Wainiha
House, 1 Bedroom + Loft, 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-4)
$185/nt
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Guest: Julie
(Eugene, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 02/22/12
Review Submitted: 03/17/12
This was a return trip to Kauai for my boyfriend and I so we knew this was the part of the island we wanted to stay. All of our favorite beaches were here and we wanted to hike the Napali trail. We found the perfect spot here in Wainiha. The house is just charming, it’s very quiet and private (we did a condo in Princeville last time, what a mistake). The house is perched on a hill on the beautiful property with the most amazing view of the incredibly green valley, lush with palm trees and tropical flowers and big mountains in the distance, covered with waterfalls, it really is stunning. And the proximity to so many great beaches cannot be beat. It was so great coming home and taking a dip in the pool. (I guess it’s new, we were not expecting it when we rented. What a treat!). Also the hot tub, especially great at night, looking at the stars. It is a very romantic spot. The house, though small, was really comfortable with a modern kitchen and all the creature comforts we love. And it was especially cozy on those rainy nights, and there were a few of them. We never did hike the Napali this trip, it was too wet, so we’ll have to come back next year. What a shameJ Julie Cooper, Eugene, Oregon
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Judy N.
(BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/05/12
Review Submitted: 03/10/12
Staying at Hale Wainiha was a little like staying at a friend's cottage with a lot of "terrifics" and some not so.... Let's start with all the good news--and there's a lot of it. Jeffrey, the owner, is an excellent communicator, who responded quickly to emails and provided a lot of valuable information about the area. Altho' we never met him, he sounds like a really nice guy. The cottage has excellent equipment from top-notch appliances to kitchenware to electronic equipment to snorkelling equipment to "beach stuff." It is also very comfortable. Our not-so-terrifics come in part from having weather that was coolish and greyish, and sometimes very wet, meaning that we could almost never use the lanai or dipping pool and enjoy the beautiful outdoor environment. The other not-so-terrifics came from expectations and comparisons with the other four vacation rentals we stayed in on Kauai. One of our expecations had to do with the fact the owner was an architect. We had assumed that architect owner=good design. There is almost nothing in the cottage that would suggest that the owner was an architect. No care has been take to make sure that colors are harmonious, that counters work well with the flooring, etc. I fully realize that this won't make a bit of difference to most people, but it did to us. It also felt a bit messy, due partly to the space restrictions. For example, the outdoor shower shares space with coolers and snorkelling equipment; extra linens are shoved into a cupboard without being folded properly; windows aren't really clean, and the screens in the bathroom are clogged. Again, some people wouldn't care about this, but the standards were definitely below those of other vacation rentals we stayed in. Quite possibly the owner just hasn't got around to making interior and maintenance improvements, but they are next on his To Do list. Looking at the photo, know that the cottage isn't as private as it appears to be. The photo is taken from a place you really don't have access to as it's on a neighboring property. The palm tree in the foreground cleverly conceals the view of a neighbor's house, which is completely visible from the cotage's lanai and pool. There is another house to the other side, but it is set behind the cottage so is really of no concern. The main road is actually behind the cottage. Altho' the cottage is quite private, it isn't quite as away-from-it-all as we had expected.
Owner response:Hi Judy, I'm sorry the place didn't live up to your expectations. I'm sure your week of rain put a damper on your visit. It's been an unusually stormy winter, one storm after another. The big one dropped 36 inches of rain in 3 days which caused massive flooding and landslides and road closures, so admittedly there were issues that needed to be dealt with on the property. I've been doing what I can between rentals. Spring cleaning has come early and the annual power washing of the house has been done, the storm cleanup is nearly complete and Kauai seems to finally be drying out a bit. Several large mango limbs fell in one of the early storms before your visit and I was forced to do a dramatic trimming of some of these giant trees for safety reasons. This has created some temporary holes in the privacy landscaping along the property line with my neighbor(250'away, a quiet couple, hardly home, kids away at college). Nature does her work quickly in the jungle and I'm sure the layered landscaping will fill in within a couple of months and my neighbors will be as invisible as they have been always been. There was no attempt at deception in my photos, the neighbor's house has always been totally obscured by the jungle landscaping and will be again soon. Regarding my house's design, I didn't design the house, just bought it. It's probably not the way I would have approached it if I had designed it, I'm more of a modernist. But I think its Hawaiian Plantation style is quite charming and romantic and island appropriate and I've grown to love it. I'm sorry if it clashed with your more sophisticated sensibilities. I'm fully aware of how important a week in Hawaii is to my guests. Many are honeymooners or celebrating a special occasion, and I always try to do everything in my power to create and maintain the appropriate private and romantic setting for a memorable trip. Usually the island make's this easy, her natural beauty is astounding and the beaches are unparalleled. But occasionally the winter storms come and force a different perhaps more introverted experience. But that is a little out of my control. Most don't let it damper their trip, without the rain there would be no rainbows. However, I understand it may have bummed you out a bit and forced you to obsess over improperly folded sheets in the cupboard. I would recommend coming again in the summer or fall for a greater likelihood of good weather and an overall sunnier experience. Mahalo.
Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Peter O.
Date of Stay: 08/29/11
Review Submitted: 12/13/11
amazing house, beautiful view, tucked away at a great location on Kauai. the location is just perfect, we were close to the best beaches of the island, near Hanalei Town. the appliances (especially the dryer, which ripped holes in our clothes) could be updated, but even despite this small issue, i would go back to this house any time.
Owner response:I did buy a new washer and dryer in September, shortly after your visit. Front loaders, water efficient, so quiet you barely know they're on, they're great!! The old w/d was only 7 years, but the jungle climate and frequent power surges do a number on appliances. I just had to replace the 3 year old dishwasher in November. I try to keep on top of things in order to offer a great experience for my guests. BTW, the new dipping pool and hot tub will be installed and fully operational by February 2012!! I cant wait.
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Guest: nanster
(Maine)
Date of Stay: 07/17/11
Review Submitted: 12/24/11
Fantastic Vacation! This property was amazing; so much better than staying in a condo or a hotel. The view were unbelievable, so much green everywhere, full of tropical flowers, bananas, papayas, mountains, even waterfalls in the distance. So much to explore on the property alone. We saw a rainbow one evening from the back porch. It really is paradise. You feel really far away, like you’re in the middle of some magical jungle, but you’re only minutes from the most incredible beaches and the Napali trail, which is a must do!! And the house had everything we needed. Great kitchen and loved having a washer dryer right there. The owner had great recommendations. We did a different beach every day and we loved all his restaurant choices in Hanalei. We can’t wait to plan another visit.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Eve F.
Date of Stay: 07/08/11
Review Submitted: 07/20/11
Nestled in a majestic valley and close to the foothills of the Na Pali Coast this is the ideal cozy bungalow for a couple or small family wishing to explore Kauai and its natural beauty. My husband and I and our two children (ages 6 and 9--wouldn't work as well for folks with babies or toddlers) couldn't have been happier in this location in close proximity to the town Hanalei (our favorite community in Kauai) and close to some of its most revered beaches: Ke'e and Tunnels Beaches. This bungalow offers a small and intimate space to relax after you daily adventures and look out on panoramic views. The homeowner couldn't be more helpful and accommodating--a great deal!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: itzmelo
(Utah, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/23/11
Review Submitted: 05/11/11
My time here in your cottage is at an end, and it has been all too short. I came here for a quick tour of Kauai before a wedding I am attending on Oahu next week. Well, the island tour never happened, because I never left Hanalei. What I found here was so peaceful and soothing to the soul that I found myself doing things I normally never take time to do: observe nature, and rest. I practiced yoga every day, meditated at least twice a day, and read a couple of great books. I was able to completely decompress, had no schedule or even sense of time, and felt so comfortable and safe in the little cottage that I am having a bit of separation anxiety at the thought of leaving this morning! Thank you so much for allowing me to stay here. I most certainly will return, hopefully next time for several weeks instead of a measly couple of days. Mahalo!!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Goldsparkles
(New York, New York)
Date of Stay: 01/08/11
Review Submitted: 01/18/11
We're New Yorkers who went into planning our Hawaii trip kind of blind—down to, Hmm, which island?—and we couldn't be happier with how it all turned out, Kauai to Kauai's North Shore to Kauai's North Shore in the Wainiha Valley to Kauai's North Shore in the Wainiha Valley IN THIS HOUSE. All the descriptions were true (romantic, private, spectacular views) and then some. Our favorite outdoor shower yet, looking right out on an acre of lush green and your own stretch of the river, a well equipped kitchen so you can pick up the freshest fish at the Dolphin Fish Market and eat dinners at home, cute gekkos, ideal location near both town and excellent beaches (especially Tunnels and Ke'e). We were there in January, so a lot of rain, so we extra appreciated having such a lovely indoor-outdoor home base. Oh, and the owner was incredibly helpful, resourceful, etc. Small, but that makes it sweet and cozy and if you're single or a couple, a great value for the $$ too. Stay here--we're hoping we get to again.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.
Guest: Charlie & Jamie
(Texas)
Date of Stay: 10/26/10
Review Submitted: 11/01/10
We can't say enough about the lovely setting of this spacious, comfortable cottage in the middle of the Wainiha valley. Gorgeous views of the vegetation and surrounding mountains. The cottage has all you need to get lost for as long as you want. We will definitely keep this place on the top of our list next time we come to Kauai. We didn't notice until the day before we leave that all the watercolor paintings were done by the owner, Jeffrey. Thanks Jeffrey for the wonderful place to stay. We whole-heartedly endorse it, as it earned our 5 star rating.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Holly
(Concord, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/16/10
Review Submitted: 09/02/11
It's been almost a year since we honeymoooned at Hale Wainiha and I've been discussing a return trip. My husband and I honeymooned here and found it to be a wonderful secluded getaway. Although the square footage may be small, we never felt cramped. The cottage is light and airy, clean, well equipped, and the view is spectacular. We would certainly return.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.
Guest: jay
(Santa Fe , New Mexico)
Date of Stay: 09/08/10
Review Submitted: 12/20/11
My wife and I celebrated our honeymoon at the Halewainiha. It couldn't have been more perfect. The veiw was just so beautiful. The setting so romantic. The property really exceeded our expectations. While we did spend alot of time at the house, it was great that the best beaches were all so close. The town of Hanalei was cute and fun. All of Jeffrey's recommendations were really useful. Thanks for the memorable time. We will definately be back.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Tricia
(California)
Date of Stay: 07/08/10
Review Submitted: 07/15/10
We really loved this little cottage, it was perfect for the two of us. It is clean and modern and feels very private with such a lovely view of the mountains from the patio. We enjoyed going down by the stream and looking at all of the vegetation as well. The location is great, easy to get an early start to the crowded North Shore parking lots! Communication with Jeffery was prompt and informative as well. We would definitely stay here again, thanks for sharing your place with us.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Eric and Marilyn
Date of Stay: 06/08/10
Review Submitted: 06/09/10
So relaxing....jungle birds at dawn, the beach just down the street... a perfect vacation! BarAcuda is worth the cost and Tahiti Nui is great for Mai Tais and Pizza. Java Kai is also perfect for breakfast. And after trying every beach on the North Shore, Lumahai is far and above the best. We also recommend the helicopter ride around the island for an unbeleivable perspective and hiking as much of the Napali Coast as possible. Thak you again jeffrey for the use of your lovely home on our honeymoon. Eric and Marilyn PS. We also love Lacy the jungle cat! And love your watercolors.
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Guest: Lucy
(California)
Date of Stay: 05/25/10
Review Submitted: 07/06/10
My husband and I took a belated honeymoon/ 30th birthday trip to Kauai for the first time ever and stayed at this amazing property. We purposely picked the North Shore because we love to hike and found that most of the island's best beaches are in this area. Staying at this cottage really made this a memorable vacation as it was beautiful inside and outside. The house is modern, clean, and had all the amenities we needed (coffee maker, washer/ dryer, wifi, etc) so that we felt more at home and cooked more often. However, the best part was waking up to the amazing mountain view and not having to see any neighbors. The owner is also incredibly helpful and responds to email quickly. I would definitely stay here again on my next trip!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Alexis and Mark
Date of Stay: 05/15/10
Review Submitted: 06/09/10
What a fantastic vacation! Hanalei was definitely our favorite town. You must have dinner at Postcards, amazing seafood. And who knew we would become such boogie boarding enthusiasts. Hanalei bay was a great place to learn. Looking forward to coming back here again. Mahalo and Aloha, Alexis and Mark
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Guest: Tom and Susan Weimar, TX
Date of Stay: 05/14/10
Review Submitted: 06/09/10
Aloha, Regrettably we are packing for our journey home. Jeffrey, your home is wonderful, the yard is gorgeous! We will miss having our morning coffee on the lanai, visiting with the cat and hearing the birds. It's so peaceful here, perfect for a second honeymoon. You are a gracious host with the home having everything we could possibly need. Tunnels is a must for snorkeling, if you are adventurous the HoloHolo cruise to Ni'ihau is good. The friendliness of the Hawaiaan people is great, makes us not want to go home. Try a Bali Hai sunset, shave ice in Hanalei, surfer town. We will be back as often as we can. Thanks you for sharing you piece of paradise with us. Much Mahalo! Tom and Susan PS. Love your paintings
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Guest: Susan & Tom
(Texas)
Date of Stay: 05/07/10
Review Submitted: 04/04/11
I am a bit late in writing this, but this beautiful cottage is still so fresh in mind that I cannot wait to return. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2010. My husband and I had booked this cottage for our second honeymoon in January 2010 for early May 2010. This cottage is not only perfect, but was EXACTLY what we needed before the long months ahead of chemo, surgery, and radiation. There wasnt a bad view anywhere, the stream was so refreshing, papaya trees with fruit, walking up Powerhouse Rd, snorkeling at Tunnels...I can go on and on, but if you want a special place at the most beautiful place in the world, then you cannot go wrong here!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Gill and Melanie Durant
Date of Stay: 05/03/10
Review Submitted: 06/09/10
Dear Jeffrey, We love it here! Thanks for letting us stay in your beautiful cottage. We really got to enjoy it on our last day when it rained all day. Lucky for us only one day of rain our entire trip! We will be back and we are sending friends. Gill did a great job finding you. The location is so perfect. We loved Tunnels and & Cannons & especially Hideaways. Your paintings are awesome. I love the bright colors. I'll try not to take them all home. Thanks for the decline in the rooster population back here. We needed a break. Your house is amazing and I thank you again. I hope you'll take us back. Mahalo! Gill and Melanie
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Guest: Dave and Val, Napa , CA
Date of Stay: 04/11/10
Review Submitted: 06/09/10
The late season rains didn't dampen our week in this corner of paradise. We loved the solitude, the walks on this road and evenings enjoying the quiet together with drinks in hand and quiet conversation. It's been a fantastic week with my very best friend and sweetheart. I pray we can find another location quite as special as this. (try a dip in the river). Mahalo, Dave and Val
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Guest: Jeff and Cathy Brown, Vancouver, Canada
Date of Stay: 03/16/10
Review Submitted: 06/11/10
Dear Jeffrey, It was a nice surprise to be greeted by you when we got here!Thank you for your warm hospitality and taking care of things for us. This is a surprise trip for me from my husband for our 25th anniversary. reading through this book many people have celebrated special occasions here. We love the cottage, wonderful designs and comforts here. Love you art work, catches glimpses of Kauai. Also love the jungle here. saw our first wild pigs coming home today. met lacy the jungle cat. It has been a bit of a damp holiday. We're used to that back home. Still enjoyed plenty, kayaking, hiking, biking, hitting many of the restaurants, seeing views, helicopter ride. today we hike the Napali Coast past the beach and up to the beautiful Falls. left at 9:15, got back at 4:30. Got lots of pictures. The trail got a bit tricky going or mostly coming back from the falls. got off the trail. met others who gott lost for quite awhile. Celebrated the hike with a hot shower ad dinner at tropical tacos. yesterday we went and checked out your backyard studio island, and the river. It's great land here. Again we really enjoyed the place, your artwork reall catches kauai, the dolphin statues, spiral staircase, lost, the kitchen, the views.... Wish you continued success with everything!We hope it works out to come back for another visit to explore Kauai again. Mahalo. Jeff and Cathy brown
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Guest: Jeff and Cathy Brown, Vancouver, Canada
Date of Stay: 03/16/10
Review Submitted: 06/11/10
Dear Jeffrey, It was a nice surprise to be greeted by you when we got here!Thank you for your warm hospitality and taking care of things for us. This is a surprise trip for me from my husband for our 25th anniversary. reading through this book many people have celebrated special occasions here. We love the cottage, wonderful designs and comforts here. Love you art work, catches glimpses of Kauai. Also love the jungle here. saw our first wild pigs coming home today. met lacy the jungle cat. It has been a bit of a damp holiday. We're used to that back home. Still enjoyed plenty, kayaking, hiking, biking, hitting many of the restaurants, seeing views, helicopter ride. today we hike the Napali Coast past the beach and up to the beautiful Falls. left at 9:15, got back at 4:30. Got lots of pictures. The trail got a bit tricky going or mostly coming back from the falls. got off the trail. met others who gott lost for quite awhile. Celebrated the hike with a hot shower ad dinner at tropical tacos. yesterday we went and checked out your backyard studio island, and the river. It's great land here. Again we really enjoyed the place, your artwork reall catches kauai, the dolphin statues, spiral staircase, lost, the kitchen, the views.... Wish you continued success with everything!We hope it works out to come back for another visit to explore Kauai again. Mahalo. Jeff and Cathy brown
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Guest: Eric john Eigner, NYC
Date of Stay: 03/13/10
Review Submitted: 06/11/10
Dear Jeffrey, Your place has been really fantastic for us. centered in such lush beauty.... feels pre-historic. we have had such a wonderful time on this magical island. From Waimea to Napali, Polihale to Hanalei Bay. I aspire one day to own a place such as this where I can spend half my time. It was really special for me to cruise around this island with my mother. A trip we first idealized a decade ago. Pretty dope. You seem to be a very kind person, extremely sweet. thank you for helping to make our experience fantastic!! Eric John Eigner, NYC
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Guest: Rozanne, Forest Lakes, MN
Date of Stay: 03/13/10
Review Submitted: 06/09/10
Hey Jeffrey, What a fantastic experience we've shared in you beautiful Hawaiian haven. Thanks you for giving us the "Grand tour" and letting us into your own private paradise. I hope you decide to share your watercolors with the world. you are very talented. Mahalo, Rozanne
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Guest: Paul and eredith terranovam Austin TX
Date of Stay: 10/06/09
Review Submitted: 06/11/10
Aloha Hale Wainiha guests, what a wonderful visit we had here in Kauai before we head off to the Big Island for the Ironman World Championship today. Perfect place to relax and explore. Got to share a 20 minute swim lesson with a good sized sea turtle at Anini beach 2 days ago. what a gift! Breakfast at the Polynesian Cafe and of course Kauai coffee and mauai brewing company. many many Mahalos!!!
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Guest: Melissa and Brit from Houston
Date of Stay: 09/22/09
Review Submitted: 06/09/10
We feel like we had a magical secret jungle home to retreat to all 10 days we've been here. The quietness, peaceful mornings, evening rains, chirping birds and sweet kitten have lured us in and now we don't want to leave. this as been the perfect place to spend our second anniversary and Brits 40th birthday. Kauai is a special place for him and now for us both and this cottage has a special place now for itself in our memories. Don't miss hiking down to the river in our own backyard, through the taro fields and past the rotted bridge where a huge slow toad lives. A day hike to Hanakapia Falls is so worth it- swim in the falls, be brave. The teryaki Ahi at the Blue Dolphin is amazing. Explore, explore, there is so much beaty here, its your for the sharing.
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Guest: Paul adn Terri, Houston, TX
Date of Stay: 09/12/09
Review Submitted: 06/11/10
Dear Jeffrey, We had an incredible vacation!! The house is located right near all the places that we love, Ke'e, Tunnels, Bali Hai. lacy the beautiful kitty is so sweet...we will miss her. Sadly we are off to the airport but we will be back soon. Paul and Terri
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Guest: Sara and Ski, Huntsville, AL
Date of Stay: 08/13/09
Review Submitted: 06/11/10
We really enjoyed our honeymoon here. The house is really great. We took the trek down to the river, the views are gorgeous from down there! We also really enjoyed the Kalalau trail. Overall, everything was perfect! Sara and Ski
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Guest: Nancy and Phillippe (Montreal)
Date of Stay: 07/17/09
Review Submitted: 06/11/10
Hi Jeffrey and future guests, We enjoyed a wonderful stay from June 28 until today.... what a beautiful paradise for our honeymoon. we were hoping to explore the entire island but Jeffrey was right. The best part of the island is right here on the north shore. Our favorite beach was Hanalei Bay. Ke'e and Tunnels sre beautiful for sunsets. We recommend reading the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook but don't waste your time past Kapaa. Also don't miss a dinner out at the Dolphin, ask for the Sushi lounge, its worth the culinary experience. We are sadly packing up on our way back to Montreal. I'm sure you will enjoy your trip here as much as we did! Aloha! Nancy and Phillippe
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Guest: Kathryn Sven and john Kummer
Date of Stay: 03/01/09
Review Submitted: 06/11/10
Thank you so much for allowing us to enjoy this wonderful space. We enjoyed the quiet seclusion of the house and the yard, a great getaway from our city life. We had incredible experiences horseback riding and ziplining at the Princeville ranch, as well as hiking along the Napali Coast.(good hiking shoes are a must). We snorkeled for the first time. Wow! We went to see the "Grand Canyon" of Kauai, what beauty! Most importantly Ke'e beach, where John hid a diamond ring in a shell and proposed to me! What great memories. We also ut the kitchen to good use in cooking most of our meals. And yes we spoiled lacy the cat with our leftovers. The roosters crowing also added a nice touch. We had an amazing vacation here! Mahalo, Kathryn and John
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Guest: Staci and Richard Feger (Anchorage AK)
Date of Stay: 02/02/09
Review Submitted: 06/11/10
Jeffrey, What an amazing time. Our hide-away in the jungle was absolute heaven! Postcards, the Mediterranean Cafe and Dolphin were wonderful eateries. You can''t go wrong with any beach, although we really enjoyed trunnels. After a full day of sun and exploring and a wonderful dinner we'd come home and watch our favorite show LOST, thanks to your complete DVD set. It was an absolutely perfect vacation. Staci and Richard
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Guest: Donald and Lisa Argell (Texas)
Date of Stay: 06/06/06
Review Submitted: 06/11/10
Mahalo to the caretaker of the beautiful Halewainiha. This is a well needed retreat from the world. I will miss the beautiful land, the birds waking us up every morning, and the sunsets at Ke'e beach. This is truly a place touched by God. Aloha, Donald and Lisa Argell
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Guest: Heather and Kevin Tomlinson
Date of Stay: 05/07/06
Review Submitted: 06/11/10
Dear Caretaker of the Hale Wainiha, What a beautiful, lovely hideaway. We could not have dreamed of a more perfect place for our honeymoon. The mountains, the rain, the birds....utterly relaxing and romantic. Thank you and wishing all who enter every blessing. Aloha, Heather and Kevin
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