KapohoKine Adventures — Local services in Hawaii

Awful experience from booking. Details were vague and conflicting at time of booking. Email confirmation noted 72 cancellation policy, longer than any I saw for tours on the island. Also noted incorrect pickup information (listed Hilo pickup even though I booked the Kona option). 48 hrs before my tour (after cancellation window had closed), they left a voicemail to confirm my meal option and pickup time. They also noted that although I had booked the Mauna Kea Stargazing tour, we would not be going to the summit and would not even be turning onto the mountain. They had some "special" spot at 6500 ft. Seems a bit shady to keep this information until after cancellation is closed. They asked that I give the drive a 15 min window. As such, I arrived at my pickup location 15 mins ahead of my scheduled time. I sat and waited for 35 min, no tour bus. I called the number only to be told to just keep waiting and that he would be there soon. I think the 15 min window is already generous, I'm not a fan of others wasting my precious time in paradise. After waiting nearly 45 min, the bus arrived. The guide's first comment to me was something about traffic being unusual. Except the issue causing traffic had been in place my entire stay (9 days at this point). You can't tell me your company has not encountered this condition in the past 9 days. Had I been contacted, I would have gladly walked to meet the bus a few blocks away to completely avoid the gridlock. Instead, I was no contacted and when I reached out I was told to just hold tight. The next comment was some sort of jab about just being happy. Sir, you've failed to meet the agreed upon obligations. I ask that you don't tell me to 'just smile'. The guide then sped away to a restaurant north of town. I use the term restaurant loosely. I thought the shack was a bait shop when we walked up. The fish tacos were 2 stale tortilla with less than 2 oz fish on each and more ranch dressing than fish, served with a half dozen greasy tortilla chips. While we waited on dinner, our guide set up a solar telescope to view the sun. This was one of the few highlighted details of the tour noted at time of booking. Except it was all of 12 secs looking at a glowing orb. We lined up like kindergarteners to each peer through the telescope, no disinfectant. This would be less concerning if not for the orchestra of coughs experienced in the 10 min ride from Kona to the dinner. All the while our tour guide decided to share his opinions on a number of things- how 'these younger generations just don't want to work, aren't very smart', how he 'loves his wife but' she nagged him to get his hearing tested. Turns out he was essentially deaf and needed hear aids but it took the old hag to hound him to get the medical attention he needed. How dare she! Most concerning, he went into detail about how the company was fat with cash before the pandemic but that now they don't have available funds to replace the parkas offered at the stargazing spot. That the zippers would break and they were unable to afford repair. Really makes you feel safe riding in a dated van to a 'special' secluded dark spot to sit in the cold for hours, doesn't it? Also, why are we spending hours hearing about your take on the world? I paid $251 for an educational tour. There is so much more you can be sharing, informing the group instead of alienating folks. At this point I decided that I'd rather walk the 3.3 mi back to my hotel and get to bed early to allow myself a good night's sleep than listen to Richard's philosophies on life. I told the guide I would be walking back to town and wished him a good tour. He responded asking if I was looking for the restroom, I said no, repeated myself loudly and left. SO HAPPY with that decision. Who knows what I missed but I am confident it would not have been worth my time. I shared feedback after, no response. I booked tours w 2 other outfits during my stay, both were stellar. I strongly recommend looking into Kailani Tours- same price for twice the time with such attention to...

On March 15th, I purchased a Groupon for $200 for two, or 50% off, for the nine hour Volcano Park Tour Hike & Glow. Before I purchased the Groupon at 3 a.m., I went to this tour operator's website to make sure they had space available for the tour we wanted the next day. Their calendar showed the tour was open available to book for the next three days.

Their website wouldn't let me book with a Groupon Voucher, and it instructed me to call them directly to redeem with 24 hours notice. The Tour Company had an office in our Hotel, at the Hilo Double Tree, so first thing in the morning I went down to book the tour for the next day with my Groupon Voucher. We waited in line for 15 minutes while another couple took forever asking questions about booking tours. There was only one rep.

When we finally got our turn, at first, their representative told me we were the only two who had booked the next day, and they needed a minimum of four people for the tour to operate. She told me we could book it, and hopefully within 24 hours at least two other people would book. She then asks if we could go another day? (We only had two days left, so our time was limited. ) We said we'd book and hope somebody else joined before morning. She then called somebody to inquire about booking us with our voucher, in the hopes they'd find another two people by the next day. When she got off the phone, the story changed. Now she told us the tour was not available the next day because they didn't have a bus to run it!

I then spent three hours of my morning wasting my vacation while trying to get a refund with Groupon that you must request within 24 hours of the purchase. (There is no number to call and talk to a human) In the meantime, my bank put a freeze on my debit card because they saw a transaction in Hawaii, although we'd been using the card for ten days here. Now Groupon is telling me I'll get a refund in ten days. So we'll see? (I admit, This tour company has no connection to Groupon, so that wasn't their fault with our refund trouble)

We then spent the next day trying to find another tour that didn't cost $400+ for two people. This tour company tried to sell me a shorter tour for $300, but I declined getting ripped off by a tour company. Because all the activities in Hawaii are way overpriced! Two people can barely do anything for less than $300 per activity. On a two week trip, this really adds up!

Well, we finally found another tour and went with them today. They only charged $100 per head for an eight hour tour. The kicker? When we got to Volcano Park, a big red van with this tour group's signage was there in the visitor lot! (I thought they weren't running the tour because there was no bus available? )

I might be wrong, but I theorize the lady was telling the truth that nobody else had booked the tour at the time we tried. I think when she called her superior and told her we had a voucher for $200 for their tour that usually costs $400, the superior must have told her to make an excuse up about not having a bus the next day instead of honoring our Groupon Voucher for $200.

I understand business is business and you've got to make a profit, but when we bought the Groupon, it said redeemable any day until July 2019.

If you're going to offer 50% Groupon deals, I really think the company should honor them. Not just decide you got too good of a deal, there's not enough people booked paying full price, so they're going to make up two different excuses as to why the tour won't be going that day. (Even though their own website showed it open and running the day we wanted to go)

I don't like being lied to! Would not recommend...

This zip lining adventure was amazing. If you are hesitant fear not this one is for you. I’m scared of heights but I conquered it. The first two were slightly intimidating but the other 5 came easy and those are the ones over forest. The zip line guides were incredible from start to finish. If I could change anything about my visit to Hawaii it would be that we do this first.

They gave us tons of informative information about the island as well as places to visit which would have been handy except we went on our last day.

Our driver Maddie was great she was a very cheerful person although we were a bit quiet. Thankfully she had my mom up front to talk to. She gave us some good Hilo information and places to visit and eat. Even the lady that was checking us in was great. She is definitely the face you want to see before you do something you are fearful of.

The fear was something we had to overcome quickly and we were a family of many different fear and age levels. My mom was deathly afraid and she conquered it with the continued support and encouragement from all the guides. My little sister (10) was a beast and she took off with no problem. For the little (in size) kids they give a little extra push if needed or also (if needed) they ride tandem with them.

Shout out time! I’m starting with McKenna because she rescued me in the middle of the zipline thank you, you are a beast. kendall, you could really tell you loved this job, little did you know the small things help and you just leaning back on your ropes helped create a sense of trust in me in my ropes. Forest, wasn’t even part of our group but he was still a huge help in moving it forward for us as he helped move clips over while we waited for our guys. Also, he always had so many facts to share. My brother and sister were first in our tour group and my brother told us later, “ you guys didn’t get to know Forest like I did, Forest is great”. Finally, Alex you were absolutely amazing. There were times I felt like I was in a history class but it was ok because he helped pass the time and you could see a genuine joy in sharing the information. Also most importantly he helped my mom feel like she could do it and made sure he was always available when she came in to brake because she was scared and was worried no one else would be able to get her up. This zip lining adventure was amazing. If you are hesitant fear not this one is for you. I’m scared of heights but I conquered it. The first two were slightly intimidating but the other 5 came easy and those are the ones over forest. The zip line guides were incredible from start to finish. If I could change anything about my visit to Hawaii it would be that we do this first.

In short, thank you. This is definitely worth the price and some. My family will remember this...