Gosh, seems quite a few years have gone by, and you would think I would be over it by now, but coming across Grant Kailikea's "Hawaii (Oahu) snorkel secrets revealed" site still irks me.

It may be true that he has been on "every full time snorkel tour on Oahu". Glenn has been on our snorkel tour and was seemingly smitten. By his words, it was no secret that ours was the best Oahu snorkel tour, if not the best Hawaii snorkel tour, or, dare say, the best snorkel tour EVER, ANYWHERE.

It all started when Glenn contacted us, saying he was going to be in our area, and would like to come onboard (free) as a "snorkel expert" to check out us and the Waianae coastline for possible inclusion on his site. We had already seen his (then) credible site, and had even placed an unsolicited link from our high-ranking and established site (SailHawaii.com) to his new one. Sure, why not show aloha...

After his much praised trip, Glenn was classy enough to send a thank you letter, complete with copies of first-rate underwater pictures he had taken while on our tour. He asked about posting these snorkeling pictures along with a rave review about his adventure with us on his own Oahu Snorkeling webpage.

However, the catch was there would be no reciprocal link to us on that review page, Rather, he intended to book our tours on his site for a substantial commission - while undercutting our rates.

WHAT???? Aren't you a review site?   But you are only going to list us if we PAY you? Our own snorkel tour webpage ranks in Google's top ten on its own merit. Why "compete" with his page and take a loss, besides "paying him" to offer our clients a reduced rate at that? Thanks, but no thanks for the aloha, bra! 

When told we would not cut a commission to be on an falsely presented “independently reviewed” site, he sent another letter saying  use of his “thank you, but pay me” letter, or pictures (taken on OUR complimentary tour) would be grounds for a law suit.  

Note towards the bottom of his page - before recommending tours - he states, “I’ve contacted each of these companies and negotiated a below retail discounted rate for you. Enjoy!”  When clicking on the company links, you will be directed to his own reservation requirements.  The “Hawaii Snorkeling Expert's” secret is - his Oahu company reviews are paid inclusions, not unbiased reports. Take it from the horse's mouth.

Oahu Snorkeling | Dolphin Swim |Turtle Snorkeling | Whale Watching | Sunset Cruise |