#HOPPA ON HOPPA OFF WINDOWS#
Most of them open the windows to enjoy the Hilo breezes. But, lately, I’ve seen the jitney picking up passengers from the cruise ships. I was to understand that permits for passengers were pending. It was parked just up the street from my house in Hawaiian Paradise Park. The bus is called Hoppa On-Hoppa Off Bus. It offers trips around to all the points of interest all day for $15. It is brightly colored, has big windows with a little surrey type awning above them. However, recently I have seen a bus that has the old Sampan flavor about it. Years later in 1994 there was a revival of the Sampan and three of them once again chugged along the streets of Hilo, but costs of re-fitting the cars, and a lack of interest on the part of tourists, once again the Sampans were out of business. It became more difficult to find parts for the old vehicles and in t976 the last Sampan roamed the town of Hilo. started building buses that were air-conditioned, had padded seats and big windows, the Sampans started losing favor among the tourists. Talk about service! Unfortunately, when Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, etc. And, once they got to know us they would pick us up at Reed’s Bay. They would “wala’au” just talk story with you. They would point out all the places of interest…the clock that stopped when the 1960 tidal wave hit, the old historic buildings.
#HOPPA ON HOPPA OFF DRIVERS#
The drivers knew more about the town than anyone.
They were open-air jitneys and reminded me of a “Surrey With the Fringe on Top” though they frequently had surfboards on top. In 1962 the fare was still 5-10 cents, but by now there were about 200 sampan on the island, mostly in the bay front town of Hilo on the island of Hawai’i, affectionately called “The Big Island”. The fare for the ride into town from the pier or airport was 5-10 cents. Kurumoto was the only owner of the Hilo Sampan Co. As his friends thought he was nuts, they decided not to go into the venture so Mr. The car was cut just behind the drivers seat, the back was rebuilt with wooden seats along both sides. This was in 1922 and he used a model A Ford for his first Sampan. He was distraught over the increasing fares for taxis so decided to build a small bus-style vehicle that would seat up to 8 people. Kurumoto who at the time was a taxi driver. The original sampan was built in 1922 by Mr. We had no means of transportation other than walking which became a burdensome chore when grocery shopping or looking for boat parts, etc. We lived on the boat for a few weeks–the only boat in Reed’s Bay. Taking you and your party through the majesty of natural Hilo before venturing below the earth in Kaumana Caves and to Imiloa Astronomy Center for the completion of your tour.Ī half-day adventure that takes you through the most popular and impressive locations throughout Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this tour has it all.When I first arrived in Hilo in l962 it was on a sailboat. Positioned along the eastern side of the Big Island, you’ll see amazing waterfalls, incredible farms, and quaint rural villages. Tour information was current when posted but is subject to change.Ī tour throughout Hilo, this hop-on, hop-off tour bus allows for incredible freedom as you venture through this historic coastal city. With multiple tours catered to different attractions and viewing preferences, Keikana Tours offers incredible access to some of the Hilo side’s best and most exciting sights.Īnd with Keikana Tours’ hoppa-on hoppa-off cruise through downtown Hilo and the major attractions throughout, you and your party can appreciate the city at your own pace and jump back on at multiple points to make your journeys easy and stress-free.Ī mainstay of the Hilo side of the Big Island, Keikana Tours brings affordable, family-friendly tour vehicles and experiences to visitors seeking adventure and fun on the eastern side of the Big Island.
Set alongside some of the finest cultural and natural attractions on the Big Island’s teeming eastern coast, Keikana Tours brings your party to every major scenic highlights at an affordable, family-friendly cost.
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