow to see and for travelers. They really think and manage everything with great knowledge and kindness. I felt cared for in every way, even the chocolate cake! The lesson on the stars was fantastic and we all got to use the telescope. Every wish was realized. The only thing we had to do was to be overwhelmed by the mystical magic Mauna Kea!

We enjoyed both the show and the food. We have been before but it was the first time for our daughter and granddaughter and they had a wonderful time. We all ate well and enjoyed it very much

We had some concerns about the altitude and cold weather due to our age as a couple in our 50s, but thanks to the thoughtful and friendly guides, those worries were unfounded, and we were able to enjoy the best sunset and starry sky. Next time, we will join with our son and daughter-in-law. Thank you very much.

アラカン熟年夫婦の参加で、高所と寒さにたいして若干の心配がありましたが、楽しく親切なガイドさんたちのご配慮で杞憂に終わり、最高のサンセットと星空を楽しむことができました。次回は息子、娘夫婦たちとまた参加させていただきます。ありがとうございました。

The young guides took a lot of photos for us. The service that allows you to download photos from the blog later is really great!

We experienced so many wonderful colors of the Earth, like the rainbow we saw from the car, the sunset from the mountain top, the shadow of the Earth and the rainbow-colored gradient sky that can only be seen just after the sun sets, and finally, the starry sky and the moon...

I had a happy time listening to the explanation of the constellations while lying on the ground. It was very helpful that they pointed out the stars with a laser, making it easy to understand their positions.

They also provided a telescope, and after seeing Jupiter with its two lines and its surrounding satellites, I was thrilled to see the moon with its clearly visible craters. Next time, if I have the opportunity to participate, I would like to join during a time when there are many stars visible with less moonlight.

It was a tour that allowed us to fully enjoy the great nature of Hawaii. My nephew, who participated with me, is saying he wants to go back to the Big Island. I'm sure it has become an unforgettable memory.

Thank you very much to all the guides.

若いお二人のガイドさんがたくさん写真を撮ってくださいました。
後日、ブログから写真がダウンロードできるというサービスはとても良いですね！

車の中から見た虹、山頂から見た夕日、日が沈んが直後にだけ見ることのできる地球の影と虹色グラデーションの空、そして最後に見た星空と月・・・。本当にいろいろな素晴らしい地球の色を体感させていただきました。

地面に寝っ転がりながら星座の説明を聞かせていただき幸せな時間を過ごさせて頂きました。
レーザーで指し示していただいたので星の位置がわかり大変よかったと思います。

望遠鏡も用意していただき、2筋のラインが入った木星と木星の周りの衛星を見た後、クレーターのはっきり見える月を見て感激しました。
次回、参加する機会があったら月の光が少ない星がたくさん見える時期に参加したいと思います。

ハワイの大自然を満喫したツアーでした。一緒に参加した甥はまたハワイ島に行きたいと申しております。きっと忘れられない思い出になったことと思います。

ガイドの皆さま、どうもありがとうございました。

I can't say enough good things about this Luau!
The food was good. The entertainment was outstanding!
The setting was great!
A real come backer!!!

I was really looking forward to going to the Big Island, but I ended up getting altitude sickness and caused some trouble. It seems that many people with weaker bodies can have their health affected by the sudden high altitude, even by car. The weather was bad, but when I reached the summit, I was able to see a magnificent sea of clouds and a sunset. The lunch was also delicious. Thank you very much.

ハワイ島に行って一番の楽しみにしていましたが
高山病になってしまいご迷惑をかけました
体の弱い方にはいくら車とはいえいきなりの高地ですので体調を崩される方も多いそうです
お天気も悪かったですが頂上に行くと見事な雲海とサンセットを見る事が出来ました
お弁当もおいしかったです
ありがとうございました

One of the things I want to try in Hawaii!
I highly recommend it to everyone!

It's been decades since I last went into the ocean (laughs). No need to worry, it's all good.
Even if you can't swim well, they will guide you to the points.
Thanks to the attentive care of the staff, I was able to meet the dolphins.

It seems that there was a massive occurrence that day (is that the right expression?)...
Daisuke and the staff said, "Don't expect to see this many dolphins all the time. It's a rare day when this happens a few times a year!"
It was a series of great excitement.
I was thrilled to see the dolphins dancing and even flying above the water's surface (about 2 meters away)!
I wished I could swim freely.
I was also able to hear the dolphins' calls.

Thank you, Daisuke, YUKO, and all the staff for this wonderful encounter.
Thank you very much! m(__)m

ハワイ島でやってみたい事のひとつ!!
皆さんにお薦めのひとつ!

海の中に入るなんて何十年ぶり(笑) ご心配ありません。大丈夫です。
上手く泳げなくても、手を引いてポイントに連れて行ってくださいます。
スタッフの方々の細やかな気遣いに助けられ、イルカちゃん達に 出会えました。

どうやら、この日は大量発生(表現がおかしい?)だったようで…
ダイスケさんをはじめスタッフの方は「いつもこんなにたくさん出会えると思わないで。年に数回の大量の日ですよ」
と、言っていたほど !! 大興奮の連続。
イルカのダンスも、、水面を飛んでる姿(2m位の至近距離)も見ることが出来 感激!!
自分が自由に泳げたら と 思いました。
イルカちゃん達の鳴き声も聞くことができました。

ダイスケさん、YUKOさん、スタッフの皆さん 素敵な出会いに感謝いたします。
ありがとうございましたm(__)m

The night sky is beautiful while stargazing, but the cold is gradually seeping in. I'm thrilled that they took pictures of the moon with a telescope. The dinner bento was delicious.

星空観測中、夜空はきれいだけど、だんだんと寒さがしみてきます。
月を望遠鏡で撮ってくれて、感激です。
晩御飯のお弁当、おいしかったです。

This tour was great including the tour guide Greg

The only part that was not good was the food. The food was terrible. There must be a place closer that make much better food.

The main purpose of this trip was the "Sunset & Stargazing at the Summit of Mauna Kea." Although I had heard various stories from those who have been there, the incredible experience can only be truly understood by seeing it with your own eyes and experiencing it with your own body!

We planned our trip to coincide with the "new moon." (I later heard that it’s not something to worry too much about.)

Since we would be driving on mountain roads, if you are prone to motion sickness, motion sickness medication is a must-have item. They provide warm clothing, but it might also be good to bring a portable hand warmer. The bento was delicious, and having warm drinks like miso soup and cocoa was a nice touch!

During the star explanation, I was looking up for so long that my neck started to hurt (laughs). Seeing others lying down made me think I should have done that from the start. The explanations with the laser pointer were very clear and helpful.

Thank you, Mr. Konno and Stefan!

今回の旅行の第一目的だった『マウナケア山頂のサンセット&天体観測』。
行った事のある人たちから色々と話は聞いていたものの、やはり「自分の目」で見て「自分の体で体験」しないと言葉では伝わらない凄さ!!

私達は、「新月」にあわせて旅行の日程を決めました。(後で聞いたのですが、あまり気にしなくても大丈夫のようで)

山道を走行するので、車に酔う方は「酔い止め」は、必須アイテム。
防寒着は、用意してくださっていますが「携帯カイロ」も持って行くと良いかも。
お弁当も美味しく、お味噌汁、ココア他温かい飲み物も嬉しい‼

星の説明の時、ずっと上を向いていたので首が痛くなってしまいました(笑)
寝っころがっている方がいるのを見て、はじめから寝てれば良かったと思いました。
レーザーペンでの説明は、とてもわかりやすく良かったです。

今野さん、ステファン ありがとうございましたm(__)m

My wife and I decided to take our children, their spouses and all the grandchildren on a family vacation to Hawaii. I remembered the nice welcome we had on our first vacation to Hawaii shortly after we were married, and I thought it would be nice to give the whole family a similar experience. Once I found someone to direct me to a possible website, the process was straight forward and easy. What I was looking for was being offered at a discount, and the price seemed right. The instructions were easy to follow, but without mentioning anything to the family, our grandchildren happened to find people holding up our sign first. The hostesses were ready for us with 10 aloha welcomes and beautiful orchid leis (of which 3 were upgraded further, for the mothers). The kids were all pleased and our youngest wore here lei as part of a hairpiece a few days later and it was still looking good. Maybe this isn't needed on each trip to Hawaii, but I'm sure glad I arranged this as a first-time welcome for the grandchildren and their parents. Thanks again for making everything special for our family.

I have done stargazing before, but this was the best. The guide, Ms. Ha, explained the stars with her extensive knowledge, making it easy to understand. First, we enjoyed the sunset sinking into the sea of clouds from the snowy mountaintop. I observed the mysterious colors of the sky with my own eyes. After it got dark, I looked up at the stars filling the sky, recalling the knowledge I learned in school, and we talked about constellations, the universe, and various topics. It was very cold, but thanks to my ski wear, I was completely warm. However, using the restroom at the mountaintop was quite a challenge with all the layers... I guess men wouldn't understand... I want to come back to Hawaii Island to see the summer constellations again.

今までにも、星空観測をしたことはあったけれど、ここは最高でした。
満点の星を、ガイドの葉さんが豊富な知識で説明してくださって、よく分かりました。
まず、雪景色の山頂で、雲海に沈む夕陽を観賞。
神秘的な空の色の移ろいを、自分の目でしっかりと観察。
暗くなってからは、空いっぱいに広がる星を見上げ、学校で習った知識を思い出しながら、星座、宇宙、もろもろの話へと。
とても寒かったけれど、防寒は、スキーウェア上下のおかげで完全でした。ただ、山頂でのトイレは、着ぶくれしていて大変でした…男性には分からないだろうけれど…
夏の星座を見に、またハワイ島に来たくなりました。

Our family had a wonderful experience, well spent money. Our guide was friendly and experienced. We saw dolphins, whales and the snorkelling was wonderful. Would highly recommend it!

After several years, there was nearly one meter of snowfall at the summit, and access to the area had been restricted until the day of the tour, which was fortunate. Moreover, it turned out to be a mild day for winter. At the snow-covered summit, there were a few brave souls enjoying snowboarding. From the summit, where you can even see Maui in the distance, the sunset changed its expression moment by moment, visible beyond the observatory. The starry sky was, of course, magnificent, and I hope to see the summer Milky Way and constellations on my next visit.

数年ぶりに山頂に1メートル近い積雪があり、前日まで山頂付近には入山ができなかったが、ツアーの当日から入山が可能になるという幸運。しかも冬としては穏やかな日になりました。積雪で一面の雪景色の山頂ではスノーボードを楽しむ猛者もチラホラ。遠くマウイ島も見える山頂から刻一刻と表情を変える夕日が天文台の彼方に望むことができました。星空は言うまでもなく素晴らしく、次回に訪れる時には夏の天の川と星座を見たいです。