Question on discount card for Hawaii
 

We will be spending 3 wks in Hawaii in January (3 different islands) so was checking out GoHawaii site. They list a discount card that covers up to 4 people called Shaka Club membership ($30). It is suppose to give you a 50% discount off of adventures. Any feedback on whether this is legitimate?

I don't know anyone who has used this card. It sounds pretty vague. Fifty percent off what (probably inflated) rate? Is there a list of the vendors, with pricing? You might contact vendors of activities you are interested in -- directly -- and get quotes.

It actually list the excursions with full price & half price. When we are on the Big Island we planned to do the night snorkel with the manta rays & considering a boat trip to watch the lava pour into the ocean. I haven't called yet but most likely will. Thanks for your feedback.

I've wondered about buying the Shaka card, too, but I see <25% off on most excursions on the list. Be warned that lava is not "pouring into" the ocean right now (and it can be a dangerous trip when it does, given the chances that parts of the shelf will collapse at any given moment). To check on where and when lava is flowing, scroll down to "viewing" and "hazard" summaries at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php.
BTW, Eric Klemmeti (Wired science writer)also has links to the Big Island volcano situations (he writes a great column; www.wired.com/wiredscience/eruptions/‎).
The manta ray snorkel is on my list; everyone I know who has done it loved it!

I would compare the 50% off price that you get with the card to prices on various websites that offer similar trips and see if they are in fact, 50% off; they may not be.

We did the manta ray night feeding trip; it was one of THE most memorable/spectacular things I have ever done!

And I agree with Sylvia, I would not do a boat trip even IF the lava was flowing into the sea. The fumes (vog) are very bad for you and falling shelves would be too unsettling of a possibility for me.

Also, an FYI; almost every excursion/tour/ activity can be found for a discount using the coupons found in the many brochures at the airport (and other places) carousels when you arrive. They are about the same, or even higher, discount offered by the Shaka card, as far as I can tell. In addition, if you are thinking of something the day before or last minute, you can often call directly and get a better price. (Reservations far in advance can be nonrefundable, or even if something is cancelled and rescheduled, dates/times might not work out for you.)

Debit, would you share your manta ray excursion provider? Sounds as though they worked well for you!

I need to look for it, Sylvia. Will post back with it.

In looking back at my notes, I see that we actually bought the Gold card, specifically for the manta dive. We paid $30 for the card and $70 each for the manta trip. It's gone up, I see. We went out with Sunlight on The Water.

http://www.hawaiifun.org/Sunlight+on...orkeling.shtml

While we were on the boat, they had a professional photographer, Martina Wing on board. We talked to her quite a bit, very interesting person.

It seems that she and her husband have a tour now ( we were there Feb 2012):
http://www.mantarayshawaii.com/

Thanks, I'll check them both out!

Appreciate your feedback. After talking with others that got a gold card, it seem to take them 8 wks to get it. I do like to get to an area, check out the discounts & plan from there. I made note of the manta night snorkel.