Hawaii Forest & Trail

Tour agency · Kalaoa

Hawaii Forest & Trail

Tour agency · Kalaoa

1

73-5593 A, 73-5593 Olowalu St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

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Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
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Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null
Hawaii Forest & Trail by null

Highlights

Join a guided tour with Hawaii Forest & Trail for a fun-packed day of hiking, stunning views, and unforgettable stargazing atop Mauna Kea.  

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73-5593 A, 73-5593 Olowalu St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Get directions

hawaii-forest.com
@hawaiiforest

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73-5593 A, 73-5593 Olowalu St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Get directions

+1 808 331 8505
hawaii-forest.com
@hawaiiforest
𝕏
@hawaiiecotours

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Jul 13, 2025

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"On a 12-hour guided tour with Hawaii Forest & Trail, you'll embark on a hike around the park, go romping through a dark lava tube, and enjoy views of the flowing lava from several key vantage points." - Travel + Leisure Editors

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View Postcard for Hawaii Forest & Trail

Jim Hickam

Google
Awesome experience! I have done tours all over the world and none have been as professional as Jeff! His knowledge, demeanor, and friendliness worked together to create a truly once in a life time experience! Even with a flat tire on their very nice van, he made it seem part of the tour. He handled everything in a relaxed and poised manner! I heartily endorse this tour, company, and Jeff!!! What you see is unique!

Lynn Ferrara

Google
Jason was our guide. The trip was a once in a lifetime experience going up 14,000 feet. Loved seeing the work being done at the high desert preserve.

Dale Callen

Google
My wife and I did the Maunakea Summit and Stars Adventure from Kona. We had a great time. John was our tour guide and was very informative and accommodating. He was very knowledgeable on the geological history of the island and very versed on the astrological part of the tour. I will recommend this tour to anyone coming to the big island and hopefully they have the pleasure of getting John as their tour guide.

Tracy Dunn

Google
We had the most amazing experience on the Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure with seeing the sunset at the summit and followed by star gazing! Our guide Jason was so knowledgeable and made the trip so personalable and memorable. The meal and hot drinks kept us warm along with the coat and gloves. This trip is definitely a once in a lifetime experience that you must do!

Lauren Curatolo Chott

Google
Excellent tour guide (Tom) drove us up to the top of Mauna Kea. Very knowledgeable on all things Hawaii and for the star gazing. Highly recommend for a beautiful sunset and evening.

L P

Google
Hidden Craters Hike - the guided hike ventured onto private land to explore the upper slopes of Kona’s 200 year old volcano – Hualalai. This hike was surprisingly close to Kona driven to the start of the hike by shuttle. Adam was our tour guide and is excellent I. His knowledge of the fauna and flora as well as Hawaiian. History. I liked his welcoming, friendly nature and enthusiasm for his job. This hike at times could be a leg burner as it winds up through a landscape of young koa and native trees. But there are plenty of stopping rest while the guide points out various attractions. Finally arriving at the craters edge at over 5,000 ft elevation and peering into the deep hole caused by the volcanic eruptions. On the day we went there was “vog” from Kilauea summit resulting in sulfur dioxide and other gases and particles emitted by an erupting volcano. Highlights Ancient crater Hualalai volcano and native forest Standing on the edge of precipitous volcanic crater that plunge deep into the earth below Favorite! Make your way through an intact lava tube.

Amanda Snyder

Google
My 11 year old daughter and I took the Kohala Waterfalls Adventure today. I haven’t left a Google Review in many years, but I really want to pay-it-forward and give a huge thank you to the employees of this company. Mel, our guide for the day, went above and beyond getting to know EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US, so that the day met our goals to the best of her ability. She kept us safe and comfortable in the brand new Sprinter Van, in very remote areas of the island, and taught us more than any guide book could! She lives here and embraces the Hawaiian Heritage that we were delighted to learn about. The tour itinerary is an amazing experience, but meeting Mel and the way she made all the tour members feel like family was priceless. Today was a day you’ll wish you could live over and over in your mind…a favorite memory you’ll never forget, even when your daughter is a Senior in High School, we’ll remember today. We booked our tour last minute, yet Chels went out of her way to pack my daughter a special treat. She felt so special thanks to Chels and Mel, and I’m so very grateful for that unexpected kindness. (We want our kiddos to be excited to go along & do exciting learning adventures with us, and these ladies definitely helped her feel welcome with the adults. Little people can do big things too!). Thank you Mel and Chels for showing Ohana to myself and my family, and everyone else who came today. The food was delicious and all the important comfort details like towels and walking sticks were greatly appreciated. -Amanda & Aspen Photos: Mel teaching Aspen that spiders make two types of web material, the sticky middle web material to catch insects, and the non-sticky web-stabilizing strands. The sweet note Chels left on Aspen’s snack pack

Robert Downes

Google
The tour was well worth it. Our tour guide was knowledgeable about Hawaiian culture and astronomy. His explanation how the observatory works and how they interact with the citizens of Hawaii was very informative. The attached pictures are recommendations from our guide and I would not have been able to take them with out his help. If you never been to high altitudes before this tour is well worth the money for your safety and enjoyment of the sunset and start gazing. The advice of the tour guide helped me to accumulate to the higher altitudes so I could take the attached photos.

Laura G.

Yelp
My family and I experienced a very educational and well informed Star glancing tour on Sunday presented by Mr. Eugene. The road to the summit was very confortable, this company provides a very delicious meal, hot chocolate and a nice thick parka because it gets pretty cold once on the summit If you visit this beautiful Hawaiian island, this company it's 100% recommended Thanks again to Mr. Eugene for his time and knowledge

Annette R.

Yelp
This is the 2nd time I have done the Kohala Falls tour with this organization. They are highly organized, the tour guides are friendly and knowledgeable, the vehicles are new and immaculately clean. There are thoughtful details like extra sunscreen, bug spray, jackets, walking sticks, and warms hand towels provided prior to lunch. Our tour guide noticed my husband fully relishing his time swimming in the waterfall pool and took a picture on her own phone to share with me since I did not have my phone in the water with me. She did not have to do this. I was very impressed with this thoughtful gesture. When you book with Hawai'i Forest and Trail, this is the level of attention and care you will experience. @sturdygirlstyle #sturdygirlstyle

Rob L.

Yelp
Wonderful day trip! Our guide Maka was terrific. As we rode up the coast with him from Kona to Kohala in the comfortable MBZ Sprinter van, he entertained and educated us with his wealth of knowledge and stories about Hawaii's history, flora, fauna, geography, points of interest, and culture. Brief stops at Queen's Marketplace and Kohala Zipline in charming Hawi to pick up passengers allowed us to stretch legs and look around. Then a bumpy short drive along a rugged picturesque dirt road to where we started our easy hike through the jungle and grazing land to the lovely Kohala Waterfalls, where we swam in the cool water, and sat on a rock under the falls to let the falling water massage our backs. Just as I was getting a chill, it was time to hike back to the van for another short, bumpy ride to a clifftop spot with an amazing view of the coast and beautiful Pololu Valley for a nice box lunch of sandwiches, chips, a drink, and a yummy cookie. On the way back we stopped to see the brightly painted statue of King Hamehameha in Kapaau and Maka told us the story of the King and the statue. All of us pretty tired on the way back, we were much quieter as we enjoyed the view of the ocean and occasional whale spouts in the distance. A wonderful excursion!

Caroline B.

Yelp
Some of the best holiday dollars you will spend on the big island. Interesting tour with great storytelling yummy food and amazing stargazing. Nothing but good vibes for this tour. Let them drive you up the mountain and look after you at altitude.

Delysia M.

Yelp
Both of the tours I took were well-organized and featured knowledgeable and helpful leaders. I took the birding tour one day and the Mauna Kea summit and stargazing tour two days later. Both were excellent experiences.

Dennis A.

Yelp
My wife and I booked the waterfall hike and it was totally worth it. We hiked about a mile into the forest and saw 3 waterfalls . The views are amazing, pictures don't do it justice. Our guide Brett was a wealth of historical information that we loved . He knew the history of the islands and we enjoyed every single minute of his stories. If you get Brett as your guide you'll be glad you did, trust me ! Thanks again Brett

David V.

Yelp
Our family really enjoyed the Mauna Kea summit and stargazing tour. Jeff was super knowledgeable and kind. The sunset was amazing and the stargazing off the charts. Having the parkas and hot chocolate was perfect. Definitely recommend as it is a once in a lifetime view/experience!

Marvin H.

Yelp
My wife and I took the Maunakea starlight tour. What a great experience! Bret was a wonderful tour guide. He was very informative and a tremendous story teller. And the soup was terrific!

Kamaka C.

Yelp
My sister and I did the Kohala Zipline. It was awesome. My sister said it was the best day she ever had on any vacation. The course was exciting and our guides (Cody and Curtis) made us very comfortable and ensured our safety every step of the way. I highly recommend this adventure

Laura G.

Yelp
We went on Crater Tour and it was incredible. Our guide Eugene was knowledgeable and personable and we learned a lot about this beautiful island and the history of the land. Loved it and would recommend 100%!

Tom K. L.

Yelp
Matteo was an amazing guide. The waterfall hike and swim did not disappoint! Lunch at an amazing park with a view. This is a must see on the Big Island. Great trip, our guide answered all kinds of questions and was very entertaining and helpful! I would recommend for anyone wanting an off road, waterfall adventure....

Candy E.

Yelp
We did two tours with Hawaii Forest & Trail - Volcano & Stargazing. Volcano was underwhelming due to no lava and honestly not much to do otherwise. Our tour guide was fine but always blazed ahead to the point where none of us (also mind you, no one was old in our group) could keep up. The lava tube was very cool, though! Stargazing was also great. Note that it will be very very cold - I wore two layers of pants and had three layers under the provided parka and still felt cold, so dress accordingly. I had pretty awful high altitude sickness and do want to flag that the only "help" offered was advice to take deep breaths. If you're not confident about being ok in high altitudes, I would skip this or go with a company that provides oxygen/more resources to help.

Kerry H.

Yelp
Great excursion! Jason was an excellent guide who was knowledgeable in Hawaiian history and customs, and passionate about sharing the night sky and the mythology associated with it. The meal was delicious and the sunset was spectacular. A great trip!

Amy F.

Yelp
We went on the Kohala Waterfalls tour. It was a great experience getting to explore areas we wouldn't otherwise have access to on our own. Our guide, Maka, was knowledgeable and friendly and did an excellent job of checking in with and assessing the group's interest level. The waterfalls were beautiful. We saw amazing views at lunch. They pack everything you need, such as walking sticks for use up and down the variable terrain. Only suggestion would be to the caterer they use, which would be to improve on the sandwich bread, both regular and gluten-free, were both pretty dry. 5 stars overall!!

Sukki J.

Yelp
Aloha! This past weekend I took the Kohala Waterfalls Adventure tour as a solo guest. From start to finish, I felt cared for and our guide Nick was very knowledgeable and engaging! There were 9 of us total and we saw some very special places that you can only see with this tour company! The work their team has put into making the waterfalls safely accessible is amazing! The view from lunch was something you can only see with HF&T! WOW, STUNNING, INFORMATIVE, FUN and PROFESSIONAL. I highly recommend this company! Mahalo to HF&T and Nick for a life-changing day!!

Yeny V.

Yelp
My husband and I had such an amazing time doing the Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure. Our guide Brett was very kind, friendly & knowledgable and we all enjoyed some great laughs. It was an unforgettable experience specially the Stargazing and the chicken stew was delicious. Highly recommend this tour!

Hazel L.

Yelp
Must stop by and visit Hot lava beds cooled and look like you are visiting another planet Short hike Bathroom are clean Great photo oops

Neal M.

Yelp
Mauna Kea Summit and Stars. May 9, 2024 (Scroll Down for Volcano Unveiled Review -- Separate tour, but Yelp won't let me write two separate reviews for same company) Tour Guide: Jeff Our tour started almost immediately, as Jeff described lava flows we were passing. Yes, the whole island formed by lava, but continuing flows keep the island growing. Amazing. As we climbed Mauna Kea, Jeff repeatedly checked on our adaptation to the elevation gain encouraging us to stay hydrated. My wife and I are old enough, we watched the Apollo moon landings live on our little black and white TV. We were ecstatic to see the barren area where those astronauts trained! We've been taking geology and astronomy courses via Great Courses, so now we could see all of this in person. At the summit, we saw some of the telescopes we had studied. YAY! Took our picture in front of the NASA IR telescope!! We absorbed a stunning sunset. By the way, the parkas supplied were perfect with the 32F temps. Then we dropped down a 1,000 ft to a little pull off and started the Star Party. Absolutely out of this world! Jeff had two telescopes set up. One, connected to a computer, was tracking celestial objects and doing timed photos which The other reflector telescope Jeff tuned to different objects and we got to see them! We started with the Moon which was crescent phase. Craters, craters everywhere, and sharply in focus. Then we moved on to star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae. This was the cherry on top of all our astronomical courses. My favorite constellation is the Southern Cross -- not visible from the CONUS -- it was great to see it again. Jeff was an outstanding guide the whole way. He answered all of our astronomical and geological questions, and also taught us so much we didn't know enough to ask. He cared for us along the way, fed us great meals, and bundled us up against the cold. He is a kind teacher, driver, guide! There aren't enough stars in the sky to give a rating for this tour and Jeff! Hawaii forest and trail: Volcano Unveiled Volcano Unveiled May 13,2024 A long ride from Kona to Hilo to the Volcano National Park. Then I did a Google map search and found that whether you go Kona--Hilo--Volcano or directly from Kona to Volcano, it's the same distance! Andrew was our tour guide and he kept things interesting explaining geological features as we crossed up and over the saddle. Our first point of interest was the lava tube. I have explored five lava tubes in New Mexico's El Malpais (Bad Lands). For those you have to check in at a ranger station where you buy a pass and he checks to see if you have all the proper gear (helmet, headlamp, gloves, hiking boots, & knee pads). Those lava tubes require scrambling over rocks to enter and sometimes within. So my wife never joined me on those adventures. HOWEVER, This experience had EASY ACCESS! This lava tube had a predominantly smooth floor and uniform tube unlike those in NM. Andrew pointed out the different features. After that we had lunch. The lunches provided are always good. We had pastrami sandwiches and later stew and chilli (Wife, chilli, me, stew). Then we drove to the big, most recently active volcano, Kalua Pele. We took a short hike/walk there. Beautiful flowers, ominous steam vents, and the occasional whiff of sulfur. Andrew explained the different area of the immense caldera, and what happened just a couple years prior with the last eruption. Then we were off for a second volcano which sits right next to the first! The second volcano, Keanakako, required a 1.4 mile hike round trip, the last part of which was over hardened lava. This, too, was different from NM. In NM the trails lead over what I call lava plates. Flat pieces of hardened lava that can flip over as you walk. This has none of that. So a very safe trail. Andrew told us about the Ohia plant. It has a beautiful red flower and is the first plant to grow on the freshly hardened lava. Over time it provides the soil for other vegetation. Cool. This last hike was in the rain which by the time we reached the crater's edge was a downpour. We were thoroughly drenched by the time we got back to the van. Andrew took us to Natinonal park welcome site, so we could dry off by a roaring wood fire and eat our delicious hot stew. Good plan, but they threw us out for eating. Nice. Recommendations: It always seems to be raining, so: waterproof hiking boots and waterproof pants. They provide a raincoat, but if you take your own make sure it has a hood and is waterproof, not just water resistant. Waterproof gloves would complete the ensemble. A must tour! Super guide! Great itinerary. Oh, yes, you can go to a lava tube at the park, but there is limited parking and a long line. Plus our guide told us that the tube has suffered from all the tourists. The lava to tube the tour takes you to is in pristine condition. JUST GO!

Steve M.

Yelp
My wife and I participated December 29 on the Mauna Kea tour led by Jon Knight, who was superb: deeply knowledgeable of the culture, history and the complex volcanic geology of the mountain, its indigenous population, and its environs; a skilled astronomer; highly personable and considerate; and highly attentive to safety and related protocols. The trip to the peak at nearly 14k feet for sunset was truly exceptional, and a bit mind-bending. The star-gazing exercise that followed in deep darkness was also a joy. Kudos to Jon and Hawaii Forest and Trail. A wonderful day spent together.

Laura B.

Yelp
Absolutely outstanding tour to the summit of Mauna Kea. Our guide, Jon, was knowledgeable and engaging, and I learned way more than I expected just on the drive to the summit. The company is safety-conscious, which was notable and appreciated. I also appreciated that the company provided information about Hawaiian culture and history in a way that was sensitive to the fact that the location we were visiting is sacred to native Hawaiians. Mauna Kea itself is otherworldly and breathtaking. Also, a shout out to this company for being honest and exceptionally helpful. I had originally scheduled this tour for a Wednesday, and on Tuesday, I got an email saying the tour was canceled due to weather. I almost cried. But I also appreciated they weren't going to take my money and send me to the summit when the weather would obscure the views the trip is all about. I looked online, and no spots were left for any more tours during my visit to the Big Island! But I called and spoke to Chelsea, who is absolutely wonderful, and she went above and beyond to see if they could fit one person in on another trip that week, and she found me a spot! Anyway, go with this company for Mauna Kea or other tours. They are awesome.

Celeste N.

Yelp
Jeff, our tour guide for the Mauna Kea Stargazing adventure, was INCREDIBLE!! From start to finish he made us feel welcome and cared for (I had altitude sickness and he checked in on me regularly). He was extremely passionate and knowledgeable about Hawaiian history and the sights we were seeing. The van was comfortable and the experience was unforgettable.

Hus R.

Yelp
We had an absolutely incredible experience on this hike! It would have been nearly impossible to navigate the intricate terrain without a guide. Mark, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable and familiar with every aspect of the area. It was truly remarkable. Mark was engaging and approachable, readily answering all the questions our group had about the terrain, native plants, volcanic history, wildlife, birds, and even providing a fascinating geology lesson. In summary, I highly recommend this tour. We truly enjoyed every single minute of it, and it was definitely worth every penny.

Marty D.

Yelp
Great tour, with a gifted guide who provided answers and pointed out different sights for us. Mateo's knowledge of Hawaiian culture and history provided me with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Islands and the people. After a moderate, and sometimes a tad challenging hike, we bathed in the pool beneath the waterfall and then ate a great lunch, with a spectacular view of the coast. I can't thank this tour service enough, it was the highlight of my trip to Hawaii.

Scott H.

Yelp
Our guides Mateo and Justin were great! Experiencing and swimming in water falls on the Big Island has been on the bucket list. Everything from the drive, talking about Hawaiian History to different landmarks made the trip informative. Sampling the different kinds of guava, and a variety of edible flowers allowed us to immerse ourselves in the experience. Mateo's assistance with avoiding sharp lava rocks, really made swimming in the waterfalls a experience of a lifetime. Any negative reviews should be disregarded or those people should've stayed home. This is a must do Trip for what just about anyone. I highly recommend this company, and both Mattea and Justin, as highly professional and reliable guides for this tour. The sandwiches were pretty good as well!

Shawn B.

Yelp
We did the volcano tour. Great tour with lots of varied and interesting activities. Amazing Guide Tracy and Excellent customer care. Really took care of us and catered to out interests. Great cultural history, natural history, and environmental awareness.

Amanda B.

Yelp
Our tour was for Maunakea Stargazing, and it is absolutely worth the money. Our tour guide, Jason was personable, kind, and an incredible wealth of knowledge! I could not believe how much he knew about the history, culture, & geology of Hawaii, as well as astronomy, and he did an amazing job presenting both sides of political issues on the island as well. All the information was fascinating and he was *the best* out of all the many good tour guides we've had on the island. Going to the top of the mountain felt like stepping onto another planet, and seeing the observatories was very very cool. The bus was comfortable, and the vegetation chili was surprisingly delicious! Everyone loved the hot chocolate as well. At the last stop, Jason set up an impressively powerful telescope that allowed us to see the rings of Saturn (among other cool things). The sky was stunning from up there- the best I've ever seen anywhere. We happen to live very close to the best stargazing area on the east side of the US, and it is nothing compared to this experience. A warning to my fellow migraineurs: don't let this disclaimer prevent you from experiencing this magic, but do bring ALL your meds as the elevation can definitely be a trigger.

Thomas S.

Yelp
This tour was fantastic. Our guide, Eugene, was awesome. He shared a ton of information regarding the island as well as all the volcanic activity. This was a highlight of our trip! Food was great too!

K C.

Yelp
The Mauna Kea Summit & Stars Adventure was great! Very well organized, fun, and extremely interesting. Our guide Jeff was excellent - very knowledgeable about the human and geographic history of the island, the flora and fauna, and the objects visible in the amazing dark sky. He was kind, funny, focused on safety, and showed a great respect for the island. Highly recommend this tour.

Jen A.

Yelp
Our Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure was absolutely worth the money. Jeff was knowledgeable and personable. An amazing experience, book early as the tours are limited and fill up quickly. Take water!

Jeff W.

Yelp
Incredible adventure! Like a trip to outer space! Jason is one of the greatest guides ever. Thoughtful, amazingly well-informed, and a great shepherd for us all.

Lisa P.

Yelp
Tracy with Hawaii Forest & Trail is an expert in the knowledge of the volcanos, trees, birds, and all wildlife on the Big Island. Her stories will amaze you! She will keep you entertained throughout the entire tour. The lava tunnel was the best that I have ever seen. I highly recommend the Volcano Unveiled Tour and Hawaii Forest & Trail for all your outdoor activities! They are a 5-star company!

Dee L.

Yelp
We did the Mauna Kea Summit tour. Our guide, Jeff, was very knowledgeable. He gave great history and facts. There were a total of 12 in the van. We met Jeff at Queens Market in Waikoloa. Stopped at the campsite to use plumbed toilets on the way to the visitor center. Once we're at the visitor center we had our light dinner - beef stew and dinner roll. Last stop for plumbed toilet - make sure to take advantage of it since it's only porta potties after this for the rest of the night. The sunset at the summit is breathtaking. Wow!!! Glad that the tour provides parkas and gloves. We took a ton of pictures. Once we're done and Jeff made sure everyone is doing ok with the altitude, he took us 1K below the summit - so still pretty high up. This is where we spent the rest of the night star gazing. Jeff had 2 portable telescopes and we saw multiple stars, nebula, spiral galaxy, and Saturn!!! He was very knowledgeable and provided interesting facts. We had cookies and hot cocoa while star gazing. We even saw the glow of the lava from Kilauea. The trip was unforgettable. To be above the clouds with clear skies - we're fortunate to experience this. Could you have done this on your own and spend less? Yes, but be aware that you will be driving yourselves up and down this magnificent and desolate volcano at night pitch black on an unpaved rocky terrain. You will also lose the experience of an astronomy lecture. TIP: at every opportunity use the plumbed toilets. Proper breathing once you're at higher elevation will help with combating altitude sickness.

Mathew W.

Yelp
We joined the Volcano Unveiled tour on Feb 5, 2024 led by Adam. In a nutshell it was excellent. Adam is quite knowledge and we learned a lot about volcanos and The Big Island in general. The lava tube hike on their private property meant we had the place to ourselves which was nice. The vans they use have spacious comfortable seats and are kept clean. Lunch and dinner box meals were simple but good. If I may suggest perhaps dinner at the Volcano House in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park would have been a cooler way to end the tour before the drive home. The view from the restaurant of the Kīlauea Caldera was amazing.

Lily H.

Yelp
We went on a tour of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with Adam. To say he was fantastic is an understatement. He was professional, knowledgeable, and open to answering any and all questions we had. I cannot recommend this company enough, and I hope we will get a chance to experience some of their other tours when we come back to the Big Island! Just a 10/10 experience. (Not to mention the food was delicious!) :)

Travis D.

Yelp
Brett did a great job! Very engaging and knowledgeable. We did the Volcano Unveiled tour which was a great way to see the island, but also spelunking in the lava tube and the off to see the source - the caldera! I was as giddy as a school boy.

Laurie M.

Yelp
Gary was our tour guide & he was so fun, informative & knowledgeable. The tour was enjoyable & Hawaii Forest & Trail think of a lot of amenities other tours do not & I was impressed by the cleanliness of the vehicle and the gear. I would recommend trying Hawaii Forest & Trail before any other company.

Judith B.

Yelp
This was an amazing trip! Our tour guide, Jason, is extremely knowledgeable about Hawaiian culture and the Hawaiian Islands. We appreciated his enthusiasm about astronomy, and geology, and his engaging stories! He gave us thorough information all throughout trip. Stops along the way to the summit allowed us all to acclimate to the altitude while also giving us a chance to stretch our legs, chat with each other and enjoy a delicious light dinner. Viewing the setting sun from above the clouds was just an amazing experience! Our tour was one day before the full moon, so not a particularly dark night for stargazing, but still very worthwhile. Viewing the full moon through the telescope was just incredible! I highly recommend this tour, but do suggest booking months ahead if possible. We booked a month in advance, and found there were only two spots left during the entire two weeks we would be on the Big Island.

Russ M.

Yelp
We did 2 experiences with Hawaii Forest and Trail on our latest trip. the first was the mauna kea summit tour. Outstanding! our guide was John. He was so knowledgeable. Amazing locations and the food was great too! the next excursion was the kohala falls tour. our guide was Nick. again, outstanding services and very private locations no one else has access too. Next time i'm in hawaii, i'm setting up another trip through Hawaii Forest and Trail! Russ

Jill N.

Yelp
We did the Kohala Waterfalls Adventure on the Big Island and LOVED it! Took a comfortable van from close to our hotel in Waikoloa up to Kohala. Beautiful drive then short hike to see 3 beautiful waterfalls on private property. Swam in one of them and our group was the only one there. Mark was our guide and I highly recommend him. There was some off the road terrain and he was a great driver and really shared his love of the island and its history with us. Really nice guy. Beautiful panoramic views on the north coast where we had a picnic lunch. We highly recommend this experience and would book with this company again.

Mindi R.

Yelp
There aren't words for how amazing this experience was. It was beyond what we were hoping it would be. Jeff was an amazing guide and was almost as excited as we were. He was knowledgeable and funny and seemed to genuinely want to be there with us. He was definitely not punching the clock and waiting for quitting time. We had high hopes for the tour and it exceeded them beyond what we thought possible. It literally made our entire vacation. Huge thank you to Hawaii Forest & Trail and Jeff.

Anne L.

Yelp
Fantastic, fairly easy hike with amazing views and very informative ranger station. We went on an overcast day in December so the temperature was quite comfortable

Kate H.

Yelp
So, this has got to have been one of the most spectacular and extraordinary experiences I have ever had. Not really knowing what I was doing, we decided to go through a tour agency. Our guide, John, was very knowledgeable and obviously passionate about volcanoes. This excursion was all day; we were picked up at 11am and got dropped off around 11pm. There was a fair amount of walking, went into a lava tube and clambered over many lava rocks. Boxed lunches and dinner out of a thermos! Our guide had a great sense of humor. All in all it was a good day but ended with the best fireworks show I have ever had the pleasure of seeing! I highly recommend this tour!!

Victor V.

Yelp
Great tour. Excellent customer service. Very knowledgeable tour guide/Taro/. Definitely recommend this tour. Tour itself very well organized. No regrets at all.

Nancy Y.

Yelp
How amazing! My husband booked the summit tour for us in September. The tour was about 7 hours long and was totally worth it! Our tour guide was Adam who was super friendly and knowledgeable. He was born and raised in Kona and shared great info with us along the way. I was nervous about the ride there because I get carsick easily. I felt totally at ease. Someone in our shuttle also got back surgery before, and she was fine with the ride over the short unpaved part to the summit. The southwest chicken stew also tasted DELICIOUS when we arrived at the Visitor Center to acclimate to the high altitude for 45 minutes. We met amazing people on our tour and had the best time with Adam. Mahalo!

Erin A.

Yelp
A trip worth taking. I booked the Hidden Waterfall hike and our tour guy Eugene was knowledgable and awesome. Between swimming in a waterfall, great scenery and an amazing lunch spot overlooking the cliffs you won't be disappointed. I recommend booking this if you have the time and even if your not a hiker the hike isn't that bad either.

Hans K.

Yelp
Excellent tour guide (Jon), very knowledgeable about Hawaii, the tour, history, geology etc. Also very entertaining and answering many questions our group asked. Nice clean van took us to the top where we watched an incredible sunset. Afterward we watched stars with a great telescope our guide provided. Interesting stories about the constellations etc. They provided a very nice picnic dinner before we went to the top, and cookies and hot cocoa afterward. Also Parkas and gloves on the top (it is a lot colder at 14,000 feet than sea level. Absolutely recommend this tour, like any tour we have taken with Hawaii Forest and Trail, first class operation!

Melinda L.

Yelp
Went on the Mauna Kea Stargazing tour with Jeff as a guide. We first did some giving back by gathering seeds to help in reforestation of native trees and bushes. Jeff was very knowledgeable about the local foliage and educated us about the need to nurture the native plants. Next we proceeded to the level of the visitor's center on Mauna Kea where we had a very tasty chicken stew dinner. We then proceeded to the summit where we looked down on a stunning sunset. We then went down to the visitor's center where we stargazed. Jeff filled our heads with lots of cool info about the cosmos. Amazing telescopes Jeff owned gave us incredible views of the already incredible starscape. Have been Mauna Kea Stargazing 4 times. (One time I made a mistake and went with another company. Big mistake.) Only one other guide could compete with Jeff! Would wholeheartedly recommend Hawaii Forest and Trail and Jeff!

Sheri M.

Yelp
If I could give 100 stars, I would! Jason was such a phenomenal guide, and this was a awe-inspiring experience that I will always treasure. Jason connected so beautifully with each member of our group, and shared such a wealth of knowledge about astronomy, and most importantly about the connection to Hawaiian history, traditions and culture. Thank you for a life-changing experience!

Nikka V.

Yelp
We took two tours with this company, the volcano and Mauna Kea summit tours. Our guides Adam and Jeff were incredible. They really made the tours enjoyable and I learned so much about the island, Hawaiian culture, astronomy, and volcanoes! I highly recommend this!! Book early, things sell out. And definitely read the tips on what to bring to stay safe and comfy on the tours. There is some tricky terrain and the summit is COLD when the sun goes down.