All Reviews for Kailua-Kona

I was worried about various things like whether it would be hard to breathe, if it was too cold, and if I would feel sick from altitude sickness. I also wondered about the restroom situation, but everything was totally fine. The driver skillfully explained the precautions, and there was a restroom at the summit. It seems that the Milky Way is hard to see in winter, so I couldn't see it as much as I had hoped, but the starry sky was absolutely stunning. I was moved to see artificial satellites.

息苦しくないか？寒すぎるのではないか？高山病で気分が悪くならないか？
トイレはどうする？など色々心配しながら参加しましたが、全然大丈夫でした。ドライバーが上手に注意事項を教えてくれますし、山頂にトイレもありました。冬は天の川が見えにくいらしくて、期待していたほど天の川は観れませんでしたが、満天の星空でした。人工衛星が観れたのは感動でした。

Let me start off by saying I had a pretty low expectation for the meals when I saw they were included. The food was really great—chef made lunch and delicious beef ribs at dinner. I’m still dreaming about them. That alone provides so much value for the price.

Now, onto the tour—Keith was an amazing tour guide! He started off by learning and continually speaking to each of us individually by name. He had the greatest stories at AND between each tour stop. We really enjoyed the tour from start to finish and almost forgot how long of a day it was! And for the stargazing, we lucked out with a beautiful clear sky and Keith was knowledgeable about not only the stars we were seeing, but so much beyond that!

I was disappointed that I couldn't see the manta rays, but the Japanese female staff member was very cheerful. She provided thorough explanations about the tour content and the manta rays before it started, and she made sure that all participants understood the information, including the details about the opportunity for a retry since we couldn't see them this time. Watching the sunset and the journey to the point was very enjoyable, and on the way back, she was very considerate, which left a strong impression on me. Although I didn't get to see the manta rays, I felt grateful to have participated in such a wonderful tour.

マンタには会えず残念でしたが、日本人スタッフの女性がとても明るい方で、始まる前のツアー内容やマンタについての案内から今回見れなかったための再チャレンジの案内まで、参加者全員がちゃんと理解できているか確認するように、きちんと説明してくださりました。
サンセットをみて、ポイントまでの移動はとても楽しく、帰りも色々と気を使ってくださり、そのことがとても印象的でマンタは見れませんでしたがとてもいいツアーに参加できてよかったと思いました。

I was able to go to Mauna Kea at the best timing right after the new moon. I felt nature with my whole body, absorbed its power, and it became a wonderful start to 2019. The talk by our guide Matsuzaki, which added a special touch to the memories, was also fantastic. The tour was very well organized, with miso soup included with the bento and a jacket provided... I highly recommend it.

新月すぐ後のベストなタイミングで、マウナケアに行くことができました。自然を全身で感じ、パワーを吸収でき、素晴らしい2019年の幕開けになりました。
思い出に一花を添えるガイド松崎さんのトークも最高でした。お弁当に添えられたお味噌汁に、ジャケットに…と、至れり尽くせりのツアー、オススメです。

It was not stated were We would go to for the Manta Ray night time snorkle. We assumed it would be in front of the SheratonKona and were disappointed it was at the secondary location. We saw one manta Ray for about three seconds and that was it. I would highly recommend going to one that is in front of the SheratonKona because we got back to our hotel and we could see them from the restaurant there!

Excellent trip. Saw dolphins, fun time snorkeling, helpful crew.

Excellent time. Good food, beautiful sunset, interesting history from speaker, outstanding live music.

We participated in a 120-minute history and sunset tour with one experienced person and one inexperienced person! We were fortunate to have three staff members: one guide, one support person, and one for photo and video shooting. My companion, who was trying a Segway for the first time, was able to relax and enjoy a great time.

Since it was a weekday, the roads weren't crowded, and we got to ride in places like a botanical garden and an old airport runway that you can't experience elsewhere. The breathtaking sunset was so moving that it brought tears to my eyes, and they took many photos and videos for us. It was truly a fulfilling tour!

I can confidently recommend this wonderful tour to anyone. If you're trying a Segway for the first time, this is a safe choice! 😊

経験者一人と未経験者一人の計二人で120分の歴史と夕焼けのコースに参加しました！
スタッフはガイドさん一人、後方支援一人、写真&ビデオ撮影一人の計三人も付いてくれて恐縮でしたが、セグウェイ初体験だった連れも安心して楽しい時間を過ごせました。
平日だったので道も混雑していなかったし、植物園や昔の空港の滑走路など、他では体験出来ないような場所で走れたこと、感動して涙が出るような夕陽がゆっくり見られたこと、写真やビデオもお任せでたくさん撮って頂いたこと、本当に充実したツアーでした！
どなたにも安心してお勧め出来る素晴らしいツアーです(^^)
セグウェイ初体験の方もここなら安心ですよ。

The guide was very knowledgeable in many areas, making it a fun activity. From the care provided by the guide on the way to the summit to the commemorative photos taken at the top, they paid close attention to detail. They also prepared props, allowing us to take many fun and beautiful pictures. The stargazing coincided with a total lunar eclipse, and with an easy-to-understand guide under a wonderful starry sky, it was very enjoyable.

ガイドの方がとても多方面に詳しく、楽しいアクティビティになりました。
山頂までのガイドさんのケアから、山頂での記念撮影に至るまで、細やかに気を配っていただきました。
小道具なども準備してくださっていて、とっても楽しい写真や綺麗な写真がたくさん撮れました。
天体観測もたまたま皆既月食に当たったこともあり、素晴らしい星空の下、分かりやすいガイドがつき、とても楽しかったです。

It was a great day with favorable conditions, not just in terms of the weather, but also the sunset and moonrise times. We participated as two men who came for work, but I believe it would be perfect for couples or partners. As for concerns about altitude sickness, since we drove to the summit and took our time to acclimatize, I felt a bit uncomfortable when we descended, but moving slowly was not a problem. Next time, I would like to participate with my family. I think it would be even better if it were a little cheaper (laughs).

天候だけでなく、日の入りの時間、月の出る時間など、条件に恵まれたいい日でした。我々は仕事で来た男二人での参加でしたが、夫婦・恋人での参加は間違いなしと思います☆　高山病の心配については、車での登頂かつ酸素順応の時間もゆっくり取っていただいたためか、降りた時に違和感はありましたが、ゆっくり動けば問題なしでした。今度は家族で参加したいと思います。もう少し安ければなお良いと思います(笑)

I participated with some anxiety, wondering if it would be okay since I had never climbed Mount Fuji, which is even taller, but it was really great.

富士山も登ったことがないのにそれ以上の高さなので大丈夫かなと不安を持ちつつ参加させて貰いましたがとっても良かったです

The sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea was truly wonderful with the changing colors of the setting sun. Additionally, during the stargazing, I was moved to see the Milky Way, numerous stars, and even artificial satellites flying by. This year, I was also able to take a photo of the lava from Kilauea volcano reflecting red in the clouds, which was fantastic. If you visit the Big Island, I definitely recommend stargazing.

マウナケア山頂でのサンセットは太陽の沈む色の変化がとても素晴らしかった。また、星空観測ではミルキーウェイ、数々の星、人工衛星が飛んでいるのも見れて感動しました。今年はキラウエア火山の溶岩が雲に反射して赤くなっている写真も撮っていただきとても良かったです。ハワイ島を訪れたら星空観測はぜったいおすすめします。

Due to road freezing, we were unable to reach the summit. Before the tour started, I inquired about the possibility of not being able to climb, and I was informed that there would be no cancellation fee if we canceled before the tour began, and if we couldn't climb even after starting, we would receive a coupon for the same tour. I decided to take the chance and go on the tour, but we had to turn back at the visitor center. I was satisfied with the stargazing and photography, which were conducted by experts.

道路凍結のため、山頂には、行けませんでした。ツアー開始前に登れない可能性を伺い、ツアー開始前ならキャンセル料無料である旨と開始しても登れなかった場合、同一ツアーのクーポンを貰えるとの話を頂きました。可能性にかけてツアーに行ったのですが、ビジターセンターで引き返す事となりました。星空観察と写真撮影は、専門家にしていただいたので満足しました。

Obviously the tour does not summon the whales at their leisure, but we saw honestly 10+ whales (maybe some of the same ones) over a period of an hour and a half and it was incredible. I have so many photos that I can’t wait to post on social. Regardless of actually seeing the whales, the tour was not only educational but it was a smooth ride, very fun and friendly and we even used a hydro microphone that picked up the whales talking to eachother around us. It was nothing I’ve ever heard before, they are so loud!! I would recommend the early trip for any older folks (we took my grandma who is 78) and/or any easily motion sick people. Overall completely worth the price and waking up “early” on vacation.

I participated on January 2, 2109. At first, I was a bit nervous, but thanks to Masako's thorough explanations, I had a great time. The 90 minutes spent learning about the church and Hawaiian history, along with taking lots of photos, made for an amazing day. The president's antics were also fun (laughs). I definitely want to participate again.

Also, when I returned to Japan, I received photos and videos from the president, which was really touching—such professional work! The footage was fantastic. Thank you very much.

2109年1月2日参加しました。最初はビクビクでしたが、まさこさんの丁寧な説明のおかげで凄く楽しめました。90分教会やハワイアンの歴史など説明や写真も沢山撮ってくれて最高な一日でした。社長さんの暴走も楽しかったですよ( 笑 )また是非参加したいです。
あと日本に帰ってみると、社長さんから写真や動画など送らろてきて感動プロですね〜最高の映像でした。
ありがとうございました。

Four years ago, I went to the summit of Mauna Kea, but due to bad weather, I could only make it to the Onizuka Visitor Center. I was worried about the weather, but it turned out to be perfectly clear, and the sunset was amazing. I took a lot of photos, and they lent me some props for the shoot, which made for some fun pictures. The tour guide encouraged everyone to take photos, and later I received the data. Both the sunset and the starry sky photos turned out beautifully, creating wonderful memories. Thank you for your help!

4年前にマウナケア山頂をしたのですが、天候が悪くオニズカビジターセンターまでしか行けなかったので天気の心配がありましたが、ずっと快晴で文句なしのサンセットでした。　写真をたくさん撮っていただき、撮影小物も貸していただき楽しい写真になりました。　ツアー客みんなに写真の声掛けをして下さり、後にデータをいただきましたが、サンセットも星空の写真もとても綺麗に映っていていい思い出となりました。　お世話になりました！

Since it was a last-minute booking, I couldn't reconfirm until the day before, but I was able to participate without any issues. It takes about 40-50 minutes to get from Keauhou to Kealakekua Bay. During that time, they distribute fins and masks. Many people were snorkeling while wearing floaties or floats (available for rent). Since I had a 4-year-old and an 8-year-old with me, we were able to borrow a large boogie board (with a window to see underwater). It was a bit chilly because the sun was behind the clouds, so we got back on the boat partway through, but we enjoyed watching foreign guests having fun on the slide until the end. On the way there, pretzels and juice were served in the galley on the first floor, and on the way back, fruit was added. The crew also came up to the second floor to distribute snacks. Even though our English wasn't great, the crew made an effort to communicate with us.

直近の申し込みだったためか、前日までのリコンファームができなかったのに問題なく参加できました。
ケアウホウを出港してケアラケクア湾まで4-50分かかります。その間にフィンとマスクを配ってくれます。
多くの人が浮き輪やフロート（貸し出し）を着けてシュノーケルしていました。4才と8才連れだったので、大きなビート板（水中みられる窓つき）を貸してもらえました。陽がかげっていたので寒かったため途中で船に上がりましたが、最後までスライダーを楽しむ外国人をみたり、それはそれで楽しめました。
行きの船ではプレッツェルとジュースが1階のギャレーで提供され、帰りにはフルーツが追加されます。クルーが2階にも配りに来てくれます。
英語がいまいちな我々にもクルーはややコミュニケーションをとろうとしてくれました。

I was able to see manta rays up close, even more than I expected. It was so close that it was difficult not to touch them, even though we were told not to. When I took a video, it only captured their belly area, it came that close! I will participate again.

思った以上に近くでマンタを見ることができました。触ってはいけないといわれていたので、触らないようにするのが大変なくらい近くまで来て、動画をとってもおなかのあたりしか映らないくらい（笑）近くに来てくれました。また参加します。

I had visited the Big Island several times, but this was my first opportunity to go to the summit of Mauna Kea. While it was possible to get to ONIZUKA on our own, it was not feasible to drive to the summit with a rental car (though I heard some people do manage to get in...). Given the concerns about driving on Saddle Road at night, we decided to book a tour.

Since we were staying at Mauna Lani, the tour bus picked us up last. We spent the morning playing at the beach, and the pickup came around 3:45 PM. It was very convenient that they came right to the parking lot of our accommodation. They informed us in advance to avoid alcohol for six hours to prevent altitude sickness and also contacted us about renting warm clothing.

Unfortunately, it was raining when we reached ONIZUKA, so based on the tour guide's judgment, we had our lunch (a bento-style meal with warm miso soup) in the vehicle and hurried to the summit. Fortunately, the summit was clear, and we were able to enjoy the sunset slowly. I was glad we didn’t take our time eating lunch. It was impressive! After that, we descended (there's a rule that you must leave the park after the sunset) and observed the starry sky. There was also warm tea and cookies available. They took many photos for us (no extra charge), and we were very satisfied. The night sky photos that I couldn't capture with my own camera were a highlight. It was a thoroughly enjoyable tour.

I had brought my own warm clothing, but it was really cold, so I was grateful to be able to borrow some. The road to the summit is quite bumpy, and the return trip on Saddle Road is pitch dark. I truly felt it was a good decision to join the tour.

I have also participated in a sunrise tour on Maui, but it was physically demanding, so I recommend the sunset tour. If you have the time, a sunrise tour could be fine, but you will be extremely sleepy afterward.

ハワイ島は何度か訪れていましたが、マウナケア山頂に行く機会がなく
初めて訪れました
自分たちでONIZUKAまで行く事は可能でしたが、レンタカーでは山頂まで行くことが不可能（中にはいってしまう人もいるそうですが・・・）との事と夜のサドルロードの運転など不安要素もありツアーを予約

マウナラニに滞在していたので、ツアーバスが迎えに来てくださったのが一番最後のでした。
午前中はビーチで遊び、15：45位に迎えが来ました
滞在先の駐車場まで来ていただいたので、とても楽でした
事前に、注意事項として高山病を避けるため6時間はアルコールを控えるよう、また防寒具のレンタルのご連絡などをいただきました
ONIZUKAまで行くとあいにくの雨、ツアーの方の判断で車内でお弁当をいただき（幕ノ内的なものと温かいお味噌汁）急ぎ山頂へ
山頂が晴れていたので、ゆっくりサンセットを楽しむ事ができました
のんびりお弁当食べていなくてよかった
さすがです！
それから、下山（サンセット終わると公園を出ないといけない決まりです）し、星空を観測。温かい紅茶とクッキーもありました
たくさん写真もとっていただき（別途料金不要）大満足でした
自分のカメラでは撮影できない夜空の写真
大満足のツアーでした

防寒着も持参していましたが、本当に寒いのでお借りできたこと
また、山頂までの道がかなり揺れます。そして帰りのサドルロードが真っ暗です。本当にツアーに参加してよかったと思います。

サンライズツアーもマウイ島で参加した事がありますが、体力的にもきついのでサンセットをお勧めいたします。
時間がある方はサンライズでも構わないと思いますが、ツアー後眠くてたまりません。

Mauna Kea star-gazing tour was a must on our recent trip to Hawai’i. Our tour guide, Jim, was very knowledgeable and made sure that everyone in our group had the best experience possible. Absolutely incredible views, unforgettable sunset above the clouds, gorgeous Milky Way!!

Hawaii Island has straightforward roads that are easy to navigate, and the meeting points were clear as well. It was great to see the manta rays up close.

ハワイ島は、道路も複雑じゃなくわかりやすく集合場所もわかりやすかったです。マンタも間近に見えて良かったです。

It was very sunny on the day, and I think we were lucky. Our driver and guide, Jin, was knowledgeable about Hawaii and the stars, providing various explanations. He was also well-versed in photography and taught us how to capture the stars. He took proactive steps, allowing us to have the best position for sunset and stargazing.

当日はとても晴れていて、ラッキーだったと思います。
ドライバー兼ガイドのジンさんも、ハワイ、星に詳しくいろいろと説明していただきました。また、カメラにも詳しく、星のとり方も教えていただきました。
行動も一歩早い行動を取ってくれたので、ベストなポジションでの、サンセット、星空観察ができました。

The crew and boat delivered for us and found the mantas. Would definitely do again.malby

I participated on January 2, 2019. I was really worried about what would happen if we capsized, but that never happened until the end (we participated as a 44-year-old father, 42-year-old mother, 14-year-old eldest son, and 12-year-old second son). Along the way, we were able to see dolphins up close. Our guide, Noni, spoke perfect Japanese, which made it easy for my middle school children to participate comfortably.

However, there was one point. I thought it might be better to have gloves for paddling, as it would prevent pain at the base of both thumbs. (My second-year middle school child said their thumb was hurting from the pressure.) I think it's best to wear swimsuits in advance and keep personal belongings to a minimum (water is provided during the tour, and there’s no time to apply sunscreen. If you have already settled payments with a credit card in advance, a tip for the guide should be sufficient).

２０１９／１／２に参加しました。
転覆したらどうしようって，本当に心配したのですが，
そんなことは最後までありませんでした（４４歳父，４２歳母，１４歳長男，１２歳二男で参加。）。
途中，イルカを間近で見ることもできました。
ガイドのノニさん，完璧な日本語で，中学生の子どもたちも，安心して参加できました。
ただ，一点だけ。パドルをこぐのに，それぞれ軍手があった方が，両手の親指の付け根が痛くならなくて済むのではないかなーと思いました。
（中２の子どもが，親指の付け根が当たって痛い痛い，と言っていましたので。）
水着は予め着用，手荷物は最小限（水は，ツアーについてますし，日焼け止めは，塗るヒマもありません。お金は，事前にクレジットカードで清算しているのであれば，ガイドさんのチップくらいで大丈夫。）にして，参加するのがよいと思います。

Brett, out tour guide did an outstanding job, very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

I couldn't meet the 270 manta rays because there were reports of sharks that eat mantas... but a few days later, I was able to switch to a dolphin experience! I recommend booking early in your stay so you can make changes if needed. If you bring your smartphone, you can take photos on the boat. There was also time to enjoy the sunset. When we went, we were the only Japanese people there, but we had a Japanese guide who made it enjoyable.

マンタを食べるサメが出没中とのことで270枚いるはずのマンタに逢えず…でしたが数日後のイルカに振り替えて貰えました！行くときは振り替えられるよう滞在の前半に申し込むのがおススメです。スマホ持って行くとボートの中で写真撮ってもらえますよ。夕日を眺められる時間あり。行ったときは私たち以外海外の人でしたが、日本人ガイドが付いて下さって楽しめました。

we had nice view of corals, sea life,ship wreck. transfer to submarine in the sea was another unique experience.ride itself was comfortable and staff were friendly.This activity would recommend to anyone visiting Hawaii

Since I didn't have any other sightseeing activities planned, I chose the historical walking tour. I was a bit anxious about being able to ride properly on public roads for the first time, but after a short training session, even my sixth-grade child was able to ride without any difficulty and was overjoyed. The Japanese female guide was truly enjoyable, providing explanations and guidance about Hawaii's historical sites and shops. We also had photos and videos taken, making it a memorable tour.

ほかに観光らしいことを予定していなかったので歴史散策ツアーにしました。初めてで公道をちゃんと走れるな不安でしたが、短い講習で小6の子供も難なく乗れて大喜びでした。日本人女性ガイドさんが本当に楽しくハワイの史跡、ショップの説明、案内をしてくれました。写真、ビデオも撮っていただき思い出に残るツアーになりました。

I was worried because I have little experience with snorkeling, but I received great support and was able to participate with peace of mind. The swim guides seemed to constantly share information about the dolphins, and thanks to their judgment on where to take us, I was able to see many dolphins!

(If the dolphin sighting location is far away, I think it's good to have motion sickness medication for those who are concerned.)

Also, while on the boat, Daisuke, the swim guide, shared a lot of information about the dolphins and always let us know when dolphins were nearby, which made the waiting time enjoyable.

Additionally, we were lucky enough to encounter whales during the winter season, allowing us to experience both dolphin swimming and whale watching, which was a double delight!

There may be other dolphin swim tours, but this tour was satisfying in every aspect, including knowledge about dolphins, support, and the friendliness of the staff! If I have the opportunity to go to Hawaii again, I would love to do this again.

シュノーケリング等の経験が浅いので心配でしたが、しっかりとフォローしてもらい、安心して参加できました★
スイムガイドさん達も常にイルカの情報をシェアしあっているようで、ちゃんとイルカが見られる場所までその場その場の判断で連れてってくださったおかげでたくさんのイルカをみることができました！！＾＾
（イルカの出現場所によっては遠くなることもあるので心配な方は酔い止めがあるといいと思います）

また、船に乗っている間もスイムガイドのダイスケさんがイルカに関する情報を沢山お話ししてくださり、
常にイルカがあそこにいる！ということも教えてくれたので泳ぐまでの時間も楽しむことができました。

さらに冬季限定でクジラも運良く遭遇することができ、ホエールウォッチングもでき一石二鳥の感動を味わうことができました！

ドルフィンスイムツアーは他にもあるかもしれませんが、イルカに関する知識やサポート、スタッフさんの感じの良さ、全てにおいて満足できるツアーでした！！またハワイに行く機会があればお願いしたいです(^^)

As mentioned in the experience, when I went to the reception after 5 o'clock, there was a huge line. After the reception, there was the purchase of leis and photo taking, which seemed to take some time. The seating was full. Since the food was served from the front seats, I was nervous that there might not be any food left by the time it got to the back, but they kept replenishing it, so I was able to eat plenty. The dish with pork steamed in leaves and the dessert were delicious. The view of the harbor and Kona at sunset was amazing and beautiful!! The luau was packed with Kahiko, hula, Tahitian, and fire performances. However, my child got tired and fell asleep halfway through, but they were satisfied with the food. It was a lot of fun.

体験談にあったように、5時過ぎに受付にいったらすごい行列でした。受付の後にレイの購入と写真撮影があり、それに時間がかかっていたようです。
席は満席でした。ご飯が前の席から順にとのことで、後の席だったのでご飯がなくなるかとドキドキしましたが、どんどん足してくれていたので、たっぷり食べられました。豚を葉っぱで蒸した料理やデザートがおいしかったです。
夕暮れ時のハーバーとコナの景色が最高で素敵でした！！ルアウも、カヒコ、フラ、タヒチアン、ファイヤーものなど満載。ただ、子供は疲れて途中で寝てしまいましたが、子供もご飯は満足していました。楽しかったです。