Pet boarding service · Honolulu, HI · reviewed since 2016
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%89+48.5Reliability 24%83+20.1Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%48+3.4Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 86Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.86SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#23 of 64 pet boarding facilitiesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 65%
4.9★★★★★155 Google reviews · 24 photos
97%five-star reviews
4.89★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
2.4%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers report a 4.9-star average from 155 ratings, with the owner replying to 27% of comments. Customers frequently cite punctual appointments, flexible scheduling, and transparent communication regarding pet health and grooming details. Many describe the services as professional and reasonably priced, noting that dogs return well-groomed and comfortable. However, low-star reviews highlight instances of negligence, including a dog attack, a lost pet, and unsatisfactory grooming results that left animals injured or unclean.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 155 reviews (97% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 155 Google reviews (146 with written comments, 35 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 27% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 20, 2026.
Service: Pet Boarding Facility serving Honolulu, Hawaii.
Data from Google, last updated October 27, 2026.
Score profile vs other pet boarding facilities
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: value and momentum; weakest: replies to reviews.
This companyPet Boarding Facilities median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.First Class Paws and Claws Grooming: 89/100 on this factor. Category median: 86.A
89
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.First Class Paws and Claws Grooming: 83/100 on this factor. Category median: 78.A
83
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.First Class Paws and Claws Grooming: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 96.A
99
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.First Class Paws and Claws Grooming: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 96.A
100
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.First Class Paws and Claws Grooming: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.First Class Paws and Claws Grooming: 48/100 on this factor. Category median: 42.C
48
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
155 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars15097%
4 stars00%
3 stars11%
2 stars11%
1 star32%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 146 written reviews
98%praise
Praise24998%
Complaints52%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
100%fair
Great price1575%
Reasonable525%
Overpriced00%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude4919%
Would recommend4919%
Quality & results4518%
Price & value4518%
Speed & response3112%
Honesty & trust249%
Communication114%
What customers talk about
We read 146 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Knowing that my dog is in such caring, capable, and loving hands gives me complete peace of mind.”
“I highly recommend this sitter to anyone looking for someone who will treat their pet like family!”
“Hoku has been grooming my dog Keala for the past two years, and she’s done a great job!”
“And her prices are very reasonable, $10 for cutting his nails.”
“She groomed him within an hour and always looked so handsome!”
“Finding someone you can truly trust with your fur baby is priceless, and I’m so grateful to have found someone who cares for him so well.”
“Please do not use this dishonest and untrustworthy boarder and have family watch over your fur babies.”
“She was very easy to work with and truly a professional at what she does.”
People customers mention
Hoku65 reviews
Tzu3 reviews
Oahu3 reviews
Petco3 reviews
Mililani3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired First Class Paws and Claws Grooming for 6 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
MANDI5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★
Hoku and Bronich are amazing! If I could give them 100 stars I would! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I couldn’t ask for a better dog sitter! Knowing that my dog is in such caring, capable, and loving hands gives me complete peace of mind. My dog is treated with so much love and attention that I never have to worry about him while he’s there.…
Kamelia1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★
We absolutely love our groomer! She is always so sweet, patient, and gentle with our two babies, Tina (our Shih Tzu) and Pluto (our Maltipoo). You can really tell how much she cares about the dogs she works with, and it gives us so much peace of mind knowing they’re in such good hands. Every time we pick them up,…
Great priceDog full service grooming
Anonymous4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★
Worst experience ever. I left my dog here, and he was attacked by another dog, leaving puncture wounds on his face. Even though she paid for the medical bills, Hoku's attitude was terrible and I didn't receive a single apology. Money doesn't fix her extreme negligence. Completely irresponsible and dangerous. Avoid this place at all cost!
StaceyLocal Guide · 34 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Hoku is wonderful. She always takes care of my two dogs Makana and Mochi. She always does a great job on them. By far the best groomer we have had.
Jena1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 months ago★★★★★
We have been a lucky family to have Hoku in our lives. Currently we have 3 dogs whom she’s cared for from the beginning. Also, our previous babies went to her too. She even boarded our bull terrier. We trust her professional skills and regard her as part of our community.
Great price
KP7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 months ago★★★★★
Hoku is AMAZING! We’ve been going to her for over a year at least twice a month and each time she takes so much care for our lovely Corduroy even giving us detailed explanations of her process and how our puppy reacted to everything when we first visited her, even does anal gland expression which we had no idea was…
Dog anal gland expressionDog bathing and blow dryDog full service grooming
Hoku and Bronich are amazing! If I could give them 100 stars I would! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I couldn’t ask for a better dog sitter! Knowing that my dog is in such caring, capable, and loving hands gives me complete peace of mind. My dog is treated with so much love and attention that I never have to worry about him while he’s there. It’s such a relief knowing he’s safe, comfortable, and well cared for, just like he would be at home. Finding someone you can truly trust with your fur baby is priceless, and I’m so grateful to have found someone who cares for him so well. I highly recommend this sitter to anyone looking for someone who will treat their pet like family! ❤️🐾
Kamelia DQ1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Kamelia has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We absolutely love our groomer! She is always so sweet, patient, and gentle with our two babies, Tina (our Shih Tzu) and Pluto (our Maltipoo). You can really tell how much she cares about the dogs she works with, and it gives us so much peace of mind knowing they’re in such good hands. Every time we pick them up, they look absolutely adorable and smell amazing! She always takes the time to ask exactly how we’d like their haircuts and somehow gets it perfect every single time. We couldn’t be happier with her work and are so grateful to have found someone who treats our babies with so much love and care. We highly recommend her! ❤️🐾
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Dog full service grooming
Anonymous4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Anonymous has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Worst experience ever. I left my dog here, and he was attacked by another dog, leaving puncture wounds on his face. Even though she paid for the medical bills, Hoku's attitude was terrible and I didn't receive a single apology. Money doesn't fix her extreme negligence. Completely irresponsible and dangerous. Avoid this place at all cost!
Response from the owner · a week ago
I am very sorry. You're right I might not have said it out loud. I felt/feel so terrible that I just wanted to make sure Hachi was ok.
Hachi. I have tried to work with you guys on Hachis behavior problems. I make sure Hachi has his own area Everytime he comes so that everyone stays safe.
Hachi got out of my grip and went after another dog. The dog bit Hachi in defence. I have watched Hachi many times for you guys. And I lost this round. I am not perfect. I do my best. I do care about your baby and everyone else's baby.
I wish you the best in your future needs for Hachi. I'm so sorry the incident occured.
Stacey KLocal Guide · 34 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Stacey has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We have been a lucky family to have Hoku in our lives. Currently we have 3 dogs whom she’s cared for from the beginning. Also, our previous babies went to her too. She even boarded our bull terrier. We trust her professional skills and regard her as part of our community.
Price assessment: Great price
KP MG7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews KP has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Hoku is AMAZING! We’ve been going to her for over a year at least twice a month and each time she takes so much care for our lovely Corduroy even giving us detailed explanations of her process and how our puppy reacted to everything when we first visited her, even does anal gland expression which we had no idea was a thing but so thankful that she does it. Corduroys teeth look great and fur is so soft, many people comment on it. She also foster animals too, just a great caregiver and person. Highly recommended!
Services: Dog anal gland expression, Dog bathing and blow dry, Dog full service grooming, Dog nail trimming
Dave Holl6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Dave has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We have been taking our dog, Huron, to Hoku for months now. She is amazing with him. For a while we tried to do it outselves, but our dog was really hard to work with. Hoku was amazing with him and has turned him from a nightmare to a decently, if not slightly reluctantly, good boy. On top of that, she always works with our schedule (seeing him as late as 5pm after we get out of work) and always can take us within a couple days of when we reach out. And her prices are very reasonable, $10 for cutting his nails. Definitely recommend her to anyone and everyone!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Dog nail trimming
Response from the owner · 4 months ago
Aww! Thank you souch for writing a review for me! I'm thankful I get to help you guys with your baby ❤️
Clyde Batocal1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Clyde has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We were in need of a groomer, and through recommendations from good friends, we were introduced to Hoku. All I can say is that our puppy’s first grooming experience was even better than we imagined. Hoku did an amazing job. She also gave us helpful pointers and tips on how to manage our dog’s hair, along with great advice for our dog’s overall health. She was very easy to work with and truly a professional at what she does. I highly recommend her grooming services.
Response from the owner · 9 months ago
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review Jani I look forward to helping you guys in any way I am able. Have a wonderful day and thank you for trusting me with your baby 💕🙏
