Hoku Wireless — Local services in Honolulu

Disappointing Experience with Network Speed

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

I recently had an experience with Hoku1 at 150 Kaʻiulani Ave in Honolulu that I wanted to share. This is a small mobile phone and accessories shop run by a single person, and though the owner's service was decent, the product fell short.

I purchased a Verizon SIM card, which was promised to have unlimited data for a specific number of days. The reception has been good all across the US, which I can appreciate. However, the actual internet speed was far from satisfying. Even though it was advertised with 4G capabilities, most of the time the network speed felt more like 2G.

Downloading images turned into a lengthy process, taking minutes rather than the seconds I'm accustomed to with true 4G. This made the experience of using my mobile data frustrating, especially when trying to navigate or look up important information on the go.

While the shop itself was serviceable, the poor network speed really tainted my overall experience. Regrettably, I wouldn't recommend this shop for acquiring a SIM card. Their products did not live up to the advertising and the experience was certainly a letdown. Better to look elsewhere for your mobile data needs.

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my review. I appreciate your perspective and understand the challenges of running a small business. I want to clarify that my review was not intended to target your customer service, which I found to be decent.

My disappointment lies in the product, the Verizon SIM card, which did not deliver the promised network speed. As a customer, I relied on your expertise and recommendation for a product that would meet my needs. While I understand that you do not have control over Verizon's network speed, as a seller of their product, you represent them to your customers.

You did not offer a full refund! So do not claim otherwise.

However, the issue was not just about the money but the inconvenience caused by the slow network speed.

I hope this feedback helps you in providing better guidance to future customers about the potential limitations of the products you...

On my last day on holiday we had a few things planned and in the rush of things we went over to Hoku wireless to purchase a memory card, and in the rush we were in I left my phone in the counter, when we eventually got back to our hotel we searched high and low and tried to recall our steps, we tried calling the phone serveral times but it just rang, I kinda lost hope of finding it, and then we walked back into Larry’s store ( Hoku wireless) and asked if by any chance we left a phone there. He heard a partially Australian accent and answered Ausi IPhone and handed me my phone from behind the counter, he even had it on charge as he said once the owner picks it up at least they’ll have a fully charged phone.. I was so happy as all our pictures from the day before were on there and I didn’t back them up that day… Larry the owner was great and would recommend going there if you need to rent beach umbrellas,chairs,esky’s and for all your mobile needs.....

Very friendly and honest staff. I went to the store to buy a new mifi as mine seemed to have died. I brought it with me to the store to see if there was anything that can be done to fix it, but had full intent in purchasing a new one if needed. Larry assisted me, was able to reset my mifi and get me on my way! He could have easily tried to sell me a new one but had the genuine desire to just help me out versus trying to squeeze money out of me. The store sells various electronics and also has a storage locker they rent for $5/day for luggage or other bulky items you don't want to keep in your room. I highly...