The last vestiges of a tourist staple on the Big Island were swept away Sunday when the assets of Hilo-based tour company Jack’s Tours were sold at auction.
The company, which operated for nearly 53 years, permanently closed in July after being unable to afford to continue business because of the decline in Big Island tourism during the Kilauea eruption.
Last week, Honolulu-based auction house Oahu Auctions sold the remainder of Jack’s Tours’ assets through an online auction, which ended Sunday.
Alicia Brandt, owner of Oahu Auctions, said Jack’s Tours’ former owners were unwilling to disclose the total amount of money generated by the auction, but said all 18 of the company’s vehicles up for auction were sold.
The vehicles, which ranged from smaller vans capable of holding about seven passengers to buses carrying up to 30 passengers, were bought by other Big Island tour companies or other companies on other islands.
Brandt said she did not think Hawaii County purchased any of the buses.
Brandt said the auction also successfully sold tools, furniture, office supplies and warehouse equipment.