May 29, 2019
Aloha. I had the opportunity to visit Maui with some good friends for a week long holiday, and we booked a van tour for the Road to Hana. We did not have any expectations other than a nice drive seeing some pretty scenery of Maui. We were quite delighted to have Alex Buttaro as our driver and guide for the next eight hours: he was incredibly knowledgeable on the ancient Hawaiian history, culture, nature & ecosystems; he showed us ancient Hawaiian settlement sites; he pointed out so many things that we would have missed, and showed us all the natural and native, as well as sharing with us the original plants & fruit & vegetables that the first Hawaiians brought. It was an incredible tour that did not end after we stepped out of the van: he continued to walk us through many special places, made sure of our safety and comfort, and we all felt enriched and so filled with the vibrant taste of what the lives of the first Hawaiians must have been like!
After the tour ended, we stayed in touch, and he showed us where the best example of the fish ponds was – where there is now an Indian restaurant in front of it, so that we had a wonderful sunset meal in that historic place. He also shared some great Hawaiian music with us. It was an amazing time, and he is very generous with his time, energy, knowledge of Hawaii. We came away having a deeper sense of not just the beauty of Hawaii, but the history, society & culture of the ancient Hawaiians, and how they survived and thrived.
We hope he will continue to enrich other visitors to Hawaii with his deep knowledge, passion, and love for Hawaii.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please feel free to contact me at:
Sincerely,
Mei Lan Willis
10/10/2018
This tour was one of the most incredible experiences of my life and I don't think it would have been as enjoyable without Alex and his daughter. Having travelled to Maui with my family, our experiences were already unforgettable but Alex brought this tour to a whole different level by making us all feel like part of his family.
Extremely knowledgeable about all of the Hawaiian islands, cultural aspects, local hotspots, and great recommendations on local activities.
I would highly recommend taking this tour with Alex if you really want to see what Maui has to offer. The Road to Hana is such an amazing adventure... The most breathtaking views...
P.S. Alex looks like a pirate! But he's awesome!!!
chrismV7638PF
416
Reviewed March 28, 2019 via mobile
We had an unbelievable time with your. Alex was AMAZING. He knew everything and his knowledge of local foods, trees, plants was outstanding. The road is not at all scary with Alex driving. Go for this tour to have a wonderful day in Maui.
Jimmy T
11
Reviewed November 9, 2018
Decided to take a tour rather than do the road trip by ourselves ... thought the drive would be okay but wanted the benefit of some local knowledge (versus reading the guide book as we went). I can't say enough positive things about Alex ... friendly, outgoing, knowledgeable ... took us to places that I hadn't read about, off the beaten track. This is definitely a whole day trip. Don't plan on anything else. Bring your bathing suit, towel and camera and just sit back and soak it all in! Aloha
Tearra C
Reviewed November 5, 2018 via mobile
My tour was on October 7, 2018 and it was absolutely amazing. The very first thing I would comment on is our tour guide Alex. Alex was an unexpected bonus. He was extremely knowledgeable...like a real life Google search engine. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the islands, Hawaii's history, the geography, the topography, the history of the people, the vegetation, and the best locations on Hana Hwy that you would probably never see if you were to drive it on your own. He was a non-stop source of information on EVERYTHING and no matter how trivial the question or topic, he knew the answer to it or had some knowledge on the subject.
The tour itself was utterly breathtaking. Some of the most beautiful and visually stunning locations I've ever seen. There were so many stops but the ones that stuck out the most were my favorites: the Waianapanapa Beach and its gorgeous black sand (members of our group even got to swim in the underground freshwater caves there) and the Wailua Fall (there is a footpath that leaves you right up to the waterfall and initially I was terrified to walk it, but Alex encouraged me and I'm glad he did because it was so exhilarating and being that close to the fall was really a treat and blessedly cooler). We also got to see Charles Lindbergh grave which is not marked on the highway, so most probably drive right by it. We stopped at the stunning Hamoa Beach. Lastly we got to see and photograph huge green sea turtles.
Because the typical route to Hana is extremely crowded with tourists, Alex started our tour in reverse. We started on what I think was Highway 37 through the interior of Maui then made our way east towards the outer coast, working our way around towards Hana and back towards Kahului. His route meant MUCH less traffic congestion and a lot more privacy for our group to thoroughly explore.
The only thing I would warn people about is that this was an extensive tour and somewhat grueling. Our tour was 12 hours long! You have to be physically able to do a lot of walking/hiking, climbing, and sweating. Despite that the journey was totally worth it. Also the Hana Highway is mainly pins and needle turns, up and down steep mountain sides, so be prepared for some white knuckle adventure LOL.
Date of experience: October 2018
PatriciaG23761
New York
Reviewed January 22, 2019
Fun, Informative, and Extraordinarily Engaging
Review of: Full Day Road to Hana Adventure Tour
From the start our guide Alex was very welcoming and attentive to all of our needs. He phoned before getting to the hotel for pick up and was courteous throughout.
Also, this is not a normal tour in that I was challenged to go outside of my comfort zone. That included trying different types of local food/drinks, going into the water, getting into a cave, picking up and tasting wild fruits, etc. It was by far the most rewarding experience while I stayed in Maui.
Best of all, Alex gets off the shuttle and guides you through every place. Unlike other tours that drop you off and tells you to return by a specific time, our group was always accompanied by a professional who stops when requested and will be more than willing to tell you about everything he knows.
Want to learn about Maui through the eyes of an enthusiastic local? Want go engage yourself with things you can try first hand? Then go with this tour and go with Alex!
Date of experience:January 2019
Preetam V
11
Reviewed December 24, 2018 via mobile
Exceeded all our expectations!
Review of: Full Day Road to Hana Adventure Tour
Right from the time we hopped on to the bus, we were well taken care of. Our guide was way knowledgeable to the extent he knew detailed history of neighborhoods and areas we went by. He got us fruits right off trees. He got us the best banana bread in town. He kept us entertained with Hawaiian stories old and new. To top off the tour, he timed our drive by the airport with a plane hardly 60 ft from us. A great experience worth way more than what we spent!!
Date of experience: December 2018
psychojock
Newburyport, Massachusetts
178
Reviewed October 28, 2018
Alex was our guide and he was amazing.. so informed and funny and interesting.. he gave us a 13 hour day so we would not miss anything.. I was so happy when I learned that our Road to Hana tour went all the way around and included the part of the road rental cars are prohibited from driving..He also handled the driving excellently which is no small feat on this road..HIGHLY RECOMMEND this company
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Date of experience: October 2018
hecsii
Brisbane, Australia
2
Reviewed July 26, 2019
A couple of weeks ago a solo spot on The Road to Hana tour. First I just need to say that this day is incredibly long - we left around 6:30am in the morning and I got back to the hotel around 8pm. It was worth it though to do the famous Road to Hana.
Our tour guide, Alex, was great. He's a naturally funny guy, and he knew exactly the right touristy photos to take in all the different locations. Our tour bus got stopped at one point because of a landslide, so he took our group out of the vehicle and showed (and let us try!) some of the edible foods along the highway, which I thought was very special. Unfortunately (THROUGH NO FAULT OF HIS OWN) we were involved in a small accident, due to the other driver thinking it was okay to overtake the tour bus on a blind corner. Luckily no injuries, but I definitely wanted to applaud Alex on continuing on the journey and being a great tour guide even after that. So well done to him! Really showed his professionalism.
Another thing I was impressed with was that the tour company also catered for me food-wise. I'm a vegetarian, and was able to order a veggie burger, which was great.
Overall, if you're looking for a good company to do the Road to Hana with, I'd definitely recommend Maui Nature Tours. Not only was our tour guide great, we stopped at iconic locations along the way and food was provided.
Date of experience: July 2019
JaneeceCook
Launceston, Australia
31
Reviewed July 24, 2019 via mobile
We had an awesome, memorable journey to Hana and return. Such magnificent diverse scenery on both sides of the island to enjoy. Alex is such a skilled and safe driver and has so much knowledge and an all round 'good bloke', who gave two Aussies an unforgettable day. Awesome♀️
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Date of experience: July 2019
marian l
Lucenec
818
Reviewed March 8, 2019
We took the Hana road trip by Maui Nature Tours. The price was high, but worth every penny. You get what you pay for We were lucky to share the van with another couple (so altogether 4 people + driver). Driver Alex was very friendly, talkative and he made our trip unforgettable.
Date of experience: February 2019
WisDeb
Wisconsin
8750
Reviewed January 29, 2019
Hana tour- leave it to the pros.
Our tour started out on the wrong foot...we were on a cruise ship and this tour company was not allowed near the ship for lack of some permit from the cruise line. This meant a long walk in the pouring rain to be picked up by the company. Our tour driver, Alex, changed a bad start to a thoroughly wonderful...but long...day. We learned so much from him!!! His answers to our questions as well as the information he offered kept us entertained. We are so glad we did not try this drive on our own!!!! We saw the terror in the eyes of those who did. Alex was an excellent driver and very courteous to others on the road. The company supplies chips and sandwiches for lunch, which was fine with us. There is very little in the way of food on this tour. Bathrooms are few and far between, but Alex worked very hard to keep us all comfortable:). It was a very long day, but well spent.
Date of experience: January 2019
mustardm101
Toronto, Canada
Aloha:
I’m an O`ahu kama`aina who would love to be able to do a neighbor island trip for a Maui Nature Tour excursion. I hiked with the owner Alex Buttaro a few years ago, and it was the most amazing nature experience I ever had. His knowledge of the plants, animals, culture, and history is awesome, as he had us eating off the trees and bushes and swimming in the streams, while similtaneously being very attentive to our wants, needs, and safety. Maui Nature Tours’ planned emphasis on nature seems to be a good fit for showcasing Maui’s beauty.
Email:stan_popovich@hotmail.com
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Stan Popovich
Reviewed October 17, 2018
Road to Hana...Alex is the BEST!
We went on the Road to Hana Tour on October 11. We were picked up on time at our hotel by Alex. I was nervous about the tour because of the many turns and single lane bridges. Alex immediately made me feel comfortable (I'm a very nervous passenger - ask my DH...lol). He is an excellent driver and a very informative tour guide plus he's a very nice person as well (love the mustache - very cool). He took us to some beautiful places on the tour. Seeing the turtles, the waterfall and Zen was awesome! Everyone that goes to Maui should go to the Road to Hana. You will not be disappointed. This was the best part of our trip thanks to Alex! He is also an awesome photographer and takes excellent pictures for his passengers.
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Date of experience: October 2018
Marc M
Reviewed September 12, 2019 via mobile
You might think that you can go it alone but don't! Alex, our guide was great! Fun and informative. We would have missed the fresh water cave AND we wouldn't have done a complete lap of East Maui if not for him! Make sure, if...More
of experience: September 2019
Thank Marc M
Reviewed April 15, 2019
Loved it! Our Hana tour was just about all we could have asked for: 1) a well-informed and knowledgeable guide who went out of his way to accommodate our needs—thanks Alika!; 2) amazingly beautiful and interesting sites; and 3) an experience that went way beyond...
Date of experience: September 2019
Thank Marc M
carlajeanne60
Purchase, New York
5133
Reviewed September 1, 2019 via mobile
We totally enjoyed our tour and our amazing guide Alex! We were a group of two families with kids ranging from 16-23. Our tour guide Alex gave us many options as we weren't sure what exactly we wanted to do or how far we wanted to travel up to Hana. He stopped at the best places and was so interesting and knowledgeable. He kept our attention the whole way and we never stumped him with our questions. He got out of the bus with us, showed us great spots, took our picture, and so much more. We saw beautiful waterfalls, huge turtles, black sand beaches!! We also had the best banana bread and yummy coconut candy from a local roadside vendor. Would totally recommend this company and ask for Alex who delivers on adventure, knowledge and personality!! A great day was had by all!!
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Date of experience: August 2019
ericoa1
College Park, Maryland
6642
Reviewed July 30, 2019
We booked this tour through Viator. It was a very last minute add to our plans.
You get a lot with this tour! We had a great time with Alex our guide and thank god he was a skilled driver since the tight mountain passes we rarely big enough for our bus and on-coming traffic. After seeing the roads and other drivers' reactions I think we made a great decision to not get a rental car and go exploring ourselves.
This was an all-day trip well beyond the planned 9 hours, but as the locals say the Road to Hana is about the journey not the destination. We had a great time seeing ALL of the Road to Hana, not just the popular end that most tourist visit. Great scenic views over cliffs, pics by waterfalls, little hidden local stores and buildings, local fruit and food, sandy beaches, sea caves and spouts, and sun set beaches where the sea turtles line up by the dozens. The tour included breakfast, a bottle of water and lunch. We stopped for lunch at a place called Hana Ranch and had some of the best burgers we've ever had. I know Alex wasn't scheduled to stop there but the entire group was really glad he did.
Great time... Just be ready for a lonnnnnng day of adventure. Alex did a great job of keeping us all entertained, pointing out all of the important things along the way, being our unofficial photographer and of course getting us back safely.
Date of experience: July 2019
mommaboobaday
Saint Clair, Missour
Reviewed July 6, 2019
Our tour of the Road to Hana was wonderful. We enjoyed every minute of the tour. Our guide, Alex, was amazing. He was very knowledgeable of the history of Hana and made the day very special. We visited several landmarks, beaches and even swam in a waterfall. This tour was one of the highlights of our entire vacation. I would highly recommend this tour to everyone visiting Maui.
Lisa L.
Date of experience: June 2019
sdmacleod
Denver, Colorado
Reviewed July 4, 2019
This is a long day, but totally worth it. Alex was our guide and he was amazing! Very knowledgeable and in tune to what everyone was interested it. Would highly suggest doing.
Date of experience: July 2019
Renee D
Reviewed June 8, 2019 via mobile
My husband and I absolutely loved this tour. It is a super long day, but worth it! Took the backwards way to Hana, saw sites we wouldn't have been able to get to in the rental car. Alex was very knowledgeable, and super awesome. He took pictures of us and spoke to us the entire time. Besides the two of us, there were 4 other ladies, and we all enjoyed it. Highly recommended this tour!
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Date of experience: June 2019
Tate K
Danville, Georgia
Reviewed May 30, 2019 via mobile
We really enjoyed our trip though it was long. Every minute was enjoyable because of our great guide Alex. His knowledge of the Island made sure we didn't get bored.
Date of experience: May 2019
10/1/2018
Touring The Road to Hana is an adventure. The view was spectacular in every turn. The flora and fauna that makes Maui incredibly amazing, the little towns, the Taro fields, the sandy beaches and don't forget...the waterfalls.
Unlike other tour guides, Alex as we called him the Tarzan of Maui, got us out of our comfort zones and made sure we experience what this wonderful island is all about. From swimming under a waterfall, going inside a lava cave, swimming inside a fresh water cave, watching giant sea turtles, he was always there with us. We learned more about the islands history, culture, people and music.
I highly recommend this tour company with Alex at the helm. Next time we're in Maui, we will surely look him up and do The Road to Hana again.
Lastly....when he offers you a piece of a Noni fruit.....try it.
September 27, 2019
Loved it! Our Hana tour was just about all we could have asked for: 1) a well-informed and knowledgeable guide who went out of his way to accommodate our needs—thanks Alika!; 2) amazingly beautiful and interesting sites; and 3) an experience that went way beyond that which we could have provided touring by ourselves. One of the things we especially appreciated was the peace and tranquility of the Charles Lindberg gravesite. “Mahalo” Alika and Maui Nature Tours, for possibly making this a memorable lifetime experience!
Mahalo for the best day ever!
Kyle from Virginia
2/4/2019
We did the Road to Hana bus tour, a 12-HOUR thrill ride on a minibus that literally took our breath away! While the sights, and stops were all so beautiful, butwhat really made this trip was our driver and guide, Alex. Alex took the time to get to know me and my wife and the two other couples and he made sure we saw everything, including several things not normally seen on tours. We were exhausted by the end of it all from having seen and experienced SO much. Also, Alex (and his darling daughter Aya), was gracious enough to take pictures of us with our phones and cameras. He truly seemed to be enjoying the trip as much as we were. HIGHLY recommended!
Michelle N. and 3 others voted for this review
Aloha kakou: As an O`ahu kama`aina who has been visiting Maui for years, it’s not easy for me have new experiences, but I am pleased to say I had the pleasure of hiking and touring with Maui Nature Tours. What makes Alex different is his depth and breadth of knowledge, and the way he communicates in an easy to understand manner. He has an amazing knack for creating totally unique experiences and taking ordinary experiences and making them extraordinary. I look forward to taking a neighbor island trip with Maui Nature Tours again some day soon.
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