In 1988, Rick and Julie Haviland received the first permit in the State of Hawaii to run guided sea kayak tours from State facilities. They opened Outfitters Kauai, in Poipu, in the fall of that year, and in the ensuing years have had a great time developing fun new things to do and making people’s vacation dreams come true. Outfitters Kauai was also an initial permitted operator of guided kayak tours of Wailua River State Park and Na Pali Coast, which is a 15-mile wilderness coastline on Kauai’s North Shore. Waimea Canyon Bicycle Downhill tours were started up in ’94. In 1999 Outfitters negotiated land and water use agreements to enable an innovative guided kayaking tour on Hule’ia River that allows participants to paddle downwind through a National Wildlife Refuge location that was a backdrop to the film Raiders of the Lost Ark. The tour group hikes to waterfalls located at the famous Kipu Ranch, and returns to their private dock by an exotic doubled- hulled motorized Hawaiian canoe.
Rick’s past work as a pole climbing lineman and his cable handling skills came in handy when, in 2003, he was inspired by a National Geographic article about canopy tours in Costa Rica, and constructed and opened Kauai’s first zipline alongside a Kipu Ranch site used in the filming of the movie Jurassic Park. Since then, Outfitters has continued to innovate, bringing together more ziplines, waterfalls, canopy walkways, treehouses, rappelling, suspension bridges, and even waterzips for the enjoyment of their guests. After over 20 years, Outfitters Kauai is still doing new things all the time,—like the brand new SUP Tour—and still making people’s vacation dreams come true.
What impressed us at Happy Hour about Outfitters Kauai the most was how passionate Rick Haviland and his general Manager Cé Lucente were about delivering "Big fun in beautiful places." They have great jobs that allow them to go out and create amazing tours that make family vacations excede expectations. Their comment book at the shop is stuffed with glorious declarations of "Best Trip Ever!" and "The most fun we have ever had." What a perfect fit for Happy Hour.
If you are ever at a loss for what to do on vacation, or even if you live here in Kauai, allow us to suggest the Kipu Zipline Safari tour. It will be a day you will never forget.
Click here to visit Outfitters Kauai's Site. Or call 808-742-9667 to book your tour today.
coming soon: client spotlight archives.
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