Gonna be in Hawaii in November 2001 on Kauai, Maui and Big. We've taken a helicopter tour before (grand canyon) and loved it and wish to do another in Hawaii. I'd love to do a few but money dictates that we choose one island to tour by air. What do you think? We've heard that you can't miss the Big island's volcanoes, Kauai's mountain ranges and waterfalls or Maui's greenery. What to do?

We did Maui and it was amazing, but we now wish we would have bit the bullet and done Kauai as well. If I had it to do again, I would skimp somewhere else and do both. (20/20 hindsight...)

Check out the different companies. Lots of them video tape your trip and give the tape to you when you get back to the terminal.

That's an easy choice...Kauai. The Na Pali coast and Waimea Canyon are jaw-droppingly beautiful. Do the Big Island only if you really want to see the current lava flows from the air, and Maui is third best.

I think Maui is second best. The guy we had took us along the coast of Hana, inside Haleakala(sic) and to waterfalls you couldn't get to any other way. He did an outstanding job. Personal preference, tho...right?

I'm shocked that the Big Island is coming in third! Why is Kauai so unbelievable? This is gonna cost a fortune

Mark, Kauai wins my vote! We went with Jack Harter and it was fabulous! Don't settle for the 60 minute ride - it's just a tease and leaves you wanting more. Go for the 90 minute ride. When picking a company, ask a lot of questions. Make sure the windows open for picture-taking. Make sure there's two-way communication with the pilot so you can talk to the pilot. Make sure they have clearance to fly low. While we were hovering at what seemed like arms length near a waterfall, I saw two other helicopters flying way high above us - they didn't have clearance to fly at certain levels. Hope you have a great time!

Mark -

Mel is right; we've been to all the HI island a dozen times and Kauai is the absolute best to helicopter and Jack Harter is the best on the island. He has an impecable safety record, has done rescue missions on the mainland and has lived on the island of Kauai for many years and his love of the island is abundant. We have done other helicopter companies on Kauai and the only other one who was even close was Will Squires. Jack will not fly if the weather is inclement as many of the others will do. Yes, it is an expensive venture but will provide memories for a lifetime. Napali is breathtakingly beautiful as well as the Waimea Canyon. This is the only way to see Napali unless you intend to hike the 20+ miles that would take you there. Kauai gets my vote hands down. There is no other island quite like it for its beauty and splendor.

I keep hearing how expensive helicopter rides are--but HOW expensive? $100, $200 or more?

When I was there a couple of years ago I was warned about the helicopters that fly over the volcano on the Big Island. Tourists love the trip but the volcanic gases are unpredictable and can often interfere with the engines on the copters, causing accidents. My informant showed me quite a few helicopter burn marks on the highway. He lives on the Big Island and said that he would not advise anyone to take the helicopter ride. There's lots to see using other modes of transportation!

Mark, My husband and I did a helicopter trip on each island last February, and even though it was expensive to do all three I wouldn't have missed it for the world! In order of preference, I'd suggest Kauai first, then Big Island, then Maui. Kauai is amazing. You see such drastic changes in the landscape. It really is breathtaking. The big island is also a must because how many times in your life are you going to be able to see an active volcano that closely? Have a great trip! Becky

I love to see old posts of mine rise from the dead. Thanks for the replies everyone. We're preliminarily (the trip's not till Nov) decided on Jack Harter's tour in Kauai and Blue Hawaiian tours on the Big Island. I want them both so badly that I don't want to have to comprimise on my honeymoon.

Does anyone disagree with the choice of companies or islands?

Yet another First-Names-Only hawaii travel agent troll.....

Can someone suggest whether to book the helicopter ride with an agent or call direct? How much do they usually cost for 60-90 minutes? Can someone provide Jack Harter's or any other reputable chopper company's website or phone#? Thank you!
-David-

A lot of the helicpoter company's are listed in the tour books (we used Frommers), or on the AOA list, or in all the booklets you can get at the airport.

FYI, we took Island Helicopters in May on Kauai. It was a very good flight, but the windows did not open. And, we took Sunshine on the BI. The BI trip left us holding our stomachs. Also, from what I understand, a few weeks b/f a Blue Hawaiin helicopter crashed in the waterfalls on the BI and no one survived. I'm not sure the truth of that, but something another vacationing couple passed along.

I would definitely do a helicopter tour again on Kauai, though probably find a company that has open windows and spend the money to have a picnic at a waterfall.

If youre coming in the day to kauai, drive to jack harters, its right outside the airport. Just go staight across from the airport stoplights and it will be on your left about .2 mile. I used to work for a helicopter company on kauai, and even the pilots will tell you that Kauai is the best island to helicopter flightsee.

Koa, so what's their safety record? Do they have a web site so I can check some pricing? Tks! -Karen

Found some websites.Jack harter(http://www.helicopters-kauai.com)Saf...ers.com)Island helicopters(www.islandhelicopters.com) Hope this helps