Reviews for Hawi Vacation Rental - VRBO 119829 - 0 BR Kohala Coast Studio in HI, Break Free from the Dominant Paradigm, at Least for a Week!

A Taste of the Real Hawaii

Guest anhume
Date of stay 05/17/13
Review Submitted 05/30/13

Staying in Jim and Leah's cottage is a wonderful way experience the non touristy part of Hawaii. From the macadamia trees to the chickens, to the exquisite array of plants and flowers, you begin to realize what the Big Island is all about. They are excellent guides to the many beaches and hikes in the vicinity. Go to the northern tip and hike down to a lovely black sand beach and try to observe the manta rays feeding at nights under lights. These were the kinds of experiences I had never had the opportunity to do before. I hated to leave.

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

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Jim and Leah studio

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 03/10/13
Review Submitted 03/22/13

We want to thank Jim and Leah for their hospitality. We spent wonderful vacation staying in their studio. The place was very peaceful and relaxing, clean and comfortable. Thanks to Jim and Leah it has very good energy. Next time we are on Big Island we will certainly stay with Jim and Leah again. Sergey and Svetlana

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

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Soooooooo AWESOME!

Guest Lynda
Date of stay 03/06/13
Review Submitted 03/13/13

Girls getaway!!! My three friends and I stayed in Jim and Leah's studio cabin for 3 nights and we loved, loved, loved our stay. It was raining hard when we arrived and Jim immediately greeted us with umbrellas and offered to unload our luggage. Their studio was clean, the beds were comfortable, and the location is located in a quiet neighborhood. Everything you need for cooking a meal at home is there. Our favorite part is the outdoor shower!! To quote Jim, "You have to have Aloha (kindness) to see Aloha." We felt Jim and Leah's aloha during our entire stay. We would stay here again! Lynda (from Seattle) p.s.: Be sure to schedule your stay through a Saturday so you can visit Hawi's farmers market and to eat Jim & Leah's yummy food at the Sol Kitchen. We ordered Leah's kombucha, their chicken salad and roasted pepper sandwich! Yum..yum...and good for you! So ono!

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

Owner response: Mahalo Lynda, Every once in a while we have guests who actually slow down enough on their vacation to truly see what a paradise we have here. We are glad that you were among that group of people. It's truly not the physical beauty of the place (although that is a nice plus) that make it a paradise, it's the aloha. When I said to you that "one must have aloha to see aloha" I was not using the word in one of its many narrow forms. I was using it in its broadest form: Aloha, love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, kindness, sentiment, grace, charity; greeting, salutation, regards; loved one; beloved, loving, kind, compassionate, charitable, lovable; to love, be fond of; to show kindness, mercy, pity, charity, affection; to venerate; to remember with affection. MAHALO FOR SEEING! THIS IS THE PARADISE WE HOPE ALL OUR GUESTS CAN SEE!

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Shower in the Rain and Dark with Mosquitoe Sucking Your Blood

Guest A Sad Lodger
Date of stay 03/01/13
Review Submitted 03/23/13

The outdoor shower is the biggest problem. You may have to shower in the dark while it is raining and mosquitoes are buzzing around. During our stay of three nights and I have gotten 36 bloody bites during showering (I wore Insect-shield treated long sleeve shirt and pants). The property is monitored under motion-activated surveillance cameras. The previous renter complained about it but it does not bother us as much. They also mention the rusty can opener which we dislike but no one was there to help. Here is the setting of the two houses: you park your car in front of the door of the main house and walk on the lawn to your studio which is converted from a garage and does not have enough light inside--the window on the two garage door are small and other windows are blocked by plants. Lighting from recessed ceiling fixtures is harsh, fluorescent cool-white, not enough for task like cooking or reading. Lights on the night stands are too low to give adequate illumination to read in bed. The full size bed without headboard will slide away from the wall if you prop up a pillow against wall and lean back. The signal of WiFi is low and works intermittently inside the studio. We have geckos crawling in the room and sometimes made chirping noise day or night but it did not bother us. It may help the potential renter to know the paperwork needed. The agreement in five full pages specifies 19 items including items such as Notice to Owner of Repairs Needed, Double Booking and Attorney Fees. We signed it and sent out with a check for rent plus cleaning fee and another check of security deposit. Upon arrival we signed another one-full-page-long-Check-In list of 29 and in the last paragraph it stated “We are here to answer any question you have and to make recommendations to maximize your stay in Hawaii. Please don’t hesitate to ask for directions, help or support of any kind! We pride ourselves in being of service.” Sounds good but in the fact is no one there to help us during our stay. We were given another half-page list of Check-Out Procedures with deposit check. Be prepared to check out in time or $100.00 fine per hour will be imposed!

Owner response: Again, we offer you our most sincere apology for your discomfort. We also want to apologize and acknowledge that we were not here to help you with your concerns. It is very rare that we are not here and available to support our guests. We are also sorry that you declined our offer to for a free stay on your next visit, as we would have enjoyed meeting you and sharing aloha. Yes, we do use a standard Rental Agreement form as part of our business and we do have a guest check-in sheet. These forms along with the VRBO description are in place to create clarity around the agreement. For example, the last two lines of our property description state: “Most of North Kohala is very jungle like and therefore includes all animals and critters found in such locations. If geckos, pigs, spiders, mosquitoes, wild turkeys and roosters trouble you, then North Kohala is not for you.” We have learned that being upfront, even with what some might call negative information, often prevents future discomfort. We suspect much of your inconvenience was due to what our friends told us upon returning from our family vacation. They said it had rained almost the entire time we were gone. This might explain your experience of “not enough light inside” and it most certainly would have an impact on the North Kohala mosquito population. Concerning the type of bulbs, we have already made some changes. Thank you. Yes, the Internet connection can be intermittent in stormy or windy weather. Yes, the salty air here does cause rust in as little time as one week; we now have a new stainless steel can opener. Yes, Hawaii does have geckos and they do occasionally chirp. The outdoor shower is usually cited as one of the best aspects of our rental. Guests love the 3 heads, which easily prevent any mosquitoes from landing on you. Yes, you do need to walk out to the shower so if you want a night time shower you may want a candle or small flashlight to set nearby. THERE ARE NO “motion-activated surveillance cameras” or cameras of any kind, located in, aimed at, or even near this studio. We do our best to honor and respect our guest’s privacy. The check-in sheet you mentioned even states: “Closing the gate is your way of telling us that you are using the outdoor shower and that you would like privacy.” Finally, we are genuinely sorry your stay was disappointing and we wish we had been here to be of support and service. Ho’oponopono, Jim and Leah

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delightful retreat !

Guest Carl
Date of stay 01/14/13
Review Submitted 03/26/13

this was such a homey quiet beautiful place to stay with lots of help from the owners - everything you need in a lovely garden setting !

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

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LOVE AT FIRST SITE

Guest sherita
Date of stay 01/07/13
Review Submitted 03/26/13

My very first visit to Hawaii began at this amazing hidden treasure of Romantic abode, covered with lush jungle and the most exotic,outdoor, three headed shower adorned with cascading orchids. We would go on outings like dolphin swimming , Wipio Valley everyday and happily recharge at our "home" for the next adventure. Lovely little town down the road with plenty of local action . I even got to do a hula dance class....amazing!!! Everything close by like food for cooking at home. The family was family to us for duration of our stay, very loving!

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

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Happy California guest

Guest David from the Bay Area
Date of stay 01/02/13
Review Submitted 03/26/13

Thanks Jim and Leah for a wonderful stay! I lived in Hawaii for many years and so have a strong sense of what to expect on a 2 week vacation there. The setting is lush and well cared for, the place itself is roomy, clean and cheerful. What I feel best about is the care that you both gave us - you really know how to be sensitive to the needs of a guest whether that be suggestions, attention to any details of our stay or sometimes just giving us space. You both expressed a gentle sensitivity that for us was a part of the true spirit of Aloha we came home to the islands to experience again. Looking forward to our next stay with you and happy for the lucky people who will be with you next! Blessings to you and your family.

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

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The Spirit Of Aloha At Its Finest!

Guest Phil D.
Date of stay 08/20/12
Review Submitted 09/02/12

Jim and Leah are perfect hosts! Their wonderful family have and share the "Aloha Spirit" in so many ways. They were very helpful in providing tips and suggestions on what to see and where to see it--as wildlife enthusiasts, we were thrilled to see a pod of spinner dolphins frollicing right at the place that Jim directed us to! The beaches they directed us to quickly became our favorite also. The house was portrayed very accurately and is clean and cozy. The Lands are honest and hardworking people as evidenced by their going the extra mile to ensure we had a great vacation.

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

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Beautiful location and wonderful hosts

Guest Mark D.
Date of stay 07/12/12
Review Submitted 09/07/12

I stayed here in mid July this last summer and was so very blessed by the location, amenities and graciousness of the hosts, Jim and Leah. They are located almost a mile away from the center of Hawi HAWAII, and the guest house/bungalow can comfortably sleep up to 4 guests. It is a spacious area with a nice reading library, wide screen TV, and an outside shower. The shower has orchids growing all around it and at the time of my stay, there was one single orchid that stuck through just into the shower area under the 3 shower heads. The kitchen is stocked with a nice array of implements and appliances. You have enough chopping blocks, knives, pots, pans etc to create some very nice meals. There would seem to be an endless amount of things you could do there: Hiking at Pololu Valley, snorkeling at Beach #69 or Mahukona, walking the beach to visit the sea turtles at Kiholu Bay, or just spending time at the farmer's market on a saturday in the town of Hawi. Jim and Leah are wonderful hosts. They were able to show me all of the places mentioned above, which are all freely accessible to the public. They are passionate about their property, and keep it up wonderfully. When I was there, you could smell cilantro growing in their organic garden. The meals we shared were wondrous: pumpkin lasagna, bbq'd ono with white pineapple salsa.... All served with love. This was my first trip back to Hawaii since I was a kid, but I cannot wait to go back. I'm currently planning to go next summer and stay with Jim and Leah again.

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

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Thanks for the memories

Guest suz
Date of stay 03/26/12
Review Submitted 03/26/13

great hospitality, wonderful room, beautiful place and loving hosts!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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perfect

Guest Happy in Hawi
Date of stay 03/17/12
Review Submitted 04/06/12

We spend a great 8 days at Jim and Leah's guesthouse while I attended a conference at Hapuna Beach. The accommodations were great and Jim and Leah were very helpful for the logistic questions we had. Hawi isn't a beach town, but part ot the excitement of the Big Island is the diversity of biozones - we were happy to be staying in the transition to the lush, tropical side of the island, and for the days we wanted sandy tropical beaches the ride was a lovely and brief car ride away. Highly recommended

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Peaceful aloha spirit

Guest GaryTX
Date of stay 02/02/12
Review Submitted 02/02/12

We stayed at Jim and Leah's ohana this past summer and loved it. The place is beautiful and the outdoor shower is great. The ohana's layout is perfect with lots of room. The kitchen has everything you could need. Plus, if you just have to deal with THE WORLD, they have wi-fi. When the most sound you hear is the occasional children's laughter from across the lawn, you know this is a special place.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Excellent place to relax

Guest James
Date of stay 12/22/11
Review Submitted 12/31/11

Thanks to Jim and Leah my wife and I had a wonderful week on the big island. There is so much to do outside of the typical resort areas. Hawi is a great place to start out and easily reach many beautiful parts of the island. Thanks again!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Definitely worth staying in this part of the island

Guest Elaine & Ted
Date of stay 11/21/11
Review Submitted 12/05/11

This property is a great place from which to explore the uncrowded beauty of Kohala. We enjoyed taking Saddle Road to Mauna Kea and loved the drive to Waimea. The studio is amazingly well-equipped and we immediately felt at home. Bird-watching was fabulous and Beach 69 is a MUST for snorkeling. We also enjoyed happy hour at the Bamboo restaurant and mac nut tropical dreams ice cream. Peaceful, beautiful, friendly, informative .... what more could you want. RIP Joby.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Great jumping off point

Guest Maryruth E.
Date of stay 11/11/11
Review Submitted 11/17/11

We enjoyed the 'Ohana atmosphere of this VRBO. We had all the privacy we needed, the studio kitchenette was well equipped for cooking all of our meals and the queen bed quite comfortable. We didn't use the outdoor shower because it was raining the first day and we were to exhausted after some fantastic diving--we had already showered at the beach! We found the location to be wonderful for exploring this 'corner' of the Big Island and all of the local knowledge gleaned from talking to either Jim or Leah was great. The property was clean and well maintained. You've got to ask for and try the raw mac nuts--Wow! what a delight! If you want to feel like a local and get a reasonable extended stay experience, this is a lovely VRBO in which to do so.

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

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Our vacation in Paradise!

Guest Craig & Sandi
Date of stay 04/08/11
Review Submitted 04/25/11

Aloha Jim & Leah...we have been gone from Paradise 1 week...& we miss you & the sweet cottage. EVERYTHING was just like your pictures showed...except the shower was much better than we expected.....what a "haven" it was to come to after a day of traveling over the island..the swimming beaches were just minutes away....the Farmer's Market was outstanding... One of the best things we liked about our vacation rental was your immediate response to us after we contacted you the first time, your hospitality was great...your advice was very helpful....we would highly recommend the property to a friend or relative....we look forward to seeing you again!! .

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

Relaxing time...

Guest Pat & Lucy
Date of stay 10/03/10
Review Submitted 10/18/10

We had a great and comfy time at Jim and Leah's studio. Roomy enough, clean, modern, and nicely appointed & decorated. Hawi is a nice little town and a good launching point for either side of the island, and only about 90 minutes from Hilo at the far end of the island. This is not for the crowd that requires Hiltonesque travel to professionally designed resorts, but rather for the couple or small family that prefers to experience what it might be to call the real Hawaii "home" for a week or so. The climate in Hawi Town is so ideal that the thought of a heater or AC becomes preposterous, as it only takes a day or so to fully appreciate the warm loving caress of the gentle trade winds. The unit is not isolated on the property. You are a few steps from Jim and Leah's home, but there is plenty of privacy, and your hosts are eager to help with advice and insider info should you desire. Highly recommended. We'll be back.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Very nice place! Thanks for the hospitality.

Guest Margaret
Date of stay 08/06/10
Review Submitted 08/29/10

Jim and Leah's bungalow is a beautiful, well kept and peaceful place. If you like a rural, laid back atmosphere with good access to some of the nicest swimming/snorkeling beaches on the Big Island, hiking, Waimea (but warmer!) you will enjoy this place. Hawi is small but has good eats and amenities. Jim and Leah are wonderful hosts; eager to answer questions, suggest outings or ignore you depending on your preference. For us it was a 5 of 5 but we seek out rural settings and pace that may not appeal to all.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

My time in Hawi

Guest Hiten
Date of stay 05/31/10
Review Submitted 08/11/10

Jim and Leah's studio bungalow is a wonderful and relaxing place. They are warm and welcoming couple who live next door on the adjacent property and are available for suggestions or to offer help. They happily share their lanai for use by their guests. The landscape is just beautiful all over. The studio is well appointed. The one thing that i would like to mention is the outdoor shower which you should keep in mind if privacy is an issue. Jim fixed it with a shower curtain which made it more comfortable. The town of Hawi is charming and is everything that i expected from my big island experience. Overall, a very enjoyable and relaxing experience.

Owner response: Mahalo to Hiten for the thoughtful review. Regarding the outdoor shower and privacy it should be made clear that it is located in a very private spot in the yard. The shower has an enclosure and a curtain. However, the walk to the shower does require some form of cover up.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

Mahalo Jim and Leah!

Guest Cory and Jenn
Date of stay 05/26/10
Review Submitted 05/01/11

We really enjoyed our stay with Jim and Leah. They're place is very nice and well-furnished and they are very accomodating. What we were most impressed with is that they have two small kids of their own, and are therefore well-equipped to accommodate guests with small kids like ourselves. They were able to provide us with a pack and play, high chair, and baby backpack which made our vacation a lot easier and more enjoyable. Again many thanks, and we hope to see you again!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Guest Deborha
Date of stay 08/31/09
Review Submitted 08/31/09

Jim & Leah's beautiful home caters to all of your needs and then some. My family and I fell in love with the quaintness of Hawi. We found the people to be truly filled with the Aloha spirit. Our favourite beach was 20 minutes away and the local snorkelling spot was wonderful. The quiet pace was just right to unwind. Cy the friendly onsite host was a wealth of information. Maholo! We would definitely recommend this place to stay to others.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 08/13/09
Review Submitted 08/13/09

This is a lovely home and you even had Wifi and a Scrabble game, which we forgot to bring from home. A great weekend with our favorite beach only 20 minutes away.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Guest Mila1
Date of stay 04/07/08
Review Submitted 04/07/08

I wanted to let you know how very much we enjoyed our stay in Hawi. Your home is lovely,and it was a special treat to have the opportunity to live in such a beautiful home for the week. We were very comfortable. There truly was everything we needed to sleep comfortably, cook efficiently, bathe, and recreate. We loved the layout, finishes, lighting and decor. It was great to have Cy around. He was available to socialize with and respond to questions as they arose. Wonderful hospitality. I realize that Cy has done some of the the work in developing the yard area, and I do want to say that it really adds to the whole ambience - the landscape is similar to what I have experienced at very expensive hotel and residential properties, and it really made a difference. We enjoyed Hapuna Beach, Spencer Beach Park, Pololu and Waipio Valleys. Hawi town for daily doses of shaved ice (pm's) and Kona brew (am's). Local Takata market was all we needed for groceries. Thank you again. We would love to visit again someday and would refer friends without hesitation. Mahalo and Aloha.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Guest Pikake and Kevin Kimata
Date of stay 02/24/08
Review Submitted 02/24/08

We had a wonderful time in your beautiful home. It had everything we needed to make our vacation hassle free. And the kids enjoyed it, too! So did my parents who joined us from Hilo. The property is beautiful and conveniently located from Hawi town and the neighboring areas. Thank you for having such a beautiful place for others to enjoy!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 02/12/08
Review Submitted 02/12/08

If you want a true feel of old time Hawaii, this is the place for you. It is close to beaches, waterfalls, snorkeling, whale watching, kayaking, golf, restaurants & anything else you might want to do on your trip. However, we do recommend you plan some time just to hang around the beautiful garden & the lovely lanai. It is the most relaxing and beautiful place you will ever visit. Cy is awesome! He can give you tips on places to go & things to do you won't find on any travel site!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Guest Mary Calcagno
Date of stay 08/03/07
Review Submitted 08/03/07

Aloha! My husband and I had a marvelous time at this great hale. We are looking to come back...so there you go. Cy is to die for :-) Note to folks it does not have an ocean view but you are minutes from the ocean and seconds from an ocean view. We loved the home, the gardens..all lovely.

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Guest Dennis & Margo Walsh
Date of stay 08/03/07
Review Submitted 08/03/07

If you want to experience 'Old Hawaii', or at least 'plantation' Hawaii, there is no better place than Jim and Leah's bungalow. It is a remarkable property full of friendship, fragrance, and serenity. The charming town of Hawi is a stone's roll down the hill, and by itself offers hours and evenings of delightful quaintness and peace. Jim and Leah's place is a refuge from the frantic pace of our mainland life. They have taken great care to provide an atmosphere of wonderful comfort and convenience in a setting that takes you back in time. If you have the pleasure of caretaker Cy's company, all the better. Mahalo.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Break Free from the Dominant Paradigm, at Least for a Week! [#119829] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (27)

A Taste of the Real Hawaii

A Taste of the Real Hawaii

Jim and Leah studio

Jim and Leah studio

Soooooooo AWESOME!

Soooooooo AWESOME!

Shower in the Rain and Dark with Mosquitoe Sucking Your Blood

Shower in the Rain and Dark with Mosquitoe Sucking Your Blood

delightful retreat !

delightful retreat !

LOVE AT FIRST SITE

LOVE AT FIRST SITE

Happy California guest

Happy California guest

The Spirit Of Aloha At Its Finest!

The Spirit Of Aloha At Its Finest!

Beautiful location and wonderful hosts

Beautiful location and wonderful hosts

Thanks for the memories

Thanks for the memories

perfect

perfect

Peaceful aloha spirit

Peaceful aloha spirit

Excellent place to relax

Excellent place to relax

Definitely worth staying in this part of the island

Definitely worth staying in this part of the island

Great jumping off point

Great jumping off point

Our vacation in Paradise!

Our vacation in Paradise!

Relaxing time...

Relaxing time...

Very nice place! Thanks for the hospitality.

Very nice place! Thanks for the hospitality.

My time in Hawi

My time in Hawi

Mahalo Jim and Leah!

Mahalo Jim and Leah!