Molten Men: Hawaii's KapohoKine Adventures

How did two gay men go from predictable corporate careers in Los Angeles to owning an adventure travel company on an island often described as paradise? Around 14 years ago, Tony DeLellis and Gary Marrow began looking for a relocation that would offer them a life change and a challenge. On the recommendation of a friend they moved to Kapoho, a small town on the easternmost point of Hawai'i.

The site of a major volcanic eruption in 1959, Kapoho today is a residential and vacation enclave with a bay, crystal clear tide pools made from lava rock, starkly beautiful lava fields, nearby black sand beaches -- and just 30 miles west, the K'lauea volcano, which has been continuously erupting since 1983.

Starting Out Small

After getting settled on the island, friends and family would visit from the mainland and DeLellis and Marrow would put together itineraries to show them around. They noticed that cruise ships would dock in the port town of Hilo with disembarking passengers looking for things to do. It occurred to them to start a small tour company, which they began modestly but with flair.

"We'd drive down to the port in our Suburban with some champagne, sushi, and a handmade sign offering local tours, and it just took off," says Marrow. Next was an official partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line, and a 50-person wait list per cruise. "We'd sit on our lanai fantasizing about owning a fleet of cars," says DeLellis. Today, KapohoKine Adventures has 30 vehicles, 100 diverse and dedicated employees, offices in Hilo, and an extensive menu of award-winning tours featuring hiking, 4WD driving, helicopter flights, and state-of-the-art zip-lining, with added components such as swimming, wine tasting, dining and cultural outings.

Out and Community-Minded

The approachable and fun couple is out and proud.

"We've had zero trouble," says DeLellis. "People here are very open and tolerant, the locals are supportive of who we are and what we do." Respect for their host culture is key, reflected in the name of the company: "Kapoho" is for the town and "Kine" is Hawaiian Pidgin for "kind," as in "type" or "thing." Any doubting locals were soon won over.

"An organized fleet of KapohoKine vans with tour guides is much better for the town than a hundred rental cars driving around and getting lost or trespassing," says Marrow. Aside from being a big employer, the company gives back to the local community through charity drives and is committed to sustainability, with all tour guides mindful of the impact of every guest, while ensuring their enjoyment and safety.

KapohoKine guides, who are all certified by the National Park Service, are bursting with local pride, sharing tidbits of island lore (prior to the arrival of missionaries, it is thought that Hawaiians were polygamous and had same-sex relations), local customs, history, natural beauty and phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis-and volcanoes.

For Lava Lovers

Hawai'i is divided into nine Lava Flow Hazard Zones, which are numbered according to the degree of hazard -- Zone One is where lava is most likely to erupt from the summit or vents of the island's most active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and K'lauea.

KapohoKine Adventures operate in Lava Hazard Zones One, Two and Three, incorporating volcano tours and lava hikes into their itineraries. K'lauea, one of the most productive volcanoes on earth, continues to erupt, with lava spectacularly flowing down the east rift zone, across the coastal plain, and into the ocean.

Marrow and DeLellis have relaunched their popular Lava Expedition from five years ago-taken by celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Shakira-bringing the number of volcano-related tours they offer to a dozen. How long the exerting but safe lava trek will last is anyone's guess: "Three months or forever," says Marrow. "It's always new."

If you prefer to watch the volcano from a safe distance, take the Hike 'N' Glow Tour through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at sunset to the Jaggar Museum viewpoint overlooking Halema'uma'u crater. There you can watch the fountains of molten lava lighting up the crater against the night sky.