native guide hawaii

[the past few days have been a whirlwind so please forgive my very tardy saturday weekend travel post]

when most of us think of taking a tour around the islands, those big buses packed with tourists are probably the first thing that comes to mind. if the thought of hitting the highlights with 100-plus strangers makes you cringe, the next time you are big island bound remember to click over to native guide hawaii which offers small eco-tours exploring the volcano, coast and everything in between.

warren costa, the hilo-born proprietor, shares the inside scoop on his island the way only someone who has been both a former park ranger and schoolteacher can. (he also has a background in archeology & naturalism, natch). tours are described as an educational journey giving you the 411 on island history and local legends with a dash of science and native habitat identification thrown in.

daylong tours start at $300 for up to two people (extra fee per additional person; six people max) and include transportation, lunch, walking sticks & daypacks. custom, off the beaten path adventures can also be organized (contact warren for more details).

take a peek at the faq before you book.