Hawaii By Storm Tours — Attraction in Maui

Who went: Me (37), my son (12), my parents (mid 60’s)

Our Guide: Makana E. is one of the most genuine, knowledgeable, and friendliest people we’ve ever encountered. He called to introduce himself the night before, walked us through the game-plan for the following day, and really hyped us up for the best adventure ever. Let me tell you, he absolutely delivered. He made what is arguably one of the toughest drives look like a piece of cake. He’s a native to the island and knows both the road and stops like the back of his hand. He knew us by name by the first stop, treated us all like family the whole way through, making sure we knew when the next stop was coming up, where restrooms would be, introduced us to his contacts around the island and at each stop, and provided history and facts about the island with a passion that only a native with long roots can provide. Makana shared a little bit of himself throughout the trip in the form of playing Hawaiian music relevant to stops along the way, and even brought out a ukulele to play songs he composed. One of the most memorable moments was eating a platter of freshly picked local fruit, sitting in a bamboo forest, while he played and sang us a song. It brought a tear to my eyes. It was a very touching and genuine moment for all of us. One my family and I will remember forever.

The Vehicle: This is not a some off the lot vehicle with a decal on the door. It’s a top of the line, fully tricked out, luxury, exploring vehicle. It’s in pristine condition with tons of room for passengers. All leather, plush seats that recline any which way including all rows having the option to fold back giving you a very comfortable ride if you wanna take a quick nap between stops. Fully adjustable climate control for all passengers. Full panoramic glass roof which we used the whole trip to see above and around us including opening it up to make the experience more immersive. Middle row seats that fully slide up to give rear row passengers easy access to get on and off for the numerous stops and photo opportunities. This REALLY won us over because getting in and out can be tedious, especially with kids and older parents. This was a lifesaver. Lots of room for belongings that you’ll need, and souvenirs you’ll want to pick up, and fast charging ports everywhere for every passenger to access. Last but not least, it is lifted and off-road capable. We SAFELY and COMFORTABLY accessed several hidden gems off the side of the road that are only available by using their SUV. I wish I owned one of these things. It’s that nice!

The Route/Stops: Makana took us counter-clockwise, or the “backwards” route, I cannot stress it enough, having your own vehicle with Hawaii by storm is worth its weight in gold when it comes to the number of stops you can make. With larger groups you can easily lose HOURS picking people up and dropping them off along the way. You name it; gorgeous highlands over looking the oceans, small villages with taro farms dating back hundreds of years, waterfalls galore with local knowledge of safe jumping spots, lush rainforests, black sand beaches, local gardens, sea turtles, the best local roadside eats including fresh local fruit platters, banana bread, and THE ORIGINAL huli huli chicken, we made every stop you could ever want to make on RTH. We never felt rushed, and were given plenty of time to free roaming around the stops for photo opportunities and exploring.

Overall Experience: I will get straight to the point. This was a 100% thought out and personalized immersive experience with a guide who became more like extended ohana (family) instead of a “guide.” You simply cannot match the local knowledge and warm welcome, that only Makana and Hawaii by Storm are able to provide. If you’re in Maui for RTH, I promise you won’t find a more memorable experience.

To Makana and Sean at Hawaii by Storm, thank you for making this such a memorable trip. You guys are best in class, and we...

I genuinely don’t know where to begin. When my husband booked this tour, I was initially nervous about spending hours in a car with a stranger. But wow, did Mark break the ice soon after our meeting at the hotel. “I’ll try to bring them back in one piece—don’t worry!” he told the concierge in a serious tone. Our two boys hesitated at first but soon erupted into laughter, easing our nerves.

Mark’s truck was immaculate. It smelled fresh, and I felt a twinge of guilt knowing it wouldn’t stay that way by the end of our adventure. We had chosen the spacious vehicle, perfect for navigating the winding road to Hana. Our first stop? Maui Coffee Roasters, where I tasted the best coffee of my life. Sorry, Starbucks!

I was struck by Mark’s intimate knowledge of Maui. As we journeyed along the Road to Hana, he seamlessly blended facts with humor, captivating us with stories of the island’s rich history, including its sugar cane mills and the spiritual significance of plants. He filled our day with stories of old sugar cane plantations, natural collagen from ferns, and the wisdom of the villagers. Mark's firsthand experiences and personal stories about growing up in Maui provided a deeper emotional connection to the island’s culture, illuminating traditions and practices that textbooks definitely overlook. He shared insights about important historical events that shaped Maui, discussing cultural shifts, the impact of colonization, and the significance of landmarks, enhancing the historical narrative with personal relevance.

He seemed to know everyone: “Aunties,” “Titas,” and even local dogs. At one point, he guided a wayward dog back home, and the pup listened without hesitation.

As we traveled, Mark shared insights about Hawaiian spirituality, and I felt enlightened. He taught us the importance of respecting every element of nature—trees, water, and animals—transforming my perspective. Our two boys, one an introvert and the other an extrovert, exchanged curious glances, realizing this trip was more than just a scenic drive; it was a lesson in connection and respect. Mark’s explanation of local customs, rituals, and ceremonies helped contextualize these practices within the community, allowing for a better appreciation of their significance and how they are preserved or adapted in contemporary life.

We witnessed other tourists’ reckless behavior, particularly when one ignored the “no driving on the beach” sign. Mark’s restraint spoke volumes; he simply mentioned, “He’s not supposed to fish there.” It was clear how much he cared for his island home, reminding us why hiring a guide like him was essential. Mark pointed out local artists, craftspeople, and traditional food spots, promoting an understanding of how local economies and artistry thrive through community support and cultural pride. By sharing how community events and gatherings happen, Mark may have illustrated the importance of social bonds in Hawaiian culture, helping visitors understand the role of community in everyday life.

Despite the day already running late and one of our kids struggling with car sickness, Mark handled the situation with remarkable grace and preparedness. He came equipped with everything we needed, proving to be even more organized than I was as a mom.

What struck me most was how he ensured we never felt rushed, even while being a few hours behind schedule. Mark made it his mission to keep our adventure alive, guiding us to every landmark on our itinerary with enthusiasm and care.

By the end of the tour, we felt like part of a family. Mark’s laughter and passion for both his culture and comedy reminded me of Robin Williams. He was more than our guide—he was our friend.

Five stars for Mark! He transformed our drive to Hana into an unforgettable journey. We left feeling not just safe, but deeply enriched. You did not ask for this but truly...

We are seasoned family travelers with kids 17 and 20 who always enjoy a local tour wherever we go. We have been fortunate enough to travel with the kids to Iceland, Africa, Europe so we are very thoughtful about going with tour companies that will engage the kids so that the day will be both fun and also give them a local flavor and some education about the place we are in. Hawaii by Storms was FANTASTIC . We would highly recommend them for a number of reasons:

Great Communication: Upon booking the trip I got a text from the company to confirm and let me know that if we had any issues we could reach out directly to them easily thru the text and they were very responsive

A few days before the trip we received another text communication confirming the upcoming tour and asked if we had any concerns and outlined our trip and another text the day before confirming pickup.

Luxury Experience We met our guide in our hotel lobby in a luxurious SUV that was super comfortable even up to the standards of my 17 year old daughter who found the day in the third row very comfortable

Customizable 1.Tom was our guide and he was so easy going, kind and knowledgeable. We decided literally last moment to change the itinerary and we shifted from a day of hiking the crater to a day on the road to Hana with some hikes, waterfalls, beaches, local flavor and great stories of the history of Maui. Tom never blinked and just easily pivoted with our desired change. Everything we asked Tom found for us…Amazing hidden beaches✅ Local food✅ Waterfalls✅ Sea Turtles ✅ Great stories ✅ Photography of family ✅

We never felt rushed anywhere and our 8 hours covered a lot of ground.

We had gone on a private boat charter snorkeling and whale watching earlier in the week and the captain who had been in Maui for 25 years raved about Hawaii By Storms and I can see why.

I can honestly say we would use them again for another tour and HIGHLY recommend this...