Paul and Travis gave us such a memorable experience during the Outrigger tour. Paul gave us a throughout history lesson, and was so knowledgeable of Wailea, and the surrounding areas. He left me yearning to know more of this magnificent place. Travis was at the helm, pointing out places that Paul was mentioning, and also his keen eyes spotted a whale on our journey. If you are staying at Four Seasons Maui, this is a must do. Make sure to make reservations, they go out at 7:00am, 8:00am, and 9:00am. We took the 9:00am, and we're grateful since the 7:00am was canceled due to the waves being too uncharacteristically choppy. Mahalo to Paul and Travis for an amazing adventure, and wonderful experience! read more

This tour was not as it was described at all. It was barely 45 minutes and they didn't paddle to see anything. We booked this trip for our mom whom is a good paddler but wanted to go with a group. There was no descriptions of cultural anything, they saw nothing. They barely left shore. We've seen the outriggers before pretty far out seeing the whales while we are out paddle boarding. But this was not as described at all. It saddens me to even write this review. read more

My husband and I were acquainted with the Hawaiian Outrigger Experience staff through Hotel Wailea, where we were staying for 10 days. From the first day we met Bill, his warmth just radiates through. All of the staff at Hawaiian Outrigger Experience are the nicest, most genuine people. I don't buy the one-star review on here for one minute, and you should not either. It's completely unwarranted because unprofessional is literally the last word I would use to describe this company - warm, friendly, knowledgeable, kind, accommodating are all singular words I'd use to describe our interactions with Bill, Kevin, and Randy. We were fortunate enough to go on the Outrigger canoe on a Wednesday morning. It was one of the best things that we did throughout our entire honeymoon. Kevin led us on the outrigger, and started off with a lesson on Hawaiian culture that really connected us in to what we were about to do, and the significance behind it. This seems to set Hawaiian Outrigger Experience apart from other outrigger tours on Maui. The Outrigger tour itself was incredible - and a built in workout with the paddling, so it made for a good start to the day on so many levels. We chanted in Hawaiian, stopped to take in the scenery - and trust me, it's prettier on the water than it is on Wailea Beach (which is shocking in and of itself), and even saw a sea turtle we kind of followed the outrigger around. As we pulled back in to Wailea Beach an hour (ish) later, Bill was waiting to help bring us in, taking pictures as we paddled in. We texted him our contact information, and he then emailed pictures to my husband and I later that evening - that's something we did not anticipate and were so happy to have the pictures of to share with our friends and family. We also rented stand-up paddleboards on two separate occasions, and were given clear instruction from Bill that again, made us feel so safe and comfortable in the water with a totally new experience. We loved the first time out so much, we rented them on a second day. The price was great, and experience was awesome. Overall, I truly cannot speak more highly about Bill, Randy, and Kevin with Hawaiian Outrigger Experience. They have the true "aloha" spirit and will make you feel so comfortable and safe, no matter what you're doing. We will definitely be back in Maui, and will be sure to actively seek this company out! read more

See all

My experience at Wailea Beach wouldn't have been the same had I not rented a chair and umbrella from H.O.E. I was, truthfully, purely looking for some shelter from the sun, and wasn't aware of the other services offered. After a VIP-type set up of a pair of chairs and an umbrella equipped with a pristine towel covering, towels, and cold water, I sat down to peacefully enjoy the gorgeous view. The space was well preserved and I was a very good distance away from my neighboring sunbathers and other relaxing on their own chairs. At which point, I noticed, that the staff was moving a beautiful wooden hawaiian canoe out towards the shore. Kismet! I signed up to go, and joined Kevin and a small family from Texas. Kevin began this magnificent and authentic experience with a prayer of gratitude for the ocean and a request to keep us safe on our journey. We then proceeded to learn how to paddle and where introduced to Hawaiian words and lingo centered around the canoe. As we boarded and paddled out, Kevin shared with us the culture and philosophies of the Hawai'ian's their abilities to read the stars, and of all of the blessings that the ocean brings. I saw a manta, green sea turtles, and the ocean showed itself in the most magnificent way... i was floating above more fish than I've ever seen in a fishbowl or acquarium, sitting peaceful over the calm waters. And, then unexecpectedly a whale breached about a football field away from us. It was MAGICAL! We rowed back after what felt like seconds out at Sea, but was nearly an hour of time filled with views, story, culture, language, and an amazing lesson in life. The philosophies of the canoe, of our affects on what surrounds us, good, and bad, on how our lives are, and how little control we have over things, and that sometimes you just have to keep paddling. I will make this experience a tradition for my future visit to the island of Maui. Mahalo Kevin and Crew! You did an amazing job ***** value ***** cleanliness ***** customer service ***** experience ***** would go again ***** Highly recommend read more

Kevin and his crew are the epitome of goodness, passion and fun wrapped into one! We loved learning about his ancestry and rich Hawaiian heritage. The crew made sure we were safe and understanding of the canoe- my parents learned how to row easily and while many ocean sports are solo this was a fun team activity. Kevin even used his echo locator to help find whales. We can't wait to do it again on our next trip to Maui! read more

HOE runs several "businesses" from different areas around Wailea. We took a one hour canoe ride from the Grand Wailea Resort with Kevin and it was awesome. I'll echo what another reviewer said - don't believe the one-star hater (with only a few reviews to her name). Kevin cares deeply for the Hawaiian culture and his customers. Bill was super friendly and took great pictures of our experience. Basically, Kevin told us multiple stories throughout the trip. We paddled out around Turtle Point and found some green sea turtles (Sir Charles was huge). We didn't see any whales, but we heard them with an underwater speaker. Given more time than an hour, we could have seen a lot more. We are a family of five - with two 20's boys, so we were able to paddle the canoe pretty well (with Kevin's instruction). I wonder how an older or less in-shape people might fare. read more

If you want to experience true Hawaii hospitality and get a great turtle tour, this is where you should go! You got a history of the island snd you were able to see a quite a few turtles. My favorite is Sam who is over 100 years old. This place was warm and charming. I felt it was worth every penny. I just wish it could have been longer since I had such a great time. I hope you support local Hawaiians, their culture, and their land. Mahalo!! read more

Supercool dudes that really know their stuff. Friendly, positive attitude, and a lot of cultural knowledge! Jason even helped set up an umbrella for us at the beach so we could enjoy the rest of our afternoon! read more

Hawaiian Outrigger Experience - Thx for the help Jason! - Tours Near Me - Wailea-Makena, Hawaii

The guys running this place (Bill and Faron) were nothing short of awesome. From kayaking to paddle boarding, and even a bit of snorkeling, these guys have great gear to rent. They were also helpful in getting everything set-up and get us set out to sea with some advice on things to see and where to go/not go. As far as snorkeling was concerned, they gave some solid advice on where to explore and wouldn't you know, got to hang with a huge honu for a while. I may not be a professional kayaker or paddle boarder, but these guys had enough advice and know-how to get us all up and running...err, paddling. Faron also did a little lap out just to make sure everything was going alright. We really appreciate these guys and their service! read more

This experience with Vene was the highlight of our whole trip to Maui! I went with my sister, her husband, and their little girl. We loved how Vene shared his heritage and songs and we loved the water! The turtles at the end were an unexpected thrill. Thankyou so much Vene! read more

Amazing experience with Kevin. The Honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles) were very curious and abundant during our tour. We spotted 6 or 7 including several that swam around our canoe and checked us out. A very unique cultural and wildlife experience well worth the price of admission. read more

See all

There are not enough good things that could be said about our experience with Hawaiian Outrigger. These guys run an absolutely fabulous service, and are by far some of the nicest people we have dealt with while staying on Maui. Big shout out and thank you to Bill for hosting us, and to our guide, Farron, who was absolutely wonderful. We also had the pleasure of seeing a number of turtles while on the outrigger canoe. It was an overall great morning. You can tell they are passionate about what they do and stop at nothing to make sure you have an excellent experience with them. Highly recommend!! read more

These guys were great. I was concerned how safe this would be, especially considering my oldest is only 9 and my youngest is 3. But Kevin and his crew made sure that all my kids were safe. They were patient, polite, and protective. I quickly realized that I could relax and enjoy the canoeing and snorkeling myself. Kevin also taught us a little history and culture, too. I will take the family to do this again next time I'm here on vacation. read more

Hawaiian Outrigger Experience - Tours Near Me - Wailea-Makena, Hawaii

BEST EXPERIENCE EVER!!! Kevin was fabulous!!! We did the snorkel & Outrigger combo...saw more sea turtles than we had on any experience out in the water. We learned about ancient Hawaiian culture...we hope to bring the kids for a ride next time. read more

Hawaiian Outrigger Experience - Our Outrigger experience - Tours Near Me - Wailea-Makena, Hawaii

My family and I booked this activity upon the recommendation of a friend. We were so glad we did! Kevin's knowledge of the history of his people and his skills on the water really made it a one-of-a-kind experience for us. We saw 3 different pods of whales while we were out on the water and this is where Kevin really set himself apart from the other canoe operators. Where the other canoes paddled so close to the whales possibly violating the 100 yard rule, Kevin kept our canoe at a safe distance following whale watching regulations. Here is a man who is respectful of the rules and the mammals we were observing. HOE is definitely the responsible and exceptional way to go whale watching in Maui! read more

Kevin is the best. If you are in Maui this is truly something every one should experience. Thank you to Kevin and crew. read more

Wow, what a great experience. My daughter and I took a canoe snorkeling trip with these guys. It was so great. I have never done any of these things before, I am a "nervous to try new things" person. It was $250 for both of us. We'll worth it. read more

We were staying at the Grand Wailea and found their umbrella posted up right along the beach. We rented a couple kayaks and a couple of paddleboards, it was extremely straightforward. Kevin was extremely nice and helped us in and out of the water, set up a couple of beach chairs and umbrellas, and took great care. We also rented snorkeling gear and swam around the small bay and saw beautiful reefs and a big Honu! read more

I am writing this in support of the men who were working on 8/3 around 10 am. These very nice men were verbally attacked by a Karen flailing her arms on the beach. Anyone can see where they store the outriggers and the path they need to take to store the boats but this horrible rude lady and her husband parked their rented chairs and umbrella in their path. we heard her say as the outriggers were coming in, "Watch me block them they have no business on the beach i'm a protester ". she proceeded to scream and yell and push the boats, and like a true karen, she tried to enlist anyone near by pleading her ignorant self made problem. The men were professional careful and tried to defuse the situation. The karen then was telling people to give bad reviews to the company. They do not deserve horrible mainlanders who think because they pay money they can treat the Hawaiian people like dirt. please go on n outrigger with these guys, it is fantastic read more

Fun, exciting and Highly recommended! We did the outrigger tour with KEVIN as our guide. It was truly the highlight of our vacation. From beginning to end it was an amazing learning and even spiritual experience. We encountered several whales and sea turtles. The outrigger paddle was easy and kid friendly. We were going to book a whale boat tour but there was no need after our outrigger experience. Awesome! read more

Pending review I took my wife and two daughters, ages 15 and 11 out for what I thought would be a great adventure originated by the Hawaiian people, Outrigger Canoe paddling. We were hoping to see the Green sea Turtles that are so common in these waters as well as other beautiful sea life, and we did indeed,Including the famous "Sir Charles" A 60+ year old sea Turtle who lives right off the reef. Hawaiian Outrigger Experience is more than just a paddle out to the reef with an exceptional view of Haleakala from the sea, it is a cultural experience that shouldn't be missed. This is Hawaii at its roots! This adventure is not a tourist attraction or some gimmick. Our guide, Kevin Hoke is one of only 40,000 pure Hawaiian's left on the islands. He has learned much of his ancestry and history from his grandmother, who was chosen as a child to learn the history and pass it along for generations to come. And Kevin Hoke is generous enough to pass on his knowledge to the rest of us. From the moment you are there, you are immersed in the Hawaiian culture, rituals and traditions. From the blowing of the conch shell to asking permission to enter the sea, Kevin will fill you with information on how the first Hawaiians navigated the vast oceans on these canoes using only the stars and their minimal surroundings like clouds and birds to find their way to the islands. You will learn that the word "Aloha" means much more than hello and goodbye, and the true meaning is "Sharing the Breath of life" Kevin will also tell you that all words in the Hawaiian language have deep meaning. The paddling was good, the turtles were fun and the sea was magnificent. But the true value is keeping your eyes and ears open and soaking in everything that Kevin Hoke is willing to tell you. You will learn what the true "Aloha Spirit" is and what it means! I would recommend this adventure to anyone who wants an authentic Hawaiian experience from a great staff and an extremely knowledgeable guide. From the time you walk down to the beach where Hawaiian Kings once walked and you are greeted by the exceptional staff of Bill and Randy who set you up for your tour, until the time you are trying to catch that wave into shore, this is one adventure that is a MUST when visiting Maui! https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g609129-d6873533-r490528123-Hawaiian_Outrigger_Experience-Wailea_Maui_Hawaii.html# read more

This was the highlight of my trip! Kevin is absolutely amazing, so friendly & kind. We will definitely be back! Highly recommended!

Kevin was a wonderful tour guide, sharing his culture and love for the islands. We saw turtles and got to hear the whales nearby using a special scope. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who is looking for a wonderful experience on the water in Wailea! read more

I am and have been a resident of south Kihei for the last 20 yrs. when I heard of the new surf school I was excited to have another outlet for our local community. However, it did not take long to realize that this business foundation is only to reap as much $$ from unsuspecting tourist as much as possible. My experience has been that they don't exemplify the roots of Hawaiian culture. They may have a great location but they lack community sensibility and care..imposters. Neither do they really care for their customers. The men are unprofessional and made myself and my guest very uncomfortable: I'd rather pay more and hire a reputable hotel or private lesson from a professional waterman. I love coming back to the south side and I'm hoping that these reviews actually help read more

If this was the only tour you could do on Maui I highly recommend it. Kevin gives every guest the highest Aloha and anyone to join him is blessed with his knowledge of Hawaiian culture and his heritage. My family enjoyed every minute of his tour and highly recommend it!! We left feeling the Aloha!! read more

Kevin is great! This tour helped us really appreciate the natural charm of the Hawaiian Islands. We heard whales, saw sea turtles up close, and had a great time. The canoe glided on the water perfectly and felt authentic! Would recommend to anyone passing by this area. read more

Truly awesome experience. Not only do you get a very good understanding of the cultural landscape of the Polynesian people but the time spent on the water is truly breathtaking. Kids and adults of all ages would enjoy this experience with these wonderful guides. Would highly recommend. Go Beavs! read more

Kevin was amazing guide on our outrigger experience! He educated us on the hawaiian culture and made us feel like family! Highly recommend this experience in Wailea. We are returning tomorrow to do the paddle surfing. read more

Using Kevin and his company is a MUST if you want a local experience with great, safe equipment and a kind, knowledgeable Hawaiian crew. We used HOE for a "celebration of life" ceremony but I look forward to coming back and just relaxing. Kevin is easy to work with. Just set a time and he meets you on the beach near the Grand Wailea. 5-10 minutes of instruction and away you go. Kevin sounds the conch shell and into the waves you go. Enjoy rowing with the crew or let them do te work, it's your choice. He even has a go pro camera taking pictures of your experience at no extra charge. The canoe is spacious, the offer a "dry bag" so your cel pone or camera doesn't get wet on launch or landing (that is the only time you may get wet). We had people on our outrigger from young to senior and everyone had a blast. It's hard to explain how kind Kevin and his team is and that was an added extra. I don't write all that many reviews but Hawaiian Outrigger Experience will see my business again. Mahalo Kevin. read more

Vacationed with family and rented chairs and umbrellas, paddle boards, kayaks, and snorkels. Bill and Faron took exceptional care of us and gave advice on what to do, how to ride, and where to go. Thanks for the great experience. Would definitely recommend. read more

HOE was a great experience for all of the family! Kevin's stories of Hawaiian culture and language were captivating and educational. Seeing sea turtles in their natural environment was awesome! This experience is worth it! read more

Awesome experience! Sure, being out on the outrigger was a great way to start the day. But I've not been able to stop thinking about all the stories of Hawaiian history that Kevin told, providing insight into Polynesian navigational skills, traditional chants and customs when approaching the sea, and some of the more modern things happening to bring back this somewhat forgotten culture. Definitely recommend spending some time on the outrigger with Kevin -- the real deal. read more

Our family thoroughly enjoyed the hour long cultural tour. Kevin is an outstanding guide and expert on all things Hawaiian. His gentle sense of humor was greatly appreciated. We saw 26 beautiful turtles ranging from juveniles to very mature adults. One even swam under the outrigger! The paddling is easy-- all levels can enjoy it. I highly recommend this experience. All four family members give it 5 stars! read more

WOW! Our expectations were high and Kevin exceeded our expectations! The Pacific is calm at 7am so the paddling was more relaxing than tiring. We enjoyed sharing the Pacific with the sea turtles and flying fish. The water was so clear we could see the bottom of the ocean and all the fish below us. Kevin has a great respect for his Hawaiian culture. He allowed us to join him performing some ancient chants while paddling. When you share HA with Kevin at the end, he feels more like a brother! Do not hesitate, sign up for this experience. read more

I booked and went on a 1 hour solo trip with Kevin (and Bill - photographer). Kevin did a great job of explaining the history of outrigger paddling and the islands. He also incorporated the Polynesian culture into the trip, as well as Hawaiian words and commands when paddling. Having lived in Hawaii previously, I still found this to be informative and interesting. It was beautiful on the water, and there were sea life opportunities such as viewing turtles, fish, and listening to whales with an external speaker (hydrophone?) attached to the boat. If you're new to paddling, this experience is a great introduction and not intimidating. If you're experienced on the water, it might not satisfy if you're yearning for a really good workout. In my case I was the latter, but still enjoyed it and highly recommend H.O.E. Beginning to end took about an hour, and I think we were on water about 45-50 minutes. They also sent me photos of me paddling afterward. I didn't bring my phone due to worries about losing it or dropping in water, so that was a nice bonus. I booked with the concierge at the Grand Wailea. Hana Hou! read more