We did a LOT of research about the Road to Hana and ways to experience it, before ultimately booking Hoaloha Jeep Tours for a private jeep tour for 2 on the REVERSE itinerary. This journey was by far our BEST experience during our 2 week holiday visiting all the islands of Hawaii. Our tour guide and driver, Scotty Joe, was EXCEPTIONAL! He truly made the tour! My sister had just been put on life support in the ICU back home, when I received a confirmation call the night prior, from our guide. We were contemplating cancelling the remainder of our trip. He was patient, kind, and professional, reassuring me when and where I would have cell phone reception and even allowing me to use his personal phone when I couldn't use mine to check in with family back home.
He immediately put us at ease and planned a special trip for us. We were quite stressed & huge foodies. That's all he knew about us. He is easy going and took us to a lot of well known eateries by the locals in Hana (highly recommend Huli Huli Chicken - our very best meal in Hawaii), off the beaten path stops along the way and what impressed me the most, is his attention to detail. He knew all the perfect picture stops AND he was an EXTREMELY safe driver. The Road to Hana is quite dangerous if you don't know what you're doing and he knew the entire road like the back of his hand. Im confident he could do it with his eyes closed. I was in awe at how he counted the cars, announced turns, and took each curve. That experience alone was worth the booking fee in my opinion. Safety was his first priority, FUN came next. He also knows everyone because he's local & this is his full-time career, which added to the experience. He truly loves what he does and is a pro.
The jeep was spotless and well maintained upon pick up. Scotty Joe explained our itinerary, so we always knew what to expect, but we still could deviate since it was "our tour." Last but certainly not least, he taught us about Aloha and we discovered it on this tour. There is no greater experience or level of peace. We loved Scotty Joe & this tour. It was our most memorable trip and it has changed our lives, which I wasn't expecting. I highly recommend Hoaloha Jeep Adventures & would do this exact trip with Scotty Joe again in a heartbeat. Be sure to get adequate rest the night before. It's a long 12 hour day. It's jam packed with Aloha! You will be exhausted by the end of the day, but you will leave fulfilled. I cannot say enough good things or explain how grateful we are for this experience of a lifetime that you could never get on a tour van. A jeep tour with the top off and 360 degree views is the only was to truly do the Road to Hana.