Tour Guide and driver

Job Description

Wanderlust Hawaii: Hawai'i's Only Tours for the Young and Adventurous

Location: Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i

Compensation: $200 - $300 per tour day (based on experience, plus tips)

Schedule: Full-Time, Tours typically run 7–9 hours

Equity Opportunity: Clear pathway to business partnership/equity ownership

The Opportunity: More Than a Job, It’s a Path to Ownership

Are you a highly social, road-trip-loving traveler who is passionate about both Hawaiian culture and the idea of growing your own business?

Wanderlust Hawaii is not just hiring a Tour Guide; we are searching for our future business partner. We are an established, high-energy tour company specializing in creating unforgettable, social "road trip with your friends" experiences for young travelers (ages 18–35), backpackers, and young professionals.

We are looking for a key individual who wants to own their career and contribute to the growth of a brand. This position offers a direct, accelerated track to equity ownership for the right entrepreneurial fit. If you've ever wanted to start your own business but didn't know how, this is your chance to gain expertise and partnership in an established, successful company.

Key Responsibilities (Owner-in-Training Focus)

I. Lead Guiding & Driving (The Core Job)

Host High-Energy Tours: Lead groups of up to 14 guests (18–35 years old) on full-day (7–9 hour) tours across O'ahu. The focus is on creating a fun, social, and inclusive environment.

Safe Vehicle Operation: Expertly and safely operate our 14-passenger Ford Transit van, navigating diverse terrain and ensuring a smooth experience.

Cultural & Local Expertise: Share authentic, engaging, and relevant information on Hawaiian history, culture, and ecology with passion and respect.

Vehicle Care: Perform daily pre/post-trip inspections, cleaning, detailing, and minor maintenance checks on the van.

Guest Service: Assist guests with lifting luggage, gear, and equipment.

II. Business Growth & Marketing (The Partner Track)

Social Media Content: Actively create engaging content (photos, short videos, stories) during tours to be used across the company's social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, etc.).

Growth Mindset: Proactively identify opportunities to improve tour efficiency, guest satisfaction, and overall profitability.

Business Development: Show an active eagerness and desire to learn about company operations, finance, scheduling, and strategic planning.

Qualifications & Requirements

Essential Driving/Legal Requirements

Age & License: Must be 25 years of age or older (required for commercial insurance purposes). Must possess a valid, clean Class 3 (standard) Hawai'i Driver’s License.

Driving Record: Clean driving record required to maintain commercial insurance eligibility.

Local Knowledge: Must possess extensive, personal, and current knowledge of O'ahu's unique locations and local culture.

The "Wanderlust" Vibe (Cultural Fit)

Road Trip Host: You are outgoing, enthusiastic, and genuinely love socializing. Your goal is to make a group of strangers feel like old friends by the end of the day.

Passion for People: Proven ability to manage diverse groups of international travelers, backpackers, and students with high energy and impeccable problem-solving skills.

Marketing Focus: Strong desire or demonstrated skill in digital marketing, social media trends, and content creation (e.g., photography, video editing, engaging online with a younger audience).

The Path to Co-Owner / Equity

We are committed to helping the right person grow into an ownership role. For the successful candidate who consistently excels in both the guiding and the business development aspects of the role, the formal conversation regarding equity buy-in and future partnership will be accelerated and can begin as soon as possible after the training period.

Your success in reaching this milestone will be driven by:

Exceptional Customer Ratings: Consistently achieving 5-star reviews with specific mention of your leadership and energy.

Marketing Contribution: Successfully developing and implementing a new social media initiative (e.g., launching a new TikTok channel or increasing bookings via a specific promotional campaign).

Operational Excellence: Demonstrating complete reliability, autonomy, and proven cost-saving or efficiency improvements in tour operations.

To Apply: Please submit your resume and a short video (no more than 90 seconds) telling us about your favorite "road trip" experience and one idea you have for growing our brand, Wanderlust Hawaii!

Full-time