I genuinely don’t know where to begin. When my husband booked this tour, I was initially nervous about spending hours in a car with a stranger. But wow, did Mark break the ice soon after our meeting at the hotel. “I’ll try to bring them back in one piece—don’t worry!” he told the concierge in a serious tone. Our two boys hesitated at first but soon erupted into laughter, easing our nerves. Mark’s truck was immaculate. It smelled fresh, and I felt a twinge of guilt knowing it wouldn’t stay that way by the end of our adventure. We had chosen the spacious vehicle, perfect for navigating the winding road to Hana. Our first stop? Maui Coffee Roasters, where I tasted the best coffee of my life. Sorry, Starbucks! I was struck by Mark’s intimate knowledge of Maui. As we journeyed along the Road to Hana, he seamlessly blended facts with humor, captivating us with stories of the island’s rich history, including its sugar cane mills and the spiritual significance of plants. He filled our day with stories of old sugar cane plantations, natural collagen from ferns, and the wisdom of the villagers. Mark's firsthand experiences and personal stories about growing up in Maui provided a deeper emotional connection to the island’s culture, illuminating traditions and practices that textbooks definitely overlook. He shared insights about important historical events that shaped Maui, discussing cultural shifts, the impact of colonization, and the significance of landmarks, enhancing the historical narrative with personal relevance. He seemed to know everyone: “Aunties,” “Titas,” and even local dogs. At one point, he guided a wayward dog back home, and the pup listened without hesitation. As we traveled, Mark shared insights about Hawaiian spirituality, and I felt enlightened. He taught us the importance of respecting every element of nature—trees, water, and animals—transforming my perspective. Our two boys, one an introvert and the other an extrovert, exchanged curious glances, realizing this trip was more than just a scenic drive; it was a lesson in connection and respect. Mark’s explanation of local customs, rituals, and ceremonies helped contextualize these practices within the community, allowing for a better appreciation of their significance and how they are preserved or adapted in contemporary life. We witnessed other tourists’ reckless behavior, particularly when one ignored the “no driving on the beach” sign. Mark’s restraint spoke volumes; he simply mentioned, “He’s not supposed to fish there.” It was clear how much he cared for his island home, reminding us why hiring a guide like him was essential. Mark pointed out local artists, craftspeople, and traditional food spots, promoting an understanding of how local economies and artistry thrive through community support and cultural pride. By sharing how community events and gatherings happen, Mark may have illustrated the importance of social bonds in Hawaiian culture, helping visitors understand the role of community in everyday life. Despite the day already running late and one of our kids struggling with car sickness, Mark handled the situation with remarkable grace and preparedness. He came equipped with everything we needed, proving to be even more organized than I was as a mom. What struck me most was how he ensured we never felt rushed, even while being a few hours behind schedule. Mark made it his mission to keep our adventure alive, guiding us to every landmark on our itinerary with enthusiasm and care. By the end of the tour, we felt like part of a family. Mark’s laughter and passion for both his culture and comedy reminded me of Robin Williams. He was more than our guide—he was our friend. Five stars for Mark! He transformed our drive to Hana into an unforgettable journey. We left feeling not just safe, but deeply enriched. You did not ask for this but truly deserved it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’re considering a private tour of Maui, do yourself a favor and book with Hawaii by Storm! We went on the Road to Hana tour, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Our guide, Jamie, was a true gem. Having grown up in Hana, she brought an incredible depth of local knowledge that really brought the island to life. Jamie was warm, personable, and made us feel like old friends from the moment we met. Throughout the journey, she shared fascinating details about the island’s history, culture, and natural beauty. Jamie’s knowledge extended to every plant and flower we encountered, and she introduced us to hidden gems, authentic food stops, and local businesses that we would have missed on our own. Her love for Hana and the island was contagious, and she went out of her way to ensure we had the best experience. If you want an intimate, rich experience that goes beyond the usual tourist stops, Hawaii by Storm with Jamie is absolutely the way to go. Mahalo, Jamie!

We had a fantastic time with our guide Jaime who was extremely knowledgeable and took us to a few beaches that had sea turtles and black sand plus beautiful waterfalls. She knew the landscape—names of trees and flowers. The Ford Bronco we rode in seemed to be brand new and very comfortable.

We had our private tour on Oct 3rd with Makana. Hands down the best tour guide. Makana took the time to make is feel welcomed as soon as we got in the vehicle. He made sure we did not miss a thing and gave us the history to help us connect with the culture, the people and the sights. I would 100% do the tour again with Mak, I highly recommend doing the road to hana and back tour with Mak! Thank you Mak for making this an unforgetable day!

The ONLY tour operator we could find that allows strollers. The vehicle was FANTASTIC and they were very accommodating. Our guide Makana is an expert driver and very knowledgeable, however he spoke a LOT and loudly. He had a great Hawai'i playlist that enhanced the tour, but he liked to listen to it much louder than we preferred so there we had to turn it down repeatedly. Overall I would HIGHLY recommend this private tour.

We did many excursions on our dream trip to Hawaii and this was definitely our favorite thing! The open air Bronco with a personal driver was the best possible experience for doing the Road to Hana. We absolutely loved our driver, Mark. He is very personable. He is a local surfer who knows the road really well, so he knows all the best stops along the way! We absolutely loved this tour and would definitely recommend!

Today we went on a Private Road for 4 to Hana tour with Mark from Hawaii By Storm and it was amazing!!! Mark was great !! He shared his favorite places with us as well as teaching us Hawaiian history, local facts and made sure that we got to see everything that we wanted !! We were able to simply enjoy the scenery and relax, learned alot and has lots of fun!! I cannot recommend them enough !!

Our party of 4 booked Hawaii By Storm for our Road to Hana excursion. It was AWESOME. Jaime, our driver, was informative, funny and entertaining. There was never a dull moment! Jaime knows Hawaiian history, culture and most importantly, how to navigate the RTH with courtesy and respect for other drivers and her passengers. We didn’t miss a thing and will definitely book again when back on the island. Thank you, Jaime!

Loved this private tour! We had our own personal guide and the SUV was spacious. We had some ideas on where we wanted to go but let our guide fill in the rest on the road to Hana. Very memorable happy experience!

This was the best day we had in Maui. We did the Hana and Back tour because the road was closed if we did the Hana backwards tour. Dustyn was our guide and was amazing. He took us to all the popular spots but at times when they were not crowded with dozens of tourists. His recommendation for lunch was phenomenal. And we got so many good photos. The memories will last a lifetime. Can’t go wrong with the open air Ford Bronco. It makes or break the trip what vehicle you are in. Don’t get stuck in a mini bus with no access to the fresh air! So amazing.