Jim
Bendt

Jim Bendt | Agency Owner | Hawaii Travel Specialist

Hawai?i is one of my favorite places, and honestly, it's personal for me. A bit about my background: I lived in Hawai?i for several years and still spend the winter months on the islands every year. I've been recognized on the Travel + Leisure A-List for Hawai?i, and I've personally walked the grounds, stayed in the rooms, and eaten my way through every property we recommend. Over the past 30 years, I've built my Little Black Book: a curated network of local contacts who can make your stay feel like more than a typical warm-weather vacation.

What I'm most proud of, though, is the local guides I've found. These aren't generic tour operators. They're storytellers, cultural practitioners, and families who've been connected to these islands for generations. I prioritize working with Kanaka ?ohana businesses so your travel dollars flow directly into the communities you're visiting. The result? A deeper understanding of Hawai?i's land, culture, people, and etiquette that you simply can't get on your own.

I'd love to set up a quick call to hear what you're envisioning. In the meantime, here's how working together looks:

How We Work (the quick version):

• We start with a planning call to learn your style, priorities, pace, and budget comfort range. If you'd like to move forward, we charge a $295 design fee to cover my upfront time crafting your custom trip.
• Then we build your itinerary: the right hotels, the right rooms, the right experiences, all sequenced so the trip feels seamless and well balanced.
• We handle the logistics (lodging, transfers, cars, guides, restaurant reservations). We will have a pre-trip consultation one to two weeks before your trip to answer any remaining questions. And you can rest easy on vacation knowing we're on call while you travel if anything comes up.
• Pique Perks: With my preferred partners, we can often add extras like daily breakfast, resort credits, and possible upgrades that aren't available through other booking channels. These perks can provide significant value (breakfast alone can add up to over $1,000 in savings).

Ballpark Budget:

Every trip is custom designed around your interests, so pricing does vary. Do you want a room vs. a suite? Ocean view or garden view? Private or group tours? For a week-long trip, here's a general range to keep in mind:

• Starting at $900 per person, per day: 4-star lodging, rental cars or transfers, guided tours, DIY recommendations, my personal Hawai?i Guide, and concierge support (including dinner reservations). Flights not included.
• Starting at $1,800 per person, per day: More bespoke, private experiences paired with the best lodging the islands have to offer.
• Much like other tour operators such as A&K and Tauck, our pricing is per person and presented as a package rather than itemized.

Good to Know - A few things to keep in mind before our call. Bring any ideas, inspiration, or must-dos you've been collecting. Have your preferred travel dates and number of nights in mind. Hold off on booking flights until after we talk. We work exclusively with vetted villas, homes, and condos (no Airbnb or VRBO). Lastly, points can't be redeemed for lodging, but you can use them for flights which offers better value.

If this all sounds good, I'd love to connect to talk about designing your Hawaiian escape.

Me ka mahalo nui, (With much gratitude)

Jim