Vacation Rentals by Owner

Absolutely Paradise

Guest: Ronald K.
Date of Stay: 03/21/12 Review Submitted: 04/30/12

We stayed in Hale Makani Kai March 21-25, 2012. Many years ago we lived in Hawaii and have returned several times, but wanted this time to be away from the touristy areas. This cottage was just perfect!! It sits right on the beach with a small yard in front of it. There is another rental unit behind it upstairs, but we never felt a lack of privacy. The house was amply equipped for our needs. The sun rises over the ocean and daily morning walks are lovely. We had hoped to snorkel in front of the house, but the wind and waves were too strong while we were there. The roar of the ocean and the cool breezes always kept us comfortable. Our location in exploring the North Shore was excellent. There are two good grocery stores nearby, and we felt we had everything we needed. Tish, our hostess, was filled with information for us, and always available should we need her. We highly recomment Hale Makani Kai and hope to return to "our" little house!! Anne and Ron, Wilmington, NC

Recommended for:

Dream came true

Guest: Olesya S.
Date of Stay: 01/18/12 Review Submitted: 01/28/12

what a treat! truly romantic get away with peaceful time, ocean sounds and shooting stars at night. Will come back again.

Recommended for:

Best Vacation Ever

Guest: Love Hawaii (Orange County, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/25/11 Review Submitted: 01/12/12

If you are looking for a quiet island experience away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, this is the place for you. My husband and I stayed here for two full weeks and loved every minute of it. The pictures are exactly the same in person as to what you see on-line, and Tish is the true definition of Aloha Spirit. The living room/dining area is very spacious; there is a great kitchenette with everything you would need, including a hot plate; the laundry area is large with plenty of room; and the bathroom is also a very good size. We even snorkeled right off the beach located in front of the suite. (However, if you have tender feet, bring or buy some water shoes.) Our time spent at this location was truly one of our best vacations ever, and we hope to return to this same rental in the near future.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.

Perfect

Guest: Kelly M.
Date of Stay: 08/12/11 Review Submitted: 08/24/11

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect getaway! The view from the backyard was majestic... gorgeous sunrises and lovely nights by the moon! A short drive to all of the north shore beaches, but away from the traffic and crowds. Tish was very accomodating as well! Much recommended!!!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Wonderful Getaway

Guest: john and jan (SF Bay, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/05/11 Review Submitted: 06/16/11

This is the perfect place to stay if you want to experience the quiet, country island life of O'ahu. Of course, it's also perfect if you want to make an excursion to Honolulu and Waikiki (1 hour drive away). We were here for our honeymoon and this was a great place to relax after the hectic weeks leading up to the wedding. We could easily either go out to the North Shore and Kailua for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, or to the city for shopping and museums - but the best part was that if we wanted to be lazy and lounge around, we had the perfect place to do it right at home! Slow breakfasts, lying out on the lawn, and grilling right by the ocean were just perfect! Tish is also the best hostess - responsive and accommodating and thoughtful. Absolutely a great find.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Snorkeling at your doorstep, private & comfortable hideaway

Guest: Claudia (Kenmore, WA USA)
Date of Stay: 05/08/11 Review Submitted: 05/19/11

We spent a week at this beautiful cottage and enjoyed every moment. All the rooms were spacious, clean and just as pictured above. Having a washer and dryer was a real bonus, and the air conditioner in the bedroom kept us cool at night. Landlord Tish was wonderful -- available whenever we needed her and full of useful information about the area. Mornings we took walks on the beach just outside our door, and snorkeled in the shallow water that extends more than 100 yards toward the sea. The cottage is located about 20 minutes from the North Shore and an hour from downtown Waikiki. There are many beach parks just a few minutes away. Nearby we recommend Papa Ole's Kitchen for takeout and Tamura's for shopping (just a few blocks north of the cottage). On the North Shore, we loved snorkeling at Shark's Cove and devoured the fresh shrimp at Fumi's roadside stand. If you like history, check out the old church in Haleiwa and the Plantation Village in Honolulu. We would definitely recommend this cottage to friends and family.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Million Dollar View

Guest: Kathy (Idaho Falls, ID, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/23/11 Review Submitted: 02/10/11

I've spent 25 winters traveling to Hawaii, and I can say this was my best trip yet. Tish is the most accommodating host I've yet to work with, and being in the travel industry myself, I've worked with a lot of them. The unit is exactly as described--large, very clean, and very functional, but the most incredible thing is the view. It is perfect! If you want a private, quiet, and non-resort experience, this is the place for you. The beach comes and goes with the tide, but there are nice beaches within walking distance. Shallow snorkeling is right outside your door, and you can even fish if you've a mind to. You can golf at Kahuku (15 minutes to the north) on a very picturesque municipal 9-hole course for $15.00 (push cart and greens fees). The Polynesian Cultural Center is 10 minutes to the north as well. After 16 nights, I was ready to come home, but that's only because of missing grandkids! And staying half that time by myself after my husband returned to work, I felt completely safe and at home. We will definitely return. Thank you Tish. Bob and Kathy

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Peaceful Retreat

Guest: Dennis & Judy (Dawsonville, GA)
Date of Stay: 01/15/11 Review Submitted: 02/23/11

We spent a wonderful week enjoying Tish & Lance's beautiful property. The "Suite" was spacious, well equipped &, most important, very clean. Tish & Lance tended to all of our requests & needs promptly & made every effort to make our trip enjoyable & memorable. We highly recommend this property to anyone wanting to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

GREAT PLACE, WELL LOCATED AND ROMANTIC

Guest: Fatih Y. (Istanbul,Turkey)
Date of Stay: 01/01/11 Review Submitted: 01/18/11

We stayed in this oceanfront suite for two weeks during our honeymoon. It was amazing. Everything was perfect. It is better than the pictures you see in the listing. In the first morning of our stay we got up early to see the sunrise. It was beautiful. You see every shades of red and yellow. It is in a very quite location. You don't hear anything but the sound of the waves. Everything was ready in the suite, even the discount card of the nearest grocery. Tish, the owner of the suite, is superb. She is very friendly, helpful and accessible. She never treats you as a customer, she cares about you like a good friend. We were absolutely very happy to stay in this suite and will recommend to every friend going to Oahu. We wish and hope to stay there again soon.Thank you Tish for everything.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

unforgetable experiences

Guest: Happy travelors (Knoxville TN)
Date of Stay: 12/25/10 Review Submitted: 01/12/11

This is a spacious "Stunning Oceanfront" condo, well maintained and artistically decorated. The location is perfect with ocean right outside of the door. You hear the waves in the living room but not in your bedroom. The condo has exactly what we needed plus very nice washer and dryer. Imagine you wake up in the morning and just dip into the ocean right away. We really enjoyed our staying. Everything is so perfect. We arrived late on Christmas Day and worried that we would have trouble to find the place. However, the owner was waiting for us with warm welcome. We settled in for the night and hit the beaches surfing the next days. We checked out on New Years Day. The host was also there to say goodbye to us. I highly recommend this condo. You wont find anything comparable to it at the price!!!

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful Place To Get Away From It All

Guest: LLCronk (Ketchikan, Alaska)
Date of Stay: 11/05/10 Review Submitted: 11/26/10

We are so glad we decided to stay here! We were looking for a relaxing week before a convention in Waikiki and we found it. Being in the "country" of the North Shore was wonderful. Even though it was a bit rainy when we were there, we could just drive north to find the sun. Leaving the door open and hearing the surf in the evenings was so relaxing. And being literally steps from the ocean was a major plus. My husband went snorkling (with gear provided by our hosts) almost every day. Lance and Tish were wonderful hosts. Be sure and stop into Lance's art gallary and check out is amazing paintings! We would definitely stay there again! Aloha!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Had a wonderful time

Guest: Brian and Jody (St. Louis Mo )
Date of Stay: 10/30/10 Review Submitted: 11/17/10

Stayed the first week in Nov. Great place to get away to the quite side of the island. Very close proximity to the Poynesian Cultural center and the north shore. The morning sunrises over the ocean were spectacular and you can drive an easy 20 mintues north to take in the sunsets. Easy drive to Haleiwa and lots of great restaurants, and also the Dole Plantation. And just a short drive to Turtle Bay Resort where we watched our daughter play golf for 3 days. We sat on lawn chairs literally steps from the ocean sipping wine late into the evening listening to the waves crash over the reef. Very peaceful and quiet. Watched the pro surfers at Sunset Beach as well as exploring the remote north end of the island at Kaena Point. Owners are very accomodating.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Awesome!!

Guest: John and Sue (California)
Date of Stay: 09/22/10 Review Submitted: 11/10/10

W stayed here in Sept.2010. We loved it. The suite is steps to water. We snorkeled and fished. We saw awesome sunrises and we were blessed with a full moon in the evening. The owners are beautiful people that want to please you. The suite is stocked with all the things yoiu need - even a washer and dryer!! The neighbors are wonderful too. It was a great experience and we want to go back sometime soon.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Relaxation and fantastic get-away!

Guest: Paula (Paulden, Arizona)
Date of Stay: 09/16/10 Review Submitted: 10/02/10

My husband and I just returned from our vacation where we celebrated our anniversary and am having trouble putting it in words! The beach house is everything we wanted and more- pictures can't tell an accurate story! Our favorite thing to do was to share a lounge chair in the evening overlooking the ocean and listening to the waves crashing while we fell asleep! We even spotted a group of Manta Ray from our backyard! Location is perfect- beach house had everything we needed and we were very comfortable. Tish and Lance were wonderful and made us feel right at home! Tish gave us some great advice and fun local places to eat! We enjoyed interacting with the local Hawaiians who we found to be very friendly and welcoming! If you want relaxation and a perfect get-away from it all- this is the place for you! We hope to make it back some day!

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

House with a view

Guest: Christine and Simon (Austin TX)
Date of Stay: 08/12/10 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

This house is so cute and the view is out of this world. I went to spend a few days with my son before taking him to UHM. It was a very clean cute house just the type of house we book when we go out of town. I would recommend this house for anyone who wants a quit get a way. Close to the North Shore and sharks cove. I can't wait to take my husband and daughter back! Thank you Tish and her family for all your support and advise. Christine and Simon

Owner response:Thank you Christine & Simon for having stayed with us. We wish the best for Simon as he ventures into an exciting new experience in Hawaii. I look forward to seeing you again and meeting your husband and your daughter one day. With much aloha from Tish

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Erholung am Meer

Guest: Susanna (Münster)
Date of Stay: 04/26/10 Review Submitted: 06/24/10

Wir waren im April 2010 für fünf Tage hier und es hat uns sehr gut gefallen.Wer Ruhe sucht und mal ganz für sich sein will,ist hier am richtigen Platz.Bei Ebbe kann man schöne Strandwanderungen direkt von der Terasse unternehmen,auch für Ausflüge in den Norden oder in den Süden ist der Standort günstig.Das Polynesian Culture Center ist nur ein paar Minuten mit dem Auto entfernt.Die Wohnung ist einfach aber zweckmäßig eingerichtet,es gibt auch eine Waschmaschine und einen Trockner aber keinen Herd.Wenn man sich etwas kochen möchte muß man sich auf einen 2Plattenkocher beschränken.In der unmittelbaren Umgebung gibt es keine Restaurants.Die Gastgeber Tish und Lance waren sehr nett.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful view, wonderful people

Guest: Lisa and Joel (Brule, Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/24/10 Review Submitted: 04/13/10

This suite was exactly as described... "Stunning Oceanfront". Wow! When you come around the corner from the parking area to the deck, it hits you with the beauty. The interior of the suite is exactly as described and in the pictures. It is clean, spacious and we easily made ourselves at home. My husband and I cooked almost every meal in our suite and found a wide variety of fresh grown and delicious vegetables, fruits and treats at the Haleiwa Farmers market (running 9am to 1pm on Sundays in Haleiwa on the North Shore). Tish, the owner, bent over backwards to make our stay memorable. She emailed with me ahead of time to make sure we were going to have all the information we needed to make our trip special. Even though we arrived late, she came over to greet us and ensure that we had what we needed. Both Tish, and her husband Lance, are warm, inviting and friendly and very trustworthy to book with. It was a pleasure to spend time at their property. I would highly recommend staying here. Best activities that we did: -Morning beachwalk going south of property. Beautiful sandy beach, turtles in the waves. Snorkeled close to Pat's hotel and saw three turtles in a few minutes. -Polynesian Cultural Center: Only a few minutes away.We booked online while there and got 10% off by filling in a survey and an extra 5 days added on to make a return visit and catch things we had missed. -Haleiwa farmers market: Yumm! - Found a review of islands best snorkel sites and we tried them all. Wow, they lived up to it. 1. Hanauma Bay: Always a winner. 2. Sharks Cove: Enter the deep area to the right at low tide. We checked tide tables daily online. 3. Kaena point state park. We did this one from the west road and it was amazing. 4. Kahe Point (Electric Beach) Of course it was good. We entered from the beach while paying snorkel tour people were being dropped off by boat. Go there on your own and save your money. Saw turtles everywhere, eels, thousands of fish and different varieties at each place! - Best surprise of the trip: Meeting next door neighbors Sami and Sheila. Sami from Tonga and is a traditional carver. His pendants are amazing and we brought home for ourselves and our four kids. Even better, THEY are amazing. Warm, friendly and he has incredible stories. Lovely people!! Thanks Tish and Lance! We'll be back someday. Lisa and Joel

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Personal Ocean Retreat

Guest: Revived and Rested (DeLand, FL)
Date of Stay: 06/29/09 Review Submitted: 07/08/09

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression, so meeting Tish I immediately felt the "Aloha Spirit!" The studio is clean, view of the ocean is so soothing, lounge chair in front of this property was my location for reading and relaxing! If you want some time away from all the crowds and noise this is the place to be. I'll be back....Blessings, Susan

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A dream come true!

Guest: Linda and Harold (Warrensburg, Missouri)
Date of Stay: 05/25/09 Review Submitted: 07/20/09

We loved our experience! The beach was two steps from the backyard! We could walk on the beach and view the mountains. It was quiet and easy to find. Lance's paintings are peaceful, reflecting the beauty of the islands. We loved sitting on the lounge chairs, enjoying the breeze and wading in the water. We had loads of room with a huge kitchen and family room. The Polynesian Culture Center was only 5 minutes away! We loved Haleiwa, Ted's Bakery, Shark's Cove and Turtle Beach. Lance and Tish were very friendly and accomodating. We enjoyed being away from the big city. Every morning we woke up and enjoyed the beauty of the sunrise.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Full of Aloha!

Guest: Dani and Bubba (Oahu)
Date of Stay: 05/23/09 Review Submitted: 05/25/09

We just returned home from our stay at this awesome little beach house and we loved every minute of it! It was the perfect location to spend our 5th wedding anniversary. We are from Oahu and just wanted to find a place to get away for a few days--without the hustle and bustle of Waikiki--and we found it here. The North Shore has a very relaxed atmosphere and is perfect for just staying at the house and listening to the waves crash, or getting in your car and going exploring. With amazing ocean views right from the living room and many accessible beaches nearby (including the nice wading/snorkeling beach out front) this place is a hidden gem. The owners are the nicest people you can meet and truly have the Aloha Spirit of the Islands. They are very helpful and always nearby if you ever have questions or need suggestions. While staying here, dont forget to check out Haleiwa Joe's restaurant, Fumi's Shrimp place, and Ted's Bakery for some goooood eats! Thank you so much for EVERYTHING, Tish and Lance! We'll be back soon!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/17/09

My wife, 8 yr old daughter and I were lucky enough to stay in this adorable property in summer 2008. The owners were lovely and full of local (useful!) knowledge, the sunrises were phenomenal and the property itself is ideal, very clean, in a quiet area but close to amenities. We really felt at home...though we don't see turtles swimming past our garden in the UK! We will be going back - hopefully 2010!!!

Recommended for:

10 yr Anniversary get away

Guest: lohe (Telluride,Colorado)
Date of Stay: 10/15/08 Review Submitted: 10/23/08

We had a wonderful stay. Having the washer and dryer there was a great plus. Great views and peaceful.

Recommended for:Age 55+

Completely Blessed.

Guest: Victor & Irma (San Antonio, Texas)
Date of Stay: 09/27/08 Review Submitted: 10/07/08

Excellent, excellent, excellent. We stayed in this lovely home for our 25 Anniversary and let me tell you it was a dream come true. The house was just like the pictures. The house has a front yard facing the Mountains and has a back yard as the Ocean ( What a beatuiful Picture ) how can anyone complain about that. I maen it was like a dream. Beautiful !! The owners were very helpful with directions and places to go, They are the Best !! . The house was very clean and well maintained. This house was a GOD sent to us. Here are some places to go when you get there. Dole Plantation, Swap meet, Ploynesian Culture Center, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, USS Missouri and many more things to see the Owners will let you know once you get there. Good places to eat is the Hukilau Cafe, Sunset beach at Ted's Bakery. I will recommend this home to all my freinds and Family. It is good to share a blessing with others and I just want to share this with everyone I know. Thank you again for a wonderful Home and time in Hawaii. I will never forget this -Ever... - Thanks Again.. P.S. - We will return again. - God Bless you.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A pretty nice place, but not what we expected...

Guest: Beth and Mike (Homer, Alaska)
Date of Stay: 06/17/08 Review Submitted: 06/25/08

We were disappointed in this rental. As promised, the location is great for those who want a retreat away from the crowds of Honolulu/Waikiki, and for those with a rental car, it's a fine location for exploring the windward side of Oahu. We really enjoyed having the ocean right outside our back door, and in the mornings, you can walk the beach as if it's all yours. In the evenings, gentle waves break right up against the seawall at the property's edge, and cooled by the ever-present tradewinds, it's a very relaxing way to while away the evening. Tish is wonderful--very helpful and accommodating--but compared to the three other places we stayed during our two-week vacation on Kauai and Oahu, this cottage was the most expensive, yet by far the most bare bones with its plastic dinnerware, thin towels, sparse furnishings, and general lack of amenities and "spirit of aloha" we found elsewhere (ie: gift baskets with local goodies, fresh leis, wicker picnic baskets, fluffy towels, small artisan soaps, ceramic dinnerware, Kona coffee, a great array of beach gear etc.) This rental is clean and comfortable, nicely maintained, right on the ocean, and we felt very welcome here. That gives it three stars. But it either needs to cost less or provide additional amenities to live up to our expectations for this price range. Beth and Mike, Homer, Alaska

Owner response:We want to thank you again Beth & Mike for having stayed with us. We are sorry that you did not find the ceramic dinnerware that was in the left cabinet above the kitchen counter. We do not offer plastic dinnerware. Our way to demonstrate the 'Spirit of Aloha' is to greet you personally, to brief you with information regarding things to do, what to look out for, places of interest etc., and most of all, as you mentioned, to make you feel welcome. With much Aloha

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing.

Great place

Guest: Nancy from Virginia (Virginia)
Date of Stay: 06/07/08 Review Submitted: 08/06/08

We loved our stay at this Oceanfront Condo. We went in June for a week and the view is lovely, very clean and having our breakfast overlooking the water was a treat each day. The owner was wonderful and very helpful in making our stay a lovely vacation. My son forgot his suitcase when we were leaving and we had to ask the owner to re-open the condo for us so he could retrieve his suitcase for the trip home. She was absolutely wonderful waited for him to drive back and let him back in the condo. The Washer and dryer were great since we didn't have to take as many clothes and it made for an easier flight to Hawaii. The condo was also perfect for my son, (who slept on the futon in the living area) and the back bedroom where we slept, had a comfortable bed with a window air conditioner if you needed it. We didn't; the breezes were enough to keep us nice and cool at night. If we went back again, we would plan on small meals. Our kitchen had a microwave, toaster and a hot plate. No oven or real stove. The kitchen itself had lovely cabinets, and a large fridge. We only cooked breakfast at the condo, so it was not too much of a problem. My son tried to snorkel in front of the Condo, but the tide was a bit too quick that week. There are wonderful places to snorkel in the area and we really loved quiet peace and beauty of nature at the North Shore. There is also a nice hiking trail nearby that has lovely views of the whole area. So go and enjoy! Nancy from Virginia

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/08 Review Submitted: 03/28/08

It was a very pleasant stay and it was the most beautiful place, we ever visited, like paradise. Thanks for your hospitality, Im am sure, we will visit again, even with our lona journey there!

Recommended for:

Awesome Romantic Hideaway!

Guest: Nurse (Dillingham, AK)
Date of Stay: 08/01/07 Review Submitted: 08/06/07

We are visiting from Dillingham, Alaska and Springfield, Missouri. We found this place online and fell in love with it. I knew it the moment I saw it. The weather was gorgeous & typical for the area. Tish the owner was fantastic & helpful with all our needs (& fabulous!!!). We were looking for a place that was romantic & would create an environment to fall in love and Oh, how well it delivered!!! This place was everything I dreamed of. We focused more on enjoying each other & the environment & this place made that easy. Our every dream of what we hoped for became reality. Thank you so much for the memories that will last a life time. Justin & Kim

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Sonya Gilmore (Ontario, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/07 Review Submitted: 07/20/07

We are visiting from Ontario, California. This place was what we hoped it would be .... quiet and away from the crowds. Beautiful sunrises & morning walks on the beach. Our vacation was action packed - kayaking in Kailua (best beach, our favorite), horseback riding at Turtle Bay, snorkeling at Sharks Cove & Three Tables & the luau at Paradise Cove. The show at the Macadamia Nut outlet (recommended by Tish) was great - glad we went! We ventured into Waikiki to shop & determined we made the right choice by staying here on the North Shore! We are already planning our next trip to Hawaii. Mahalo! Jeff & Sonya

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Mary & Richard (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/07 Review Submitted: 07/08/07

Aloha! We are visiting from Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I found Tish's place online. We were looking for something on the North Shore with ocean front view that was affordable - we loved this place - clean, quiet, convenient for the North Shore with all the amenities that we needed, BBQ, washer & dryer. Tish was very pleasant & very helpful, gave us great tips on places to go. We went to the Polynesian Cultural Center, parasailing (extreme) in Honolulu, sunset cruise (Star of Honolulu), snorkeling & kayaking right off our little beach. We drove around the whole island. We arrived here on Oahu tired & a bit frazzled & we are going home rested & relaxed. Tish made our stay that much more enjoyable - Mahalo! We recommend Jameson's in Haleiwa for sunset dinner - food is great & beautiful place to see the sun go down. Overall it was fabulous & we would come back here again! Mahalo!

Recommended for: