What does it feel like to touch black sand? What is it like to look over the edge of the caldera to see an active volcano or walk through a lava tube with the sound of exotic, rare birds chirping? What is it like to taste Malasadas? These are the very experiences that underpin the offerings of Kailani Tours, a concierge-level tourism company that offers personalized and bespoke tours and travels across the island of Hawai'i.
"Travelers who arrive in Hawai'i often find themselves caught between expectation and reality," says founder Chris Paterson. According to him, travelers stay in world-class resorts where every detail is curated, but then discover that the moment they step outside their gates, the experience shifts. "The island offers extraordinary natural beauty, but in my experience, the services that help guests engage with it rarely match the level of care they anticipated," he adds.
It's this gap that Paterson has set out to bridge with Kailani Tours. During his years working as a guide within one of Hawai'i's most prestigious hotels, Paterson saw this disconnect daily. Guests would often arrive to celebrate honeymoons, family milestones, and bucket-list adventures, yet the luxury they receive inside wouldn't match their experiences outdoors. "We were seeking someone we could feel confident recommending to our guests," he says. "Once guests left the property, they left the luxury bubble. There was no one out there taking care of them at the level they expected."
Recognizing this unmet need, he decided to build a service that extended that sense of care far beyond the resort grounds, and that became the genesis for Kailani Tours, built on the principle that visitors should be able to explore the beauty of Hawai'i without sacrificing comfort and authenticity. The tour model centers on small groups to maximize the high level of attention of the tour guide. "It's just the right group size," he says. "Guests can feel taken care of and still have space to connect with the place they came to see."
Paterson highlights that everything a traveler might worry about is curated to be handled in advance. Navigation, timing, meals, park fees, logistics, each element is catered to with concierge-level precision, aimed at allowing guests to focus entirely on the lush landscape around them.
"Guests save up for these trips all year. Leaving them to feel lost and overwhelmed would be a grave disservice to them," he says. "Having an all-encompassing service throughout their journey can allow them to connect with Hawai'i deeply, understand its culture and history, and leave with memories that will last a lifetime."
But the company's purpose extends beyond service delivery. After nearly two decades living on the island, Chris describes his work through the Hawaiian value of kuleana, a responsibility to care for the land that has given him so much. "I feel a responsibility to do right by Hawai'i," he says. "I'm grateful to this place, and that gratitude guides how we operate." That ethos influences the way Kailani Tours shares Hawai'i's rich cultural history, honors local perspectives, and approaches each journey with respect for both the environment and the communities that call the island home.
Kailani Tours now offers two primary pathways for travelers. The first is a collection of curated experiences, ideal for guests who want a structured, ready-to-book day exploring landmarks such as Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. These itineraries are curated to balance exceptional service with access to signature sights, supported by guides who visit the landscape daily and know how to navigate it safely and meaningfully.
The second is a more bespoke approach designed for those seeking something tailored. From honeymooners wanting a private, secluded journey to corporate groups requiring a fun-filled excursion, Paterson and his team design custom trips that reflect each party's interests and expectations. "We can handle anything from intimate celebrations to large-scale itineraries," he notes. "Designing something special for each guest is one of the best parts of what we do."
As Kailani Tours continues to weave in culture, history, and luxury within every aspect of its offerings, the company seeks to elevate how visitors engage with the island and shape moments that reflect what a premium Hawai'i experience can look like, one rooted in connection and respect for the land itself.
