Is the inter-island waterfall stop/deli lunch worth the $80 more p.p. There are 3 of us - $240 more!!!

I just want everyone who goes on the helicopters to research the safety history in Hawaii first. Please do not let me see another family on the news crying that if they would have know they wouldn't have let loved ones board. Just make an informed choice. My aunt still chose to go.

where do I find accurate info on safety?How do I find out inter-island's accident history?? thanks.

We have taken InterIsland Helicopters each time we've done a helicopter tour on Kauai, including twice with the waterfall. Yes, it is most definitely worth the extra money for the waterfall tour! I don't think I've seen one posting on Fodors where this wasn't felt to be the case. As for safety, InterIsland is the official search and rescue team for the island of Kauai - they are all military trained and extremely professional in what they do. I believe their safety record is impeccable, but as I recall, you can find out safety info either in The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook or Fodors Hawaii - not sure which one. Aloha and mahalo

We loved the waterfall tour....but, if the budget doesn't allow...their regular tour is near the same price as the other tour operators.....the helicopter we went out on was the fire department one.....the red one...the no doors is thrilling!!...luca was our pilot, a real Italian Stallion!!

It's not the men or equipment, most are ex-military even flying in Vietnam. It's the changing weather and wind patterns around the mountains. My husband is a private pilot between the islands and still won't get on the helicopters. I'll see if I can find a old newspaper article. They don't like the info known.

http://myadvertiser.com/1999/Oct/01/localnews2.html

http://starbulletin.com/2000/07/22/news/story1.html

http://www.hannibal.net/stories/0722...722000023.html

Military ones aren't included. I don't see anything more current than 2000.

http://www.netvista.net/~hpb/news/sept-29.html

Hey steviehby,

I agree wholeheartedly with what margot55 and iceeu2 previously said. The waterfall lunch was great and unique (as you know, no other company does it) but if you can't see paying the extra money, still take InterIsland's regular tour as the true highlight of my trip back in February was the no doors....great sightlines for viewing and picture-taking!

And for what it's worth, never once did I feel unsafe.

We did not do the waterfall landing but enjoyed the the 60 min Interisland tour very much!! Marty was our pilot and was great...weather conditions were just so that we got to go all the way up to the top of Wai'ale'ale (he usually only goes up there on average 6 days/year).

I think the waterfall landing sounds nice but not worth the extra $$ in my opinion. For us, it just wasn't worth it since we already had a lovely picnic lunch at the Blue Pool on Maui.

aloha!

The inter-island flight was awesome. It was really cool with no doors. Even though I was scared the whole time--the helicopter was very small. But my husband thought it was great. For the waterfall I was not very impressed but it was something to see. If you have the extra money do it but if not I would save it for a boat ride on the Na Pali coast--we took Holo Holo Charters--the staff was great and the boat was really nice.