About Honu Hawaii Activities
Locally owned and operated, Honu Hawaii Activities is a company passionate for Hawaiian culture and way of life. We are also active in community improvement and participate in community outreach programs.
We saw a need for Hawaii’s many activities and tours to be easily found, compared and booked on one website. Our goal is to provide you with access to all of the best luaus on the islands and help find which is best for you. We want you to enjoy your Hawaiian experience and share our Polynesian culture with you. No one else offers as many luaus as we do. The time has come for a reliable online resource for booking activities here in the islands.
“Honu” is the Hawaiian word for the Green Sea Turtle, legend tells about a honu named Kauila, who could change herself into a girl to watch over the children playing at Punalu’u Beach on the Big Island. When Kauila’s mother dug her nest, a fresh water spring surged upward, quenching the children’s thirst. Kauila is the “mythical mother” of all turtles and perhaps of our children as well. It’s also said that turtles were the guides for the first voyagers to Hawaii.
E komo mai (welcome)
The Honu-Hawaii Ohana
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How will I get my tickets?
We will email voucher to you that you can print and take with you to the event. This will be done after we confirm your reservation with the activity provider and secure your seats. We can also fax the vouchers to you or the hotel you are staying at. Be sure to bring your voucher and ID with you to the event.
What if I plan to attend the activity today or tomorrow?
Normally we will have processed your order in 48 hours or sooner. However, if your activity is within that time frame we can process your order much quicker to get the voucher to you. For last minute bookings you should call to ensure availability.
What if I make an order through Honu Hawaii Activities but it was already booked full?
We can either reschedule you to a different date / time or issue a full refund.
If I make an order through Honu Hawaii Activities does that mean it is automatically confirmed?
We will do our best to get you on the tour or activity as ordered. On rare occasion, that which was requested is no longer available from the activity provider. We will contact you and try to get you into something similar. If nothing works for your party then we will fully refund your order.
Will I get picked up from my hotel?
Some activities do offer pick up from select hotels. If you are staying in Waikiki there will probably be a pick up point within walking distance from your hotel. Be sure to check your voucher for your exact pick up time and location. It is recommended that you have your cell phone turned on while waiting and be pro-active by asking arriving tour vehicles if they are looking for your party.
How soon should I book?
There is limited space on all activities so it is best to book well in advance to ensure availability. We have a cancellation policy in place to encourage you to book as soon as possible and secure your reservations. As long as you give us at least 48 hours notice before the start of the event, we can reschedule for free or give you a refund minus a small service fee.
What if I lose my voucher?
We can send you out a new voucher (via email, or fax) or, if you have no way of receiving a voucher, we can also send it to the activity provider and they will be waiting for you. Please be sure to bring ID with you to the event.
Why are your prices discounted?
You will find most our prices are discounted to some extent. We are an activities wholesaler and we are able to offer a discount off the retail price of many of the luaus, activities and things to do in Hawaii. In other words, we bring you the same product at a lower price.
Do you offer Kamaaina or Military discounts?
Unfortunately we cannot for most of our activities. Our prices are already so discounted that we cannot discount more. However, some of our prices rival those of the Kamaaina or Military prices.
What is a luau?
Please see our About Luaus page for more information on what a luau is, what a typical luau menu looks like and the history of luaus.
What are your refund policies, timeline?
If you cancel with us 48 hours or more prior to the event, we can refund your order minus a small service fee. See our Cancellation Policy page for more information.
What if it is raining or bad weather? Umbrellas, rainchecks, refunds?
If the event provider does not cancel we will help you have an enjoyable evening in every way we can. If the event provider cancels the activity we will be in touch with you to reschedule or to give you a 100% refund.
Is there a place I can buy scenic Hawaiian photographs and pictures online?
Yes. We use some of Adam Palmer’s impressive photographs on our site. You can purchase fine art, scenic Hawaiian prints from his site AdamAPalmer.com.
I noticed this website omits orthographic markings found in the written form of the Hawaiian language. How can you live with yourselves?
It is true that this website often omits orthographic / dialectical marks found in Hawaiian such as the macron (kahakō) and the glottal stop (ʻokina). These markings aid in pronunciation and distinction of Hawaiian words. The majority of visitors to our website would not understand or know how to use these markings. Unfortunately we had to make the decision to omit the markings in favor of web usability and search-ability. For example, the proper way to write luau is lūaʻu.
For information on the Hawaiian alphabet see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_alphabet and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_language