For an out-of-this-world experience, check out Maunakea Stellar Explorer from KapohoKine Adventures. This thrilling adventure is the only Big Island star tour to feature nighttime astronomical observing AND safe daytime solar viewing with all ages welcome! Our in-house stellar explorers are the best and most experienced in Hawaii with one having created the Mauna Kea Visitor’s Center and operated it for a decade. Others on staff have written noted articles and reviews for well-known astronomy magazines and have worked at world-class observatories.
Posted By : lisaaD6397PJ
You’ll never see as many stars as you will on this excursion!
We were staying in Waikoloa so we drove Hawaiian belt road to do some sight seeing and then had late lunch at Hawaiian Style Cafe (amazing) in Hilo before meeting our tour guide Henry.
Henry was very knowledgeable with each part of the tour. We drove through the gardens and learned of Hawaiian history on our way to Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. They were cool and then we went to the top to see the island’s oldest Banyan tree.
Next We drove to the lava cabes and went in about 1/2 mile. It was not tough to walk but tou wNt to wear closed shoes like sneakers. Henry explained about how the heat of lava created different formations.
Then we drove anout 45 minutes up Mauna Kea for view of sunset above the clouds and dinner of sandwiches and salads. We did not go to the peak because of lower oxygen levels and cool temps. Henry gives great overview of star formations and uses laser to point out constellations. The Dobsonian telescope proves you with beautiful star sighting and is also used to show you deep space. This tour was mime and my son’s favorite thing we did on the big island.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-08 15:01:40 
Posted By : Heather_K
Our guide Rich recovered the tour. Less than 24 hours before the tour the company called to cancel, because only my daughter and I had booked. I had to book a third booking myself to even get the tour. When we arrived we realized the tour doesn't actually go to the observatory. It stops at a rest stop along the "Saddle" road and you observe thru a telescope. Our guide was extremely well educated and knew the situation the company put us in with misleading ads and forcing us to overpay at the last minute. He went out of his way to help us appreciate Hilo anyway. I can't recommend this company, but if you can find Rich he's is one of the best guides I've ever used.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-03-28 10:22:20 
Posted By : Kim_D
Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and really made the experience wonderful. We really enjoyed making some stops before we went star gazing.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-02-02 12:37:39
Posted By : Terri_G
Everything about this tour was done in a professional manner---communications, tour bus, picnic meal selections, parkas, telescope equipment. But the experience was made even better by Nate, the tour guide. He is so knowledgeable about the Hawaiian culture and history and the sites we visited. His passion was contagious!
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-01-29 14:05:02
Posted By : Janet_F
Henry was the best!!!! And very knowledgeable. Loved the history lessons of Hawaii and the plant life. A little disappointed about kaumauna cave, but the nature walk was good sub. Thank you doesn't really say it all.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-01-13 11:32:54
Posted By : Trudy_H
This was an amazing experience. Rich, our tour guide, was so knowledgeable and fun he really brought everything to life. We have 19 year old twins who loved it, and Rich was able to engage with the adults and younger kids too.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-01-09 14:27:52
Posted By : pufferfishdeal
The worst experience I would say. They don’t tell you properly that they don’t go to the summit. They say “they avoid taking you to the native land.” In fact, they don’t even take you to the visitor center. They take you off of highway and set up a telescope and show you 5-6 stars and talk for 1 hour or so. We were just 6k feet high. They give you a morsel of rice and exactly 4 zucchini pieces for dinner, which could cost you $2. They say that they provide hot chocolate and coffee, but we didn’t get anything. It was such a waste of time and money. There were 3 buses from the same company at the same time…everyone of them were pissed or surprised that the way they scammed us. I’m not sure who rated 5 stars to this tour? May be their own people? I want to rate them zero so that others can save their money.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-01-05 18:52:17
Posted By : Karen_Z
Pretty good and well organized route and tour. The night sky is less impressive than what I saw on social media, but still pretty good.
Our dinner order got mixed up - I spent some time collecting our group’s order and communicating with admin, but we ended up with all ham sandwiches.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-12-29 00:50:58
Posted By : HW_H
This tour is amazing ! The guide was very professional, and the hotel's pick up service was convenient. Not only have a stellar explorer, but also visited Rainbow Falls and other attractions. They provided a simple dinner and hot cocoa.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-12-27 03:02:32
Posted By : Nataliya_A
We expected to go to the Observatory. Unfortunately, we were not notified that we are not going.
The guide was mostly spoke about his own family and we did not learn much about anything. The BO from the guide was so bad that we were considering to turn around and get back to the hotel on our own. It was hard even to be in the same car with him.
It was just a transportation service to the mountain where he set the telescope. It was cool to see a Jupiter ans Saturn. But for that you can get $500 telescope and see it at home.
At least this is our impression.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-12-26 12:25:08
