Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Which of your tours is most suitable for me?
   • We offer a wide selection of Island tours, Pearl Harbor tours and Eco Adventures to provide our visitors with an experience of a lifetime. Whether you want to visit Pearl Harbor, other sites on Oahu, the Big Island, or Maui, you'll be sure to find the tour for you.
2. Which Pearl Harbor tour is the right selection for me?
   • Whether you just want to visit the USS Arizona Visitor's Center and Memorial, the Memorial and other Pearl Harbor museums, or the Memorial and other Oahu attractions, our wide array of Pearl Harbor tours are sure to work with your itinerary and interests.
3. Is there a particular reason why so many different tours are available to Pearl Harbor?
   • Well, different people have different needs and interests. We are aware that we cannot satisfy everyone with one tour. That's why we provide seven different Pearl Harbor tour options. Each of our tour itineraries are selected with the need of our visitors in mind.
4. Why are there so many different island tours?
   • We make sure to offer numerous island tours so that you can pick the one that fits best with your itinerary. You may be interested in or half day north or south shore tours. Or maybe you want to spend the whole day touring the island on our circle island tour.
5. Is pick up included?
   • For all Oahu tours and interisland tours from Oahu, we perform hotel transportation from Waikiki hotels. If you are on Maui and taking our Road to Hana tours, we perform pick up from hotels in south and west Maui. And if you are taking our Big Island tours, we offer pick up from Hilo Hotels.
6. Do your guides dress a certain way so we are easily able to recognize them at pick up?
   • All of our vehicles are marked with Discover Hidden Hawaii Tours. Also, our tour guides wear red Polo shirts and will call out your name when they reach your pick up location.
7. What happens if we are not picked up?
   • That rarely happens, and if it ever occurs it is because we were given the wrong hotel information. It is very important that you enter the correct hotel at which you will be staying. We recommend that you reconfirm your reservation once you arrive. If there are any changes on hotels or any delays on your arrival to the islands let us know by calling us toll free at 1-800-946-4432. Remember that your tour guides have to pick up passengers at a few hotels and they we will be there on time. For example if your departure time is between 8:45 and 9:05 am, your tour guide will be there between those times. Should we not be there a few minutes after the pick time, please call 1-800-946-4432 to check on the location of your tour guide.
8. If I have to cancel my tour, what is your cancellation policy?

   •  

     TOURS WITHOUT AIRFARE:

     Changes and cancellations are allowed up to 48 hours prior to tour commencement without penalty.

     No-shows and changes or cancellations within 48 hours are subject to a full charge.

     No refunds are available once a tour has commenced.

      

     TOURS WITH AIRFARE:

     Due to airline ticket restrictions, all tours which include airfare are non-refundable once the reservation is purchased.

     Airline tickets are non-changeable and non-transferable.

      

     To request a change or cancellation, please call us at 800.946.4432.

      

9. Am I able to make changes to my reservation after it has already been confirmed?
   • Yes, if you want to change your tour or tour date you can do so up to 48 hours prior to the tour by calling our toll free number at 1-800-946-4432.
10. Do you offer penalties for making changes to reservations?
    • No there is no charge for changing a reservation.
11. When did you first start offering guided tours?
    • Founded in 1995, we have been operating without casuality or major accident for nearly 15 years. Safety and customer satisfaction is a way of life for our company.
12. Does your company possess the required permits by the state of Hawaii?
    • Yes, you can feel safe to be working with a reliable and stable company with the Public Utilities Commission and State and Federal permits and requirements.
13. What kind of insurance plan do you have?
    • Yes, we carry $2 million auto and general liability insurances.
14. Is any specific training required before your guides are able to lead tours?
    • Our tour guides are our main assets to us. After completing 2 weeks of training in safety, Hawaiian culture, history, customer service and defiance driving they become Hawai'i's Ambassadors of Aloha.
15. What type of vehicle will I be taking my tour in?
    • We use deluxe mini-coaches that seat up to 25 passengers as wel as 14 passengers executive vans.
16. Do your vehicles have air conditioning?
    • Yes, all of our vehicles are air-conditioned.
17. Can I request to ride in the front seat of your vehicle for my tour?
    • Yes, please call us at 1-800-946-4432 or email us requesting front seats.
18. How do you go about maintaining your vehicle fleet?
    • We follow the pre-maintenance program recommended by the vehicle manufacturer so that we can ensure your safety and limit vehicle malfunctions.
19. Do you employ any mechanics to work on your vehicles?
    • Yes, we have a full-time certified mechanic that maintains our fleet.
20. Do you change your vehicles on a regular basis?
    • Yes. We change our vehicles every 3 years.
21. What would you do if a vehicle was to break down on one of your tours?
    • Although this rarely happens we are prepared to send one of our stand-by vehicles to the scene, and will do so immediately.
22. A member of my party requires a wheelchair. Can I bring a collapsible one onto your vehicle?
    • Yes, our vehicles can accommodate collapsible wheelchairs. Please advise us of your special needs by calling 1-800-946-4432.
23. Does your company provide wheelchairs if we need one for our tour?
    • No, presently we do not provide or rent wheelchairs.
24. Do your vehicles have lifts for wheelchairs?
    • No, unfortunately our vehicles do not have wheelchair lifts.
25. What is your rate for children?
    • Our child rate applies to children between the ages of 2 and 12 years old. Lap children not requiring the use of a car seat can travel free of charge.
26. Do you have car seats for rent or use?
    • No, we do not provide or rent car seats at this time. The law does not require car seats on tour buses.
27. Is it possible to bring a car seat along for my infant?
    • Yes, and the infant will be charged the child rate.
28. I have an infant. Is it a good idea to bring her along on tour?
    • Yes, we do ask that parents keep their children under control at all times for the child's safety and the enjoyment of others. Hiking tours are not recommended for infants.
29. What sort of stops are available for food and beverages?
    • All of our tours stop at least for snacks. A lunch stop is provided for our full day tours as well.
30. How regularly do you stop in case we need to use the facilities?
    • We have regularly scheduled bathroom stops along the routes. Should you require any additional stops, please let your tour guide know at the beginning of the tour and we will be more than happy to accommodate your request.
31. Should we expect a lot of walking on your tours?
    • No, we provide a great deal of stops for picture taking to give you the opportunity to experience Hawaii. All of the stops on our Island tours & Pearl Harbor Tours are just a few yards from the mini-buses and therefore you do not need to walk far. If you prefer to stay on the bus, pictures can be taken from your seat. The only tours with required walking are the eco tours.
32. Is it unsafe for me to go on tour if I have a medical condition?
    • For your safety, please check with your doctor about your restrictions and let him/her know what the itinerary of the tour is.
33. Do you often work with seniors?
    • Yes, we have been working successfully with seniors groups since we started and we thoroughly enjoy the experience.
34. What sort of emergency training do your guides have?
    • Yes, our professional tour guides are certified in first aid, water safety and CPR. We also carry first aid kits, mobile phones, and 2 way radios for communication with our office staff.
35. What should I bring to Pearl Harbor?
    • Because of security reasons, you are not allowed to bring any fanny packs, backpacks, purses or anything that provides concealment through to the Pearl Harbor museums. You can bring your cameras and video cameras, as long as they are not inside their cases. Camera cases will not be allowed. If you choose to carry bags with you on your tour, you will need to check them at the storage facility at Pearl Harbor-you will not have access to these items until you are done with your Pearl Harbor tour. The checking fee is $3.00 per bag.
36. Do you offer narration on your tours?
    • Yes, our tours are fully narrated from the time that the last passenger boards the vehicle until drop offs begin.
37. To avoid the crowds, what's the best time to visit the Pearl Harbor sites?
    • The morning tours are the most ideal, especially the 6:25 a.m.
38. How long are the lines at Pearl Harbor?
    • During the high seasons, there can be long lines. However if you take the earliest tour at 6:25 a.m. you should not have any problems.
39. Will I be able to board the Arizona Memorial?
    • Yes we provide the official Navy tour which includes the Navy shuttle-boat ride to the Arizona Memorial.
40. Am I able to bring flowers to the Memorial?
    • Yes, you can bring flowers to honor our heroes. If you plan to use your lei flowers, please break the thread and just toss in the flowers. This way the thread does not contaminate the waters or cause injury to the marine life.
41. Does Pearl Harbor have a bookstore?
    • Yes there is a bookstore which you will have accessto during your visit.
42. Are there places to eat at Pearl Harbor?
    • There is a snack shop where you can buy water, coffee, sodas, sandwiches and other snacks.