Vacation Rentals by Owner

Wonderful part of our vacation.

Guest: Love my vacations (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
Date of Stay: 11/05/11 Review Submitted: 12/06/11

After a few days in Waikiki and a week long Hawaiian cruise, we finished off our vacation with a few days at this great find. Very clean, comfortable and away from the hubbub. We were in easy driving distance to anywhere on the island but it was hard to leave our beach house. We shared our beach with two monk seals everyday. My daughter and I enjoyed every precious moment of our time spent here but even more the rest of our party who finished their vacations in Waikiki, Honolulu, and Turtle Bay were very jealous. Thanks to Julie and Herman (caretakers).

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car.

Paradise on the Beach

Guest: Brad J.
Date of Stay: 08/13/11 Review Submitted: 08/23/11

We had a wonderful stay at this house on the west side of the island. The entire house was very clean. It is a beach house so you would expect some sand in the house but when we arrived it was spotless. Beds in both bedrooms were very comfortable and we slept soundly listening to the gentle ocean waves at night. There also is a futon in the living room that my 12 year old son slept on so our family of 5 was comfortable. The location of the property is wonderful as you are literally right on the ocean. The back has a relatively small, well maintained grass yard that connects directly to the beach. The beach was clean and the water very clear. The beach in that area is a bit rocky but the waves were calm enough for our 9 year olds to swim. Most of the time we had practically the entire beach to ourselves. Locals from across the street can walk to the beach but we only had to share "our" beach with others on a couple of occasions. We were delighted to see turtles casually swimming in the water near us several times and saw a monk seal two days. We were hoping it would come out of the water to sun itself on the beach, which I was told it often does, but it never actually came ashore. The property caretakers, Herman and Julie, and very nice and welcoming. In fact, all Hawaiins we encountered were very friendly. Herman even showed my boys how to crack open a coconut on the last night of our stay. Makaha is a small town on the upper west side of the island and getting around can be frustrating with the traffic. There are not many restaurants in the area but if you plan to cook at home you will be fine. When we travelled to other areas of the island it took a minimum of an hour. If you plan to go to Honolulu or other areas of the island frequently you may want to consider staying closer to Honolulu. Overall, this is a great beach house and we would stay here again. Days spent at home were very relaxing and the view from the back yard is breath taking. If you are looking for a place to get away from it all this is the place.

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

Heaven in Makaha

Guest: Mom in OC (Orange County, California)
Date of Stay: 11/21/10 Review Submitted: 11/30/10

We "fell in love" with the home more each day making it hard to actually leave to see the sights of Oahu. Very comfortable and clean home with palm trees, sand and ocean as your front yard. The home is located in a quieter area, away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki which was refreshing in our opinion. The people we met in Hawaii were amazingly genuine and very kind. We would definitely recommend this location - we can't wait to return!

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

Fall Vacation 2010

Guest: LetHimNap (Vail, Arizona, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/28/10 Review Submitted: 10/17/10

The caretakers on the property made this vacation extra special. The spoiled us with food, good company, and information on the island. We had everything we needed in the house. This property is off the beaten path. Perfect for a relaxing vacation! We spent most of our time hanging out, playing in the sand and water, and hiking. We saw sea turtles in the reef nearly everyday, and one day a Monk Seal took a siesta 20 feet from the house. Makaha and Waianae are off the beaten path. The town is comprised of natives and locals, and for the most part does not cater to the tourist crowd. My son ate at L & L BBQ nearly everyday. Great Mahi-Mahi lunch plate. If you are looking to get away from it all, and to bypass the crowds - this is the place for you!

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

It was the perfect choice!

Guest: Lani (Honolulu,HI)
Date of Stay: 09/09/10 Review Submitted: 09/22/10

My family and I decided that we needed to go on a short getaway. But we just didn’t know where to go on a spur of the moment idea. We did not want to fly off to the main- land or to another island. We were also tired of the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. A friend of mine had told me of this wonderful place on the west side of Oahu. He gave me the name of the place to look up on the internet. So the family looked it up and decided that it would be the place that we were going to spend our vacation. And we were very happy and more than satisfied with the choice we had made. The place of choice was called “Hui ‘O Makaha”. This vacation rental is a home right on a beautiful beach cove, with the warm Pacific Ocean, just steps away from our bedrooms. Hui ‘O Makaha was very clean and tidy when we arrived. The grounds of the property were also very well kept. Upon arrival at the property, we were greeted and welcomed by the caretakers of the property, Julie and Herman. (a.k.a. Mr. & Mrs. Aloha) They informed us of all the important information that we needed to know during our stay. They were more than gracious to our needs while we were there.. We also had a couple of potlucks with Julie and Herman too. I was very pleased at how Hui ‘O Makaha was secluded enough, that there was really no distractions from us just relaxing and enjoying our vacation. I was even able to catch up on a lot of my personal business, especially with the internet access available to the visitors staying at the rental. I was able to connect my laptop and I-pad to the internet with no problems at all. I was really able to get a lot done, because my husband spent most of the time golfing. You can drive to two golf courses, just a few minutes up the road from the rental. And that there are several more, just a few miles down the highway too. With all of this that we were able to enjoy, we were more than pleased with the Hui ‘O Makaha. We were also very satisfied with the more than reasonable rates that they had. The rates were very comparable to other vacation properties and especially to the hotel room rates of Waikiki. Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful getaway with my family. I also hope and wish that many others will be able to enjoy it also!!! Aloha, John, Lani, and Ikaika

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car.

Hawaii Vacation

Guest: Alice
Date of Stay: 08/28/10 Review Submitted: 10/19/10

Taken from our in house guestbook: First time to Hawaii for me! What a paradise! Snorkeled for first time. Pet a turtle. Watched the dolphins. Body surfed and saw the sights. Had a great visit with my son stationed at Schofield Army Barracks. Son-in-law caught 2 octopus and 1 eel. We got a lot of fun in for just 10 days. Thanks bunches Herman and Julie for all your hospitality. Alice - Renton, Washington

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Best spot on the Waianae Coast

Guest: Jake &family (Daly City California)
Date of Stay: 05/17/10 Review Submitted: 06/05/10

The best most relaxing spot on the Island. Far away from the fast pace of Honolulu. Listening to the sound of the waves at night put me to sleep and allowed me to dream of the wonderful time I had that day. I woke up to the quiet sounds of the ocean and birds singing. What a wonderful way to begin the day. There is so much to see and do on the Island but it is great to get back in the evening and take a dip in the ocean. Herman and Julie, "Mr. & Mrs. ALOHA are the best host on the Island. They love to share stories and offer their help whenever they can. The beach house has everything you need to enjoy a vacation. Great kitchen with the most beautiful view of the water and coastline. It's home away from home. Can't wait to get back for another visit.

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

Guest: Sandy & Brittney
Date of Stay: 04/27/10 Review Submitted: 06/15/10

Taken from our in-house guest book: Aloha! My daughter & I arrived at Hui O' Makaha with a warm welcome from Julie & Herman. We loved the beaches, turtles & the sun! We went for a doorless helicopter tour around the island out of Turtle Bay Resort. Wow! Julie & Herman & their wonderful family had a pig roast for us while we were here. (Actually for a graduation celebration.) Lots of good food! MAHALO to everyone! Heading back to the rainy state of Washington. Sandy & Brittney P.S. Pacific Beach Hotel has an amazing Seafood buffet with aquarium. Turtle beach seems always to have turtles. Drive round the entire island, it's beautiful! Aloha Stadium.... Wed, Sat., Sun., cheap souvenirs!

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Guest: Eric & Melissa
Date of Stay: 03/25/10 Review Submitted: 06/15/10

Taken from our in-house guest book: Aloha! What a wonderful time we had here! The access to the beach, the house, & the hospitality from Julie & Herman are the best in Hawaii! We loved watching the whales and turtles from the windows & beach. We were even lucky enough to have a seal take a sun bath on the beach! What wonderful memories we will always have! We especially loved bragging to our family & friends about the warm weather all while it was cold & snowy at home! Thank you so much for sharing your home with us for our 15 year anniversary celebration/vacation! It was truly priceless! Mahalo! Eric, Melissa, Aaron Kolton, Ambryia, Mary & Crystal - Lincoln, Nebraska

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Guest: Dan & Danielle
Date of Stay: 02/20/10 Review Submitted: 06/15/10

Taken from our in-house guest book: The weather was great. Better than the 5 degree temps with snow in Wisconsin. Herman and Julie are the best. Our time was too short, but me and my wife enjoyed every minute. Thanks for the memories. Dan & Danielle - Milwaukee, WI

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Guest: Kyrell, Marlene, Phil & Cheryl
Date of Stay: 02/13/10 Review Submitted: 06/15/10

Taken from our in-house guest book: We as chilly Canadians loved the weather & beach house & the warmth of Herman & Julie here in Hawaii! It's so peaceful here, we could use another week, no problem. There's so much to see & do on Oahu. Will just have to come back another year. Love it!!!!! Thanks a million. Mahalo, Kyrell, Marlene, Phil, & Cheryl

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Guest: Alan & Carol
Date of Stay: 01/23/10 Review Submitted: 06/15/10

Taken from our in-house guest book: No visit to Hawaii could have been more delightful. We were enchanted by the feeling of being "at home". No tourist, no pressure - only enjoyment. The beach house is lovely - & the beach is everything the typical Hawaii brochure promises - but private (just for us). Being on our honeymoon & being senior citizens, we were not looking for any challenge - just to enjoy. WE DID! Herman & Julie were not the least of our pleasures. They are friendly and open neighbors. It was great to enjoy the surf, beach, sun, weather, & the view. But to have them around going about their daily lives, made us even more comfortable, Then, - they catch fresh fish, and cook it for us - WOW! There was music to vie with the surf in the evenings - how good does it get! My daughter lives about 20 minutes from here, so we will return to see her and visit Hui O' Makaha. Mahalo, Allen & Carol - Panama City, Florida

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Guest: Dorothy, Pete, Kate & Josh
Date of Stay: 01/05/10 Review Submitted: 06/15/10

Taken from our in-house guest book: What a way to kick off 2010! Our time flew by but what an amazing time it was! We loved listening to the waves smashing on the shore and having such a warm, welcoming & safe place to return to each day. Herman & Julie were wonderful - telling us about the local fish, sharing turkey soup - helping us BBQ!...... Thank you so much! Dorothy, Pete, Kate & Josh -Saskatchewen, Canada

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Guest: Robert & Hillary
Date of Stay: 12/26/09 Review Submitted: 06/15/10

Taken from our in-house guest book: Love the house and the beach! We had an amazing vacation, and will miss the sound of the ocean while falling asleep. A big thank you to Jule and Herman, who are so sweet and helpful. Thank you! Thank you! All the best, Robert and Hillary, Orlando, Florida PS We left business Cards for Vicki, a massage therapist in the area who is very talented and a joy to meet! We hope you add her to the book of things to do.

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Guest: Myra
Date of Stay: 12/12/09 Review Submitted: 12/11/09

Taken from our in house guestbook: What a spectacular setting! I loved listening to the waves roll on and climbing on the rocks. Everyone is so nice here - a change from NYC. Thanks so much! Myra - New York, NY

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great place

Guest: Axel F (Munich, Germany)
Date of Stay: 11/24/09 Review Submitted: 12/09/09

a great place to stay, not very central but very close to the beach. Complete contents and furniture

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Guest: Grace
Date of Stay: 11/07/09 Review Submitted: 11/06/09

Taken from our in house guestbook. The house had beautiful views of the ocean from every room. We watched turtles playing in the waves almost everyday. Julie and Herman were very friendly and helpful. They keep the property in excellent condition. We hope to be able to come again soon. Grace, California

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The perfect vacation house on the beach.

Guest: eus (667 Leafhaven Ln. Windsor, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/19/09 Review Submitted: 10/30/09

Our stay at HUI O' MAKAHA was wonderful. The house is literally a stones throw to the ocean. It's located on a cove complete with turtles. The house was comfortable and spotless. There are 4 homes facing the ocean only ours and one other were occupied at the time. When we drove in the driveway we didn't know what to expect but the proximity of the house to the beach was stunning. It was private and we felt like it was our special place for a week. Also available at the house, surfboards and a kayak. I would without hesitation recommend this listing. If you want to be on the beach, this is the place for you. The owner of the property provided information on places to go and things to do and was very helpful. The property is in Waianae so it's a drive to get there. It probably seemed long as road construction is on going. If you like to dine out you won't find anything in town other than fast food. Makaha Golf Resort and Makaha Valley Country Club have restaurants they are about 5 minutes away other than that you will have to drive at least 20 minutes to Ko Olina, big resort area. Honolulu is about an hour away and you definitely have to watch commute times. A large grocery store and Long's Drugs are available in town. Another plus for this house is Herman and Julie who live on the property. They are wonderful and very helpful. Herman is the guy who can fill you in on anything you want to know. He will get you set up to surf, kayak or even fish in the cove. We enjoyed them so much. Our experience at HUI O' MAKAHA was wonderful and I would recommend it highly. Mahalo.

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

Guest: Sue
Date of Stay: 10/11/09 Review Submitted: 10/10/09

Taken from our in house guestbook: This House is the best!! What a setting to be in - I'm still in awe! We are leaving this morning after spending a week here. The ocean is calm and we desperately want to snorkel but it will have to wait until another time. The turtles are here everyday and are a joy to watch. Herman and Julie are great. We learned a lot about the ocean from Herman and found out what a great fisherman he is. We had a very special dinner with them last night, one I'll always remember. Enjoyed the house and beach - it's awesome. Sue - Calif

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Guest: Kathleen
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 10/08/09

Taken from our in house guestbook: What a spectacular setting! We enjoyed our stay at Hui O' Makaha very much. We played lots of golf, poked around, went to the spa at the Marriott in Ko O Olina and just enjoyed being on vacation. The house was great to come home to! We loved watching the turtles in our backyard and being surrounded by the sound of crashing waves. How Sweet! Julie and Herman are wonderful, sweet and warm. Kathleen, California

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Nice days at the beach house

Guest: ernibas (Dortmund, Germany)
Date of Stay: 10/01/09 Review Submitted: 11/03/09

We had four wonderful days in the beach house. It was our start of vacation in Hawaii and afer a journey of 34 hours from Germany it was the perfect place for arriving. We really enjoyed sitting in the garden at the beach and looking at the ocean. It is an quiet area with not so many tourist what is good for relaxing and still close enough to go by car to other interesting points. So thanks again for the nice time Claudia and friends from Germany

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Vacation Home!

Guest: Mariko (Brisbane, Australia)
Date of Stay: 09/18/09 Review Submitted: 12/17/09

I loved this house! It was really well maintained and clean yet comfortable. It's close enough to town yet far enough away to get a feel of the real Hawaii. You can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax in private home with your family or friends. I really enjoyed this house and hope that we can come again. The memories that we experienced here will never be forgotten. Thank you so much to Herman and Julie who were so welcoming and friendly.

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

Guest: Robert and Family
Date of Stay: 09/09/09 Review Submitted: 09/08/09

Emailed to Owner: Sending you greetings from Czech Republic. WE INDEED ENJOYED OUR STAY AT YOUR PLACE. We searched nice but restful place for five weeks of active holiday. We had second option where to spend our holiday. It was in a beach house at Kailua Beach. After visiting this place, I had to say that our decision for HUI O' MAKAHA was very happy. During our stay we drove around the island several times and visited all beaches most them them several times. But HUI O' MAKAHA surely was the best place we could wish for. Nice house, nice beaches and nice people living around. Above all what I most appreciate is a presence of Julie and Herman. I do not know a lot so nice people like them. We spent a lot of time in conversation, they helped us anytime we needed help, they shared meals with us, they organized fun for us. We cannot express how much we are grateful to them. Once again Mahalo. Robert and Family - Czech Republic P.S. If we come back to Oahu (and we will come back) we certainly will choose HUI O' MAKAHA

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Guest: Jaime & Mia
Date of Stay: 06/29/09 Review Submitted: 06/28/09

Taken from our in house guestbook: Mahalo! My family and I have enjoyed staying at the Hui O' Makaha! We loved being outside of the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. It was heaven to go to sleep and wake up to the sound of the ocean right outside of our window. We enjoyed spending time with Julie & Herman. They were so generous, sharing meals and great stories with us. Thanks for the wonderful memories! Jaime & Mia - Woodland, Calif.

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Guest: Silvia
Date of Stay: 06/14/09 Review Submitted: 06/13/09

Taken from our in house guestbook: Thank you so much for an absolutely amazing time!! The house, the beach and the sound of soft guitars and waves were perfect! Julie and Herman gave us the warmest welcome and we appreciated everything they've done for us. This place is a piece of heaven! Mahalo. The Roell Family - Germany

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Guest: Danielle and Adam
Date of Stay: 06/06/09 Review Submitted: 06/05/09

Taken from our in house guestbook: Mahalo for the Makaha experience! We found this piece of paradise a soothing experience - the cooling sea breeze, the palm trees, the sand and the horizon were the perfect backdrop to a sound track of rolling, crashing waves. Sincere thanks to Julie & Herman - the salt water people - for their welcoming smiles and sincere attentiveness and to Frankie for the smooth and soulful tunes. They will live on in our memories. We hope to see you again. Mahalo. Danielle - Los Angeles, California and Adam - Australia

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Guest: Hollis & Shirley
Date of Stay: 05/29/09 Review Submitted: 05/28/09

Taken from our in house guestbook: The house is lovely and the marine life out the back door was wonderful. One afternoon a seal decided to take its' afternoon nap here. We were able to get some incredible pictures. We also were able to go to the USS Arizona on Memorial Day. I'm sure any day there is moving however, on this day there were five WWII survivors also. They each spoke a little about that day and their lives since. We are so glad to have been there. Everyone should go.... and it's free! Thank you to Herman & Julie. We weren't here a lot but when we were you were always friendly and cheerful The house is one of the cleanest we've stayed at. I usually feel a need to clean before getting on with my vacation. I honestly felt comfortable in not doing that here. Thanks again for the memories. Aloha, Hollis & Shirley - Illinois

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Guest: Cindy
Date of Stay: 04/18/09 Review Submitted: 04/17/09

Taken from our in house guestbook: I would like to thank Julie and Herman from the bottom of my Heart. They have showed us a great time. Although we have only been here 11 days, it seems like a lifetime of knowing them. We enjoyed the house but the company was great. We will never forget this trip. There will be many more. A special Thanks to Joe for playing his hawaiian songs. They were wonderful. Thanks Again. Love, Cindy - Alberta, Canada...................................................................................... Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality and generosity. We did more in 10 days than most people would have done in a month. Thanks to you we now have a little bit of Hawaii in all of us and can never thank you enough! I hope to one day bring a family of my own back here to share with them the very same experience I had! Mahalo and Aloha. Lacee - Age 20 .................................................................... Thank you so much Herman and Julie. You made our trip amazing. We really enjoyed the view and your company. Elisha - Age 12

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Guest: faye4 (honolulu, hi)
Date of Stay: 04/13/09 Review Submitted: 04/13/09

My family absolutely LOVED staying at this vacation rental and wanted to get the word out to recommend it to anyone who wants a FUN, RELAXING and BEAUTIFUL place to stay! We went fishing, enjoyed the AWESOME sunset and beach right out the back door. The house itself is also very clean, comfortable, and tastefully decorated in a Hawaiian motif. I highly recommend this home. Faye

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/05/09 Review Submitted: 04/05/09

If you love instant beach access and falling asleep to sounds of the surf, this clean and beautifully renovated home is for you! It really DOES have great ocean views from every room! Exceptional hosts, Herman and Julie, are generous in providing not only ready to go keawe BBQs, but also delectable island sauces and BBQ tools as well as the pan I needed to make brownies. I think they can answer any question you may have! We particularly enjoyed snorkeling at neighboring Papaoneone Beach where we even encountered a sea turtle. Thanks for a great visit, Jane and Bob (California)

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Guest: Karen and Renee
Date of Stay: 03/11/09 Review Submitted: 03/10/09

Taken from our in house guestbook: Your beach house was FABULOUS... exactly as envisioned. Julie and Herman excellent hosts. Food, music, native wildlife from the sea. Hope to stay here again. Renee - Chatham, New York................................... OMG... What to say about our stay at this Beautiful beachfront house..... We will be back. The place was spacious, clean, the pictures do not do it justice. The caretakers were the perfect hosts to what was a dream vacation for my sister and me. Thank you. Karen - Santa Fe, Texas

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Guest: Ken and Becca
Date of Stay: 02/28/09 Review Submitted: 02/27/09

Taken from our in house guestbook: WOW!! We arrived 2/18/09. What a fantastic time! The week went incredibly fast. We have already decided 2 weeks next year. Ken got to join in on an evening jam session with Herman, Joe, Frank and Julie. What fun! So much musical talent and the fishing. A nice swim in the ocean, catch dinner, relax. Fabulous. Thanks again. Ken and Becca - Molalla, Oregon

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/19/09 Review Submitted: 02/19/09

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We loved the marine life, beaches, weather, house, and the people. The house was beautifully renovated and very clean. Special thanks to Herman & Julie for making us feel at home. Merl, Debbie, Danielle and Brianna

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Guest: Scott, Lianne, Brent, & Markette
Date of Stay: 01/31/09 Review Submitted: 01/30/09

Taken from our in house guestbook: Thank you for a wonderful week! We enjoyed every minute of it. The house and the beach are exactly what we were looking for and Julie and Herman were wonderful in every way. We can't wait to come back again and again. Scott, Lianne, Brent and Markette - Utah

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