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Big Island
I wanted to visit Mauna Kea, so I chose the Big Island as my first destination in Hawaii.
Regarding the starry sky, it was a bit disappointing that the moon was close to full, making it hard to see, but the view of the sunset and the array of telescopes was spectacular and wonderful.
Additionally, the tour description mentioned only an English guide, but our guide, Shota, was able to speak Japanese as well, which was very helpful as he provided guidance in both English and Japanese.
He also took some lovely photos, creating great memories.
Next time, I plan to check the lunar cycle carefully before visiting again! Thank you very much!
マウナケア山に訪れてみたく、今回初のハワイの行き先としてハワイ島を選びました。
星空については月が満月に近く、月明かりにて見えずらい点が残念ではありましたがサンセットと研究用の望遠鏡が並んでいる景色が壮観で素晴らしかったです。
また、ツアー説明には英語ガイドのみで記載がありましたが、ガイドのショウタさんが日本語もお話しできるとのことで英語と日本語両方でガイドをいただき大変助かりました。
素敵な写真も撮影いただき、とても良い思い出です。
次回は月の周期もしっかり確認した上で、再訪したいと思います！
またよろしくお願いいたします。
Translated by OpenAI
Words cannot describe how amazing this crew is on their ship! They are very knowledgeable. Loved the experience and would 100% go on another trip with them in the future. You will not be disappointed!!!
Gorgeous, unimaginably beautiful views. Very interesting and informative guided tour. Strenuous though, they warned us about the low oxygen and a couple people were visibly feeling ill. "Dinner" was hot but not very good (heavily salted vegetable lasagne).
My husband, adult daughter, and I had a spectacular time on this excursion. Our driver/guide/astronomy guru, Maka, was the lynch-pin of the whole experience. After seeing the beautiful sunset at the top, we scurried down to set up for our tour of the night sky. Maka has significant knowledge, a great sense of humor, and an amazing telescope! We all want a laser pointer now!! Fortunately, the three of us experienced only giddiness as an effect of the altitude…the three of us were silly and laughed so much. What a great memory! We had rented a Jeep for our week on the Big Island. Someone had suggested we were wasting our money going on a tour, rather than driving ourselves. But, though the tour was not inexpensive, it was worth every penny for the experience! Highly recommend!!
This hike adventure was awesome! The views at different stops along the way were just amazing. Our Guide Jon was great! He was a knowledgeable about so many things such as the local birds, plants and history of the area. Entering a lava tube that was hundreds of years old was interesting, and fun. Jon made sure our group remained safe and also had fun along the way. One has to experience this activity to really appreciate it! I would definitely recommend this activity.
Aloha Kathleen, Mahalo for your glowing review. Jon is an accomplished Naturalist and we are so happy you enjoyed your adventure with him! We hope your return soon to experience another great adventure!
I have visited the Big Island multiple times and had seen the starry sky from the slopes of Mauna Kea, so I thought there might not be anything particularly new. However, I was very moved by the sea of clouds and the sunset from the summit! I had no issues with altitude sickness, and even though I was lightly dressed in September, the warm clothing provided was more than enough. The warm cocoa was appreciated, and the sandwiches were very delicious as well. I was able to take many photos of the sunset and the starry sky, creating precious memories. The attached photo was taken with a compact digital camera that has a starry sky shooting mode that I brought along. I hope to participate in other tours again someday.
ハワイ島には複数回訪れたことがあり、マウナケア中腹からの星空を観たこともあったため、そんなに目新しいいことはないかもしれないと思いつつ参加しましたが、山頂からの雲海、夕陽にとても感動しました！高山病は全く問題なく、9月で薄着でしたが貸していただける防寒着だけで充分でした。暖かいココアもありがたかったですが、サンドイッチもとても美味しかったです。夕陽、星空とたくさん写真を撮ってもらえて、貴重な思い出になりました。添付の写真は持参した星空撮影モードがあるコンパクトデジカメで撮影したものです。またいつか他のツアーにも参加させていただきたいと思います。
Translated by OpenAI
Kona water is so clear we had wonderful views during this trip.
There were 13 participants, including 10 travelers from the mainland United States and us, but the guide made an effort to speak Japanese when talking to us, which showed consideration and allowed us to enjoy the tour.
アメリカ本土からの旅行者10人と私たちとで13人の参加でしたが案内のドライバーが私たちと話す時には極力日本語を使ってくれ、気遣いが感じられ、楽しくツアーをすることが出来ました。
Translated by OpenAI
I was guided to Waipi'o Valley, Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, and the botanical garden. Since the guide is American, I recommend this for those who understand English.
Entering the falls can feel a bit dangerous due to the many rocks, but having shoes suitable for the ocean and a floatation device can provide peace of mind. I recommend this for those who want to see the waterfalls and nature of the Big Island.
ワイピオ渓谷やアカカ滝、レインボー滝、植物園など案内していただきました。アメリカ人のガイドさんなので、英語がわかる方におすすめします。
滝に入るのは、少し岩が多く危ない感じがしますが、海で履ける靴や浮き輪があると安心です。ハワイ島の滝や自然が見たい方におすすめします。
Translated by OpenAI
We had a great time on the Dinner Cruise. We were especially impressed when we received a call from Medina from the Body Glove office. She noticed that we stated we both had limited mobility when we registered, so she called to tell us we could park at the pier right across from the boat and arranged to have their crew unlock the gate for us when we arrived. This made it very easy to board. The crewmembers assisted my wife, who uses a walker, during boarding and when getting off the boat. Everyone on the crew was very warm and friendly. Service was excellent. Food was good. Entertainment was a lot of fun. I highly recommend this cruise and thank the folks at Body Glove for their kind assistance to both of us.
Aloha Phil!
Thanks a million for your kind words!
We hope you're able to join us again someday soon!
Food was not good. Meat was too tough and dry. Chairs were uncomfortable and too close together. I could not see the show at all!
It was really fun to see the manta rays up close. It was a different kind of excitement compared to the Osaka Aquarium! Be careful as it can be tiring on your arms since you have to hold onto the pipe to watch.
マンタがとても近くで見れてとても楽しかったです
海遊館とはまた違った迫力でした！
パイプに捕まって眺めるので腕がしんどいので注意してください
Aloha Ryo. Thank you for participating in the Manta University. I apologize for the delay in responding since the tour date. It was wonderful to see the manta rays up close! I appreciate you sharing such beautiful and magical photos. Thank you for the five-star rating as well. Please join us again the next time you visit Hawaii. All of our crew members are looking forward to your next participation. Mahalo nui and a hui hou!
アロハ りょ様。マンタ大学へ参加していただき、ありがとうございました。ツアー参加日から時間が経っての返信に関してお詫び申しあげます。マンタを近くで見ることができて良かったです! とても美しく幻想的な写真も共有していただき感謝いたします。五つ星評価もありがとうございます。次回ハワイにいらっしゃるときは、またご参加くださいね。クルー一同、またのご参加を心よりお待ちしております。Mahalo nui and a hui hou!
Translated by OpenAI
Our guide was a local, born and raised, and very knowledgeable about everything! He was entertaining, friendly, and went out of his way to make it special for us! Highly recommend!
Es una inolvidable experiencia para disfrutar de hermosas vistas,buenos relatos de lugares históricos,pero sobre todo de una maravillosa apreciación del atardecer sobre las olas del océano,con un servicio excelente y una cena deliciosa en un ambiente muy agradable
Thank you for joining us! We are thrilled you had a great time!
The sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea was very mystical and moving. The tour itself, with the guide's wealth of knowledge and high level of hospitality, is highly recommended! I heard that the summer constellations and winter mountains offer different views, so I would like to visit again in another season!
Thank you!
マウナケアの山頂からの夕日は、とても神秘的で、感動しました。ツアーの内容もガイドの方の知識の豊富さ、そしてホスピタリティの高さどれをとってもおすすめのツアーです！
夏の星座や冬の山はまた違う景色が楽しめるとのことでしたので別の季節にも再度訪れたいです！
ありがとうございました！
Translated by OpenAI
Night snorkeling with the manta rays was incredible! We had a wonderful show from six different rays the entire time we were in the water. The guides were all very friendly and helpful. They assist with wetsuits before you board, then assist with masks onboard, and assist with floating noodles and less-experienced swimmers while in the water.
A word of warning - the water (and subsequently, the boat) were rolling intensely once we left the dock. And once you leave the dock, there is nowhere to go to get away from the rolling. Several individuals succumb to seasickness on our cruise. Not sure if maybe the ocean was just rough on our night, or if this amount of rocking is normal. Either way, I would advise caution if you are sensitive to motion sickness or vertigo.
The Grand Circle Island tour is a great way to have a compact adventure all in one day. It was full of beautiful scenic views of cliffsides, beaches, cooled lava formations, waterfalls, volanic crater, and so much more. You experience a hike through a rainforest with some inclines at times, volcanic steam vents that feel like you're in a sauna, turtle viewing at Black Sand beach, cliffsides overlooking crashing waves, a coffee harvesting & processing walkthrough, a lava tube cave, and much more. Some hikes can be a bit challenging if you have mobility problems but our tour guide Brent is so accommodating and on the HNP Kilauea hike, you can ride along with him to the top of the viewing area if you're not able to do the short walk. Additionally, Brent is not just a tour guide, he will transport you to another time. He wove an amazing storytelling of Native Hawaiin history into the scenic mountains, beaches, historical battleground sites, trees, buildings, fantastical stories, and rich cultural backdrop. I walked away with a deep appreciation for how the Hawaiian island and culture came to be. This was an amazing way to experience the island!
I was worried about altitude sickness and car sickness, but I was able to climb safely. I also got to see the astronomical observation facility up close. The sunset was beautiful beyond words, and the starry sky was breathtaking. I was moved. Thanks to KOKI's easy-to-understand explanations, I'm thinking of studying a bit about constellations. The sandwiches and cocoa were delicious too.
高山病と車酔いが心配でしたが無事に登ることができました 天体観測施設も間近で見られました 言葉で表す事が出来ない美しさのサンセット 満天の星 感動しました KOKIさんの分かり易い説明に少し星座の勉強をしてみようかと思います
サンドイッチもココアも美味しかったです
Translated by OpenAI
First Experience at 4000m
I was worried about altitude sickness and anemia, but taking breaks to acclimatize and gradually increasing the altitude, along with having warm clothing and enjoying sandwiches and cocoa, made it a good experience. I was able to participate without straining my body.
The scenery was truly something you can't see in Japan; it felt like I was experiencing both space and Earth, something only this tour offers. Priceless!
It was a view that made me want to participate again.
I joined in September, and as mentioned in the pre-tour briefing, it's essential to be well-prepared for the cold. I only wore the extreme warmth Heattech, but I think if I had a knit hat, gloves, and warm bottoms, I could have enjoyed stargazing outside even more (it was so cold that my hands went numb, so I spent the latter part warming up in the car).
初めての4000m級体験
高山病や貧血も心配でしたが、途中で体を慣れさせるために休憩したり徐々に高度を上げていったり、防寒具があったり、サンドイッチやココアなどいただけたのも良かったのかな。体に無理なく参加できました。
景色はほんと日本では観られない、このツアーでしか観られない宇宙も地球も感じる景色。プライスレス！
また参加したいと思える景色でした。
9月に参加しましたが、事前の説明にある通り、防寒対策はバッチリするに限ります。
私はヒートテックの極暖を着込んだだけでしたが、ニット帽・手袋・あったかいボトムスもあれば、星空観察ももっと外で楽しめたかなと思いました（寒くて手も痺れてたので、後半は車の中で暖をとりました）
Translated by OpenAI
Thank you!!! What a phenomenal experience for my 10 yr old son! He LOVED it!
Mahalo for joining us!
It was my first time kayaking, and I received thorough explanations before heading out to sea. The waves were higher than I expected, which made it challenging, but I was able to participate enjoyably. I had an adventurous experience, entering caves and passing through rock formations. The snorkeling was beautiful, with plenty of fish around.
初めてのカヤックでしたが、
丁寧に説明していただき海へ出ました。
思ったよりも波が高く大変でしたが、
楽しく参加できました。
洞窟に入ったり、岩の間を通ったりと
冒険のような体験ができました。
シュノーケルも魚がたくさんいて綺麗でした。
Translated by OpenAI
My elderly parents, who were just within the participation requirements, also joined and had a great time without any worries! Perhaps because there were many Japanese participants, we felt reassured and enjoyed the tour with a Japanese guide. The guide not only took us to the locations but also provided detailed explanations about telescopes and stars, which were all fascinating and exciting. It was really great to have a tour to a place we couldn't visit on our own.
For sharing DSLR photos, iPhone users can use AirDrop, while others can share via Google Drive. All photos are shared with everyone who participated, so those who are concerned should take note. The photos we received were all beautiful, and I’m satisfied to have memories of the starry sky that wouldn’t show up on a smartphone!
Regarding the disbanding time, we stayed at Kingsland and arrived at the supermarket in time for the last shuttle bus, so I think those without rental cars can feel at ease. Thank you very much!
参加条件ぎりぎりの高齢の両親も行きましたが、何の不安もなく楽しめました！
日本人の参加が多かったからか日本語ガイドで安心して楽しめました。ガイドさんはただ連れて行ってくれるだけではなくて、望遠鏡や星についての説明も詳しくてどれも興味深くてわくわくしました。個人では行けない先ですので、ツアーがあって本当に良かったです。
一眼レフの写真はiPhoneユーザーはAirDrop、それ以外の人にはGoogleドライブを使って共有してくれます。同時に参加した全員に全部の写真を共有する形なので、気になる方は注意が必要です。
いただいた写真はどれもきれいで、スマホには写らない星空も思い出に残せて満足です！
解散時間について、私達はキングスランド宿泊でしたがシャトルの最終バスに間に合うようにスーパーに到着したのでレンタカーがない方も安心かと思います。
ありがとうございました！
Translated by OpenAI
This time on my solo trip, I went kayaking.
Unfortunately, there were no dolphins, but the views of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the morning were absolutely beautiful!
The couple who joined me patiently waited for me, who was running a bit late, along with the guide, and I did my best to keep up.
On the way back, WiL helped by connecting my kayak since I was a bit tired.
I want to participate again next time and hope to encounter dolphins!
ひとり旅の今回は、カヤックに。
残念ながらイルカはいなかったけど、朝のフアラライやマウナロアがとても綺麗に見えて最高でした！
一緒に参加のご夫婦も、遅れ気味の私をガイドさんとともにのんびりと待ってくださり、一生懸命ついていきました♪
帰りは少し疲れた私のカヤックをWiLさんが連結してヘルプしてくださいました。
次もまた参加して、今度はイルカに遭遇したいです
Translated by OpenAI
It was our 2nd time at the summit after 14 years with your company and we were more concerned about the summit weather due to last time it was so windy and cold to stay outside of the car.
But, the weather this time thanks to god it was good to watch the sunset.
Our driver was so nice was caring, professional skill of guiding and a gentleman.
He was caring everyone.
This made our trip OUTSTANDING.
I would recommend this trip to anyone eligible it is good tour with a Mercedes 4WD van with 14 passengers.
Mantas can be seen in other countries as well, but the encounter rate on the Big Island of Hawaii is overwhelmingly high, so I definitely recommend experiencing it. During the session I participated in, several large mantas swam right in front of me, providing a truly valuable experience. The Japanese-speaking guide was very attentive, making it a reassuring tour.
For those who will be participating:
- The boat will speed towards the destination for a while, and it can be quite bumpy. If you're worried about seasickness, it's recommended to take motion sickness medication before joining.
- It gets chilly after coming out of the water. Bringing a large towel can be useful as it can also serve as a wrap.
- Since it's a popular tour, seats can fill up quickly, so it's advisable to keep your belongings to a minimum (if you don't want to place them on the floor). A waterproof bag is recommended as a lot of seawater comes into the boat.
- There is only one Japanese-speaking guide, and of course, they won't be able to provide individual attention to everyone. Especially for beginners in snorkeling, it's safer to familiarize yourself with how to wear the snorkel, how to fit it, how to put on a wetsuit, and how to enter the water beforehand.
マンタは他の国でも見られるそうですが、ハワイ島での遭遇率は圧倒的に高いそうなので、ぜひ体験することをお勧めします。私が参加した回も、大きなマンタが何匹も目の前でくるくると回ってくれて、とても貴重な体験をすることができました。
日本語対応ガイドさんもきめ細やかに対応してくださって、安心できるツアーでした。
これから参加する方に向けて
・爆速のボートをしばらく走らせて目的地に向かいます。かなり揺れます。船酔いが心配な方は酔い止めを服用してから参加するのがおすすめです。
・海から出た後は冷えます。大きなタオルを持参すると羽織にもなるので良いと思います。
・人気なツアーで席が埋まることも多いそうなので、荷物は最小限がおすすめです(床に置きたくなければ)。海水が船内にかなり入ってくるので、防水対応の袋に入れると安心と思います。
・日本語ガイドさんは一名で、もちろん自分たちだけにつきっきりでケアしてくれるわけではありません。特にシュノーケリング初心者の方はシュノーケルの装着方法や合わせ方、ウェットスーツの着方や海への入り方等々、事前に知識を入れられるものは入れてから望んだ方が安心です。
Aloha En,
Thank you for participating in the Manta University. I apologize for the delay in my response since the tour date. It truly is a rare experience to see wild mantas up close on the Big Island. I also appreciate your comments regarding the Japanese guide. Thank you for sharing valuable information about motion sickness medication, cold weather measures, waterproofing, and snorkeling. We hope you will come back to re-enroll in the Dolphin School the next time you are in Hawaii! Our crew is looking forward to welcoming you back. Mahalo nui and A hui hou!
アロハ えぬ様。マンタ大学に参加していただき、ありがとうございました。ツアー参加日から時間が経っての返信に関してお詫び申しげます。ハワイ島で野生のマンタを近くで見ることはとても貴重な体験になりますよね。日本語ガイドに関するコメントもありがとうございます。また、酔い止めや、寒さ対策、防水対応、シュノーケルに関するとても有益な情報をコメントしていただき、大変感謝いたします。またハワイにいらっしゃる機会には、ぜひイルカの学校へ再入学しに来てくださいね！クルー一同心よりお待ちしております。Mahalo nui and A hui hou!
Translated by OpenAI
Turned out to be a perfect day and the crew were fabulous.
100% would do again
A little while ago, I experienced altitude sickness during the sunset tour, so I was a bit worried about the sunrise tour, but I was able to clear it up beautifully and enjoyed the sunrise energetically!
On September 20 (Friday) in Hawaii, my husband and I participated in a sunrise tour at the summit of Mauna Kea, a long-time dream of ours. We were really looking forward to this day as the highlight of our trip to the Big Island.
Although I had some anxiety about the harsh environment at an altitude of about 4,200 meters, the moment I witnessed its beauty, all my worries disappeared.
The tour started in the middle of the night, and as we made our way to the summit in the darkness, the wonderful narration by our tour guide, Aoki, welcomed us with a starry sky. The stars shone as if we could reach out and touch them, leaving us speechless in the face of their beauty. It felt as if we were being drawn into the universe.
We were thoroughly satisfied as we looked through the telescope at the moonbow, Saturn, Jupiter, Canopus, Sirius, and Betelgeuse, guided by Aoki.
Upon reaching the summit, we followed Aoki's instructions and put on warm clothing to prepare for the cold while waiting for the sunrise. Gradually, the sky began to change from pale purple to orange, and eventually, the sun slowly revealed itself. At that moment, the mountains and the sea of clouds glowed golden, and I was struck by the grandeur of nature.
When the orange sun appeared from the sea of clouds, it was a moment so moving that it brought tears to my eyes.
Perhaps due to the thin air, I felt a bit of difficulty in breathing, but more than that, it was a moment filled with emotional fulfillment.
The sunrise at the summit of Mauna Kea was not just about enjoying a beautiful view; it was a special experience that allowed me to feel the connection between nature and the universe, and a new vision for life. Sharing this moment with my partner became one of the unforgettable memories of our lives.
As advice for those who will participate in the future, I recommend making sure to prepare for the cold. The altitude is high, and it gets quite chilly in the morning. Also, managing your physical condition to prevent altitude sickness is important. Enjoy the experience while consciously taking deep breaths. And above all, make sure to imprint the starry sky and sunrise in your memory, feeling that moment deeply rather than relying solely on photos.
Finally, the sunrise at the summit of Mauna Kea is an emotional moment worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.
I will definitely participate in the sunrise tour again!
少し前に行ったサンセットツアーで、高山病の症状が出たので、少し心配しながらのサンライズツアーでしたが、綺麗にクリアできて元気に日の出を見てきました！
ハワイ現地9月20日（金）、私たち夫婦は長年の夢だったマウナケア山頂でのサンライズツアーに参加しました。ハワイ島での旅行のハイライトとして、この日をとても楽しみにしていました。
標高約4200メートルの過酷な環境に少し不安もありましたが、その美しさを目の当たりにした瞬間、その不安は一気に消え去りました。
ツアーは深夜にスタートし、まだ暗闇の中を山頂へ向かう途中、ツアーガイドのAokiさんの素晴らしい語りとともに夜空に広がる星空が私たちを出迎えてくれました。まるで手を伸ばせば触れられるような星々が輝き、私たちはその美しさに言葉を失いました。まるで宇宙に吸い込まれるような感覚に包まれました。
ムーンボウに、土星、木星、カノープス、シリウス、ペテルギウスまで望遠鏡でツアーガイドのAokiさんに見せていただき、パートナーと一緒に大満足。
山頂に到着し、ツアーガイドのAokiさんの指示通りに寒さ対策にしっかりと防寒具を身に着けながら、日の出を待ちました。少しずつ空が薄紫からオレンジ色に染まり始め、やがて太陽がゆっくりと顔を出しました。その瞬間、山々や雲海が黄金色に輝き、自然の壮大さに心を打たれました。
雲海からオレンジに輝く太陽が姿を現した時には、涙が出るような感動がありました。
空気が薄いせいか、呼吸が少し苦しく感じることもありましたが、それ以上に心が満たされる感動の瞬間でした。
マウナケア山頂でのサンライズは、単に美しい景色を楽しむだけでなく、自然と宇宙のつながり、人生のあらたなビションを感じる特別な体験でした。夫婦二人でこの瞬間を共有できたことは、私たちの人生の中でも忘れられない思い出の一つとなりました。
これから参加される方へのアドバイスとしては、まず防寒対策をしっかりとすることです。標高が高く、朝はかなり冷え込みます。また、高山病に備えて体調管理も大切です。ゆっくりと深呼吸を心掛けながら楽しんでください。そして、何よりも星空や日の出を自分の目でしっかりと焼き付け、写真だけに頼らず、その瞬間を心から感じてください。
最後に、マウナケア山頂でのサンライズは、人生に一度は体験する価値がある感動的な瞬間です。
サンライズツアー、また参加します‼️
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The location, the food, and entertainment was amazing. Truly worth your time and money for this experience. Would go again. My family enjoyed this. The breeze off the water felt heavenly. Go you will not regret it.
Your in the bus for a long rides but the sights are all beautiful!
A really well planned day, we really wanted to stargaze so was super happy we got the day tour + the evening
