All Reviews for Kailua-Kona

I participated in a family trip for both families before the wedding. The drive to Mauna Kea was enjoyable, as our driver shared fascinating stories about the Big Island, making it completely engaging. We ascended slowly while acclimatizing to the altitude, so it wasn't exhausting at all. It was my first time experiencing an elevation of 4,000 meters, and the views were unforgettable.

結婚式前の両家家族旅行として参加。
マウナケアまてのドライブも、運転手の方がずっと楽しくハワイ島についてのお話をしてくださり、全く退屈しませんでした。高度順応しながらゆっくり上がるので、しんどさもなく、生まれて初めて4000mの高さを経験しましたが、忘れられない景色でした。

I struggled with English, so there were parts I didn't understand, but I have already experienced the volcano as an option. This tour was great because I got to experience the world of ancient Hawaii, as well as Kona coffee and honey from the present-day Big Island.

英語が苦手だとわからないから部分もあるけど、火山はオプションでもう経験済。このツアーはハワイの昔、映画モアナの世界と現在のハワイ島のコナコーヒーと蜂蜜を体験出来て良かったです

Just one word: it was amazing.
At 2:10 PM, they came to pick us up at our hotel, and we had time to acclimate to the altitude with care for altitude sickness.
The sunset viewed from the summit was truly spectacular, unlike anything I had seen before. After that, we moved by car to the observation point, and the sandwiches served in the car were cold but still delicious hot sandwiches, which I enjoyed even though I'm not a fan of bread.
The starry sky was blessed with good weather, and we could see the Milky Way. Our guide, James, showed us Jupiter and Venus using a telescope. He also used a pointer to trace the constellations in the actual night sky, making it easy to understand the constellations. Finally, they took photos of each participant, and in those pictures, even the invisible stars were captured, which was fantastic.
This was our first time visiting the Big Island as a couple, and I would love to come back before we reach the age limit of 70.
Thank you very much, James, for everything.

ただ一言最高でした。
14時10分に宿泊先のホテルまで車で迎えに来ていただき、高山病ケアで高地に順応する時間まで用意されていました。
山頂から見下ろすサンセットは、これまでにない素晴らしいものでした。その後、観測する地点まで車で移動するのですが、車内で振る舞われたサンドイッチは冷えてはいましたがホットサンドイッチで、パンが苦手な私も美味しくいただけました。
星空は天候にも恵まれて、素晴らしく、天の川まで見えました。ガイドのジェームズさんが、天体望遠鏡を使って木星や金星などを見せてくれました。また、ポインターを用いて実際の星空に線で星座をなぞっていただき、分かりやすく星座を教えて下さいました。最後に、参加者ごとに写真を撮っていただくのですが、その写真には目にも見えない星が写っていて最高でした。
今回はじめて夫婦でハワイ島に来ましたが、年齢制限のある70歳前にもう一度来たいと思いました。
ガイドのジェームズさん、いろいろとありがとうございました。

Great experience overall, our guide James is very nice, he is knowledgeable and funny, definitely would recommend it to my friends

The sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea and the stargazing a little further down were incredibly beautiful! I was so happy to be able to take a lot of photos!

マウナケア山頂でのサンセットも、
少し下ったところでの星空観賞も、めちゃめちゃ綺麗でした！
たくさん写真も撮っていただけて嬉しかったです！

I participated with a couple of friends. Five years ago, I couldn't go up due to a local demonstration, but this time the weather was great, and both the sunset and the starry sky were incredibly beautiful and moving.

I was a bit worried because it mentioned an English guide, but thanks to Sho-chan's excellent Japanese explanations, the enjoyment was doubled.

The price is a bit high, but it's worth going.

友達夫婦と参加しました。5年前に行った時は、現地の方たちのデモで上がることができなかったのですが、今回はお天気にも恵まれサンセットも星空もとても美しく感動しました。
英語ガイドと書いてあったので、少し不安でしたが日本語がとっても上手なしょうちゃんの説明のおかげで楽しさも2倍でした。
少々値段は高いですが、行く価値はあります。

James's hospitality was outstanding. The explanations of the terrain visible on the way there, the air conditioning settings in the vehicle, and the background music were all excellent! During the sunset, he encouraged us to take photos with our smartphones, making it easier for us. Despite the cold, the hot cocoa warmed us up, and we were very satisfied to be able to gaze at the starry sky for as long as time allowed. Photos taken against the backdrop of the starry sky are something you can't capture on your own, so they make for a wonderful keepsake.

ガイドさん(Jamesさん)のホスピタリティが最高でした。
往路で見られる地形の説明や、車内空調設定、bgm、どれもとっても良かったです！
サンセットではスマホでの写真撮影をこちらからお願いしやすくなるよう、たくさん声掛けしてくださいました。
寒い中でしたが、ホットココアが体に染み渡り、また、時間の許す限り満天の星空を眺められ大変満足です。
星空をバックにした写真は自分で撮れるものではないので、記念になります。

I was prepared for everything to be in English, but the speaking speed was fast and it was hard to hear due to the sound of the waves, so it was quite challenging to understand. Despite that, the crew members were very kind and listened to my broken English questions. It was an interesting experience to ride in a traditional canoe. I was also glad to see several mantas!

全て英語なのは覚悟の上でしたが、話すスピード早い&波の音でよく聞こえないので理解するのがなかなか大変でした。そんななかでも、つたない英語の質問を聞いてくれたり親切にしてくださってクルーの方はとても良い方でした。
伝統的なカヌーにも乗れて面白い体験でした。
マンタも何匹も見れて良かったです！

I didn't want to go into the ocean, but my elderly mother did, and since it was our first time in Hawaii, I wanted to see the underwater world while snorkeling. The glass-bottom boat made both of our wishes come true.

While we didn't see a wide variety of colorful corals, the water was clearer than we expected, and we were able to see quite a few fish. We even encountered dolphins! Although we only saw their fins.

The staff were cheerful and kind, and even though we hardly spoke any English, we had a great time.

海に入りたくない高齢の母と、せっかく初めてのハワイ島だからシュノーケルで海の中を見てみたい私。どちらの希望も叶えてくれたのがこのグラスボートでした。

色とりどりの珊瑚〜とまではいきませんでしたが、予想より水の透明度が高く、そこそこ魚も見られました。イルカも遭遇しましたよ！ヒレしか見えませんでしたが。

スタッフも明るく親切、英語のほとんど話せない私達でも充分楽しめました。

Our experience on the boat was fantastic! The vessel was clean, well-equipped, and had everything we needed for a comfortable trip. The staff was incredibly friendly and went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time. The service was exceptional—staff members were attentive, frequently checking in to offer drinks and clear dishes. Overall, it was a smooth and enjoyable experience, and I would highly recommend it!

The drinks were delicious, and I was able to enjoy local dishes like Kalua pig, along with an impressive show. The music and the dance were all wonderful. Since I watched it at Sunset Beach, I can't forget that sunset. If I have the chance to come again, I will definitely watch it one more time.

お酒も美味しく、お料理もカルアピックなど郷土料理も堪能できら上に圧巻のショー。曲も踊りも全てが素敵でした。サンセットビーチで観れたのであの夕焼けが忘れられません。また来る機会があったら、絶対もう一回観ます。

Due to it being winter, it seems that the mountain was closed the day before and we couldn't reach the summit, but we were able to safely climb to the top and see the snowy white Mauna Kea, just as its name suggests, which was a rare experience. It was also rare to see people skiing. The sunset and the starry sky were beautiful, unobstructed by clouds or moonlight. Our Japanese guide, Kouki, was kind, knowledgeable about the stars, and skilled at taking photos, making it a wonderful tour.

冬という事もあり、前日は閉山して頂上まで行けなかったようですが、私達は無事に頂上まで登れて、マウナケアの名前の由来通り、雪の残る白いマウナケアが見れてレア体験でした。スキーをしている人を見れたのもレアでした。サンセットも星空も雲と月の光の邪魔もなく、綺麗にみれました。日本人ガイドのコウキさんも親切で星空に詳しく、写真も上手で、とてもいいツアーでした

The guide spoke English, but they supported us even if we didn't understand English. It was very sunny, and the stars were beautiful.

英語ガイドさんでしたが、英語がわからなくてもフォローしてくれてました。
とても晴れていて、星が綺麗でした。

Wonderful company to work with. Very professional, beautiful Leis. Everyone was so happy!!

Kona sunsets are awesome, definitely our favorite. We loved that we got a night to just take it in while enjoying the ocean and awesome eats

My family had a wonderful experience! we saw plnety of rays even my wife and son from the boat.

This was truly awe inspiring. It is absolutely a must do, our tour guide Wes was incredible. We can’t rave enough about it

I was able to experience my dream submarine. I felt excited as we dove down. I wish it were a bit cheaper.

あこがれの潜水艦を体験することができました。潜っていくときはワクワクしました。もう少し安ければよいのですが。

It was amazing to finally see the sunset and starry sky at Mauna Kea! I was a bit worried that it might be cloudy, but beyond the clouds, there was an incredible view! I'm grateful to the guide who was very kind.

念願だったマウナケアで、サンセットと星空を見ることができて最高でした！！
途中、曇っているかも？と少し心配しましたが、雲を抜けた先に感動的な景色がありました！
とても親切にしてくださったガイドさんに感謝です。

On the way to the manta snorkeling point, while riding the boat and enjoying the beautiful sunset, we were able to see two whales and many sharks. I heard that sharks can only be seen about twice a year.

During snorkeling, the large mantas came so close that it felt like they were almost going to bump into us, which was very impressive!

The staff were all very kind, and having a Japanese guide on board made us feel secure. After the tour, they even sent us the videos taken with the GoPro for free. I highly recommend this tour!

マンタのシュノーケリングポイントに行く途中、美しい夕焼けを見ながら船に乗っていると、二匹のクジラ、そしてたくさんのサメを見ることができまさした。
サメは年に2回ほどしか見ることができないそうです。
シュノーケリングでは大きなマンタが何枚もぶつかりそうになるほど近い距離まで来てくれて、とても迫力がありました！

スタッフの皆さまもとても親切で、日本人ガイドさんも乗船して下さったので安心でした。
終了後にGoProで撮影した動画も無料で送って下さいました。
本当におすすめのツアーです！

This tour was exactly what we were looking for...all details taken care of. All we had to do was get ourselves to the Kona Airprt. Our tour guide, Moana, met us at the airport in Honolulu and explained every step of the way...where and when to meet her for the next stop. All of the memorials were so special and we felt such gratitude to these soldiers who risked and gave their lives for us. The USS Missouri was especially impressive to us for its enormity and how she continues to serve our country as a representative of the great battleships that protected our country.

I heard the sound of a whale for the first time. Thanks to the captain's accurate comments and the great energy of the passengers, it was a fun atmosphere, and the hour and a half flew by in no time.

クジラの鳴き声を始めて聞きました。船長さんの的確なコメントと乗客のノリの良さが相まって楽しい雰囲気の中、あっという間の1時間半でした。

Riding up to the top of Mauna Kea with James, our tour guide and driver, was interesting and entertaining! James is very knowledgeable about the Hawaiian culture and history; volcanic geology; the telescopes on Mauna Kea; and the night sky. And he always paid close attention to all his customers. A better telescope would have made this tour perfect.

This is a luxurious tour where you can enjoy whale watching, dolphin watching, sea turtle viewing, and snorkeling all on a cruise charter. We participated as a family of six across three generations, and with two staff members accompanying us, one of whom entered the water to provide guidance and support, my 78-year-old mother, who has paralysis on her right side, was truly grateful to be able to snorkel together. After snorkeling, there was a service of tropical fruits, juice, and snacks, which I believe offers great value for the price. I especially recommend private charters for families with small children or elderly individuals.

クルーザーチャーターで、ホエールウオッチングも、イルカウオッチングも、ウミガメかざしも楽しめ、スノーケルも楽しめる贅沢なツアーです。
三世代家族6人で参加しましたが、スタッフが2人付いてくれ、1人が一緒に海に入って指導やサポートをしてくれるので、78歳で右半身に麻痺が残る母も、一緒にスノーケルできたのが本当にありがたかったです。
スノーケル後にはトロピカルフルーツやジュース、スナックのサービスもあり、お値段以上の価値があると思います。
特に小さいお子さんや高齢の方にはプライベートチャーターはお勧めです。

James was a great tour guide, very informative. Didn't care for the sandwich choices. Was nice to have the hot chocolate though. The view was amazing.

My first trip to Hawaii and the main event on the Big Island was the Mauna Kea summit sunset and stargazing tour. Until the day before, the weather had been rough for three days, and I heard at the hotel that the tour might not happen, which made me worried. However, the result was clear skies and almost no wind, with a beautiful view of the snow that had fallen until yesterday. The stargazing included not only the positions of the constellations but also explanations of the myths and legends, along with many professional photos taken by the guide. I was very satisfied! ♪

初ハワイ、初ハワイ島でのメインイベントは
このマウナケア山頂サンセット&星空観測ツアーでした。前日までは、三日間天候が荒れてツアー出来ず、と到着したホテルで聞き、
どうなる事か？と心配でした。結果は、快晴、ほぼ無風の中、昨日迄に降った雪化粧の中、素晴らしい光景でした。また、星空観測は、星座の位置だけでなく、神話の言い伝えなどの説明とガイドさんによるプロフェッショナルな写真撮影も多数。大満足でした♪

Loooooved it! We didnt wanna get off the boat n the crew was awesome with my kids!!!!

As the title suggests, I booked a tour for winter in Hawaii, timed for a new moon at the end of January. The communication and Q&A support leading up to the tour date were very smooth.

The van driver was also the tour guide, and I was surprised by their excellent Japanese. I would have liked to enjoy explanations in English with a more multinational group, but out of 12 participants, 10 were Japanese, so it couldn't be helped.

We departed from the Queens Market in Waikoloa at 3:00 PM. The van was fully booked with 12 people. We stopped at a rest area just before the summit to have sandwiches and water. The air was getting thinner, so we took a break for about 30 minutes to adjust. Here, we borrowed winter clothing.

Soon after, we entered off-road terrain and headed to the summit. With a temperature of 0°C and strong winds, it was quite cold. We were able to observe the sunset despite some clouds. After that, we descended a bit to the observation point. It took a while for the clouds to part, but eventually, we were able to see a few stars. The guide explained the constellations visible with a pointer. Venus can also be seen in Tokyo, haha. We were served hot cocoa, which was a lifesaver in the cold. That was much appreciated.

It was so cold and we couldn't observe much, so we left the site after about 15 minutes. After a short break, we returned to the Queens Market around 8:45 PM.

The tour itself was well-organized and reassuring. It really requires good timing with the season and luck for clear skies without clouds.

As a postscript, two days later, I woke up at 4:00 AM at a friend's house and gazed at the night sky, which was filled with stars. I thought if it had been clear on the mountain, it would have been incredibly moving.

タイトル通り冬のハワイ、1月下旬で月齢0に合わせてツアーを予約。
実施日までの案内やQ&A対応はとてもスムーズ。

バンの運転手がツアーガイドさんですが、日本語上手で驚きました。できれば多国籍な参加者と英語での解説を楽しみたかったのですが、12人中10人日本人とそこはやむなしですね。

ワイコロアのクイーンズマーケット15:00出発。バンは12人乗り満席。
山頂手前で休憩所によりサンドイッチとお水をいただきました。空気が薄くなっているので急激な変化をおさえるため。約30分程度。ここで防寒着をお借りします。

その後すぐにオフロードに入り山頂へ。気温0℃＋強風なのでかなり寒いです。夕日観測は雲はありましたがぎりぎり観れました。その後少しだけ下って観測ポイントへ。なかなか雲の隙間ができず暫く待っていると少しだけ隙間ができてわずかながら見ることができました。ポインタで見れる星座を解説。金星は東京でも観れます笑　寒さに助かるホットココアが配られました。これはありがたい。

あまりにも寒いのとあまり観測できなかったので15分くらいでその場から退散。途中休憩をはさんで20:45頃クイーンズマーケットにて解散となりました。

ツアー自体はよい企画でしっかり運営されているので安心です。
やはり季節選びと雲の無い晴天である運が必要ですね。

後日談
この2日後、現地友人宅4:00AMに起きて夜空を眺めましたが満点の星空でした。山で晴れていれば相当感動できるのだろと思いました。

No time to relax on this excursion. We flew to Captain Cook on a zodiac boat with little room to sit or move about. The snorkeling was OK and the guides were helpful. Everything felt rushed from the get go. This trip sure gave us a lot of chuckles when rehashing our day.

Although the weather was not favorable, the staff's response was excellent. It was a dress shoot for our honeymoon, and the Japanese staff taught us about posing and angles. Despite the cold during the shoot, they provided support, and we had a wonderful time.

天候に恵まれませんでしたが、スタッフの対応が良かった。ハネムーンでドレスの撮影でしたが日本人スタッフがポージングや画角まで教えてくださったり、寒い中の撮影でしたがサポートしてくれて素晴らしい時間を過ごせました。