All Reviews for Helicopter & Airplane Tours

It was one of the things I wanted to do before I die, so I'm really happy to have achieved it. I have no resistance to jumping, so I didn't feel any fear at all. It was just beautiful! Amazing! It felt like shouting "Banzai!" I struggled with equalizing my ears, and they were making funny noises, haha. When I get the photos, I might cry from laughing because I look so bad.

I think everyone should experience this at least once!

死ぬまでにやりたいリストの１つだったので
達成できて嬉しいです
飛び降りるのに対して抵抗が全くないタイプなので
怖さもなにも感じませんでした
ただただ、綺麗！最高！バンザーイって感じでした！
私は耳抜きが下手すぎて耳がきゅいんきゅぃんなってました笑
写真付きにして、データきたらブスすぎて涙出るくらい爆笑できるよ

みんな一度は経験するべきだと思う！！

The explanation from the pilot was unhelpful. I was told to take the controls, so I grabbed the yoke, but I was cautioned not to grip it too tightly to avoid conflict. When I tried to level the plane, I was met with opposing inputs. The experience of piloting was not enjoyable at all; I was just resting my hands on the controls. Ultimately, I was told that if I kept turning left, I would be reprimanded. I wasn't actually steering; I was just resting my hands, which is why it kept turning left. The inability to assess the situation and the poor explanations were frustrating. I was also instructed to enjoy myself more. I am enjoying myself, but please do not dictate people's emotions.

I fully understand that beginners cannot be entrusted with the controls. However, if you are promoting an experience of piloting, this approach is inappropriate.

The information I received from the driver prior to the experience was completely different. There was no explanation on how to read the instruments. There was a brief explanation on the ground, but that was it.

I understand that communicating with air traffic control can be challenging. However, it is part of the job, and failing to satisfy customers is second-rate. What do you mean by "enjoy it more" when you are so brusque?

The conversation with K, who was assigned today, was the most enjoyable part. The pilot only used technical jargon and showed no willingness to provide clear explanations. I have hundreds of hours of experience with Japan's national license, as an examiner, and in drone training.

You must assess what kind of people come for the experience and provide explanations tailored to each individual. Giving the same brusque explanation to everyone is meaningless.

If I had known the level of the participants, I could have skipped basic explanations like pitch, roll, and yaw, and focused on more important details.

There was a lack of communication between the driver and the pilot. I was instructed not to use yaw, but that is a separate issue altogether.

K later supplemented all the difficult terms. He shared many stories from wartime and emphasized the importance of passing knowledge to the next generation. Without K, I would have wanted a full refund for the experience.

In the car on the way back, the woman in the passenger seat didn't say a word; I wondered what she was there for.

Thank you very much, K and the driver, for your help.

パイロットの説明が不親切。
操縦しろと言うから舵を握る、舵を握れば、喧嘩しないように強く握るな。
水平にしようと舵をきると当て舵をされる。
操縦は全く面白くありませんでした。ただ舵に手を添えているだけ。最終的に左にずっと舵をきっていると注意される。
舵をきっているのではなく、手をそえているだけだから左に曲がっていくだけです。
状況判断も出来ず、説明が下手くそ。
もっと楽しめと指図もされました。
楽しんでいます。人の感情を指示しないでください。

初心者に舵をまかせられないのは重々承知の上です。しかし、体験操縦を謳い文句にしているのであれば、このようなやり方は不適切です。

事前に送り迎えのドライバーに聞いていた内容とは全く異なります。
計器の見方も全く説明なし。地上ではさわり程度に説明がありましたが。

管制官との連絡が大変なのは分かります。しかし、仕事なので、客を満足させられないのは二流、三流です。ぶっきらぼうなくせに何がもっと楽しめだ。

本日から配属になったKさんとの会話が一番楽しかったです。パイロットは、専門用語ばかりを口にし、分かりやすい説明をする気もなし。こちらは日本の国家ライセンス、終了審査員、ドローンの講習を何百時間も行っています。

体験に来た方がどのような人なのかを確認し、それぞれの人に応じた説明をしなければなりません。ぶっきらぼうな同じ説明を万人にしても意味は無し。

体験に来た方のレベルを聞いておけば、pitch、roll、yawなどの基本的な説明を省きもっと重要な説明が出来たと思います。

ドライバーの方とパイロットのコミュニケーション不足です。yawは使わないなどと指示していましたが、そもそもそれ以前の問題です。

Kさんは難しい単語を後から全て補足してくれました。戦争の時の話、次の世代に受け継がなければならないことをたくさん教えてくださいました。Kさんがいなければ、体験費用を全額返金願いたいところです。

帰りの車の中で助手席に乗った女性、一言も話さず、何のために乗っているのか。

Kさん、ドライバーの方本当にお世話になりました。ありがとうございました。

It was an awesome experience and I loved the sight seeing and seeing Hawaii from a totally different view. The co-pilot was very helpful and the staff were very kind and treated us very well and respectfully while offering many things. I enjoyed very much! Thank you for the amazing experience, I will hope to do again in the future.

I was worried because it was stated that English was required, but there was no problem as they communicated in easy-to-understand English words.

Diving while enjoying the wonderful scenery was the best, and it will definitely be an unforgettable experience.

I think the shuttle service from around Waikiki makes it easy to use.

英語が必須と記載があったので心配だったのですが、わかりやすい英単語で貝和してくれたので問題ありませんでした。

素晴らしい景色を眺めながらのダイビングは最高で、忘れられない体験になることは間違いないです。

ワイキキ周辺からの送迎もあるので利用しやすいと思います。

The views of Hana from above are simply spectacular, and to pair it with the Haleakalaviews, unreal!

What a morning, sights I will remember in my head forever!

The Volcano is absolutely stunning, and to see it from the air is a different view completely!

I was really looking forward to doing skydiving in Hawaii, something that is quite difficult to do in Japan, since I made the reservation. I was worried because it seemed like only English would be used, but everyone was kind and we managed with gestures. The skydiving experience was amazing, and the ocean and sky were beautiful. The person behind me during the tandem jump seemed very trustworthy, which made me feel safe while jumping. It was the best experience. Since it was my first time, I didn't have the opportunity to take in my surroundings at first, so if I go to Hawaii again, I plan to skydive here once more and take my time to enjoy the view.

日本ではなかなか出来ないスカイダイビングをハワイでやろうと、予約した時からとても楽しみにしていました。英語しか使えないみたいに書いてあったから心配しましたが、皆さん親切でジェスチャーでなんとかなりました。スカイダイビングですがとにかく海と空が綺麗でした。タンデムの後ろの方がすごく信頼できそうな方で安心して飛べました。最高の体験が出来ました。初めてでゆっくり周りを見る余裕が初めのうちはなかったので、次回ハワイに行くことがあったらまたここでスカイダイビングをして今度はじっくりまわりを見ようと思いました。

I was anxious because I couldn't speak English, but checking in was easy with the iPad! If anything came up, I had Google Translate, so it was fine!

This time, there was a staff member who could speak Japanese. The instructor also spoke a little Japanese, which was helpful!

I also requested a shuttle service this time. The driver was very friendly and talked to me a lot (though I only understood a little bit). I gave a $10 tip for the shuttle when I got off! There were some people who didn't give a tip, so I wondered if it was okay not to tip.

The scenery was amazing! I'm glad I could fly in Hawaii! However, my ears hurt a bit from the pressure (laughs).

英語が話せないので不安でしたが
チェックインはiPadで簡単に出来ました！
何かあればGoogle翻訳があるので大丈夫！

今回は店員さんに日本語が話せる方が居ました。
インストラクターの方も少し日本語話してくださったので助かりました！

そして今回は送迎もお願いしました。
とても気さくな方で色々お話ししてくださいました。(なんとなくでしか分からなかったですが)
送迎のチップは帰りの降りる時に10ドル(1人)渡しました！
渡していない人もいたので渡さなくてもいいのかな？

景色最高！ハワイで飛べて良かったです！
ただ耳は気圧でちょっと痛かったです(笑)

We absolutely loved everything about this company and this trip. The office staff was so pleasant and easy to work with. And Captain Steve is a gem!!!! We all can not stop talking about how amazing he was. It was a smooth flight with the most beautiful scenery ever. We could not have had a better experience!

My wife and I participated together!
First of all, neither of us speaks a word of English, but it was not a problem at all! I've read in other people's experiences that there were Japanese speakers, but there weren't any during my time. However, it was no issue.

We used Google Translate, and when receiving explanations, they communicated with gestures, so it was easy. The instructor was kind and very reliable.

The check-in process was simple.

After check-in, we stored our belongings in a coin locker. There was no worry about theft. They provide you with a coin.

I think it's a good idea to purchase the video. There are two versions: one filmed from a third-party perspective by a cameraman, and the other attached to the instructor's arm. The instructor's footage was absolutely fantastic, so I think it's better to use the 100,000 yen for something else instead of flying with the cameraman. On the day, they also asked if I wanted a cameraman, but I said no thank you.

As for my experience, I felt no fear at all. The height was so extraordinary that the awe of the magnificent scenery outweighed any fear.

Also, I think motion sickness medication is essential. When the parachute opens and you descend, it sways a lot, so even with the medication, I felt a bit nauseous.

After the experience, we were given an envelope along with pens or award-like gifts for tips. It had guidance like, if it was good, put in 10; if it was really good, put in 20; if it was incredibly good, put in 30. You can just put in whatever you think is appropriate. Also, if you write a Google review, you can get a T-shirt, so definitely do that.

There was a shuttle service for both going and returning, so I gave the driver $20 (calculating $10 each way) on the way back. It was quite a long distance, so I gave a little extra. They were happy, and we both ended on a good note.

Overall, it was truly a wonderful experience, and I was very satisfied. I want to fly again!

妻と2人で参加しました！
まず、2人とも英語は1ミリも話せませんが、
全然問題なかったです！他の方の体験談では日本語話せる方がいたと記載ありますが、私の時はいませんでした。しかし問題なし。

Google翻訳を使用したり、説明を受ける時もジェスチャーで説明してくれるので余裕でした。
インストラクターの方も優しく、すごい頼りになります。

受付も簡単です。

荷物は受付終了後コインロッカーに預けます。
盗難の心配はなかったです。コインは渡してくれます。

動画は購入した方がいいと思います。
カメラマンが第三者目線で撮影したバージョンか、インストラクターの腕につけての2パターンあると思いますが、インストラクターの撮影で全然素晴らしいので、カメラマンと一緒に飛ぶ分の10万は別のことに使えばいいと思います。
当日も追加でカメラマンはどうですか？と聞かれますが、ノーサンキューと言いました。

体験談として、怖さは全くありませんでした。
非日常すぎる高さのため、怖いより壮大な景色に感動の方が大きいです。

あと酔い止めは必須かと。
パラシュート開いて降りる時、ユラユラユラユラ降りるので、酔い止めあっても少し酔いました。

チップは体験後、ペンや表彰的なプレゼントと共に封筒を渡されます。
そこに、良かったら10。すごくよかったら20。
死ぬほどよかったら30。みたいな案内があるので、自分の思うチップを入れて渡せばOKでした。
あと、Google口コミを書くとTシャツ貰えるので、是非。

行き帰り、送迎ありだったので
帰りに運転手に20ドル（片道10計算）渡しました。結構長い距離なので、気持ち多めに。
喜んでくれてお互い気持ちよく終われました。

以上、本当に素晴らしい体験で大満足でした。
また飛びたいと思います！

I participated in a helicopter tour of the Big Island! The pilot was Toshi, who recently became a grandfather and has semi-retired. I felt very lucky to meet Toshi on this trip!

From the moment we headed to the helicopter, my excitement soared, and it reached its peak during takeoff! I was moved by the breathtaking natural beauty of the Big Island spread out below me.

The landing and takeoff at the cliffs of Kohala Coast and the 365-meter drop of Punalu'u Falls were absolutely thrilling!

As I flew, reflecting on the history from the birth of the Big Island to the present, I was reminded of how short and precious life is.

It was truly priceless! I highly recommend it!

ビッグアイランドのヘリコプター遊覧ツアーに参加しました！パイロットはToshiさん、お孫さんが産まれて、セミリタイアされたとの事。今回、Toshiさんにお会い出来たのは、非常にラッキーでした！
ヘリに向かう時からテンションが上がり、テイクオフでMAXに到達！眼下に広がるビッグアイランドの大自然に感動しました(^^)
特にコハラ海岸の断崖絶壁と、落差365mのプナルルの滝へのランディング&テイクオフは迫力満点でした！
ビッグアイランドの誕生から今に至る迄の、歴史に思いを馳せながらのフライトは、人の一生が如何に短く、如何に大切か、改めて感じる事が出来ました！
正にプライスレス！！お勧めです(^^)

The pilot was Toshi Mochizuki! With his warm and passionate guidance, we discovered the true charm of the Big Island of Hawaii! Thank you so much, Toshi!

パイロットは望月トシさんでした！
彼のあたたかく、そして熱い案内で、わたし達はハワイ島の本当の魅力を知りました！トシさんホントにホントにありがとうございました！！

It was an amazing flight with very professional pilots. We were able to stay up for 40 minutes and catch amazing views of the ocean runway and mountains. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone. Thank you for treating us like family and we will forever be friends. Thank you Mr. Bill!!!

They got us on early to get a great view with the clear morning skies! wonderful and safe flight

greenery, crystal water, and waterfalls! really wonderful views throughout!

Amazing tour! Recommend to all wanting to see the beautiful island of Kauai!

Sammie was our pilot, and we were fortunate enough that it was just our family on the flight. She made us all feel extremely welcomed and took the time to learn our names, which made our flight that much better. We also all enjoyed the fact that our pilot was an instructor and a female (the world needs more female pilots) With a smaller group it’s easier to be more open and ask more questions about what you’re seeing. No one in our family has ever ridden on a helicopter, but we have all flown and it was awesome!! Planes can only maneuver so much, but helicopters give you a different look and feel of flying. Regardless of where you are sitting you get the opportunity to see all that nature has to offer firsthand. It’s also nice to know that everything was being videoed so you can spend more time looking and less time trying to capture it on your phone. She also was a wealth of knowledge around all things in Hawaii and offered recommendations on additional things for us to see.

Our tour guide was ready and waiting for us at the airport as we landed from the helicopter tour with Sammie. He was extremely welcoming and easily buildings one on one relationships with people. He had a very rich background of experiences which he easily incorporated into all aspects of the tour. From local language, culture, history, nature, driving habits of locals vs. tourists, and stops to get one of a kind eats (shave ice… not shaved ice) we experienced it all. My family was the only group, so we all got to spread out and experience that limo van. We had a beachside lunch overlooking black sand beach and got to experience local foods and stories of the area. We got time to visit the beach and got some great pics within a lava tube. The beach was a little busy, but we still found a spot. He also had a vast knowledge of everything we drove by and experienced. We were also surprised at how smooth the ride was. We had just done the Garden of the Gods a few days before.

In the morning, they came to pick us up at the Hyatt Regency where we were staying in Waikiki. With transportation included to Haleiwa, we enjoyed a scenic flight in a Cessna, skydiving at our destination, and then paragliding after experiencing free fall—each was a wonderful experience! Considering all this, the cost performance was excellent, and I truly felt the roundness of the Earth. I personally handed a tip to the person who flew with us as a token of gratitude. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the life-risking job. I decided to travel to Hawaii because I wanted to skydive, and I will definitely come back again while I still have no age restrictions.

ワイキキに滞在中のハイアットリージェンシーまで朝、迎えにきてくださいました。ハレイワまでの送迎付きで、セスナでの遊覧飛行、目的のスカイダイビング、フリーフォール状態を満喫の後のパラセイリングでの空中遊泳、どれもこれも素敵な体験！
と考えるとコストパフォーマンスはばっちり地球が丸いと体感しました。
チップは一緒に飛んでくれた方に感謝を込めて直接お渡ししました。命掛けのお仕事に心より『ありがとう』。　スカイダイビングをしたくてハワイ旅行を決めましたが、年齢制限が自由なうちにまたリピします。

Skydiving was my husband's dream. As someone who is not fond of heights, I initially had no intention of participating. However, I thought that if I didn't jump with my husband, I probably would never jump alone in my life, so after much hesitation, I signed up. If you have even a slight interest, I highly recommend giving it a try.

I chose a package that included video and photos, but the content varies depending on the cameraman. My husband's cameraman and instructor were fantastic, and the photos and videos turned out really well.

It's better to have some English skills, but you can manage with gestures (my husband can speak a little, but my level is below that of a modern elementary school student). They don't provide insurance, so I made sure to get skydiving insurance before leaving Japan, just in case.

夫の夢だったスカイダイビング
高いところが苦手な私は当初参加するつもりは全くありませんでした
でも夫と一緒に飛ばなければ多分一生ひとりでは飛ばないな、と思い散々迷った結果、申し込みました
少しでも興味があるなら是非飛んでみて下さい
ビデオ、写真付きプランにしましたが
ついてくれるカメラマンにより内容が異なり、夫のカメラマン、インストラクターの方が素晴らしく、写真、ビデオの内容も大変良かったです

英語は出来た方が良いですが、ジェスチャーでなんとかなります（夫は多少話せますが私は今時の小学生以下レベルです）
保険は取り扱いないので、念の為日本出国前にスカイダイビング対応の保険をかけていきました

Once we took off and reached a safe altitude, the piloting experience began. The piloting time was quite long, with 40 minutes of the 60-minute flight dedicated to actually flying.

It's the best experience to be able to pilot without a license. It is a bit pricey, but I would love to participate again.

The flight route is determined by the weather on the day, and I flew along the west coast route from Pearl Harbor to Haleiwa, the westernmost point at Kaena Point, and Ko Olina.

The area near Kaena Point was clear and sunny, and it was such a beautiful place that I was more captivated by the scenery than by flying.

I was told that I could take photos freely, but I was having so much fun piloting that I didn't have time for that. However, the instructor took quite a few photos, and the ground staff also took pictures when we departed.

Additionally, as long as it doesn't cover your ears, you can always use an action camera for filming.

離陸して、安全な状態になると操縦体験スタート。
操縦時間は結構長くて60分中40分は操縦していました。

免許なしで、実際に操縦できるのは、最高のひとことです。
値段はしますが、また参加したいです。


フライトルートは当日の天候で決まり、
私はパールハーバーからハレイワ、最西端のカエナポイント、コオリナと周る西海岸ルートでした。

カエナポイント付近は快晴で、操縦よりも景色に目が奪われる素晴らしい場所でした。

写真撮影は自由に撮影OKと言われていましたが、操縦が楽しくてそんな時間はありませんが、
教官の方が結構撮影してくれて、
さらに、出発の際には地上スタッフが撮影してくれてました。

また、耳に被らなければ、アクションカメラ撮影も常時OK。

Everyone was super cool made a nice relaxed time up to the jump. The jump was incredible! One of the coolest experiences ever!!! Instructors/guides? we're awesome very laid back explained everything and took awesome pics!

It was a very simple explanation, but I could understand it in English. I enjoyed it so much that I couldn't help but laugh every time I rewatched the video.

とてもシンプルな説明でしたが、英語でも理解できます。ビデオを何度見返しても笑えてしまうぐらい楽しかったです。

My first experience flying in a Cessna over Oahu was filled with satisfaction that surpassed both tension and anticipation, lasting about an hour.

During the shuttle ride to the hotel, we enjoyed fun conversations in Japanese, and I felt reassured by the presence of a Japanese interpreter during the briefing with the pilot at the office.

Before and during the flight, they took free photos and videos, which they sent to me via LINE before I returned to the hotel.

The pilot's handling of the aircraft was meticulous, and he checked on my well-being several times during the flight.

If I have the opportunity, I would love to customize another flight with Lani Lea Flight School.

人生初のセスナでオアフ島周遊フライトは、緊張感と期待感を軽く飛び越して満足感の上空を約１時間に渡り味わいました。
ホテルへの送迎車内での日本語での楽しい会話、オフィスでのパイロットとのブリーフィングも日本語通訳が同席していただいて安心しました。
フライト前、フライト中にも無料で写真や動画を撮影してくれて、ホテルに帰る前にラインで送って頂きました。
パイロットの操縦も丁寧で、フライト中に体調の確認を何度も気配りしてくれました。
機会があれば今度もLani Lea Flight School のフライトをオーダーメイドしたいなと思います。

It's reassuring for beginners that Japanese is spoken. They also researched the weather in detail to ensure a better flight experience. Although the pilot couldn't speak Japanese, I would like to use their services again.

日本語が通じて初心者でも安心。天候についても細かく調べてくれておりより良いフライトを心がけてくれました。パイロットは日本語ができませんでしたがまた利用したいと思いました。

This tour was so amazing! Our pilot was knowledgable and they played fun music during the ride. We saw all the areas of the island that you cannot access. So many waterfalls, Wamea Canyon and the NaPali coast. We plan to come back and to this again with our kids.

I was picked up by the owner, Kaz, and his wife. They were so friendly that it felt like we had known each other for a long time, and they shared a lot of information about the Cessna experience and Hawaii.

After arriving at the office, I was taught how to operate the Cessna, and then we set off.

The course departed from and returned to Honolulu Airport, flying over Ala Moana, out to the waters off Honolulu, passing Diamond Head, Makapu'u Point, the sandbars of Kailua and Kaneohe, Kualoa Ranch, the North Shore, Dole Plantation, Pearl Harbor, and we circled around Oahu in about an hour.

Around the area past Diamond Head, I was allowed to take the controls, and I nervously moved the yoke up and down and side to side, experiencing the strange sensation of flying by my own will. The pilot sitting next to me adjusted the yoke and engine power (similar to a driving school car), so I didn't feel scared at all. Once I got used to it, it was truly enjoyable, and it's hard to put into words, but everything I saw was amazing. My kids, in the back seat, were taking pictures and having a great time, and they even started dozing off around the North Shore due to the comfort. I had given them motion sickness medication, but it turned out to be unnecessary for my kids.

What surprised me the most was being able to see Hawaii's great nature from above. This was my third time in Hawaii, and I had only been to Waikiki, Ala Moana, downtown, and the North Shore, but seeing the eastern coast of Oahu from the air allowed me to truly feel the grandeur of Hawaii's nature, making me love Hawaii even more.

We circled over Pearl Harbor about three times while waiting for our turn to land, and I found myself pondering how Japanese soldiers must have felt 80 years ago while flying over. It was unexpectedly profound.

Despite the expensive optional tour due to the yen's depreciation after 34 years, I believe it was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It seems that Cessna flight experiences are only available in three places worldwide, so if the timing is right, I highly recommend it. I think it will create wonderful memories for my kids as well.

迎えはオーナーのカズさんと奥様にきていただきました。初対面とは思えないくらい気さくで、セスナ体験について、ハワイについていろいろ教えていただきました。

オフィスに到着後、セスナの操縦について教えていただき、いざ出発。

コースはホノルル空港を発着し、アラモアナ上空からホノルル沖へ出て、ダイアモンドヘッド、マカプウ岬、カイルア、カネオヘのサンドバー、クアロアランチ、ノースショア、Doleプランテーション、パールハーバーとオアフを１時間ほどで半周しました。

ダイアモンドヘッドを超えたあたりで、操縦を任せて頂き、恐る恐るハンドルを上下左右に動かし、自らの意思で飛んでいる不思議な感覚を得ました。隣に座っているパイロットの方がハンドル操作とエンジン出力を調整してくれる(自動車教習所の車みたいなイメージ)ため、怖いという印象はありません。
慣れてからは本当に楽しく、言葉に表すことが難しいですが、目に飛び込んでくるもの全てが最高でした。
小6と小3の子も後部座席で撮影をしながら終始楽しんでいて、あまりの心地よさでノースショアあたりからうたた寝を始めましたw
酔い止め薬を飲ませていましたが、うちの子達には不要でした。

また予想外に良かったのは、ハワイの大自然を上空から見られたことです。私はハワイに来たのは3回目で、ワイキキやアラモアナ、ダウンタウン、ノースショアあたりしか行ったことが無かったのですが、オアフの東海岸を上空から見ることで、ハワイの大自然や雄大さを肌で感じることができ、より一層ハワイが好きになりました。
また着陸の順番待ち？のためか、パールハーバー上空を3週ほど旋回したのですが、80年前の日本兵はどんな風に見ていたのだろうともの思いにふけながら、飛ぶこともでき、こちらも予想外に大変感慨深かったです。

34年ぶりの円安で高価なオプショナルツアーになりましたが、間違いなく、生涯記憶に残る体験ができたと思います。セスナの体験操縦は世界でも3箇所？しか出来ないようで、タイミングが合えば是非オススメです。
子供達とも楽しい思い出になるのではと思います。

We loved the plane ride, checking in was smooth, they took pictures of us with the plane which was nice, and the employee and pilot were very friendly and helpful. We booked last minute but we felt welcomed nonetheless. The plane ride had a smooth take off and landing. And of course, the view was so amazing along with the pilot telling us all about Kauai!

I found a dream activity of piloting a Cessna and signed up for my husband, who loves airplanes. I'm not very good with heights, but I took a seat in the back and challenged myself to film with a rented GoPro.

My impression is... it was simply the best!! You can experience a world beyond the ordinary!

Many of the staff at Lanilea are Japanese, so there’s no anxiety about language barriers, allowing me to ask questions with ease. I made some unreasonable requests, but they kindly listened to me. Thank you to the cheerful owner.

I'm glad I had the courage to sign up! Seeing Hawaii from the sky was exceptionally awesome!☆

セスナの操縦体験という夢のようなアクティビティを見つけ、飛行機好きの夫の為に申し込みました。私は高いところがあまり得意ではありませんが、後部座席に乗車し、レンタルのゴープロを片手に撮影に挑みました。

感想は、、、とにかく最高です！！
非日常の世界を味わえます！

ラニレアのスタッフの方々も日本人の方が多く、言葉が通じないという不安もない為、安心して質問が出来ますし、いろいろ無茶なお願いもするだけタダなのでしてみたところ、ご親切に聞いて下さったように思います。
ノリの良いオーナー様、ありがとうございました。

勇気を出して申し込みしてよかったです！
大空から見るハワイは格別にAwesomeでした☆

I had always wanted to experience a helicopter tour, and I finally had the opportunity to board one this time.

The meeting point was at Blue Hawaiian Helicopters in the Honolulu Airport area. I took an Uber from Waikiki, and since the address is registered, I arrived smoothly. The Uber fare fluctuates, but it was about $30-35.

After arriving, I checked in at the counter. Large luggage is not allowed inside, so I stored my bags in lockers or the office and waited with just my smartphone and sunglasses until departure.

Once all the guests in the same time slot gathered, we watched a safety video for about 10 minutes before departure. The safety video not only covered important safety points but also included exciting visuals that captivated my attention. It was entirely in English, but there were Japanese subtitles, so I could grasp the important points clearly.

Fortunately, my flight was piloted by a Japanese pilot named KOJI. Before departure, he asked in Japanese, "Do you have any questions?" which made me feel more at ease.

After watching the video, once we fastened our seatbelts, it was finally time to board the helicopter. Stepping out of the office, we were on the runway of Honolulu Airport! It was thrilling to walk on a runway that is usually off-limits. I could view international flights from a different perspective.

Once on the helicopter, we did a microphone test, and off we went. KOJI mixed English and Japanese in his explanations, so I felt zero anxiety and was able to enjoy the flight. The sensation of floating was incredible, unlike anything I experienced on a plane. We took off from Honolulu Airport with movie music playing in the background.

The first thing visible from the sky was the Ala Moana and Waikiki area. It was a strange experience to look down at the area where I had just stayed and my favorite Ala Moana Beach Park. The ocean around Waikiki was breathtaking! I was constantly amazed by the varying shades of blue in the water.

The helicopter flew over Waikiki and passed above Diamond Head. After that, we reached the popular sandbar, which truly looked stunning, appearing as a bright blue patch in the ocean, just like in the photos.

Before I knew it, the background music had changed to Hawaiian music, and we continued to enjoy the view over Kualoa Ranch and the lush Ko'olau Mountains. I was thrilled when we approached "Saycrad Fall," which can only be seen from a helicopter.

The helicopter kept moving, and we arrived near the North Shore. As I enjoyed the peaceful scenery of sprawling farms and windmills, I spotted the Dole Plantation below. The popular maze is hard to see from above, but viewing it from the sky gave me a better understanding of its layout.

The final part of the course was Pearl Harbor. I could see ships docked, the serious atmosphere, and the battleship Missouri from above. It was striking to realize how Pearl Harbor served as a military base. I was reminded that Hawaii was the starting point of the Pacific War, and I imagined the views seen by Japanese and American pilots. I experienced an unexpected "learning" during the helicopter tour over Pearl Harbor.

KOJI's explanations were clear and lively, and the 50-minute course flew by. While it’s not a budget-friendly tour, I can confidently say it offers an unforgettable experience! I highly recommend the helicopter tour as a once-in-a-lifetime emotional experience!

一度は体験してみたかったヘリ遊覧飛行。機会をいただき、この度、搭乗させていただきました。

集合場所はホノルル空港エリアのBlue Hawaiian Helicopter社です。私はワイキキからUberで向かいましたが、住所登録もされているのでスムーズに到着できました。
Uberの料金はときにより変動していますが、およそ30-35ドル程度でした。

到着後はチェックインカウンターで手続きです。大きな手荷物は持って入れないので、ロッカーや事務所に預かってもらい、スマホやサングラスだけを手元に出発まで待機します。

同時間帯のお客さんが全員揃ったら出発前に10分ほどの安全ビデオを見ます。安全ビデオは、安全に関する点だけでなくワクワクするような映像も散りばめられていて、つい見入ってしまうものでした。
全編英語ですが、日本語の字幕もついているので、大事なポイントはしっかり把握することが可能です。

ラッキーなことに、私のフライトは日本人パイロットのKOJIさんが担当くださいました。
出発前にも日本語で「わからないことはありますか？」など聞いていただけ、より安心感が強まります。

ビデオ視聴後、安全ベルトを装着したら、いよいよヘリコプターへ搭乗です。
事務所を出るとそこはホノルル空港の滑走路！普段は歩けない滑走路の上を歩く機会、テンションが上がります。
国際線の飛行機もいつもと違う視点で眺めることができました。

ヘリコプターに乗ったら機内用のマイクテストをし、いざ出発です。
KOJIさんが英語、日本語を混ぜて説明してくれるので、フライト開始前も不安ゼロで楽しめました。飛行機とは違う浮遊感がたまらないですね。映画音楽をBGMに聞きながら、ホノルル空港を颯爽と飛び立ちます。

上空から1番に見えてくるのはアラモアナ・ワイキキエリア。
さっきまで私が滞在していた地域や、大好きなアラモアナ・ビーチパークを上から眺めるのは不思議な体験でした。
ワイキキの海は絶景ですね！
海の青色がところどころ違っていることもわかり、感動しっぱなしでした。

ヘリコプターはワイキキを超え、ダイヤモンドヘッド上空を通過します。
その先はツアーでも大人気のサンドバー。本当に海のその部分だけ青白く浮かび上がっている情景は、写真の通りで見事でした。

気づけばBGMはハワイアンミュージックに変わっており、続いてクアロア・ランチの上空、コオラウ山脈の緑を眺めていきます。
ヘリコプターでしか見ることができない「Saycrad Fall」に近づいたときは嬉しかったです。

ヘリコプターはどんどん進み、ノースショア付近にたどり着きます。
のどかな農場が広がる光景、風車が並ぶ景色を気持ちよく眺めていると、眼下にドール・プランテーションが。
人気の迷路は、上空から見ないと全貌が見えづらいですね。上から見ることでよく様子がわかりました。

コースの最後は真珠湾です。実際に船が停泊している様子や、ものものしい雰囲気、戦艦ミズーリ等も上から見ることができました。
いかに真珠湾が軍用拠点だったか。自然にできた入り組んだ港湾の特異さにも納得させられました。
ハワイが太平洋戦争の発端だったことを改めて思い出し、日本軍、米軍のパイロットが見た景色を想像します。
思いがけないヘリツアーでの「学び」を、真珠湾上空で感じることができました。

KOJIさんの解説はわかりやすく軽快で、50分コースはあっという間でした。
決してお手頃なツアーではないですが、絶対に外さない感動体験ができる！と確信できるツアーです。
一生に一度の感動体験として、ヘリコプターツアーお勧めです！