Vacation turned honeymoon- in paradise!

Guest: Mike & Ericka (Essex, Vermont )
Date of Stay: 10/25/11 Review Submitted: 11/19/11

We feel so blessed to have stayed at Hale Male Pua and to have met Holly & Rick. This is by far the best place to stay on the island- the location, accommodations, and hosts were better than we could ever dream possible! The location is perfect- a short drive north or south shores, Kapaa, and Kealia beach. The property (and views from the property) felt like being in another world- exquisite paradise. The house is beautiful, immaculate, and contains everything you need for the perfect vacation. Holly & Rick are a wealth of information and know all of the best places, activities, and restaurants on the island. They were extremely helpful whenever we needed guidance during our vacation and have the gear (bikes, kayaks, maps, beach chairs, snorkel gear, you name it...) available for you to experience all Kauai has to offer. Holly and Rick are by far the sweetest people we have ever met; they exude aloha and we look forward to keeping in touch and hopefully visiting them again someday. Staying with them is like staying with old friends you just met! What started as a vacation (an amazing one) turned into our honeymoon when Holly helped us (really she did all the work) to plan the sweetest impromptu wedding! We never could have done it without her help and are grateful for the attention she paid to us and the effort she put in to our special day! We felt honored to share it with you, Holly, and we could not be happier to have been married on the most beautiful island. We would never consider staying anywhere else on Kauai. We wholeheartedly recommend Hale Male Pua to anyone and everyone, in fact, we encourage them to travel to Kauai simply to have the opportunity to stay there. For us, Hale Male Pua felt like home (if we moved to the most amazing island and had the nicest neighbors!) Mahalo Holly and Rick for the most incredible vacation turned honeymoon! Aloha, - Ericka & Mike

Recommended for:Pet owners, adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, people with disabilities, girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Honey moon in paradise

Guest: Tender Warrior (Seattle Wa)
Date of Stay: 11/13/11 Review Submitted: 11/13/11

We came on our honeymoon not knowing what to exspect and were blown away. It was an incredible stay at Holly&Ricks.We had so much fun and Rick & Holly were friendly and took real good care of us. The cottage was beautiful and the hot tube was sooo much fun. The landscape was so beautiful and we had fresh fruit to pick each day so awsome! We look forward to going back and will stay at Rick&Holly's any time.Our stay in the country was like the athentic Hawaiian experience, we would highly recommend anybody to stay at this Kauai Hawaiian get a way.

Owner response:Aloha Lori and Tracy, It was a true blessing having you as our guests here at Hale Mala Pua. We are so happy that your stay "blew you away" and you felt like we took good care of you. We take pride taking good care of our guests, it makes us happy too ! So glad you loved the humble beauty of our cottage as well as our landscaping and gardens. There is nothing better than starting off the day picking fresh fruit, juicing fresh orange juice or making a yummy smoothie. Our country cottage is truly an authentic Hawaiian experience and we are glad you felt the true Hawaii we wanted to share. We felt so blessed to have gotten to know you both and are very thankful that you were here when we suddenly lost our precious kitty. Mahalo for your dear prayers and loving hearts. We look forward to seeing you again when Hawaii calls you back. Love, Holly & Rick

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

Second time to Hale Mala Pua

Guest: Spencer Mountain (Corvallis, Montana USA)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/15/11

This is the second time we have stayed at Hale Mala Pua and we enjoyed it even more than the first! Our boys, even tho they are men now, loved it as well. Holly and Rick recommended a few beaches that were un real in beauty and surf. The boys boggie boarded themselves into exhaustion which was really fun to watch. Even though they are both men now, they didn't act like it while playing in the surf! We were able to attend the 10th Annual Tahitian Dance Competition in Kapaa the day we were to fly out and what a fun experience that was. I was bummed not to be able to say good bye to you Holly, but I understand you weren't feeling well and I'm praying you are well now.l Give Ms. Lucy a big hug from us please! Mahalo for everything!

Owner response:Aloha Kay, Russ and family, We are so happy that you were able to come back to enjoy Hale Mala Pua once again. It was really nice to see you all as a family. So glad that the boys, well men, enjoyed boogie boarding so much ! We love to recommend our personal favorites to our special guests so they too can reap the benefits of our many years of living on Kauai. It's always nice to see you and we really look forward to your next visit to Kauai and here at Hale Mala Pua. Lucy really likes you too and sends a piggy hug. A hui hou kakou (until we meet again) Love, Holly and Rick

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Honeymoon in Paradise!

Guest: Phil (Arizona)
Date of Stay: 05/17/11 Review Submitted: 06/05/11

We vacationed in Kauai to celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary. We loved our vacation in Kauai and we can attribute your wonderful cottage to our overall enjoyment of the island. We are "clean freaks" and your cottage did not disappoint. It was so relaxing to come 'home' to the cottage after a long day of hiking, snorkeling, or just adventure seeking. As previously mentioned, the cottage was very clean and the fresh gardenias smelled wonderful. The cottage was also complete with all the comforts of home for cooking or grilling. Most importantly, our privacy was never interrupted and if we had questions about the island, your personal notes or Rick (who was so kind and helpful) provided excellent advice and "local" tips. If/when we make it back to Kauai, we will definitely stay at your cottage. If more vacation rental owners were like you two, you'd put hotels out of business. Thanks again, Phil & Julie

Owner response:Aloha Phillip & Julie, Mahalo, for your kind review ! I'm so glad that we measured up to your "Neat Freak" standards! Cleanliness is extremely important to us. We are neat freaks ourselves, but more importantly, we want our guests to feel special. Everything is done with you in mind, so that you feel like you've come to a luxury retreat, without being touristy. Ahhhh..aren't those gardenias' just heavenly ! The floral essence is just sublime ! I'm glad our notes and personal advice were helpful & made your trip fun with our local tips.. Mahalo for choosing Hale Mala Pua for your 21st Anniversary. We hope to see you again one day for more joy-filled comforts of home. Sending warm Aloha to you both, Holly & Rick

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

Honeymoon stay in Paradise

Guest: Jess (Charleston, SC)
Date of Stay: 05/08/11 Review Submitted: 05/21/11

The pictures of the property are very accurate and in fact, the cottage and yard were even more wonderful in person! Holly and Rick were wonderful hosts and were very helpful about giving us information on Kauai. They were also very awesome about giving us our privacy as we were on our honeymoon. We thoroughly enjoyed staying in their cottage, hanging out with their pets, and eating the fresh fruit grown in the yard. My only wish is that we could have stayed longer. We are already saving up to return next summer!! It was for us, the trip of a lifetime. We love the location, the privacy, and of course the kindness of Holly and Rick. I just can't say enough nice things about everything overall- best 10 days ever!

Owner response:Aloha Jess & Ewell ! We are so happy that you had such a wonderful time staying in the cottage, spending time with our animals and eating all the fresh fruit from our gardens. We wish you could have stayed longer too ! If you want to return next summer, do let me know of the dates as soon as you can. Thank you for your kind words of appreciation. We truly look forward to seeing you again, hopefully next summer. We are happy that your honeymoon stay was all that you dreamed it to be. Sending love and Aloha to you both, Holly & Rick

Recommended for:Pet owners, adventure seekers, sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Vacation of a Lifetime

Guest: Gary and Kim (Newfoundland, Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/05/11 Review Submitted: 05/09/11

My husband and I spent the last 9 days of our anniversay vacation with Holly and Rick at Hale Mala Pua, and it was a wonderful experience. I had spent the full year trying to find the ultimate little vacation hide away for us, and Hale Mala Pua did not disappoint. We are such easy going people, very laid back and take things in stride, as does Rick and Holly. The location was perfect, with the most beautiful grounds, and the most wonderful animals. We absolutly fell in love with Bandit, one of their rescued cats. He was our evening companion on the lanai every evening. Both Holly and Rick were available for any questions that we had, and went above and beyond to make our vacation as perfect as possible. Rick took us sailing one evening, and it was so much fun!! I hope that we get to visit again, and that we stay in touch. It was our vacation of a lifetime.

Owner response:Aloha Kim! We too are SO happy that you got to spend 9 days out of your anniversary,(we were booked for the other days they wanted) here at Hale Mala Pua. We are so grateful that all your dreams and more came true here! We loved your easy going laid back style too:) Isn't Bandit the most adorable cat~totally loving and super adventurous...he loves running behind you while walking the grounds, basket in hand, picking fresh fruit and then scampering up a tree. getting ready to chase you right back. Plus he loves to hike down to the river ! The animals are an extra added bonus to staying here at Hale Mala Pua, that is if you love giving belly rubs and getting back that wonderful un conditional love that animals always give. We truly enjoyed spending time with you both and enjoy staying in touch. Mahalo. We look forward to another visit in the near future. Love and Aloha to you both, Holly & Rick

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

Perfect Honeymoon Retreat!

Guest: Keely and Cameron (California)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11 Review Submitted: 05/07/11

My husband and I feel like the luckiest people on earth to have gotten the chance to stay at Hale Male Pua for our honeymoon! It was absolutely perfect. While reflecting on our wonderful trip to Kauai, we both identified the moment we first saw the place as one of our favorite memories of the week. Holly had attended to every detail possible to create the perfect romantic and relaxing mood for our stay complete with Hawaiian music, soft candle lights, and fresh flowers. Although we had already made many plans to be adventurous during our trip, as soon as we stepped foot on the property, we didn't want to leave. The perfect place to rejuvenate your spirit and relax. Holly and Rick have thought of EVERYTHING! The sports shake is amazing and equipped with all you need. The waterfall swimming hole, outdoor shower, outdoor jet tube, hammock, animals, fire pit, and cozy cottage are just a few of the relaxing touches you experience here. Holly and Rick are some of the sweetest people we have ever met and we can't wait to return someday soon!

Owner response:Aloha Cameron & Keely ! What a awesome review! We love the way you wrote upon your reflections and can totally remember the moment I think you are referring too, where you felt taken in by the special touches of romantic ambiance. It is my gift to you, preparing a special love nest so that your honeymoon is extra special. We did a little happy dance after reading your thoughtful words of gratitude, as we love to be of service and share our love of creating that special ambience with you, our special guests. You too were so very sweet. We feel so very appreciated And thank you for the time you took to mention all your favorite experiences here at Hale Mala Pua :) We truly look forward to the day you return to our special slice of paradise, now your own special retreat to return to again and again. With the sprit of Aloha, we send all our love. Fondly, Holly & Rick

Recommended for:Pet owners, adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway.

Truly a Special little Slice of Paradise! Rick and Holly are Amazing Hosts-

Guest: J-M (Lake Tahoe, NV)
Date of Stay: 03/29/11 Review Submitted: 04/21/11

Hale Male Pue is an amazing little house set on a beautiful 2 acre property, with a private waterfall, and swimming hole, located just above Kapaa. The location is absolutely perfect for a vacation on Kauai. Rick and Holly were the perfect hosts during my stay. I came as a visitor and left as a friend. The house was immaculate, and comfortable. It was impossible to find a vacation rental that did not use harsh cleaning chemicals, and everything was all natural here. I'm amazed with how clean everything was. Fresh flowers greeted me upon my arrival, as well as fresh fruits, as well as some items I asked for in advance. (Holly did some shopping for me before my arrival, what a nice treat!) Each morning I picked oranges to make fresh juice, as everything you can possible need is available in the kitchen. It feels like the house was built just for me. There is a fully stocked game shed with bikes, kayaks, snorkel gear, beach chairs, etc. I have been to Oahu over 8 times, have traveled the world and only stay at vacation rentals, and this is by far the greatest, cleanest, and friendliest property I have visited. You will not be dissapointed. Don't forget to stop by the Farmer's Market in Kapaa on Wednesday, and try the AHI nori wrap at Mermaids. Holly was so helpful and imformative, I felt like a visiting family member, and Rick will share stories and Ono Recipes with you around the fire. This is my new home in Kauai! Thank you Rick and Holly for making my Kauai 2011 trip the best ever!

Owner response:Dear, dear John-Michael. What a special man you are ! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for such a loving review. We are blown away that after traveling the world, to so many exotic places, you choose ours as being at the top of your list. WOW ! We are so honored by your kind words of gratitude. We truly revel in the moments before our guests arrive, making sure everything is perfect and extra special. There's nothing more pleasing for us, then to watch our guests gazing around each corner, and catching the look of awe in their eyes...then watching any stress or tension, totally melt before us ! We are so happy that everything met with your high expectations and your time here was so special ! We feel blessed that you felt like family. Please know that we feel the same. :) We are happy that you have a new home on Kauai and are welcome any time...Please let us know as soon as your know what dates you have in mind for next year, we book 6 mo to a year in advance ! We wouldn't want you to miss out on your dates for your next adventure at Hale Mala Pua. Sending much gratitude and Aloha to you. Love, Holly & Rick

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, people with disabilities, families with young children, romantic getaway.

The most amazing place to stay!

Guest: Gabrielle (Cookeville, TN)
Date of Stay: 06/01/10 Review Submitted: 02/28/11

My husband and I chose Kaua’i for our destination wedding and honeymoon. We searched for months trying to find the perfect place to stay. We are fairly laid back people and wanted to have a true island experience and not just the typical tourist experience. We finally found Hale Mala Pua and it was absolutely perfect! Rick and Holly helped make our stay in Kaua’i everything we could have wanted. Holly and Rick were available for questions or for help when we needed. The book that Holly put time into so that we may have plenty of information about the island, restaurants, and pertinent information was especially helpful. We loved having access to the sports shack and had a blast snorkeling with the gear provided in the shack. As for accommodations, Hale Mala Pua was perfect! There was plenty of space for my husband and I, room for cooking, dinning, and relaxing. We loved the lanai, and spent some nights sleeping out under the stars in the most comfy outdoor recliner! Holly and Rick were so amazing to us. Rick took us on a sailboat race, which we won! Holly brought us a massive bowl of lychees, they were great for breakfast and snacks. Holly was so thoughtful she even planned a special surprise for us on our wedding night! On our last night at Hale Mala Pua we had an amazing dinner prepared by Rick and enjoyed a wonderful meal with their family. Thank you so much Rick and Holly for opening up your home to so many people. You helped make our trip to Kaua’i a trip of a lifetime. You will never find two people with more warmth and openness. If you want the perfect island experience and then some, staying at Hale Mala Pua is a Must! We plan on visiting Hale Mala Pua again in the future!

Owner response:Holy Moly ! What a lovely, kind, and special review...and almost a year later too ! You too are truly awesome! We are so happy that you choose Hale Mala Pua for your wedding and honeymoon. We were honored to have been able to have you here as you celebrated your honeymoon. We couldn't have met a more lovable couple than the two of you. Your love was infectious and it was a joy to be around you both. . We whole heartedly accept your wonderful, kind and loving words of gratitude for your time spent here. We loved sharing it with you and look forward to your next visit here. We think of you often, with warm memories Mahalo, Mahalo. We wish you both JOY-FILLED and Loving days,always and forever. Love and Hugs, Holly & RIck

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, pet owners, adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Great Place To Stay!

Guest: Mike & Ruby (Western Mass.)
Date of Stay: 02/12/11 Review Submitted: 02/22/11

We had a wonderful week in Kauai which included a great place to stay. Holly and Rick went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed and were very comfortable. They really made us feel like we had found a home away from home during our stay. Everything that was described in the listing exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed sailing, kayaking to a waterfall, and biking along the beaches to watch humpback whales playing off shore. These are just a few things made possible by Holly and Rick. We would highly recommend this rental to anyone who enjoys the outdoors and wants to have stress free stay in Kauai. Mike & Ruby

Owner response:Aloha Mike & Ruby, We are delighted that your stay here at Hale Mala Pua was all you had hoped it to be. So glad that you were comfortable and it was truly a home away from home for you both. It truly fills our heart with joy to know that our wonderful guests love it here so much. Knowing that we have exceeded your expectations makes it that much sweeter. We are so glad that you loved going sailing. I know it was a blast for all. It is so special to be able to take our guests when possible. Being in the country, but only minutes to the beach gives our guests the best of both worlds. We're delighted that you took advantage of our Sports Shack and were able to Kayak, snorkel, bike and so much more. We know your trip was very special for you both and we are grateful that we could be part of the memories you took back with you. We do hope that we will see you again soon. Mahalo, for your kind words of appreciation. We graciously accept them with Aloha. Love to you both, Holly & Rick :)

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+, romantic getaway.