Gracious home with magnificent views

Guest: CAY (NY NY)
Date of Stay: 03/26/11 Review Submitted: 04/10/11

Our family thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this wonderful home. What a great place. The beds were incredibly comfortable and the views were incrdible. The house is beautifully decorated, the kitchen was terrific to work in, fully stocked with appliances like a blender and waffle iron. We appreciated finding a few items we had forgotten like spices and coffee filters. We even played pool in a wonderful game room when we werent sitting out under the stars. We loved hearing the birds in the morning and being away from the crowds in Kona. There is a welcoming vibe, and the experience is totally casual yet gracious. The local spots like Honomolino, the markets in Ocean View, and easy day trips to Kona and South Point make it a good place to stay between excursions..It is in the dry part of the island, heavenly! We circumnavigated the island in a week's time with an overnight in Volcano. Always glad to get back to our place on the hill. We will recommend this spot to others.

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

Guest: Rob & Lynn (Pilothill, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/20/08 Review Submitted: 01/29/11

Linda, We had a fabulous week at your wonderful Hale! Very relaxing and much quieter than the Hilo-side since the frogs haven’t taken-up residence here yet-! We’ve explored most of the island during our three weeks here yet we’ve always looked forward to returning to your house at the end of the day and sit back with a glass of wine! You did a great job both building and decorating this mountain side paradise! You know you’ve had a great holiday when you forget what day it is...somehow it doesn’t seem to matter so much around here! We’re going to miss it... Mahalo, Rob & Lynn Ontario, Canada

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Guest: Joan B & Family (Pilothill, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/09/09 Review Submitted: 01/29/11

Linda, We had a wonderful time. The house is beautiful and quiet. We had two wonderful swims with the dolphins (Honomalino Black Sand Beach). Many thanks. Joan & Family- Virginia p.s. The avocados were delicious!

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Guest: Suzy G & Bob S (Pilothill, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/29/09 Review Submitted: 01/29/11

Dear Linda, Just a quick note and much belated thank you for giving us the info about going down to see the Spinner Dolphins. We had great luck! The pod was not far from shore, and we swam out with our snorkels and masks and spent an hour with them. It was extraordinary! They seemed very comfortable with us around, and were mating and playing and spinning. We even saw a mother and baby. It was heaven! We were right in the middle of the group, close enough to touch them had we tried, and they swam around us and under us, swam off and then returned, over and over. Had we not had to leave, I think that we could easily have spent another hour amongst them. What a treat. We felt like we had an experience of a lifetime. Your house is lovely and so well appointed. We apologize that we left such a huge quantity of garbage and didn’t do as good a job as we would have liked in straightening up. We stayed so long with the dolphins that we had to rush to catch our plane. Our stay on the Big Island was memorable and a big success. We had a day of kayaking and snorkeling, a day of hiking at the Volcano and then the thrill of swimming with the dolphins. My daughter was so thrilled with it all—she and her husband almost never get away for long weekends on the outer islands. (After ten years on Oahu, this was my daughter’s first time!). We were so glad to make it such a special trip! Many thanks again for making sure we headed down to the beach in town—we may not have done so if you hadn’t encouraged us and given us good directions. And, thanks too for the Kamaina Rate! All the best, Suzy G and Bob S Berkeley, CA

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Guest: Chantal (Pilothill, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/03/09 Review Submitted: 01/29/11

Hi Linda, Chantal here. First of all, I just wanted to express my gratitude. My family and I just left the Puhala Hale (aka paradise). I just wanted to let you know that your hale was perfect for our little family reunion. You had everything that we needed and we were able to explore the Big Island to the fullest while staying all together. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us. Sincerely, Chantal

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Guest: Theresa G (Pilothill, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/11/09 Review Submitted: 01/29/11

Linda, We just returned yesterday from our trip to Hawaii. I just wanted to let you know what a great time we had the week we stayed at your house (we were so busy I forgot to write a note in your book). The house was great, beautiful and even better than you described (though I can say I didn’t enjoy traveling the winding road to get there – but my family always tells me I don’t have an adventurous bone in my body). Thank you for the beach recommendations. We really enjoyed Honomalino Beach and we absolutely loved the snorkeling at Pu’uhonua o Honaunau (the way we’ve described it so far is like being dropped in the middle of an aquarium). The coolers that you had were a lifesaver when it came to packing lunches and taking them with us each day. Our last day on the Big Island some of us went on the Manta Ray night dive (which they highly recommend). Thank you again for the use of your house! Theresa G

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Guest: Ed, Donna & Katie (Pilothill, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/29/11

Aloha Linda, We thoroughly enjoyed are stay here in Puhala Hale. We started our trip in Honolulu, then on to Mauna Lani...and your home was definitely the cram of the crop. During our stay we hiked in to the black sand beach, went to South Point and hiked in to Volcano Park! We will cherish the memories always!! Mahalo, Ed, Donna & Katie Damascus , MD USA p.s. Our evening here was so relaxing. Thanks for the great music cd’s

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