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Maui
This is my fourth time in Maui, but it's my first time going to the mountains. Yamachan arrived at the hotel right on time to pick us up. During the drive, we had a lively time asking each other about our hometowns. We stopped by a souvenir shop along the way, where we tried and purchased some of Yamachan's recommended products. By the time we reached the summit, it was sunset time, and we were above the clouds. The sunset was not just red; it had layers of blue as well. After that, we descended a bit and had our bento in the car. Once we finished eating, we all looked up, and the sky was like a planetarium. We saw the Milky Way with the naked eye!!! We were even able to see Saturn through a telescope, which was incredibly moving. I think it's not an exaggeration to say that it was a refreshing experience for the soul. Yamachan's clear explanations about the stars and his consideration for each person were truly professional.
マウイは今回で４回目ですが、山へ行くのは初めて。時間通りにやまちゃんさんがホテルに迎えにきてくれました。行きの車中では、みんなの出身地を聞いたりして賑やかな時間でした。途中お土産屋さんへ立ち寄り、やまちゃんお薦め商品を試食して購入したりしました。山頂に着くころにはサンセットタイム、山頂は雲の上です。サンセットは赤いだけではなく、青い色との何層にもなってました。その後、少し下山して車中でお弁当。食べ終わり、みんなで下を向いて外へ、見上げた空はなんとプラネタリウムでした。肉眼で見る天の川！！！望遠鏡を使って土星も見ることができ、感動感動でした。命の洗濯ができたと言っても過言ではないと思います。やまちゃんのわかりやすい星の説明、一人一人への気遣いははプロ中のプロだと思いました。
You are also from Yokohama! I'm glad you enjoyed the sunset and starry sky, which are not often seen in Japan. We all have to endure and wait until it gets dark to see the stars together, and indeed, it's necessary to "look down and walk" until then (laughs). I look forward to seeing you again!
同じ横浜の出身でしたね！日本ではなかなか見れない夕焼けと星空を楽しんで頂き、喜ばしく思います。星空は我慢に我慢を重ねて、みんなで「せーの」で見ることにしており、やはり暗くなるまで「下を向いて歩こう」は必要なのです（笑）また是非お目にかかれることを楽しみにしております！
Translated by OpenAI
The guide was a man named Rick, who was fluent in Japanese and had been a wedding planner until a year ago. He occasionally cracks dad jokes (laughs).
At Krispy Kreme along the way, I tried flavors that aren't available in Japan, and they were very delicious. I was told that among the ones sold here, they were on the less sweet side, but they were sweet enough for me.
We stopped by a supermarket to buy dinner, and I was excited to see some unusual sushi (laughs). This was also incredibly delicious.
Of course, the sunset and the starry sky were wonderful! I was able to see the green flash as the sun set, and although I wasn't expecting much from the starry sky because it was a full moon, I was able to see the Milky Way, which was very moving!
I wore a total of six layers, including Heattech, a T-shirt, a sweatshirt, and an inner down jacket, and I put on a rented down jacket on top, but I was still quite cold. However, I think it's worth participating even if it's cold!
ガイドはリックさんという、一年前までは結婚式のプランナーをされていたという、日本語ペラペラの方。たまにオヤジギャグも炸裂します（笑）
途中のクリスピークリームでは日本にないフレーバーのものをいただき、とても美味しかったです。こちらで販売している中では甘さ控え目とのことでしたが、充分甘かったです。
夕飯を購入しにスーパーへ立ち寄ったのですが、珍しいお寿司にテンションが上がりました（笑）こちらもすごく美味しかったです。
もちろん夕日も星空も素晴らしかったです！
夕日が沈むときにはグリーンフラッシュが見れ、満月だったので星空は期待していなかったのですが、天の川も見れ、とても感動しました！
私はヒートテックやＴシャツ、トレーナー、インナーダウンなど、計６枚着て、その上にレンタルのダウンを着たのですが、それでも全然寒かったです。
でも寒くても参加する価値はあると思います！
Thank you for joining the tour! Many of you are on your second or third day in Maui, and I imagine you might be starting to crave Japanese food, so we will be serving sushi for dinner. This is also something you can decide for yourselves, making dinner one of the highlights of the evening.
ツアー参加有難うございます！皆様マウイ到着２日目３日目の方も多く、そろそろ日本食も恋しいかと思い、夜は日本食のお寿司をご用意しております。これも皆さんご自分で決められるようにしているので、夕食は１つのお楽しみです。
Translated by OpenAI
I participated with my 83-year-old mother-in-law and six family members. Twenty years ago, I went to see the sunrise with my own mother (75 years old) and my young daughter. This time, the starry sky was even more wonderful than the sunset! Yamachan's explanations and observations were so much fun!!! Thank you very much.
83才の義母を連れて家族6人で参加しました。
20年前にも、実母（75才）と、幼い娘とともにサンライズを見にいきました。
今回は、サンセット以上に星空が素晴らしくて～！
山ちゃんの説明と観測、楽しかった!!!
ありがとうございました。
You can drive up to the summit, making it accessible for everyone from the elderly to small children. Your mother, who certainly doesn't look 83, should definitely join the tour again.
山頂まで車で登ることが出来るので、お年寄りから小さい子たちまで参加することが可能です。とても８３歳には見えないお母様で、また是非ツアーに参加されてください。
Translated by OpenAI
I wished we had a more outgoing/energetic group of passengers along with us, but our driver, Sam made up for it, amazing me with his non-stop humor and entertainment. As others said, I am very glad I did not have to drive that one-lane two-way road with rusty railings and precarious turns myself for hours and hours of driving (see the one photo attached where looking out my window you could see an inch of pavement and then the drop). The tour buses being higher than car height and having large windows provided a wide-open view i would not have see from my rental car. Sam educated us on Hawaiian history, and pointed out dining spots, fauna, flora, and talked of herbal uses of the plants. He talked about his family and their land, and told stories of growing up in Hawaii. He made certain to stop and let us take photos from the tour bus, at perfect photo spots along the road often near its many bridges, rivers, falls. We were handed a map at the beginning with spots high-lighted in yellow where we would get out and walk around, so we could gauge how long we had to go. The places we stopped were gorgeous. Some had very short paths to explore. The banana bread stop nice. At one popular waterfall stop, the road jammed up and Sam was out there, cooling tempers with his humor, making friends, and directing traffic to clear the gridlock. The open air restaurant in Hana was good, beautiful artwork, nice lunch. Sam brought us tastes of a local dish, Poke, the restaurant made. Unfortunately at the one stop for swimming at the 7 Sacred Pools of 'Ohe'o, the park has certain conditions the surf must meet to let you down there to swim: it was closed that day, and I was terribly disappointed after seeing so many beautiful pictures on the internet and hoping it to be the big finish, but Sam still gave us time enough time to do the circular hike out to the point above there, as consolation. I am very glad I signed up for this tour. Was sad when the day was over.
The weather in the lower region was sunny with occasional clouds. In the evening, as I approached the summit, the weather was good. The view from the top was amazing, with a beautiful sunset. As the sun set, the sky darkened, and after closing my eyes for a while, when I opened them, I could see the Milky Way beautifully in the sky. You can't see it this clearly in the lower region. After that, the weather changed suddenly, and it started to rain, so I couldn't see the stars. However, I heard that this tour allows for a partial refund to try again until you can see the beautiful stars, so I descended with hopes of joining the next tour.
下界は晴れ時々曇り。夕方、頂上へ近ずくと天候は良好。
山頂は、夕日が綺麗に見えて最高でした。
日が落ちてくると空が暗くなり目を閉じてしばらくしてから目を開けた時、空に天の川が綺麗に見えました。下界ではこんなに綺麗には見えませんよ。
この後、天気が急変し雨が降り出し、星を見ることはできませんでした。
しかし、このツアーは綺麗な星が見えるまで一部負担でリベンジできるとのことなので、次回のツアー参加に期待して下山しました。
Mountain weather can be unpredictable. Generally, since we go above the clouds, the weather is often clear, but there are days when visibility can be as low as 20% throughout the year. Our company has a "revenge system" in place, so while the entrance fee and lunch costs are separate, you can participate until you get to see it. We hope you'll come back to see the starry sky again!
山の天気は予想がつかないことが起こります。基本的には雲の上に行くので天気は晴れることが多いのですが、年間２０％は見れない日もでてきます。自社ではリベンジ制度を導入しているので、入園費とお弁当代は別途になりますが、見れるまでご参加できます。是非また満天の星空を見に来てくださいね！
Translated by OpenAI
My sister and I were upgraded to a helicopter tour to Hana. Then we came back by limo to our hotel. It was a great trip and we enjoyed every minute!
Lovely morning at Haleakala. Was cloudy at first, but eventually the beautiful sunrise appeared. Breakfast was great and they offered a choice of three selections.
The guide was incredibly attentive, engaging with each person individually and ensuring that everyone came together in the end. Since we were at an altitude of 3,000 meters, there was no need to worry about altitude sickness, as we had regular breaks and restroom stops. When we reached the summit, they even lent us down jackets for the cold. The moment the sunset over the sea of clouds from the mountaintop was breathtaking. After that, we used a telescope to view stars that can only be seen in Hawaii, and the guide shared a lot of fascinating information about astronomy. It was a tour that was never boring, both in terms of the location and the conversation.
ガイドさんが、とにかく、気を配ってくれると人で、皆さん一人一人に、話をかけていき、最終的には、皆が、纏まるようにしてくれます。標高3000メートルの山の為、高山病にならないように、マメに休憩時間トイレも取ってくれるので心配いりません。頂上についたら、寒い時用のダウンも貸してくれます。山上からの夕陽が沈み瞬間の雲海は最高です。その後は、望遠鏡でハワイでしか観れない星を見て、天体観測の話をいっぱいしてくれます。ロケーションもトークも飽きないツアーでした。
At 3000 meters, there is a temperature difference of about 20°C compared to the ground, so we provide gloves, blankets, and down jackets. During the explanation of the starry sky, we also offer warm tea, so both your heart and body will be warmed at 3000 meters (laughs).
やはり３０００メートルは地上と比べ２０℃ほど温度差があることもあり、手袋、毛布、ダウンジャケットなどをご用意しています。途中星空の説明中に、温かいお茶も差し上げておりますので、３０００メートルで心も身体も温まります（笑）
Translated by OpenAI
I finally realized my long-time dream of participating in this tour with my family to see the magnificent scenery together! I had looked at guidebooks and watched broadcasts on BS television, but the views I saw in person were beyond words. I was also impressed by our guide, Mr. Yamauchi, and his high level of professionalism in taking care of participants' health and considering restroom breaks while guiding us through the 3000-meter mountains. The majestic views of Haleakalā and Mr. Yamauchi's stories resonated deeply with our family, and I’m truly glad we participated. Thank you, Mr. Yamauchi, for the wonderful tour!
このツアーに家族で参加して雄大な景色をみんなで見たい！という長年の私の夢がついに叶いました。私はガイドブックやBSテレビの放映を見ていきましたが、実際に見る景色は言葉に表せないほど素晴らしいものでした。またガイドのヤマウチさんの、参加者への体調の気配りやお手洗いの配慮などが3000ｍ級の山を案内するプロとしての意識の高さに感心させられました。ハレアカラ山の雄大な景色とヤマウチさんのお話は私たち家族の心に大きく響くものがあり、本当に参加して良かったです。ヤマウチさん素敵なツアーありがとうございました。
Thank you very much for participating in the tour. I always find it heartwarming to see so many families being considerate to their parents. I look forward to seeing you again in good health!
ツアー参加して頂き、本当に有難うございます。親孝行のご家族がとても多く、いつも微笑ましく思います。是非お元気でまた再会できるのを楽しみにしております！
Translated by OpenAI
We had a fantastic time on our Road to Hana tour! Larry is a great tour guide. I just wished we could have spent more time at the Seven Sacred Pools. We saw many waterfalls, so this is an excellent choice for people that love nature!!
The guide was great and witty. A lot of fun despite not being able to see the sunrise because of the fog that morning.
We read it was a good idea to do this at the beginning of your trip so you're still on your 'time' due to the early morning time frame. Even though you are going to nice warm Maui, it is very cold up there early morning. You are in the elements for about an hour, bring a jacket, blanket, beach towel, something... It's easier to enjoy the spectacular sunrise if you're not freezing.
Glen was a fun tour guide. We enjoyed our morning with Glen.
The view at breakfast was beautiful.
Words can't express how beautiful the sunrise is from up here. Definitely bring jeans, sweatshirt, hat and gloves!! You need it.
I can't forget the sunrise I saw at Mauna Kea on the Big Island, so I joined a sunrise tour at Haleakalā as well. Even though my English isn't great, we managed just fine, so you will too. The sunrise was truly magnificent. After the sun rose, Haleakalā felt so otherworldly, almost magical and mysterious. I was also very happy that they chanted as the sun rose.
ハワイ島マウナケアでみた朝日が忘れられず、ハレアカラでもサンライズツアーに参加しました。英語が苦手な私たちでもなんとかできたので、大丈夫です。やはり、朝日は素晴らしかった。朝日が昇った後のハレアカラは、この世のものとは思えないほど、幻想的で神秘的な感じがしました。日の出と同時にチャントを唱えてくれるのもとっても嬉しかったです。
Translated by OpenAI
Due to environmental protection measures at Haleakalā, there is now a limit on the number of people who can climb Haleakalā, and sunrise tours have been canceled everywhere. The only option we found was Veltra. Since it was an English tour, we were very anxious as we hardly understood English, but we thought that no matter what was explained, the view would remain the same, so we decided to participate.
After arriving on Maui, we asked the Japanese staff at the hotel to help us with phone contact. There were about 20 participants, including four Japanese, including us. The guide and driver explained (probably) the history of Haleakalā and the types of plants in English as we headed to the summit. When we arrived, the starry sky was breathtaking, and we could see shooting stars. We were told we could rest on the bus since there was still time until sunrise, but the beauty of the scenery and the increasing number of tourists made us wait outside in the cold for about two hours to secure a good spot for photos. Unfortunately, the weather was such that the sunrise was hidden behind clouds, although we could clearly see flashes of lightning illuminating the clouds. However, the red light peeking through the clouds was beautiful in its own way. Even though we couldn't understand English, the scenery was amazing! We were very moved.
However, as we had anticipated, it was very cold at the summit, and the bus was not very cool for Hawaii. We brought so many warm clothes that they took up a quarter of our suitcase, but we were still extremely cold and couldn't stop shivering. Some people around us were just wrapped in hotel bath towels. I recommend that participants bring as much warm clothing as possible.
ハレアカラの環境保護から、ハレアカラに登る人数に上限ができ、サンライズのツアーがどこも中止になっている中、唯一見つけたのがベルトラでした。英語でのツアーということで、英語がほとんど分からない私たちはとても不安でしたが、何を説明されようと見える景色は変わらないだろうと思い、参加しました。
マウイ島に到着してからの電話連絡はホテルの日本人スタッフにお願いをしました。
参加者は20名ほど。うち日本人は私たち含め４人でした。ガイド兼運転手は、もちろん英語で(おそらく)ハレアカラの歴史や植物の種類などを説明しながら山頂まで向かいます。到着した時は満天の星空が広がり、流れ星も見えました。(おそらく)サンライズまで時間があるからバスで休んでてもいいよと言われましたが、あまりのキレイさと、どんどん観光客が増えていき写真撮影の場所取りのため、かれこれ２時間寒空の下、日の出を待ちました。残念ながら雲が多く、どこがで光る稲妻がピカッと雲の中からはっきり見えるくらいの天候だったため、朝日は雲に隠れていましたが、雲から覗く赤い光はそれはそれでとてもキレイでした。英語は分からなくても、やっぱり景色はすごい！とても感動しました。
ただ、覚悟はしていたものの、頂上はとても寒く、それでいてバスの中はハワイにしてはあまりクーラーが効かず…。スーツケースの４分の１を防寒着が占めるほど、たくさん持っていきましたが、それでもすごく寒く震えが止まりませんでした。周りの海外の人は、ホテルのバスタオルを巻いているだけの人もいましたが…。参加される方は、これでもかというくらい防寒着を持っていくことをお薦めします。
Translated by OpenAI
The tour was excellent the tour guide very knowledgeable, humorous, the drive was amazing, evaluation was incredible, amazing sunset, but the food in the restaurant was meant to be a set menu, but it was family style. Honestly tasteless food,
We were all very satisfied with our long-awaited stargazing experience on Maui. The sunset was also breathtaking, and if we visit Hawaii again, I would like to go to Maui this time to see the sunrise.
念願のマウイ島での星空観測で家族みな大満足でした。
サンセットも感動的で、次回ハワイに訪れるならマウイ島で、今度はサンライズを見に行きたいです。
There are stargazing tours on the Big Island as well, but this one is at 3,000 meters, so you can ascend more quickly and it should be less physically demanding. I look forward to seeing you again!
ハワイ島でも星空観測ツアーはございますが、こちらの方が３０００メートルなので早く登れ、身体の負担も少ないかと思います。また是非お目にかかれることを楽しみにしております！
Translated by OpenAI
I participated through an introduction from my wife's friend. I thought Rick and Yamapi's attentive guidance was truly wonderful. I learned the importance of high-quality service. If I have the opportunity again, I would like to participate. Thank you very much!
妻の友人の紹介で参加しました。リックさん、山ピーさんの気配りが行き届いたガイドに、とても素晴らしいと思いました。クオリティーの高いサービスの大切さを学びました。また、いつか機会がありましたら、参加したいです。ありがとうございました❗
We are pleased to have conducted a tour that everyone enjoyed, and we are also happy. We look forward to seeing you again!
皆様に楽しんで頂けたツアーが遂行できて、自分たちも喜んでおります。またの再会を楽しみにしております！
Translated by OpenAI
I participated alone this time, but there were others who joined solo as well, and everyone had a friendly atmosphere, making it a truly enjoyable time. In addition to the wonderful sunset and the starry sky at the summit, the best part was the thoughtful care from our guide, Yamapi, which made it an unforgettable experience. I noticed other noisy tours and some that seemed rushed and focused only on efficiency, but if you're planning to climb Haleakalā, I absolutely recommend this one! Next time, I want to bring my parents to share the same wonderful experience.
今回は一人参加だったのですが、同じように一人で参加されてる方もいたり皆さんフレンドリーなムードで本当に楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。山頂の素晴らしい夕陽と満点の星空に加えて、何よりガイドのやまぴーさんのさりげなく最高の気遣いで忘れられない体験となりました。他には騒がしいツアーや、効率だけの慌ただしそうなツアーも見受けられましたがもしハレアカラに登られるのであれば絶対こちらがオススメです！次は両親を連れて同じ素晴らしい経験をさせてあげたいと思います。
We aim to conduct tours that are as relaxed as possible. Many participants join alone, but on the way back, everyone returns in a "shared ride" state (laughs). Next time, please be sure to bring your parents along. The photos turned out beautifully; they are wonderful.
なるべくゆったりとしたツアーを遂行するのを目指しております。お１人で参加される方もかなり多いのですが、帰りは皆さん「あいのり」状態で帰られます（笑）。今度はご両親を連れて是非いらっしゃってください。お写真綺麗に撮れていて、素晴らしいです。
Translated by OpenAI
The guide was knowledgeable and very informative on the drive from Hilo to Hana, making several stops along the way, including a nice picnic lunch, (but meager vegetarian lunch for 2 of us who are vegetarians). I did get the feeling that we were on a timeline, though.
The Helicopter trip back to Hilo was fun and interesting, but did not go up into the volcano area and just flew along the coast and up the side of the volcano a bit. The pilot was very thoughtful and helpful throughout the trip.
Overall, it was a good tour, and I recommend it.
To the tour operators: you need to improve on your vegetarian lunches (maybe do a wrap with a tortilla, instead of lettuce?
This activity was fantastic. Our tour guide, Bocker, was knowledgeable of the sites! He taught us so much. He also watched out for his group with care. The rainforest and waterfalls were absolutely breathtaking. Would do this again!
This was my third time at Haleakalā, and the staff were kind, friendly, and it was a wonderful experience. Also, the brunch at the golf course after the sunrise was unforgettable; I ordered pancakes that were more delicious than any I've ever had. It was fantastic.
３回目のハレアカラでしたが、スタッフの方々も親切でフレンドリーで素敵な体験でした。
また、サンライズが終わったあとのゴルフ場でのブランチもパンケーキをオーダーしたのですが、どこのパンケーキよりも美味しくて忘れられません。
素敵でした。
Translated by OpenAI
The sunrise tour starts early but it is totally worth it! None of the pictures I saw of the sunrise can communicate the shear beauty of the view. The sun creeps over the cloud cover and suddenly everything is lit up with golden sunshine. After that, they took us to the summit and a couple other places on the mountain to see the crater and then took us back down and served us breakfast.
This tour was absolutely amazing! Not only did we have an awesome tour guide, Rory, but the sunrise was breathtaking! Rory got us there with plenty of time to spare and got us the best place to stand! He was so informative and passionate about his island! He gave us so much information about the culture of Hawaii that he didn't have to do. I can't recommend this tour enough!
Excellent Tour Guide and Pilot. Both were very knowledgeable and answered all questions
Excellent Driver and Guide. Too bad bus size prevent us from getting to summit. Family style dinner was also very good.
Best tour we have ever taken anywhere. Very small group (only 4 of us). The tour driver was very Knowledgeable. Easy driving tour without having to rush. With ony 4 in the group, we stay longer on stops we liked and shorter on the ones we didn't. Lunch was good, again without having to rush off to stay on schedule. The same was true for the helicopter ride back. The polit was fantastic and always made sure we have our camera shots before leaving a givin area. He even spotted a whale (in late May no less) for us to see. Is this tour pricey? yes. Is it worth every penny? YES YES YES !
We are so glad we took a tour rather than attempt the drive ourselves. Our guide Les shared interesting stories and pointed out neat spots like the weeping walls and the sensitive ferns in addition to all the stops listed in guidebooks. It was a wonderful experience even though the twisty roads caused a bit of nausea---but Les made an unexpected stop for ginger candy to help. Great trip!
So amazing and so fun. The tour guide was super informative. An absolute must.
Our tour guide/bus driver Rory was one of the best tour guides we had during our trip to Hawaii. He made our trip to Hana worthwhile and made us feel comfortable. Not only was he funny and made our trip interesting with his sense of humor but he was very knowledgeable with the history of Hawaii and everything we saw on the Road to Hana. The Road to Hana was a crazy ride but Rory did a great job with the turns and making us feel safe. He made it worth dishing out the money to go on a tour rather than driving it ourselves. We stopped by a couple of places that were not on the schedule, simply because we asked about them and wanted to stop by. We stopped by Hana Farms which was a small stand by Hana that sold the best banana bread. We also stopped by a general store in Hana with cool knick knacks and some snacks. Although it was not on our schedule, he was more than willing to stop and let us look around and buy some stuff. He always cracked jokes and talked about his family. It made us feel like he wasn't just doing his job but that he was enjoying his job and getting to know his guests at the same time. Our Road to Hana wouldn't have been so great if it wasn't for our tour guide from Polynesian Adventure Tours. We recommend this company and this tour guide for any future visitors to Maui who want to go on this tour. You'll have a blast!
