Travel Agency Spotlight
KAMAʻAINA GOLF & SKI TRAVEL “I’m not a great snowboarder or golfer, but I just love the outdoors and seeing the beautiful mountaintops and landscapes,” says Tats Kobayashi. It’s this fascination with the beauty of nature that Kobayashi says led him to open Kamaʻaina Golf and Ski more than 20 years ago. Previously residing in Denver, Colorado, Kobayashi was inspired by the scenery. “I used to drive up to the mountains every weekend during the winter and see these snow-capped mountains. It reminded me of brownies with the white powdered sugar on top, which looked good enough to eat!” Specializing in both individual and group tours all over the Pacific Rim, Kobayashi welcomes skiers, golfers, and nature-lovers alike to come and enjoy the scenery with Kamaʻaina Golf and Ski. To keep things fresh, Kobayashi is always looking for new locations to which he can take his loyal customers. His company now offers four group tours every year: one ski tour in the winter and three golf tours in the spring, summer, and fall. The tour price covers almost all expenses, including round-trip flights,
is now selling
By Ashley Insong
accommodations, mountain lifts/gondola passes, most meals, a welcome dinner, and more. In October of next year, they are hosting a golf tour to Nagoya and the Nakasendo Trail in Japan. Through this tour, travelers get to experience both the old and the new Japan. In Magome and Tsumago, travelers get to admire the beauty of an area filled with both nature and traditional Japanese architecture. They will also experience modern Japan in Nagoya, a large city where there are many golf courses. Other upcoming tours include the Chiang Mai and Bangkok Golf and Sightseeing Tour to Thailand in October of this year, and a ski tour to Hakuba, Nagano, and Tokyo in February of 2020. Kamaʻaina Golf and Ski also welcomes non-golfers and non-skiers. As the others are golfing, the non-golfers can go on their own to shop or take a guided full or half-day sightseeing tour. Examples of these activities are shopping at the famous Ameyoko openair market in Tokyo’s Ueno district, or meeting elephants at a camp in Thailand. Aside from the preplanned tours, Kamaʻaina Golf and Ski is also able to make custom tours for each client. However, Kobayashi explains that it is important to
THE GO FOR BROKE SPIRIT PORTRAITS OF COURAGE Photographs by Shane Sato
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plan months in advance for travelers to get exactly what they want for the best price. “It’s just like planning a wedding,” he says. “There are lots of details involved. The first thing we need to know is the budget. After getting all of the information from our clients, we then provide a quote.” Kamaʻaina Golf and Ski strives for customer satisfaction by keeping travelers comfortable and up-to-date. Kobayashi ensures his clients have the best experience possible by leading the majority of tours himself. “It’s about offering customers good value, gaining their trust, and getting to know them individually.” Kobayashi explains that any information on new tours and specials is posted on their website, and newsletters are sent via email to subscribers. “We give an early booking and a special discount for our repeat customers. We are very fortunate to have loyal customers who have traveled with us for many years.” Kamaʻaina Golf and Ski 1126 12th Ave. # 209 Honolulu, HI 96816 (808) 739-5777
Read about the making of this incredible book in our story on page 8