7 hours · All ages
Evening Volcano Explorer from Hilo
National Park, lava-flow hike and dinner.
| Adult | $169 |
|---|---|
| Child | $159 |
Editorial spotlight · Grand Naniloa Hotel, 93 Banyan Drive, Hilo, Big Island
2026 Golden Lei Awards nomineeBest Volcano Tour
KapohoKine Adventures
Two Los Angeles corporate refugees started KapohoKine by planning itineraries for visiting friends, then began meeting cruise passengers in Hilo with a Suburban and a handmade sign. Today the Big Island company runs volcano, waterfall, stargazing and circle-island tours with certified guides from Hilo, Kona and Kohala.
- Volcano tour from Hilo
- $169
- Elite hike from Hilo
- $189
- Tripadvisor
- 4.8
- Reviews
- 3,574
Editorial spotlight. KapohoKine Adventures is a nominee in the 2026 Golden Lei Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The company
From itineraries for friends to a tour company
Per a 2016 profile in Edge Media, owners Tony DeLellis and Gary Marrow left Los Angeles corporate careers for Kapoho in about 2002 and began by drawing up itineraries for visiting friends and family. They then began meeting cruise passengers in Hilo. BBB lists Anthony DeLellis III as principal and Gary Marrow II as manager, with the business starting in April 2004; the site does not give a founding year.
The operator describes its Evening Volcano Explorer as run by NPS-certified guides, and BBB lists the company as accredited since 2006 with an A+ rating. It states a Best Zipline and Best Lava/Volcano Tour vote in 2019 and press features in Conde Nast Traveler, People and Hawaii Magazine, none of which we could confirm independently. In 2018 Marrow told CNBC bookings fell about 30 percent during the Kilauea eruption.
“Born out of a desire to explore the natural beauty of Hawaii first-hand.”
Co-owner
Tony DeLellis
Co-owner
Gary Marrow
Owners as named by BBB and Edge Media; the operator's own About page was not readable. Guides Henry, Ryan, Paul and Mac are named in reviews.
The one to book
Evening Volcano Explorer from Hilo
Seven hours with a certified guide from Hilo: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park stops, a lava-flow hike to a black-sand beach and the Painted Church, per the operator, ending with a dinner or a deli-style picnic (the operator's pages differ on which, so check your booking). All ages; the price is per person with children 12 and under at $159.
The same trip leaves from Kona and Waikoloa as a 12-hour day.
| Adult, 13+ | $169 |
|---|---|
| Child, 12 and under | $159 |
| Private, up to 12 | $1,599 |
Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026. Volcano conditions change; the guide adjusts the route.
Check AvailabilityThe setup
Vans, small groups and a Hilo shop
The operator's fleet count is not current in anything we read. Gear is sold at the Hilo shop.
Tour vehicles
- Fleet
- Vans; Polaris Razors mentioned on the site
- Size
- A 2016 article said 30 vehicles
Hilo shop
- Address
- Grand Naniloa Hotel lobby, 93 Banyan Drive
- Sells
- Footwear, jackets and camera gear
Book it
Tours
Per person at list price. Pickup points vary by tour; the booking page lists them. Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026.
9 hours · Lunch included
Elite Volcano Hike from Hilo
A longer hike to the most recent eruption site.
| Adult | $189 |
|---|---|
| Child | $179 |
7 hours · Stargazing
Maunakea Stellar Explorer from Hilo
A star tour of Maunakea; clouds can block the view.
| Adult | $189 |
|---|---|
| Child | $179 |
7.5 hours · From Hilo
Secrets of Hamakua
The Hamakua coast, waterfalls and towns.
| Adult | $109 |
|---|---|
| Child | $109 |
12 hours · Kona pickup
Evening Volcano Explorer from Kona
The volcano day with a long drive from the west side.
| Adult | $229 |
|---|---|
| Child | $219 |
About 11 hours · All ages
Ultimate Circle Island Explorer from Kona
A full loop of the island.
| Adult | $209 |
|---|---|
| Child | $199 |
14 hours · Lunch included
Elite Volcano Hike from Kona
The hike day from the west side.
| Adult | $249 |
|---|---|
| Child | $239 |
12 hours · Up to 6
Private Custom Van Tour from Hilo
Your own guide and van.
| Private group | $1,599 |
|---|
Before you go
Know before you go
Where to meet
Hilo tours: the Grand Naniloa Hotel store at 93 Banyan Drive. Kona and Kohala tours use pickup points listed at booking.
Bring
Closed-toe shoes for the lava hikes, a rain layer, a warm jacket for Maunakea and water.
Weather
Stargazing depends on cloud cover. One 2022 review of the Kona-pickup stellar tour said no stars were visible.
Pickup
Reviews mention long hotel pickup loops on the Kona departures; ask for your pickup time.
Cancellation
Policies are in the booking flow; we could not confirm them on the operator's pages.
Reviews
What guests say
- 4.8Tripadvisor3,574 reviews as of September 30, 2026
- #10of 76Outdoor activities in Hilo, Tripadvisor
- A+BBBAccredited since 2006, per BBB
Reviewers praise guides who know the flora, history and volcanology, and who adjust the route around weather and park closures. The one negative review we read was about a long pickup loop, the dinner and cloud cover on a stargazing tour.
Questions
Good to know
Who owns KapohoKine?
Tony DeLellis and Gary Marrow, per BBB and press profiles.
What does it cost?
Evening Volcano Explorer from Hilo $169, Elite Volcano Hike $189, Maunakea $189, Hamakua $109. Checked September 30, 2026.
Can kids come?
Most tours are listed all ages, with a child rate for 12 and under.
Will I see stars on Maunakea?
Not guaranteed; clouds can block the view.
Where do I meet in Hilo?
At the Grand Naniloa Hotel shop, 93 Banyan Drive.
See Kilauea with a guide
Small-group volcano, waterfall and stargazing tours from Hilo and Kona.
Check Availability