Adventures For Movie Fans
Visitors and kama‘aina tour the Island aboard this bus to check out movie locations. Photos couresty McNeil Wilson Communications
Please tell us about your business. Kaua’i Movie Adventure Tour is offered by Polynesian Adventure Tours, which is based on Oahu. This unique guided tour takes guests to the exact locations and lets them stand in some of the very spots seen in the films. Guests also can see clips from Outbreak, Honeymoon in Vegas, Tropic Thunder, Lord of the Flies, Lilo & Stitch and Miss Sadie Thompson. The Kaua’i Movie Adventure Tour stops in more than 15 locations, including scenic Hanalei and Anini Beach. Prices are $96.56 for adults and $64.69 for children age 3 to 11, and include complimentary hotel pickup and drop off.
What are some more examples of places you visit? The Kaua’i Movie Adventure Tour visits Ahukini Pier, Hanamaulu Bay, historic Kapa’a town, Kealia Overlook, Haupu Ridge (aka Hoary Head), Aliomanu, Hanalei Pier, Hanalei Valley Lookout, Royal Coconut Coast, Opaeka’a Falls, Coco Palms and Waimea Canyon.
Is this currently the only movie tour company on Kaua’i? Yes, we are the only company doing movie tours on Kaua’i every day, and we hope to expand in the coming years to Neighbor Islands.
How many Kauai employees work for this business? Forty-two.
What sets your business apart? In a word: passion. Everyone, including our dedicated drivers, guides, reservationists, wash crew, mechanics, sales teams, billing department, group specialist, dispatchers, managers and owners, all share one key attribute that is responsible for our unbelievable success, and that is a passion in everything we do.
What motivates you to get up and go to work? I am the vice president of marketing and sales for the company, and I enjoy meeting new people, being part of the travel industry and servicing our customers. Each and every day is a great opportunity to find a new way to be more efficient. I also enjoy being part of the Polynesian Adventure Tours ohana. Many people have been with us for more than 30 years and it’s an honor to work with them.
Do you have a motto, or philosophy for doing business? Yes. Provide the highest quality tour and transportation services throughout the state of Hawaii. Our trademark is “Aloha in Motion.”
What’s the most challenging aspect of this business? Selecting opportunities. There is so much wonderful history in the Islands, and the opportunities to launch new tours are overwhelming. The good news is we are surrounded.
What do you find rewarding about this business? The most rewarding thing that happens each and every day is the wonderful letters and comment cards we get back telling us how much our visitors enjoyed their tours. Our drivers are some of the most professional and safe in the world, and on top of all that they also serve as a historian, botanist, culturalist, sociologist, stand-up comedian and professional entertainer each and every day.
How do you measure success? Of course, every successful company must be profitable to remain viable, and everything we do contributes to this. The culture at Polynesian Adventure Tours has never been to chase money but to strive each and every day for customer service excellence. This philosophy is what makes everything possible and has allowed us to remain profitable even during our country’s current economic crisis.
How many people can each tour accommodate? We can accommodate up to 75 guests daily.
What sort of vehicles do you travel in? For our movie excursions, we use the deluxe 25-passenger mini coaches.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? After working with Polynesian Adventure Tours for the past five years, I really cannot imagine doing anything else. I really believe I have one of the best jobs in the world because I work with some of the best people in Hawaii doing what we all love to do.
4031 Halau St. Lihu’e, HI 96766
808-755-9154 www.polyad.com
