Just back from Kaua'i, and after years of swearing myself, and my clients away from helicopters due to safety issues, we decided to give it a try and selected Safari strictly on their safety record and Part 135 (FAA certified air taxi operator) operations status.

The trip was amazing, and we saw more of Kaua'i than we ever thought possible including drops into Na Pali coastal canyons to view hidden waterfalls, and excellent views of the coast, Waimea Canyon and Hanalei.

While bad weather could wash out a trip like this, lucky for us it was sunny and perfect, allowing for great photos and videos. Our helicopter's camera malfunctioned, so we didn't get the DVD, but have a wonderful collection of photos and videos from our cameras. Safari will cancel trips for bad weather and poor visibility - not just for safety, but they don't want the bad customer response from a wasted $180-220 trip.

Some points to consider:

1. wear dark clothing to minimize reflections
2. try for later afternoon or early morning flights for more subtle lighting, however afternoons could bring clouds to Na Pali canyons and Waimea Canyon
3. the computer will assign seats based on weight and balance - while somewhat disappointing not to get your favored seat, this is the correct and safest way of balancing the helicopter - so go with a couple friends or family members and at least one will have a window seat
3. right or left side didn't matter with Safari - we spun around to give everyone equal chance at the same views
4. we are all experienced flyers, and I myself am a fixed wing pilot - but trust me, you will need some sort of motion sickness remedy taken before the flight. The combination of bumps, staring through your camera, spinning your head around to look at something, and the vibration will eventually send your stomach into lurch-land, and on our flight, everyone was sick to some degree.

Safari also operates on the Big Island, but we did not have a chance to take their flight to view lava.