KapohoKine Adventures

Maunakea Stellar Explorer Hilo

This tour from KapohoKine Adventures begins in Hilo and moves through several stops before heading up Mauna Kea for stargazing. Early in the day, the route passes Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots along the Wailuku River, then continues to Kaumana Caves, a lava tube system where guests can step inside before stopping for a picnic-style lunch. From there, the group crosses Saddle Road, the stretch of highway that runs between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, while a National Park Service trained guide covers volcanology, geology, and lava flow history along the way. Before dark, a solar telescope is set up so guests can watch the sun in true color, including solar flares, sunspots, and prominences, weather permitting. After sunset, a large-aperture Dobsonian telescope is used for viewing galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, planets, and other objects from a dark location on Mauna Kea. The tour wraps up with hot drinks, including Kona coffee and hot chocolate, before the return trip. Warm jackets are provided.

Evening Volcano Explorer- Hilo

The Evening Volcano Explorer- Hilo begins with a drive through Hilo town along the historic waterfront, then heads to the old fishing village of Kalapana. A National Park Service certified guide narrates the volcanology, geology, and history of Kilauea volcano throughout the trip, covering lava flows and the flora and fauna visible along the route. Kalapana and the adjacent beach at Kaimu were both destroyed by lava, and the tour includes a hike out across the lava flow to the new black sand beach. A stop at the Star of the Sea Painted Church is included; the community moved this decommissioned church to protect it from advancing lava flows, and it now appears on the National Register of Historic Places. The tour then continues to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where stops include the Kilauea Visitor's Center, the Kilauea Iki Crater Overlook, and Steaming Bluffs. Dinner is included. The difficulty level is easy, and the tour is weather dependent.

Evening Volcano Explorer - Kona Pick-Up

This full-day tour from KapohoKine Adventures picks up in Kona and travels south through coffee country, lava fields, and Hawaiian dry forest before ending the evening inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The first stop is Bay View Farm, a working coffee farm where guests see coffee growing on the trees, learn how it is processed on-site, and sample Kona coffee. The route then passes through the South Kona and Ka'u Districts, with a stop at Punalu'u Bake Shop for its Hawaiian sweetbreads and a visit to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, where green sea turtles are sometimes seen along the shore. The main destination is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where the tour takes in Kilauea Visitor's Center, the Volcano Art Center, Sulphur Banks, Keanakako'i Crater, and Mauna Ulu. Guests also stop at Volcano House before heading back. Lunch and dinner are both included. The difficulty level is rated easy, making this tour suitable for travelers who want a long day of varied stops without strenuous physical demands. Pickup begins in Kona, so no separate drive to the park is needed.

Evening Volcano Explorer - Waikoloa/Kohala Pick-Up

This tour picks up from the Kohala and Waikoloa area and travels south through Kona coffee country, the South Kona District, and the Ka'u District before reaching Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The first stop is Bay View Farm, a working coffee farm on the slopes of Mauna Loa, where guests see coffee growing on the trees, learn about the production process, and sample Kona coffee at an overlook above Kealakekua Bay. The route continues to Punalu'u Bake Shop, known for Hawaiian sweetbreads, and then to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, where green sea turtles can sometimes be spotted near shore. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park follows, with stops at the Kilauea Visitor's Center, the Volcano Art Center, Sulphur Banks, Keanakako'i Crater, Mauna Ulu, and Volcano House. The tour covers a long stretch of the Big Island in a single day, and both lunch and dinner are included, so guests do not need to plan meals separately.

Maunakea Stellar Explorer Kona

The tour begins with dinner, then moves into daytime solar viewing through a specialized solar telescope. Guides walk guests through sunspots, solar flares, and prominences as they appear on the sun in real color, with weather affecting what is visible. The route then follows Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, where a National Park Service trained guide narrates the volcanology, geology, and lava flows passing by. The evening portion takes place at a location on Mauna Kea, where guests observe through a large Dobsonian telescope. Depending on current sky conditions, targets can include galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, planets, double star systems, and the moon. The tour does not visit the summit of Mauna Kea, in deference to Native Hawaiian concerns. Afterward, guests warm up with Kona coffee or hot chocolate before returning to their resort. Warm jackets are provided. The difficulty level is easy, and a tasting is included, making this a comfortable outing for a wide range of travelers.

Ultimate Circle Island Explorer (Kona Pick Up)

This full-day van tour picks up in Kona and works its way around the Big Island, stopping at a range of natural and cultural landmarks. The first stop is Bay View Farm, a working coffee farm on the slopes of Mauna Loa, where guests see coffee growing, learn how it is processed, and sample Kona coffee. The route then continues through the South Kona and Ka'u Districts, with a brief stop at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, where green sea turtles are sometimes seen on the sand or just offshore. From there, the tour moves into Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, visiting the Kilauea Visitor Center, Kilauea Iki Crater Overlook, Steaming Bluffs, and Volcano House, which overlooks Kilauea Caldera. Big Island Candies follows, offering factory views and samples. A deli-style picnic lunch is included. Guests should bring sunscreen, a camera, and a light jacket. The difficulty level is rated easy.

Ultimate Circle Island Explorer (Kohala Pick up)

This full-day van tour loops around the Big Island, picking up travelers from the Kohala area and moving through a series of stops that cover the island's varied landscapes. The tour heads south into Kona coffee country, where Bay View Farm offers a look at the growing and processing of Kona coffee, along with samples at an overlook above Kealakekua Bay. Continuing south, the route passes through the Ka'u District and stops at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, where green sea turtles are sometimes spotted along the shore. The day ends with a stop at Waipio Valley overlook. A deli-style picnic lunch is included. The tour is rated easy and is weather dependent. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a light jacket, and a camera.

Elite Volcano Hike-(Kona Pick Up)

This full-day tour picks up guests from the Kona side of the Big Island and travels across Saddle Road, which cuts between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, while a National Park Service certified guide covers the volcanology, geology, and history of the area. The route includes a stop at Kaumana Caves, part of a historic lava tube system, and a drive through Hilo town before heading to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Inside the park, the hike follows the Halema'uma'u trail down into Kilauea Caldera, crossing lava flows that range from ancient to those left by a more recent eruption. After climbing back up to Byron Ledge and continuing to Waldron Overlook, the group visits Mauna Ulu lava flows and the Nahuku lava tube hidden in the rainforest. The day ends with dinner in Volcano Village, and when an active summit eruption is occurring, the guide returns to the park for an after-dark lava glow viewing.

Elite Volcano Hike- (Hilo Pick Up)

Elite Volcano Hike- (Kohala Pick Up)

This full-day tour picks up guests along the Kohala Coast and travels across Saddle Road, passing between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, before reaching Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. A National Park Service certified guide covers volcanology, geology, and the history of the lava flows along the way. Inside the park, the main hike follows the Halema'uma'u trail from behind historic Volcano House down to the caldera floor, then climbs Byron Ledge before looping back through forest past Waldron Overlook. Guests also visit the Mauna Ulu lava flow to search for Pele's tears and lava trees, and see the Nahuku lava tube. When a summit eruption is active, the guide returns to the park after dark to view lava glow. The tour is weather dependent.

Private CUSTOM VAN Tour from Kona

The itinerary is customized and the order of stops can change without notice, so flexibility is part of the experience. The tour runs rain or shine and covers a full day, making it a substantial outing suited to guests who can handle stairs and walks over uneven ground, including black lava rock. Closed-toe shoes are required; sandals and flip-flops are not permitted. If the agreed itinerary includes swimming, guests should bring a swimsuit, towel, and a dry change of clothing. Bring a camera, a government-issued ID, and a method of payment for any shopping or additional fees. Volcanic emissions, including sulfur gas, may affect guests with respiratory concerns. Guests should also be prepared to follow evacuation directions from local, state, or federal officials if needed. Meals and gratuity are not included.

Private CUSTOM VAN Tour from Hilo

Hotel pickup is available, so guests do not need to arrange their own way to a meeting point. The order of the itinerary may change without notice, and the tour operates rain or shine. Terrain is rated moderate and may include walks across uneven, rocky surfaces and black lava rock. Temperatures are moderate near sea level and cooler at higher elevations, so a jacket or sweater is a good idea. Closed-toe shoes are required; sandals, flip-flops, and "slippahs" will not be accepted. If swimming is part of the agreed itinerary, bring a swimsuit, towel, and a dry change of clothes. Volcanic emissions, including sulfur gas, may be present and can affect guests with respiratory concerns. Guests should be ready to follow any evacuation directions from County, State, or Federal officials. Bring a government-issued ID, cameras, and a method of payment for additional purchases.