We arrived on Kaua’i a couple of days ago and after the weather cleared up we were looking around to book some activities on the island. On Jan. 22 we went to Koloa Recreation and Activities Center to book a
We arrived on Kaua’i a couple of days ago and after the weather cleared up we
were looking around to book some activities on the island. On Jan. 22 we went
to Koloa Recreation and Activities Center to book a Catamaran Cruise to the Na
Pali Coast and a flight with an ultra light air plane which we scheduled for
Tuesday morning, 9:15 a.m., Jan. 25, with the company “Birds in Paradise.”
We arrived at the landing place on time where an instructor informed us
that we had to sign a waiver absolving them of any responsibility, even “caused
by the negligence of the released parties.”
The waiver is one and a half
sheets long and even contains a paragraph saying that “I will personally
examine the microlight aircraft prior of my using of the same.”
We had
booked the flight for me and my wife as passengers and not as pilots,
therefore, we refused to sign it.
The owner and pilot of the company told
us that he makes his living with this business and he cannot risk to lose his
house and everything by an accident regardless of cause. He also refused to
give us credit for the prepaid flight.
We went back to the Activities
Center explaining the situation. The girl behind the counter seemed helpless
and made a call to the manager. We had a hard time to talk to some responsible
people because the manager bluntly refused to talk to us personally.
As we
finally got a hold of her she was listening to our story but in her opinion it
was totally normal that companies ask to sign such waivers and she refused to
give us credit for the prepaid flight in the amount of $343.76.
Although we
do understand that a company selling sport activities wants to limit their
responsibility, these conditions should be brought to the attention of the
purchaser at the time of booking and paying the flight and not five minutes
before taking off.
We really like this island very much but we feel cheated
and our vacation is spoiled b y this event.
Klaus & Sonja
Hollenbach
