My wife and I enjoyed this experience on February 12, 2025. The driver who met us in town and drove us to the transfer station, and our guide, Mitch, were both extremely friendly and knowledgeable and engaged. It was clear that they cared about the experience that every one of the people in our group were having.
The sunset from the summit was as glorious as you may imagine, albeit very crowded with solo and group tours. We also got to see the nearly full moon rise just after the sun set, so that was a bonus. Mitch came around to each couple or grouping within our entourage and took pictures of us with our phones - if we so chose. Just one example of the care he showed throughout the trip.
When we left the summit at dark, we headed a short distance down to a viewing area where we met another group from the same company, let by Zach. Between the two groups, Mitch and Zach entertained 27 of us, showing us deep space objects and the moon through a “smart” telescope and taking more group photos with the night sky and the lava cone from the active volcano in the background. Then, Mitch took us through the constellations in the night sky based on Western tradition, and Zach showed us the traditional Hawaiian names for these constellations. Both were well informed and entertaining and told us the stories behind the constellations. It was great.
I do wish we had been able to see more deep space objects than the Great Nebula and the Pleiades, but I guess the hallmark of a great experience is, it leaves you wanting more.
I hope to do this again on a moonless night so I can see more stars.