All Reviews for Sightseeing / Guided Tours

I looked at several sites trying to decide which tour to use for our Pear Harbor Tour and chose using Hawaiian Activities because they provided the best description of the tour companies. It was easy to book on-line and when I called to ask what time the bus would pick us up at the hotel, the customer service agent immediately called the company to find out. That to me is service so I booked with them. Booking before you arrive on the island makes life so much easier because everywhere you look, there are tours being promoted and it can be confusing.

The company I chose did a marvelous job. Our coach was clean and air conditioned and the driver/tour guide was marvelous. He told us so much about the history of Hawaii that his narration brought so much more value to the tour. The same applied to the tour guide we had for the USS Missouri. He brought the signing of the armistice with General McArthur, the Allies and the Japanese to life in ways no history book can.

I will def

We had a great time on this tour. The staff was great and it was a very laid back atmosphere. The weather even cooperated with us. We would defintely recommend it to others.

This was the best way for a first-timer to the island to visit all the high notes of the island. Our tour guide Garfield was great -- knowledgeable, courteous, and amusing. My boyfriend and I had driven around the island by ourselves the day before and it was nice to get the information on the places we had stopped at and seen, but didn't know about.

I would recommend this tour to anyone vacationing on Oahu for the first time.

On the day of the reservation, there was a tsunami warning in Honolulu due to an earthquake in Chile. Transportation in the city was halted in preparation for the tsunami. I called the staff and was able to reschedule for the next day. I was relieved that there were staff members who spoke Japanese.

As for the whales, I was glad to see several of them. The kids were very excited, and I was satisfied with that. However, the lunch package was a bit chaotic; with the announcement of "There are whales!" everyone was too distracted to enjoy the meal, so it might be better to go without lunch.

予約当日、チリの地震の影響でホノルルは津波警報。市内は津波に備え交通もストップ。スタッフに電話して翌日に振り替えてもらいました。日本語ＯＫなスタッフで安心しました。
肝心のクジラですが、数頭見ることができてよかったです。子供も大興奮、これには満足です。ただしランチ付きのコースは「クジラがいた!」とのアナウンスで食事そっちのけで右へ左へで落ち着かないのでランチなしがいいかも…。

Me and my family had a wonderful time on board the Star of Honolulu, despite my son being seasick due to the south swells! Charmaine, who was absolutely wonderful, gave my son some medicine and she was very attentive towards our needs and checking up on us to assure he was o.k.. Nana, another staff member also helped my 4 year old daughter make leis! We did see some whales and some dolphins. Food was good, service was great! Hopefully next time we do this, my son wont be so sick!

I have been to Hawaii several times, but this was my first time participating.
I was so moved to see a whale jump right in front of me!
I was able to see it multiple times, it was the best!
I also got to make a fresh flower lei, and it was really nice to wear it for photos at the party the next day.
The food was delicious too.

I want to participate again. Thank you!

ハワイへ何度か行きましたが、初めて参加しました。
目の前にクジラのジャンプ！！を見て、メチャ感動！！！
何回も見る事が出来て、最高☆
生花のレイも作れた、次の日のパーティでレイをかけて写真を写す事が出来て、本当に良かった♥
食事も美味しかった

また参加したいです。ありがとうございました

I really had a great time...I was looking for snorkeling and that was the best part of the day. Then we also saw the turtles beach and the Haleiwa town...really a lot of fun! I'd do it again if I will ever go back to Hawaii :)

This was my third time to Oahu. I was looking for a North Shore tour that offered a visit to Haleiwa and Waimea Falls, this was the only tour that offered both!! The tour was fantastic and I would definitely partake again. Cheers : )

On the day, the wind was strong and there were splashes from the waves, making it difficult to see the whales' spouts clearly. However, there were many activities on the boat, such as lei-making and hula lessons, which kept the children entertained, and we had a great time. My child continued to practice the hula we learned even after returning to Japan.

当日は風が強く、波しぶきが立っていたので鯨の潮吹きがわかりにくく、あまり良く見えなかったのですが、船内でのレイの作成やフラレッスンなど、子供が飽きない催しも多く、大変楽しめました。
子供は日本に帰ってからも教えていただいたフラを家でやっていました。

It was a big boat... so I was a bit anxious, but my intuition was right.

I recommend it for those who get seasick or are going whale watching for the first time! Since it's a large boat, you can relax comfortably on board.

However, for those who just want to see whales, a slightly smaller boat might be better.

It's great for those who want to enjoy meals and hula lessons!

As for me... I don't get seasick, so I found it a bit lacking...

大きな船・・・。というので、ちょっと不安がありましたが・・・。予感的中でした。

船に酔う方や、初めてホエールウォッチングをされる方には、オススメですよ!!大きな船ですので、船の上でゆっくりとすごせます。

が、鯨を見たいだけの方には、もう少し小さい船のほうがよいかな~とおもいます。

食事やフラレッスンなどを楽しみたい方にはオススメですね!!

私は・・・。船には酔わないので、ちょっと物足りなかったです・・・。

I participated with a friend on February 4th. I had heard that whales can only be seen in the winter, so I thought it was a great opportunity and signed up. According to the captain, they have been able to see them almost every day recently, so we were looking forward to the trip. Both my friend and I are prone to seasickness, so we brought medication from Japan. There were courses that included meals, but anticipating that eating might make us feel sick, we deliberately chose the most economical option without meals; however, drinks were included, so it turned out to be a good choice.

As for the whales, unfortunately, we didn't see any jumping up close, but during the two-and-a-half-hour cruise, we were able to see their backs several times as they spouted water and dove, which was very moving. The view of Waikiki from the boat was also beautiful. However, it was much windier on the boat than expected, and it was very cold, so I definitely recommend bringing a long-sleeved hoodie that blocks the wind. Even so, when it got too cold, it felt nice to go up to the upper deck where the sun was warm.

２月４日に友達と２人で参加しました。クジラは冬の時期しか見られないと聞いていたので、良いチャンスだと思い申し込みました。船長さんの話では最近はほぼ毎日見る事が出来るという事でしたので、楽しみにして出発しました。私も友人もとても船酔いしやすい体質なので、薬は日本から持参しました。食事付などのコースもありましたが、食べると気分が悪くなる事を予測して、あえて一番お得な食事無しのコースにしましたが、飲み物は付いているので結果的には良かったと思います。
肝心のクジラは残念ながらすぐ近くでジャンプ、とは行きませんでしたが、２時間半のクルーズの間何度も塩を吹いたり潜ったりする背中を見る事ができてとても感動しました。船の上から見るワイキキもとてもキレイでした。ただ船の上は予想以上に風が吹いて非常に寒いので風を通さない長袖のパーカーなどを持っていく事を是非オススメします。それでも寒い時はいっそ屋上階に出てしまった方がお日様がぽかぽか当たって気持ちが良かったですよ。

On February 5th, I went whale watching for the first time and was able to see a pod of five whales and one whale twice!

I was worried about getting seasick, but once I spotted the whales, I was so excited that I completely forgot about it and had a blast! The pod of five whales swam slowly alongside the boat just ten minutes after we set sail, off the coast of Aloha Tower. According to the naturalist's explanation, it's rare to see five whales together like that?!

After observing the pod for about 30 minutes, we moved to another location to search for the next whale, which was time for a lunch buffet. I filled up on everything from salad to chicken, roast beef, fruit, and dessert! After lunch, I had the experience of making a lei with plumeria flowers.

Since I was full and had enjoyed a cultural experience, I thought I’d take a moment to enjoy the view outside, and suddenly, a whale jumped out of the water!!! It leaped four or five times, splashing as it performed!

I was moved by the whales' dynamic performance, and I had a wonderful time with the cultural experience as well. Next time, I’ll go with my family and friends!

2月5日に初めてホエールウォッチングに、５頭のクジラの群れと１頭のクジラ、２回見ることができました！

船酔いの心配もあったんだけど、クジラを見つけて大興奮していたら、そんなことすっかり忘れておおはしゃぎ☆
５頭からなるクジラの群れは、出港してから１０分ととたたないうち、アロハタワーの沖合いで船の横をゆ~っくりと泳いでいました。ナチュラリストさんの説明によると５頭一緒に見かけるのは珍しいのだとか？！
３０分くらいクジラの群れを観察してから、次のクジラを探しに場所を移動するとのことだったので、お昼ご飯ビュッフェに。
サラダからチキン、ローストビーフ、果物、デザートまでおなかいっぱいに！
ランチの後は、プルメリアでレイ作りを体験♪
おなかもいっぱいになったし、カルチャー体験もしたから、ちょっと外で景色でも見ようかなっと思って景色を眺めていたらクジラが大ジャンプ！！！４、５回水しぶきを上げて大ジャンプを披露してくれました！

クジラのダイナミックなパフォーマンスに感動できたし、カルチャー体験もできたし、と~っても楽しませていただきました。今度は家族や友達と一緒にいきます！

I participated in a seaside horseback riding plan with my mother on January 20th.

On this day, there were four participants in total: the two of us at the seaside and two in the valley.

Unfortunately, we couldn't stop by Moanalua Gardens as it was under construction, but we made a special stop at the Healing Stones in Wahiawa before heading to Dole Plantation. We had a good amount of time there, allowing us to leisurely enjoy the famous Dole Whip pineapple soft serve.

We also tried our hand at turtle watching on the North Shore beach, but the waves were high that day, and no turtles came ashore.

At 11 AM, we had lunch in Haleiwa. Our guide took us to the restaurant we wanted, and we had garlic shrimp at MACKY'S. The lemon pepper flavor was refreshing and highly recommended.

At noon, we dropped off the two participants from the valley horseback riding plan at Happy Trails, and we headed to Turtle Bay Resort, the seaside horseback riding point. Luckily, we spotted a whale from the car window during our drive!

Our horseback riding experience started at 12:30 PM, and during this time, it was just the two of us. We were lucky! I have some riding experience, but it was my mother's first time, so we decided to join this beginner-friendly plan. However, I found it a bit lacking for experienced riders since we weren't allowed to canter. Still, the scenery was beautiful with both bush and seaside views, so we could enjoy the atmosphere.

The ride was conducted at a walk to a brisk walk, which I think would be perfectly fine for beginners or those with little experience, and I was very satisfied with the content. There were some ups and downs along the way. The horses seemed well-trained, making them very easy to ride.

For the seaside horseback riding, the riding instructions were briefly explained by our guide/driver in the car, and there were none at the site. We were immediately assigned our horses and got on. Because of this, we had a solid 45 minutes of riding!

I think it was a great tour in terms of being able to enjoy horseback riding casually.

As a side note, one of the participants in the valley horseback riding fell off while dismounting and ended up muddy when we went to pick them up. For those going in the future, please enjoy yourselves without letting your guard down until the end!

母と２人で海辺乗馬プランに参加(1/20)しました。

この日の参加者は私たち海辺２人＋渓谷２人の計４人。

残念ながらモアナルアガーデンは工事中ということで立ち寄ることができず、今回は特別にワヒアワのヒーリングストーンに寄って、ドールプランテーションへ。しっかり滞在時間を取ってくださったので、名物のパイナップルソフトクリームのドールホイップをゆっくり食べることができました。
ノースショアのビーチでウミガメウォッチングにもチャレンジしましたが、この日は波が高くて浜辺に上がってくる奇亀はいませんでした。。
１１時にハレイワでランチ。希望のお店に連れて行ってくださったので、ＭＡＣＫＹ’Ｓでガーリックシュリンプを食べました。レモンペッパー味がさっぱりでおすすめです。
１２時に渓谷乗馬プランの２人をハッピートレイルズで降ろして、私たちは海岸乗馬ポイントであるタートルベイリゾートへ。移動中、運よく車窓からクジラが観測できました！

１２時３０分から乗馬体験。この時間帯は私たち２人の貸し切りでした。ラッキーです☆
私は乗馬経験者ですが、母は初体験でしたので、今回はこの初心者向けのプランに参加することにしたわけですが、やはりどーしても経験者には物足りないです。。駈歩はやらせてもらえませんからね。が、ブッシュあり海辺ありで、景色はとても良いので雰囲気だけは楽しめます。
常歩~速歩程度で行われるので、初めての人や経験の少ない人には問題なく、大満足の内容になってると思いました。わりとアップダウンはあります。馬はよく調教されているようでしたので、とても乗りやすかったです。
なお、海辺乗馬の場合は、乗馬の注意事項は車内でガイド兼運転手さんから簡単に説明があっただけで、現地ではまったくなし。いきなり馬がセレクトされ、騎乗する流れでした。その分、４５分しっかり乗れます！！

気軽に乗馬が楽しめる点においては、とても良いツアーだったと思います。

余談ですが、渓谷乗馬の１人が下馬する時に落ちてしまったそうで、迎えに行った時に泥んこになってました。これから行かれる方は最後まで気を抜かずに楽しんで来てください。

I participated on January 22. I thought it might be too early to see much, so I expected to only catch a glimpse from a distance, but I was thrilled to see it up close multiple times! Various groups appeared all around, and the staff mentioned that it was rare to see so many up close, so I felt very lucky. My daughter seemed to enjoy searching for whales too, and she was excited when she spotted one over there! On the way back, my husband took a ukulele lesson while my daughter and I had fun making leis. My husband had learned a bit of ukulele before, so he was happy to have a mini concert with the teacher at the end. The view of Diamond Head and Waikiki from the ocean was amazing, and we created many wonderful memories. I'm glad we participated.

1月22日に参加しました。
少し時期が早いので遠くで見れる程度かなぁと思っていたけど、すぐ近くで何度も見れて大興奮でした！
色んな集団があちこちに出現し、スタッフの方が「こんなに沢山近くで見れるのは珍しい」と言っていたけど、大変ラッキーでした。
娘はクジラを探すのも楽しかったみたいで、あっちにいたぁ！と見つけたときは嬉しかったみたいです。
帰りには、主人はウクレレのレッスン、私と娘はレイを作って楽しかったです。
主人は少しだけウクレレを習ったことがあるので、最後にウクレレの先生と一緒に発表会ができ、嬉しかったようです。
海から見るダイアモンドヘッドやワイキキの景色もサイコーでしたし、いい思い出が沢山でき、参加して良かったです。

Actually, it's called a briefing, but in the beginning, there were cheers just from seeing a part of the whale. When a jump happened, there was an overwhelming cheer and excitement. While waiting for the next jump, people nearby were getting excited together, creating a strange sense of solidarity during the pleasant cruising experience. Luckily, I was able to see about eight jumps. On the way back from whale watching, there were activities like making flower arrangements and hula lessons, making it a very enjoyable cruise.

本当は　ブリーフィングとか言うらしいのですが　最初のころは　クジラの一部が見えただけで歓声が上がっていましたが　ジャンプが出た時の大歓声と大興奮　次のジャンプを　今か今かと待つ間にも　近くの人同士でも　盛り上がり　不思議な連帯感のような　和やかなクルージングの中　ラッキーにも８回ぐらい　見ることが出来ました。ホエールウオッチングの帰りの船中では　生花でのレイ作りやフラのレッスンとかが有り　とても楽しいクルージングです。

Last year, I watched the New Year's Eve fireworks on the beach in Waikiki, and this year, I signed up to see the fireworks from the sea while enjoying delicious food. Upon entering the main entrance of DFS Galleria, I was greeted by a staff member in uniform. I was guided by bus to Aloha Tower, and there were guides at key points, which made me very excited about the upcoming cruise. Once on board, I was welcomed with champagne, and on the tables were props like hats and whistles to enhance the atmosphere, building up the excitement. Inside the ship, lively band music filled the air, and songs from various countries were performed upon request. Dishes were served on plates at the tables, and although I dislike meat, the lobster dish was more than enough for me. After a fun time with a dance segment for newlywed couples, the hula dance began. As various hula dances concluded, the countdown started, and fireworks and sounds echoed from Ko Olina and other places. Finally, a grand fireworks display began from the ship in front of Aloha Tower. Overwhelmed by the magnificence of the fireworks up close, I offered words of gratitude for the past year and prayed for a good year ahead for myself and my family, enjoying a wonderful moment. I sincerely thank everyone who made this amazing experience possible.

　昨年ワイキキの浜辺で大晦日の花火を見て、今年は、美味しい食事を食べながら、海から花火を見ようと申し込みをしました。DFSギャラリアで、正面玄関に入っていくと制服を着た方が出迎えてくれました。アロハタワーまでバスで案内されましたが、要所要所で案内が立っており、これからのクルーズが、とても期待が持てました。船内に入るとウエルカムシャンペンをいただき、席には、帽子や笛など会場を盛り上げる小道具が置いてあり、いよいよ雰囲気が盛り上がります。船内では、軽快なバンドの音が鳴り響き、リクエストに応じて各国の歌が披露されていました。プレートに盛り付けた料理が卓上に置かれ、私は、肉が嫌いでしたがロブスター料理で十分でした。新婚さんカップルに対するダンスタイムなど楽しい時間の後、いよいよフラダンスの始まりです。さまざまなフラダンスが終了し、カウントダウンが始まるころコオリナや各地で花火や音が鳴り響きます。最後にアロハタワー前の船上から盛大な花火が始まりました。間近で見る花火の盛大さに圧倒されながら、過ぎゆく年に感謝の言葉を捧げながら、本年も私や家族にとって良い年でありますようにとお祈りしながら、楽しいひと時を過ごしました。素晴らしい時間を経験させていただいた皆様方に心から感謝申し上げます。

I surprised my parents with a five-star plan for their 60th birthday celebration. The weather was perfect, and we renewed our vows against the backdrop of Diamond Head and a beautiful sunset, which made my parents very happy. The service on the top floor was excellent, and the atmosphere was fantastic. Considering the food and service, I think the price is reasonable. I highly recommend it for special occasions.

両親の還暦祝いに、５スターのプランをサプライズでプレゼントしました。
天候にも恵まれ、ダイヤモンドヘッドと美しいサンセットを背景にバウリニューアルして、両親ともとても喜んでくれました。
最上階はサービスも最高で、雰囲気も最高です。
料理やサービスを考えると値段も手頃だと思います。
記念日などにおすすめです。

As soon as we set sail, we spotted a whale, and the cruise began with us following it. It seems that we are not allowed to follow the same whale for a long time, so after about 30 to 40 minutes, we moved away from that whale to search for another one. However, we couldn't find any more after that, but since the cruise was along Waikiki, the views of Diamond Head and Waikiki were very beautiful.

出港するとすぐにクジラを発見し、それを追う形でクルーズが始まりました。長い時間同じクジラを追うことは禁止されているそうで、30~40分後、そのクジラを離れて別のクジラを探すことに。　ただ、その後は見つけることができませんでしたが、ワイキキに沿ってクルーズだったので、ダイヤモンドヘッドやワイキキの眺めがとても綺麗でした。

This way a great way to explore the North Shore without having to do the driving. The driver, Keoki, was great! He showed much aloha which made this trip very special. Thanks again Keoki!

This time, I participated in this tour for horseback riding. It includes sightseeing at "This Tree, What Tree" and the North Shore, so it feels like a good deal. On the day of the tour, there were three groups with eight people, all of whom went horseback riding in the valley. It was a homey tour, and we were able to bond with the other participants.

Now, let me comment on the main horseback riding experience. It was our first time riding. I was a bit anxious because it was mentioned in the previous posts that the riding lecture would be in English. Happy Train is a small ranch run by a couple, and they explained everything with great enthusiasm using gestures, so it was easy to understand. In fact, the horses were well-trained, and we didn't need to give any commands at all.

We rode along a hilly mountain path, with the ranch's wife leading the way in a single file. The husband followed at the back. The ranch's dog (a Border Collie) also came along. It was mostly in the forest, and surprisingly, it wasn't too hot. There were a couple of spots where the view opened up, and we could see the sea of the North Shore. Since the horses are polo-style, we held the reins with one hand, allowing us to take photos (with a compact camera) with the other hand. The ranch staff also took photos for us along the way, so definitely bring a camera. I brought a waist pouch, but you can also borrow one.

The horses were really well-trained and walked in a straight line. They stopped automatically when the horse in front stopped, which made it quite easy. My wife's horse was unique, as it tended to walk on the edges and even pushed into the bushes at times... but that was quite funny.

I think even a six-year-old would be fine with this. However, since they are animals, one must not let their guard down, and we had to sign a waiver.

An hour and a half passed in no time. The ranch's wife shared various stories about the trees and nature while we were riding, and I really wished I could speak more English.

So, while experienced riders might find it a bit lacking, I believe it is a fantastic activity for beginners or those like us trying it for the first time. Both my wife and I consider this the number one memory of our trip to Hawaii.

今回、乗馬目的でこのツアーに参加しました。「この木なんの木」やノースショアの観光もついているのでお得感はあります。当日の参加者は３グループ８人で、全員渓谷での乗馬でした。アットホームなツアーで参加者で打ち解けることができました。
メインの乗馬についてコメントします。わたしたちにとって初めての乗馬です。あらかじめこちらの書き込みで乗馬のレクチャーは英語でと書かれていたので不安もありました。ハッピートレインは夫婦でやっておられる小さい牧場なのですが、夫婦が一生懸命に手振り身振りを交えながらレクチャーしてくださるのでよくわかりました。というより、馬がよく調教されていて、こちらが指示する必要がまったくなかったです。
アップダウンが結構ある山道を牧場の奥さんを先頭に一列になって進んでいきます。旦那さんが最後尾で付いてくれます。牧場の犬（ボーダーコリー）もついて来ていました。ほとんど森林の中で思ったより暑くなかったです。２か所ほど視界が開けていてノースショアの海が見えました。ポロスタイルの馬ですので片手で手綱を持ちますのでもう片方の手で写真（コンパクトカメラで）を撮ることができます。また牧場の方が途中で写真を撮ってくれますので是非カメラを持参してください。わたしはウエストポーチを持って行きましたが、貸してももらえます。
本当によく調教されていて一列できっちり歩いてくれます。前が止まると勝手に止まってくれますし、ちょっと物足りないくらい楽でした。妻の馬だけユニークな馬で、はしっこばかり歩いたり、ブッシュに突っ込んでいくとかありましたが…。それはそれで大笑いでした。
これなら、６歳の子でも大丈夫だと思います。しかし、動物のことですので油断は禁物ですし誓約書も書かされます。
１時間半あっというまに時間が経ちました。牧場の奥さんが乗馬中も色々と木や自然の話をしてくださるので、もっと英語が話せたらよかったとつくづく思いました。
ということで乗馬の経験者の方には少し物足りないと思いますが、わたしたちのような初挑戦や、初心者の方には大満足のアクティビティだと思います。妻も私も今回のハワイ旅行の思い出ナンバー１です。

I cannot begin to say how much fun I had on this cruise. Not only did we get to see whales, and the captain did a great job of getting as close as he could without disturbing them, but the activities and food on-board made the experience just THAT MUCH BETTER! It was a great experience being able to go to the top deck and view the whales and then head down into the ship for a very yummy buffet lunch. Boy were we full after that :) Cannot wait for next year so we can do this again. Two thumbs WAY WAY up!

i wish i was lucky enough to live in hawaii its so beautiful and everyone is so nice. haha anyway, this was really an experience ... lots of things to do and eat but spent most of the time whale watching with my kids. we had a great time i recommend it to everyone.

We did this tour on our first day at Oahu, and it gave us an excellent introduction to the culture, landscapes, and lifestyles of Hawai'i. The tour was absolutely fantastic; we saw so many different and beautiful places without ever feeling rushed. Perhaps the best thing about the tour though was our guide Keau- he was so welcoming, funny, and knowledgeable. I definitely recommend this tour to all visitors to Hawai'i :)

Aloha!

We had a great time on this tour. The group was small, so the guide could be flexible and give individual attention to each participant. There was a range of activities so you could choose how active you wanted to be. We did the Wailea Falls hike and stand-up paddling. We had lunch at the cafe at Wailea Falls, very good Hawaiian-style food. We were glad we paid the extra for an instructor on the paddling as it was challenging. I would only recommend doing it on your own if you are experienced. I highly recommend this tour if you are interested in learning more about the North Shore.

I recently participated in this tour and would like to report on a couple of concerns I had.

1. At the departure from Honolulu Airport, I was the only one called out to receive an explanation from the local staff in Kauai. It seemed that I was the youngest participant, so they said something like, "You there, the youngest one, come over here," and I was the only one who received the explanation while the other participants were left out. I believe they intended for me to guide all the participants once we arrived. It is quite unsettling that only one participant was given an explanation based solely on being the youngest, and I think it would be a problem if something happened and only one person knew the details. Regardless of being the youngest, I am not the tour guide; I am just a customer.

2. Upon arriving in Kauai, I was supposed to meet the local staff near baggage claim as per the instructions in point 1, but we could not see them at all, which made everyone very anxious. Since I was the only one with information about the meeting, I ended up having to call the contact number for Roberts listed on the voucher. When I called, I was told to "contact the office directly in Kauai," and they provided me with the contact information, so I called the Roberts office in Kauai again. During that exchange, another participant managed to find the late local staff, and we were able to resolve the situation. The anxiety and helplessness of not being able to meet the local staff in a place where everyone was visiting for the first time was significant. I would have appreciated it if the local staff had sincerely apologized for their lateness. I felt like I wanted a refund for the phone call I made to the office.

The rest of the tour went smoothly, and the staff's handling during the tour was fine. However, I wanted to report these two points because I hope that other participants do not have to experience what we did.

先日こちらのツアーに参加しました。
２つほど気になったことがありましたので報告します。

１．ホノルル空港出発時に、カウアイ島現地スタッフとの待ち合わせについてなぜか私だけ呼び出され説明を受けました。参加者の中でどうやら私が一番若かったようなので、「そこのあなた、一番若いからちょっとこっちに来て」といった具合に他の参加者をおいて私にしか説明をされませんでした。おそらく現地に着いて私に参加者全員の誘導を行わせるつもりだったのだと思います。若いという理由だけで参加者一人にだけ説明をしないというのはとても不安がありますし、何かあったときに一人しか詳細を知らないのでは問題だと思いました。そしていくら一番若いからといって私はツアーの誘導係ではありません。一顧客です。

２．カウアイ島に到着して、１の指示通りbaggage claimあたりで待機しているはずの現地スタッフと合流する予定だったのですが、いっこうに姿が見えず全員がとても不安になりました。待ち合わせについては私しか情報を知らないため、結局私がバウチャーに記載されているロバーツの連絡先に電話をかけるはめに。電話をしたところ「直接カウアイ島にオフィスに問い合わせて」とのことで連絡先を教えられ、再度カウアイ島のロバーツオフィスに電話をかけました。そのやり取りの間、何とか別の参加者が遅刻した現地スタッフを見つけることができ事なきを得ました。全員が初めて来る場所で現地スタッフと合流できなかったときの不安や心細さはとても大きいものです。現地スタッフも遅れて来たことについて素直に詫びてほしかったです。オフィスへかけた電話代を返してほしい気持ちでした。

その後のツアーはスムーズに進みました。ツアー中のスタッフの方の対応も問題なかったです。ただ、上記の2点だけ私たちのような経験を他の参加者の方々にはしてほしくなく、ご報告させていただきます。

This was my first time renting a van for sightseeing, and it was amazing! The driver taught us various things and seemed to have a hard time accommodating our requests, but he handled everything with a smile, and we were very satisfied.

今回初めてバンを貸し切っての観光をしましたが、最高でした！ドライバーの方もいろいろなことを教えてくれながら私たちのわがままを聞いてもらい大変だったように思いますが、笑顔で対応してくれとても満足しました。

I go to Hawaii every year for a work trip. I always participate in horseback riding, and this time I enjoyed a long ride. However, it was disappointing that the instructor only spoke English, so I couldn't communicate. I feel that if we could have conversed, it would have made for an even more enjoyable holiday.

毎年ハワイへ職場の旅行で行っています。その中乗馬は欠かさず参加していますが、今回は長時間の乗馬が出来て楽しかったです。ですが、インストラクターが英語のみだったのでコミュニケーションが出来ずに残念でした。会話ができればもっと楽しい休日をおくれたように思います。

We participated as a couple. On the day we joined, there were a total of 11 people in 5 groups. The driver entertained us with various stories until we reached the North Shore. We stopped by the Dole Plantation, which had many original products, and we had a great time even without shopping.

Although lunch was served quite early, around 10:30, all participants were surprised and said, "Already??" However, for us, who hadn't had breakfast, it was just the right time. Since it was Sunday, there was a food stall selling Huli Huli chicken, so we had lunch there. Nearby, there was also a famous shaved ice shop, allowing us to enjoy ourselves thoroughly before heading to horseback riding.

When we arrived at the ranch for horseback riding, the instructions were only in English, which was a bit confusing, but the ranch staff did their best to explain in English, so we were able to enjoy horseback riding throughout. Unlike Japanese ranches, we could ride for 90 minutes, which was very satisfying. I definitely want to participate again on my trip to Hawaii in two years, but since lunch costs are not included, I hope the tour price will be around $80 to $100.

夫婦二人で参加しました。
私たちが参加した日は、５グループ合計１１人でした。
ドライバーさんはノースショアーへ着くまで、色々な話で楽しませてくれました。
途中ドールプランテーションへ寄りましたが、オリジナル商品が沢山あり、買い物しなくても楽しめました。
１０時半過ぎという早い時間に昼食となりましたが、参加者全員が「もう？？」と驚いていましたが、朝食を取っていなかった私たちにはちょうど良い時間でした。
日曜日ということもあり、フリフリチキンの屋台が出ていたので、私たちはそちらでランチにしました。
近くには有名なかき氷屋さんもあり乗馬へ行くまでも存分に楽しむことができました。
乗馬する牧場(～!)へ着くと、英語のみの説明になり、戸惑いましたが、牧場のお母さんが英語ながら一生懸命説明してくれたので、終始楽しく乗馬できました。
日本の牧場と違い９０分も乗馬できるので、非常に満足できます。
再来年のハワイ旅行でも是非参加したいと思いますが、昼食代などが含まれていないので、ツアー代金が８０~１００ドルほどになると良いなと思いました。

If you want to go horseback riding but don't want to do it at Kualoa and would like to do some sightseeing as well, I think this is a great option.

There were six participants, two people in three groups.

After being picked up before 9 AM, we were taken by our guide Wayne to Moanalua (the tree, what kind of tree is this?) → Dole → Haleiwa (for lunch) → North Shore (to see turtles) → horseback riding → and then back home.

It seemed that all the participants this time were repeat visitors who had already experienced the classic Oahu sightseeing course before horseback riding, so I thought it would be nice if we could arrange stops based on the participants' preferences.

The horseback riding was fantastic. Unlike Kualoa, where you ride in large groups for about 30 minutes, this time there were only eight of us: four Japanese, one from the West, and three from Southeast Asia, allowing us to take our time and climb the mountain over 90 minutes. It didn't feel at all like the experience of being "just put on a horse and walked" as it does at large facilities.

For some reason, the horse I rode had a habit of walking along the right edge of the mountain path, constantly bumping into trees and leaves.

It seems that the operation is run by a man and a woman who appear to be the owners, so there might be some horses that haven't been trained well. That was interesting in its own way. My wife was laughing the whole time watching me bump into the trees!

乗馬がしたい、でもクアロアじゃヤダ、一部観光もしたいという方にオススメだと思います。

参加者は２人×３組＝６人でした。

朝９時前のピックアップ後、ガイドのウェインさんに連れられてモアナルア（この木何の木）→ドール→ハレイワ（昼食）→ノース（亀）→乗馬→帰路という行程をこなします。

今回の参加メンバーは皆リピーターで乗馬前のオアフ観光鉄板コースは既に体験済みのようだったので、参加者の度合いに応じて寄るところをアレンジ出来ればいいなと思いました。

乗馬は最高でした。クアロアのように大人数で３０分程度というわけではなくて、今回は日本人４人、欧米系１人、東南アジア系３人＝８人というこじんまりとした人数でゆっくり９０分掛けて山を登ります。大規模施設での乗馬のように「乗せられて、ただ歩いた」って感じはまったくありません。

私の乗った馬はなぜか山道の右端ばかりを歩く（癖）ので木にや葉っぱに当たりっぱなしでした。

オーナーと思わしき男性と女性の２名で切り盛りしているようですので、中には調教がうまくいっていない馬もいるのでしょう。
それはそれで、おもしろかったです。ちょいちょい木に当たる自分を見て妻は終始大爆笑でした！

From 2005 to 2009

For us, who visit Hawaii every year, horseback riding is an essential activity.

This time, I had previously participated in this course with another optional tour, but I decided to go again because I wanted to visit the North Shore.

The hotel pickup was on time.

There were three groups, including my husband and me, totaling six people.

The male guide was gentle and shared enjoyable stories about the scenery we saw while driving, including the history of the Ala Wai Canal and Waikiki, as well as filming locations for LOST.

First, we visited:
Moanalua Gardens - "This Tree, What Tree?"
Dole Plantation Gardens
Kahuku Shrimp in Haleiwa
Sea Turtle Point
And the main event, the valley horseback riding.

All the staff at the ranch only speak English.

However, we felt reassured because the guide had already given us a briefing on horseback riding.

The staff chose horses that suited us, and I was matched with a horse that I thought would be perfect for me.

We leisurely rode up and down the valley.

At times, we could hear the sound of the waves and feel the sea breeze, enjoying our time.

Both beginners and experienced riders can feel safe with the gentle horses.

The ranch dogs also accompanied us, making it a truly healing experience for both body and mind.

２００５~２００９年

毎年渡ハしている私達には乗馬は外せないアクティビティです。

今回のコースは以前ほかのオプショナルで参加したことがありましたが、またノースショアにも行ってみたかったので決めました。

ホテルピックアップは時間通り

私達夫婦を含み３組６名での出発でした。

ガイドの男性も穏やかな方で運転しながら見える景色の話からアラワイ運河やワイキキの成り立ち

ＬＯＳＴの撮影現場の話などを交えての楽しい話を聞かせて下さいました。

そしてまずは
モアナルアガーデン日立この木何の木

ドールプランテーションガーデン

ハレイワのカフクシュリンプ

海亀のポイント

そしてメインの渓谷乗馬

牧場のスタッフは皆さん英語しか話しません。

しかし予めガイドさんから乗馬の心得をレクチャーしていただいているので安心です。

スタッフの方が私達に合う馬を選んでくれてその馬に騎乗します。

きっと私はこの馬だろうなという馬をチョイスしてくれました。

のんびりと渓谷を登ったり下ったり

時には波の音が聞こえてきたり潮風を感じたりの時間を過ごしました。

初めての人も経験者の人も優しい馬たちなので安心できます。

牧場の犬達も一緒に付いてきてくれたりで心身共に癒される思いの一時でした。