About Us
Our Story
I was the first genuine private tour company initiated on the island.
How did this idea come to me? In the 80s and 90s, Hawaii mostly offered group tours, especially catering to Japanese clientele. My journey into private tours began with my extensive experience in the airline industry, working for major carriers like United, USAirways, Aloha, and Island Air. As a professional beach volleyball player, I traveled extensively and explored cities during tournaments, often guided by locals I met.
After the September 11 tragedy, I returned to the island and worked for local airlines, which allowed me to further explore Hawaii. As I retired from volleyball, I organized events and worked with the public and developed organizational skills that would later benefit my tour business. I explored lesser-known areas, thanks to my network of friends visiting me. Showing off my beautiful home became a passion.
Becoming a certified tour guide and learning about Hawaii’s history deepened my knowledge. I was fortunate to learn from an amazing historian who was so proud of sharing the Hawaiian culture and worked at the Bishop Museum, marking the birth of Aloha Private Tours.
How did I realize I was the first private tour business in Hawaii? People searched for me online, and I ranked first on Google. I was initially baffled, thinking it was a fluke. However, I was indeed the only one.
Later, others ventured into the private tour business, seeking advice from me. Despite the competition, I remained a one-person operation, focusing entirely on providing quality and expertise to my customers. I believed in the power of small, personalized tours over large, crowded ones.
When COVID-19 struck, many tour companies faced bankruptcy, but I persevered because I’d never invested in buses or hired many staff. I take pride in being a local, woman-owned business. I cherish the opportunity to share the spirit of “ALOHA” and educate visitors about our true local history. Being part of their dream vacations brings me immense joy. I’m genuinely honored to be a part of their unforgettable memories in the land of “HAWAII.”
Experience the best of Oahu with Aloha private tours
In additional from my family background , I am local Hawaiian, Brazilian and Chinese who has major credentials in tourism and Hawaiian history. My father was a chef for the president of Brazil and former president Gerald Ford and my grandfather was a chef for Madame Chiang Kai shek. For that reason they have given me expertise in the local culinary world.
testimonial
Our certifications
Once in Hawaii, I suddently realised that I hadn’t booked any Pearl Harbor visits or tickets or anything! Panic! But a few emails later with Susie (as I had Wifi but only a foreign phone) sorted out the date and time and off we went on our last day prior to our evening flight to see the Arizona Memorial. Perfect! A long way to come without seeing what I wanted to tick off the list. Bali just added to the tour. It gives it that human, family feel as you know, from the website, that this is not a factory booking with a driver supplied but a proper local Hawaiian experience. I don’t know what else to tell you other than think of what you want and when and then contact Susie who will make it happen.