Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Photo by Kirk Aeder.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that Chris Paterson worked for the Ritz-Carlton. The story has been updated to reflect that he worked for Four Seasons.
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Hawaiʻi Island isn’t nicknamed “The Big Island” for nothing. It’s about 100 miles from Kona (west side) to Hilo (east side). Although many visitors make the drive daily, the two- to three-hour journey can be a lot to tackle in one day—especially with activities and sightseeing packed in.
The Big Island Highlights Volcano Day Tour is an all-inclusive, award-winning excursion by luxury operator Kailani Tours. Two tours run daily, seven days a week, with a maximum of 12 guests per group. Departing from Kona in a Mercedes-Benz shuttle, the tour promises comfort and personalized service throughout the full-day experience.
“It’s all taken care of,” said Chris Paterson, founder of Kailani Tours. “You are literally putting your feet up, listening to your guide tell you things that you normally would never have known about.”
Founded in 2012, Kailani Tours operates on three pillars: experienced guides, luxury vehicles and high-end service. Paterson, a former tour guide and Four Seasons concierge, used the same “we welcome you to be the center of our world” philosophy he learned at the Four Seasons to build his company. Tours never exceed 12 guests, with each group led by an expert guide who not only drives but also provides educational commentary and food and beverage service throughout the day.
“[Four Seasons] has a guest-to-employee ratio that is pretty much unmatched,” Paterson said. “So that’s what I wanted to do.”
Coffee cherries. Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Photo by Kenji Abe.
The Big Island Highlights Volcano Day Tour begins with a central pickup location, where guests are greeted with cold drinks and breakfast bars. The first stop is Greenwell Coffee Farm in Kona, where guests stroll through fields of tropical fruit and sample bean-to-cup coffee.
Next is Punaluʻu Bake Shop for fresh malasadas, followed by a visit to Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, where guides teach guests how to responsibly observe endangered sea turtles from a distance.
Malasadas. Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Photo by Tor Johnson.
From there, the tour heads to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Guests spend 90 minutes to two hours immersed in nature, learning about the island’s biodiversity and climatic zones—and witnessing an active volcano.
The next stop is Hilo. At the Hilo Farmers Market, guests can sample a wide variety of tropical fruit, enjoy Kula Shave Ice and explore downtown. Shops include Puna Chocolate Company and Big Island Candies, with time to learn the history of Banyan Drive and Liliʻuokalani Gardens.
The final stop is Rainbow Falls, featuring a massive lava tube and a 90-foot waterfall cascading off two peaks. As the shuttle returns west via Saddle Road, guests watch the sunset after a full day of adventure. The tour includes all meals, park entry fees, hot and cold beverage service, and hot and cold towel service.
Keawe Wailuku Bridge, Hilo. Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Visitors Authority. Photo by AJ Feducia.
Kailani Tours also offers late-day tours with dinner and wine tasting, as well as private and customizable options.
“That’s when we really get to shine way above our competitors,” Paterson said. “We create these bespoke experiences that are so rare and so different that guests feel like they’ve got a custom-made experience just for them and their family.”
Luxury and five-star service aside, Paterson—who also serves on the advisory board of the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau—said his mission has always been rooted in doing right by Hawaiʻi.
“We’re bringing people with us to do responsible, respectful, regenerative tourism that benefits the local community, provides jobs, takes more vehicles off the road and creates this unique experience where people feel like they’re traveling responsibly,” he said.
