Review of the Aloha Toy Store in Maui

My dad is a hard-to-buy-for dad. He's a gadget junkie, which might lead one to believe that I could simply purchase him a piece of the latest technology. Unfortunately, as a gadget junkie, he will troll the Internet searching for the greatest bargain on the item he wants, and he has almost always purchased it before I've even heard of it. I once purchased him tickets to see his favorite comedian, and he enjoyed the performance so much he signed up for Ticketmaster updates, so he could purchase tickets to other performances. In other words, he's a spoilsport.

Recently, we took a family vacation to Hawaii, and with a little extra time on my hands in the months leading up to our journey, I researched furiously. I wanted to know everything about Maui, our destination, and the various options for activities and excursions. I was looking for a birthday present for my dad. I needed to beat him to the finish line on this one. As I was researching, the Google gods smiled upon me. A link for the Aloha Toy Store in Maui popped up. I clicked on their link (www.alohatoystore.com) and up popped a wealth of promising gifts for dad. I could rent him a Harley for a day. He's always making jokes about owning a motorcycle, though I believe it's just to antagonize my mother. I could rent him a Porsche for a day, an Audi TT, or one of any number of stylish sports cars, and he could tour Maui with the top down. I wrote that one down and kept reading, until I came across a detailed description of the Segway tours. My dad is utterly fascinated by Segways. I was hooked. I emailed the company and requested a price quote and advanced booking.

I heard back within 24 hours from the company's owner, Marty Winn, and was told how to book the tour of Lahaina (it was too soon), and what the price was. Not only was I impressed at the fast communication, and from the company's owner, I finally had a surprise for my dad. When we were less than a month from the trip, I called and reserved two spots.

When we reached Hawaii, I called to confirm our appointments and spoke with Marty's employee, Darrol. He answered all of my questions and gave me very specific directions to their warehouse, which was helpful, because I never would have found it otherwise. While their newest location was at the Fairway Shops in Lahaina, a strip center that was a quarter-mile from the resorts and hotels on Kaanapali Beach, the Segway tours were run out of their warehouse, in which they fix their cars. It was a little drab and disconcerting. My dad and I entered, and signed the forms absolving Aloha Toy Store of any liability resulting from our use of the Segways. Marty arrived, and demonstrated how to use the Segway, giving both of us a few minutes to get comfortable before we started our tour. We got a great surprise in that few minutes; our tour was to be a private tour!

Within seconds of stepping on the Segway, with Marty holding the handles until I could find my balance, I understood the warehouse setting. Both my dad and I needed a wide berth as we learned how to use the technology. When it was time, we packed up our cameras, plugged in our headsets so that we could keep in contact with Marty, and away we went.

Our tour consisted of some of his company's history, the history of Lahaina, and intelligent banter about the future of eco-tourism and "green-friendly" transportation. We rode over to a nearby wharf, then on to the Jodo Mission, where we had the opportunity to walk the steps up to the Buddha statue and see the prayer offerings. We were also able to ring the infamous bell to make a wish. From there, we motored over to the beach, where Marty demonstrated the Segway's versatility on the sand as we rode up and down the beach. I've never seen my dad happier.

In the midst of the tour, Darrol showed up with bottled water for us. What service! Both gentlemen were amiable, and it was obvious they truly enjoyed their line of work. We finished the tour by riding down Lahaina's Front Street, the main street in town, and waving to the pedestrians as we went by. Then, it was back to the warehouse. The tour was approximately an hour and a half, and the time flew.

It wasn't just that this tour was a fantastic father-daughter bonding trip, or a present that my dad will never forget. Marty Winn and the Aloha Toy Store enabled us to combine history and technology while exploring our surroundings. I highly recommend the Aloha Toy Store to anyone traveling to Maui. Regardless of whether you take a Segway tour, rent a sports car or a motorcycle, or participate in one of the numerous other activities they offer, the Aloha Toy Store will make your trip to Hawaii a vacation you'll never forget.