The crew of the Manu Kai, Noa, John, Mark, and Brandon, were clearly experienced with this sensitive and emotional cerem... moreony of leaving our father’s ashes in the waters that he loved. Our family has sailed on this boat many times over the past 4 decades, and the fact that they offer this morning sail was beyond perfect.
They gave us all the time that we needed to watch as our leis and pua surrounded the spot where we left him,gently circling the boat around the area.
The boat was so comfortable and pristine. Launching from Kewalo made it so easy. We plan to go back regularly to honor our dad and spend time on Manu Kai. Mahalo nūnui.

After researching several options, we chose the Ultimate Hawaii Circle Island Sightseeing tour from Veltra for our mid-A... morepril 2026 trip, and it did not disappoint. Our guide, Marcus, was total pro, wWith 15 years of experience, his knowledge and storytelling made the 10-hour journey fly by.

The Highlights:

1) Coffee Farm: Stunning views and a great tasting session in the gift shop.

2) Punaluu Black Sand Beach: We were lucky enough to see sea turtles basking on the sand!

3) Volcanoes National Park: Seeing the steam vents and the scale of the active volcano was easily the highlight of the day.

4) Rainbow Falls: The best panoramic view is actually from the side of the park; the hike to the top isn't strictly necessary for the best photos.

5) Waipio Valley Lookout: Absolutely breathtaking photo opportunities.

The logistics were seamless with a prompt pickup at 7:20 am from the Fairmont Orchid. While it is a long day covering 2/3 of the island, Marcus kept us entertained throughout. Lunch, dinner, snacks, and water were all provided, making for a stress-free experience. Highly recommended!

Hanauma Bay was really beautiful and probably one of my favorite places on the trip. The view was amazing, and I took a ... morelot of nice photos just by lying on the grass and looking at the ocean. It felt super relaxing and peaceful. I also saw some really cool fish, which made it exciting and different from just a normal beach.

There were a few things I didn’t like though. The rocks in the water made it kind of hard to walk, and sometimes it hurt my feet. I also didn’t enjoy snorkeling that much, but that was mostly because I felt sick. I think it would actually be really fun if you feel okay.

Be careful when putting on sunscreen and don’t get it too close to your eyes because it really hurts. Also, watch out for mongoose because they might steal your food. I saw it happen to people sitting near us. Overall, Hanauma Bay is an awesome place and I would recommend going.