Vacation Rentals by Owner

Houses of Many Smiles

Guest: Michelle G.
Date of Stay: 05/14/12 Review Submitted: 05/25/12

Aloha, This house was everything the listing said it would be and more. You do not need to bring anything except yourself, a bathing suit, and enough food for the fridge for your stay. Huge beach towels were provided, all cookware for meals(rice cooker too), and snorkel gear. The location was perfect. You literally walk out the door and a few steps away you are snorkeling(many sea turtles). The sun practically comes up right there in the front yard and you go to sleep listening to the surf pounding on the reef. It is a quiet and peaceful neighborhood to walk around and the stars are so bright and awesome viewed from the porch. The house and grounds were exceptionally clean and welcoming especially for the kids. They enjoyed watching the creatures in tide pool in the front yard and chasing the many geckos around the house. We loved the volcanic baths in the area and the colorful characters that frequented them. Everyone in the surrounding neighborhoods were so nice and friendly. We loved the local farmer/craft markets too and stocked up on fruits and veggies plus gifts for friends and family. My family and I can't wait to get back to this house again some day. Maholo

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PERFECT place to stay!!

Guest: Nancy G.
Date of Stay: 05/12/12 Review Submitted: 05/16/12

Staying at this lovely, comfortable home could not have been any better. It was welcoming the moment we walked in the door. Everything we could possibly need was thoughtfully provided, the beds were very comfortable, the shower outside was just great for when you get back from the ocean and the way the home was decorated was both beautiful and designed for comfort. We woke the first morning to a beautiful sunrise and walked out to the tide pools and had a perfect morning of exploration. Location, location, location......the red road drive was so beautiful. We are now here in beautiful Kauai (at a condo that is a designer dream) and we all are wishing that we could have brought the blue house with us here. We will never forget our wonderful vacation on The Big Island and that very special blue and yellow cottage by the sea!

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Hale O Nui Kea Kala

Guest: jeff 7 (San Antonio, TX)
Date of Stay: 04/21/12 Review Submitted: 04/30/12

House is well maintained and in good shape. Well stocked kitchen and other supplies. Love the outside shower, proximety to the tide poools and the peace and quiet. Our third stay here.

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

Mahalo!

Guest: Sarah, Brian, Erin, Greg & Zoey
Date of Stay: 03/25/12 Review Submitted: 04/20/12

Such a wonderful place for family and friends to meet up and enjoy a paradise vacation. We even went on a snorkeling cruise in Kona and the snorkeling across the street was still better! We feel like this was home, as our smallest member called it, "Hawaii Home", and we couldn't have felt more welcomed! We will recommend not only Kapoho but this house in particular, to friends and family. Thanks again!

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What a wonderful place to rent!

Guest: Barbara
Date of Stay: 03/17/12 Review Submitted: 04/20/12

The best equipped place we have ever stayed with so many extras provided! We were so lucky to have great weather all week and really got to see so many things on the island. Mahalo!

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Boston

Guest: Boston (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 02/25/12 Review Submitted: 03/06/12

My husband and I shared a wonderful week of vacation at Hale O'Nui Kea Kala. We truly felt like we lived in Hawaii when we were there and fell in love with this home and the surrounding community. The view of the tide pools is lovely. We enjoyed the lanai and seemed to spend all of our time while at home out there enjoying the amazing views and the refreshing air. The house is clean and enviting. Lots of extras that you would not get from a resort or hotel stay. It is a great place to stay if you want to explore the volcano and its beautiful surroundings. I would highly recommend staying here if you want to experience true Hawaii.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

kapoho big ocean view on wai'opae tide pools

Guest: julie (belgium)
Date of Stay: 02/13/12 Review Submitted: 04/03/12

The house itself was very cute, especially the wonderful screened in dinning area. The couch was comfortable and the living room was warm and inviting. The owners had a fantastic binder made up with great info about the east side of the island and all its attractions. However, we would not rent this property again. The kitchen was so small that it was near impossible to have two people working in it at the same time. While I was warned about the bugs, I didn't realize the extent of them. We had multiple different bugs in the house constantly dispite following the hints/rules to keep them outside. Gecko's constantly made their way into the house and my daughter was too afraid to sleep (despite them being harmless). The second bathroom was outside in the laundry room and didn't work more than half of our stay. The TV was out of order more than half of our stay. The neighborhood was filled with rentals right on top of each other and felt a little unsafe and was not easy or fun to get to. We spent HOURS SITTING on the only road/highway trying to make our way to Hilo, the volcano national park, and green and black sand beaches. Traffic was awful! If you think you are going to find a easier route back to the house using GPS, think again. We tried it and found ourselves on a single lane poorly maintained dirt road surrounded by scary looking properities with guard dogs. We even left a day early and went back to the Kona side of the island.

Owner response:Hale O’Nui Kea Kala, the house of many sea colors is the perfect location to truly enjoy the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Kapoho is located at the furthest most eastern edge of the Big Island. Most people renting vacation homes in Kapoho come to enjoy the experience of being in a small community that reflects true Old Hawai‘i. People return year after year because of the remote location. The Big Island is just that....BIG so it is a drive to get to places of interest. Fortunately, we are closer to Hawai?i Volcanoes National Park, the Botanical Gardens and so many other attractions that are hours away from the west side of the Big Island. We are located on the ocean, with rains and windy conditions the SAT television can lose it’s signal but it usually only lasts for a few minutes. It is a tropical environment with Coconut Palm Trees, tide pools and a variety of green lush plants. Insects also love this climate and that is why we have monthly pest service to minimize their impact. If you leave lights on and doors open insects will find their way inside. The friendly geckos help with pest control and most guests write how much they enjoy watching them! Our second bathroom located off the carport has been newly remodeled and makes a great location for a shower after swimming in the tidepools. Renters have written in our guest book how they enjoyed the large shower. Our kitchen is small but is open to the main living area with an ocean view over the sink! I have prepared many dinners with two people in the kitchen. Past renters have commented on how everything needed for preparing food is readily available. As the homeowners of Hale O’Nui Kea Kala, we provide a comfortable well maintained vacation rental for vacationers looking for a unique experience that reflects true Old Hawai‘i.

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Recent Stay in Feb '12

Guest: Jack (Cleveland, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 02/03/12 Review Submitted: 02/12/12

We stayed for 3 nights and could not have been happier. The home was spotless and well appointed. Loved the master bedroom looking out onto the tide pools and Pacific. Bathroom was tiled, well lit, plentiful hot water, and updated. WiFi was well appreciated as cell phone service was spotty here. The screened dining and sitting area had such great views-we ate all meals there. We will definitely come back.

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

House of Many Sea Colors in Kapoho

Guest: Patricia F.
Date of Stay: 11/11/11 Review Submitted: 11/21/11

We loved the house and it was very clean. We didn't get to experience all that was nearby since we were only there for 3 nights. We did experience the Volcano National Park, a hike on Kilauea Iki trail, Cafe Pesto in Hilo, Mauna Kea, and snorkeling across the street. Our last night we had a wonderful dinner at Kaleo's in Pahoa. So many other neat places that we will have to do next time.

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Cute, Comfortable, Great Location - Quintessential Hawaii!!

Guest: Cheri (Manitou Springs, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 08/21/11 Review Submitted: 09/21/11

The minute my girls walked in they said they wanted to live in this house forever! It is a beautiful location with the ocean right outside your door. Huge deck, eating area, super comfortable couch, places to read, desk/computer area. We slept to the sound of the waves and looked at the stars every night. No need for air conditioning, even in August. My husband and I were in the master bedroom, parents took the room with two twin beds and my two girls, 7 & 9 were very comfortable in the small room with the partially open ceiling. Everything you need and then some - appreciated the great quality blender for smoothies (bought one just like it for home!). The house is beautifully/quaintly decorated with unique Hawaiian items, tiles, etc. Feels like a home, not a sterile condo. Only wished the microwave was a tad bigger for popcorn. Dish connection is iffy too, but that goes with the area and we did not care, we were not there to watch TV. (Sandra was quick to respond!) We loved the tidepools, had high tide and an amazing number of fish and an eel. Took the easy walk over to the neighborhood next door to see the Champagne Pond since we'd hear so much about it - that was underwhelming and we were glad we did not choose to be close to it instead - not that warm and hardly any fish, no turtles the day we went. We went to Hilo, farmers market there Wednesday and in Keaau on our way out (many of the same Hilo vendors). We did the Volcano, the Lava forest, the Red Road to the new black sand beach, waterfalls, etc. Favorite restaurant is Nings Thai, went once, take out another night. Very quiet neighborhood, tidepools were not too busy either, even on the weekend. Very clean. Our girls also loved the Hot Pond (Ahalanui) and we ended many days there to just relax, quite a few fish but I wouldn't want to swallow that water! (dogs, etc) Lot's of friendly and interesting locals. Market in Pahoa is terribly expensive, we went to Costco before we got there and better to shop in Hilo at the KTA/Walmart, yummy/cheap fruit/food at the farmers market plus fun stuff - we stocked up there. Condo had plenty of TP/Paper Towels, we did not need what we bought at Costco- save yourself the trouble. Spent the next week in Kohala - completely different feel but you need to go to the gorgeous sandy beaches too! We loved the comfort and feel of this "home" best. We all commented that it looks exactly like the youtube video but better! LOVELY!!! Hope to return!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

The House of Many Sea Colors

Guest: Gina (Madison, WI)
Date of Stay: 05/17/11 Review Submitted: 06/01/11

We loved the house! We were 6 adults and one baby. The biggest bedroom accommodated the crib; the 3rd room was small but our 6th adult slept very comfortably in the living room, preferring to hear the waves to lull her to sleep. Thanks for placing many little extras that made our stay so much more comfortable. The reef shoes and the well-placed towels, wash soap, internet access, the way the sofa was arranged to encourage talking, the chairs just right for reading with interesting books on the shelves, and the well-appointed kitchen. With the ocean so close, we loved the soft rhythm of ocean. And don't forget to let people know that the farmers market in Hilo (Wed & Sat) was one of our biggest finds--full of fresh fruit and veggies with a better selection from the supermarkets. A friend from Toronto saw the photos and has asked for more information.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Another Fantastic Visit!

Guest: Sue (Chandler, AZ)
Date of Stay: 01/10/11 Review Submitted: 04/15/11

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Kapoho and this home. It was spotless, well funrinshed, and the owners were very cooperative and informative. The kitchen is well stocked, and the rooms are lovely. Since we were returning guests, we really appreciated the discount for repeat renters that is offered. Not only have we stayed here twice, but my sister and family has enjoyed this property as well as my son and his family. The ocean views from the spacious deck are breathtaking. My husband set up his "office away from home" on the screened lanai. The snorkeling is the best I have experienced in the islands, and it's only across the street. We enjoyed eating at Ning's Thai Cuisine in Pahoa, as well as Kaleo's -- you must try the orzo-basil salad! We will be returning to this wonderful ocean home!

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

Guest: Janelle
Date of Stay: 01/08/11 Review Submitted: 01/21/11

We enjoyed our stay in your beach house. Loved the screened in lanai and easy access to the tide pools for snorkeling. Thanks for letting us stay an extra night. Mahalo!

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Very Nice- we were happy here

Guest: Snowbound now (Flagstaff, AZ)
Date of Stay: 12/29/10 Review Submitted: 01/12/11

It is just as described, and very nice and clean. The kitchen was well stocked with quality hardware; the dining area outside was fabulous in the morning and evening. Views were just wonderful, especially in the morning as the sun rose on the ocean. The tidepools were easily accesible with about a 1 block walk. The tidepools were fabuolous, and we snorkled many many places on the Big Island, so we know. We also went to the nearby Champagne pools, by driving around and walking a mile on the lava, but later heard we could have walked there from the house if we knew the route. We saw lots of turtles there, and a manta ray. The farmer's market in nearby Pahoa was very nice- we loved the breakfasts we got there and as a place to stock up on fresh fruits and vegies. The only issue with the home was that the dryer did not work, and it being over the New Years, the repair guy did not get that fixed, but line drying worked fairly well. The property was quite well maintained. We were concerned that a coconut would fall on our rental car during one of the windy days, so we used the carport- and that was a little tricky to get the car into, but we managed. We drank the juice of some fallen coconuts! The neighborhood there is nice to walk and run in, and I only wish there were bikes at the home to use. I guess we could have rented them. I would not hesitate to recommend this to a family. For 2 couples it would not work, as the second bedroom is not sealed at the ceiling from the living/kitchen area, but the 3rd bedroom with 2 twin beds is, and so was quieter. I hope to go back, thank you so much.

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

Guest: Caroline
Date of Stay: 12/28/10 Review Submitted: 01/21/11

Your house is beautiful only surpassed by the view! We all had a wonderful time-Thank you

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Guest: Cathy & Will
Date of Stay: 09/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/21/11

Thank you for sharing your beautiful cottage with us. Our honeymoon was perfect! We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful place. The tide pools were just breathtaking as the rest of the area and Big Island itself. Again thanks for a wonderful visit.

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Guest: Kate and Peter
Date of Stay: 06/29/10 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

We had a great time in your house. It was a perfect stay by one of our favorite snorkel spots on the Big Island! Mahalo.

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Great vacation spot

Guest: Jen (Northern Ohio)
Date of Stay: 06/20/10 Review Submitted: 07/07/11

This is a very comfortable vacation home. It was very clean, roomy (kitchen's a bit cozy for two, but workable), well situated for east Big Island touring. If you like snorkeling the tide pools are right there. It was right near the "Red Road" where many beach or coastal parks are found, and not far from the Volcano visitor center. There are no doubt other things we did not do that were nearby. The owners have a great big binder full of info about attractions and resources that was invaluable. We had questions before we committed and they were thoroughly answered. The photos on the listing are representative, but, I liked the place more in person. Two adults enjoyed being there with a 16 yr old daughter. The sunrise over the tidepools was visible from the master bed each morning and we saw a great moon over the water through the palm trees at night.

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

Guest: Becca and Brad
Date of Stay: 05/17/10 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

This place was amazing-just walking down the road ... this house felt like home-with everything. Thanks so much and we wish the best for all of those that follow us!

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Guest: Walter and Wendy
Date of Stay: 02/08/10 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

Never have we been so tempted to never return from this beautiful, relaxing paradise!

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Guest: Jerry and Carolyn
Date of Stay: 01/23/10 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

Thank you for letting us stay ..this was a perfect place for us! We enjoyed the deck and screened in lanai especially. We look forward to returning but for 2 weeks instead! What a great neighborhood! Thank you!

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Guest: Dennis and Mandy
Date of Stay: 12/29/09 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

Great place saw whales from the lanai and turtles snorkeling!

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Guest: Dave
Date of Stay: 03/08/08 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

Great Place-very relaxing the snorkeling rocked-we saw lots of fish shown in your fish book-AMAZING!

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Guest: Sam and Stewart
Date of Stay: 02/01/08 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

It's one amazing how one house, one amazing view and one endless sea breeze can make you never want to return to the life you know! Aloha for sharing.....

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Guest: Kay and Joe
Date of Stay: 02/03/07 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

Well....I just cannot say enough about the furnishings, stocked kitchen, fluffy towels and decor, not to mention the VIEW! We constantly remarked about the features of your Hale that we must include when we build our nest in paradise!...and did I mention the great view? Seriously, the most stress free 3 days of my life. Great Place! Mahalo....

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Guest: Lynn and Greg
Date of Stay: 02/02/07 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

Mahalo, for this beautiful piece of paradise. The views and sounds of the ocean were wonderful. We hope to be back. Thanks for giving what was advertised. Mahalo!

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Guest: Sandy
Date of Stay: 01/23/07 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

Thank you so much for providing such a beautiful furnished house. Thank you for all your kindness and for the warm spirit of Aloha that embraces all who visit here!

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