Vacation Rentals by Owner

Beautiful, Peaceful and Convenient

Guest: D & C (Palo Alto, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/23/12 Review Submitted: 05/12/12

We stayed at Hale O Pueo from April 23 to May 1, 2012. This house turned out to be the perfect house for us. The unobstructed view of the ocean provided some exquisite sunsets, and the location of the house allowed easy access to beautiful beaches. We were very impressed with how completely the kitchen was equipped. This allowed us to take advantage of the wonderful farmers markets, and eat most of our meals “at home” on the deck, while enjoying the peaceful gardens and the expansive ocean view. Kalia provided everything required for a great beach vacation, including chairs, beach mats, boogie boards, and snorkeling gear. The very private outside shower was fabulous after a day on the beach. Another big plus is that the house is “off of the grid”, and run by solar power, which easily met all of our needs. We loved the fact that our energy footprint was minimal. Thank you Kalia for providing such a wonderful space. We are looking forward to staying again at Hale O Pueo.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Lovely accommodation

Guest: The Macs (Sydney, Australia)
Date of Stay: 03/05/12 Review Submitted: 03/15/12

We stayed at this property recently and were very happy there. The property has lovely views from the lanai, although unfortunately I think we were there for two of the whole five days in the year that they get rain. We experienced thunderstorms, which I think the locals were thankful for since they hadn't had rain for ten months, we were not as thrilled. Rain aside, the property is very comfortable and looks exactly as the photos here portray. The host Kalia is great and provides a good balance between being welcoming but providing privacy as well. The outdoor shower was amazing and one of our favourite parts of our stay. We didn't cook, but the property was well equipped. There are several restaurants in town which is about a 3-5 minute drive down to the coast. The hale also provides snorkelling gear, beach chairs etc to use at the nearby beaches as well as recommendations of where to go. We had a very relaxing stay.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Paradise in Hawaii

Guest: KIP (Portland, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 11/08/11 Review Submitted: 11/22/11

If you want peace and tranquility in the paradise that is Hawaii, this is for you. Quiet mornings on your private lanai overlooking the ocean, waiting for the sun to come up over your left shoulder, the rooster to crow down below, donkeys and geckos to awaken. Quiet evenings watching the sun set right in front of you and the sky open up to the moon and the stars. Fifteen minute drive from great snorkeling and swimming in the ocean. Fresh fish, shrimp, scallops and the catch of the day at the Fish Shop in Kawaihae. Wonderful owner/manager who provides you the quiet and privacy that you need and is also available to answer questions about your stay. You won't be disappointed if you come to Hale o Pueo - House of the Owl.

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

Tranquility

Guest: CB (Bellingham, WA)
Date of Stay: 09/07/11 Review Submitted: 09/10/11

What I realized was what was absent - outside noise. No sounds of traffic, lawnmowers, human noises of any kind. I heard birds chirping,the breeze rustling the leaves, but nothing else. Tranquility in a beautiful setting with clean, well appointed furnishings and most any beach recreation (or resting) equipment you desire. This is an apartment in a duplex (you wouldn't know it unless you look) down a short dirt track, up slope looking out at the Pacific and the world below. Bliss for me. Yes this is the BIG island and you need to drive to places, just like the locals do. But the tranquility when you get back is priceless.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

You will never want to leave

Guest: Alberto (Athens, GA, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/16/11 Review Submitted: 07/08/11

We just returned from our second stay at Hale O’Pueo and plan on returning again and again and again...It is hard to describe in words the beauty and peacefulness of the place. The view is simply sublime (the pictures on the website tell the story), but that is not all. What really gets you is the sense of peace, the perfectly quiet evenings, the sunrises, the sunsets, the perfume of the very beautiful garden, the chirps of the very friendly geckos (natural pest control !), the song of the birds...I could keep going, but, as I said, words are not enough. Weather in this part of the Big Island is consistently sunny - it rarely rains, and when it does the smell of rain on the desert only adds to the enchantment. The best beaches in the island are only a few minutes drive away. If you are into hiking Hawaii’s spectacular high country (I am) Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea trailheads are about one and a half hours away. The largely undiscovered gem of Hawi town about a half hour. The days and weeks just fly - it is so beautiful and there is so much to do, you want to go out and explore but you also want to stay and enjoy the hale. Above all, Kalia is a most wonderful and thoughtful host, everything that you can possibly need is provided and she keeps the hale in top-notch condition. She is always ready to help, give advice or just chat. Thank you Kalia for making this little piece of perfection available - we will visit you again!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

What a View

Guest: K and C (Northern California)
Date of Stay: 05/25/11 Review Submitted: 06/11/11

Amazing location, close to terrific beaches and great snorkeling. View that just gets better as the day goes on if you decide to just hang out and enjoy. Extremely well provisioned house and helpful owner. We can't wait to go back!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful Views & Tidy Rental

Guest: Jen (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 04/17/11 Review Submitted: 04/25/11

Just returned from our adventure in Hawaii and our stay with Hale o Pueo. The description of this rental is exactly on point - this is a incredibly convenient little cottage that has and is near everything - Waimea, Hawi, best beaches - literally minutes from Hapuna. The cottage had everything we needed to enjoy our stay and was incredibly clean. Every detail had been thought of in terms of ensuring that we had what we needed to enjoy our stay. Kalia was present but definitely ensured that her guests had their privacy! The outdoor shower was nice - loved coming home after a long day at the beach to the outdoor shower - though it is not quite tall people friendly - the tile was perfectly warm and we had ample warm water. My only reason for not giving this place a 5 is really not as a result of anything the owner did as the place was spectacular and had the MOST amazing views of the coast....but we happened to be there during a particularly rainy season so there were a fair number of mosquitoes and other insect "visitors" that are often found in tropical habitats. Nothing you can do about them- but definitely put a damper on our enjoyment of the patio. All in all - pleasant place to stay and if you want to explore the northern part of the island - definitely a great rental to consider.

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

Perfect place to get away

Guest: Jeannette (Livermore, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/17/10 Review Submitted: 12/01/10

My husband and I went here for our 20 year anniversary and we couldn't have picked a better place. The location was perfect. We were able to relax at the beach or go out for a quick swim in the morning and go explore the island the rest of the day. It was clean and well maintained. We couldn't imagine ever staying anywhere else on the Island!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Home on the Big Island

Guest: Mike & Evie (South San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/19/10 Review Submitted: 10/11/10

What a wonderful time at Hale O Pueo. Great Island location. Sunsets at night were phenomenal. Kalia was extremely helpful at finding some local beaches and the best place to enter the water for snorkeling. Her ability to keep your stay very private was amazing. The biggest thing for us was that we felt at home at Hale. We would return from a day of adventure feeling tired and looking forward to getting "home". Can't wait to return.

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

Very lovely place to stay

Guest: Linda (Santa Cruz, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/16/10 Review Submitted: 10/30/10

We enjoyed our stay at the Hale as it was very close to the popular beaches but were able to return to a quite location at night. The home was very clean,well decorated, comfortable and had everything we needed during our stay. We enjoyed visiting the more remote snorkel spots and the great ono fish we barbecued on the Weber for my birthday. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The Perfect Retreat in the Perfect Location

Guest: John C. (Aspen, CO)
Date of Stay: 09/04/10 Review Submitted: 09/16/10

I spent a summer on the Big Island and wished I'd found this place sooner. It's perfect. It's quiet, ultra clean, tranquil, offers phenomenal views and it's so close to everything you want to do on the Big Island but just far away enough from the fray of the resorts (maybe 5 miles up the coast?) to be serene. It sits at a perfect elevation such that it was cool at night for sleeping but pleasantly warm during the day for lounging on the lanai with a nice breeze. The Night Blooming Jasmine just off the lanai is a perfume I'll never forget! I appreciate a really spotlessly clean place and this little bungalow was sparkling. Kitchen was very well equipped and the bed was really comfy. I never turned on the TV...you won't either. Just sit on the lanai with a coffee in the morning until it's time to trade that out for a rum drink and take in the view of the ocean. There's no better place for sunsets. This would be ideal for a honeymoon or any romantic getaway.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Retreat in No. Kohala

Guest: DRuby (Northern California, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/17/10 Review Submitted: 02/06/10

Hale O'Pueo is the perfect retreat in No. Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii. It rests up in a rural area of the island close to the Northern tip and the wonderful town of Hawi, and within 10 miles of diverse and active Waimea. You can plan day trips to Kailua-Kona (and Walmart/Costco...), the beautiful Hilo-town and the Hamakua Coastal drive, or just hang at Hapuna Beach and body surf. When you return to your piece of paradise, the peace overtakes your soul, you can shower outdoors and prepare the perfect meal in the large and fully equipped kitchen. WiFi is available, gorgeous sunsets from your lanai and your favorite games on the large-screen TV, or you can just listen to the abundant bird life and feel the Hawaiian breezes. Kalia has built a lovely home-away-from-home and I, for one, will surely return. Mahalo.

Owner response:It is a joy to be able to provide a wonderful home away from home that has such easy access to 5 stunning beaches, including Hapuna just 10 minutes away and be able to hike, sight see, and participate in water activities close by.

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

What a Wonderful Place

Guest: Sherry and Ralph (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/01/10 Review Submitted: 02/15/10

This wonderful place sets the bar too high for other vacation home rentals. You haven't lived until you experience the outdoor shower early in the morning with the sun coming over the hill and the birds singing! Although this may sound a bit like promotional material for a brochure, with the hale's setting high on a hill affording expansive views of the ocean below, it is truly a delightful place of quiet and solitude. One can visit for a good rest and enjoy the great views off the lanai (including the ever changing sunsets) – or use it as an ideal base to explore the rest of the island. It is extremely well stocked from fine kitchen utensils to beach equipment. An added bonus is the very island-knowledgeable and approachable host. Sherry and Ralph (Edmonton, Alberta)

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Michelle, Pierre & Etienne (Victoria, BC)
Date of Stay: 10/08/09 Review Submitted: 10/08/09

We are a couple with a young child, and spent two wonderful weeks at Hale O Pueo. The place was perfect for the family: a well appointed suite with lots of privacy. As soon as we arrived, we felt at home. The place was very clean, fresh and welcoming. There was everything we needed to enjoy both the indoors and the outdoors, from the nicely equipped kitchen to prepare our picnics & diners, to the beach gear ready to use. As well, we valued the peacefulness of the residence very much. After a long day of frolicking on the beach and touring, we really appreciated to come back to a restful home. Our son liked to be able to play in the garden, and we, as parents, enjoyed the tranquility and privacy of the house. Thanks Kalia, for being such a great host!

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

We returned from HaleOPueo 3 weeks ago and I can still feel the ocean breeze, see the spectacular stars at night from the outdoor shower and smell the fragrant flowers that Kalia so lovingly tends to. Ours was such a relaxing and memorable vacation- we will most definitely return to this paradise on the hill! Lisa, Abigail and Alexa Lafayette, CA.

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Guest: Sarah136 (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/04/09 Review Submitted: 09/04/09

Limerick to Hale O Pueo There once was a woman who knew 'twas time for big island for two. Good fortune would flow to guide her to go to sweet Hale Pueo! Not only is the hale sweet, "green" and perfectly clean, it offers a beautiful and expansive view, showers outside under the sky, moon, stars or sun, quiet nights, the cute and well-mannered gecko family (including my favorite we named "Three-feet") happy to accept an invitation to breakfast on the lanai, lovely kitchen and living spaces, and the fragrant plumeria and night blooming jasmine. ...plus lots of snorkel and beach accouterments! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Our time was perfectly relaxing, rejuvenative and fun!

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Guest: Helena6 (Missoula, Montana)
Date of Stay: 08/22/09 Review Submitted: 08/22/09

The fond memories of our stay at Hale o Pueo in early June are staying with us and remind us of the serenity and beauty of this magic place on Hawaii's Kohala coast. Arriving weary from the Montana late winter doldrums, pale and in need of a little R&R, my husband and I felt we had arrived in Paradise. A haven of tranquility, a home away from home, near but not too close to tourist traps and mega hotels, Hale o Pueo soothes the soul and body. The solar power and the owners’ commitment to to help guests be ecologically responsible only add to the experience and sense of peacefulness. The cottage is thoughtfully equipped with all one needs for self-catering, beach time, or just hanging out on the deck/lanai overlooking the pastures and the sea, while watching little geckoes nibble on Papaya. The outside shower, which just has to get its own mention, is divine. The warm water and heated tile make it a most wonderful outdoors experience. We would return in an instant and recommend it highly.

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Guest: Welterlen Family (Fairbanks, Alaska)
Date of Stay: 08/11/09 Review Submitted: 08/11/09

Our stay at Hale O Pueo was incredible - beautiful views, peaceful setting, stunning beaches close by - the perfect place for a family holiday. Our children thoroughly enjoyed running around the gardens and feeding the gecko's. Kalia was wonderful, and we look forward to staying here again on our next visit to the Big Island.

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Guest: Margaret33 (San Francisco, Ca)
Date of Stay: 08/02/09 Review Submitted: 08/02/09

We stayed here for ten days in May 2009, and it was probably the most magical and serene time I have ever had on the Big Island. It is very unusual to find a place so secluded and peaceful, yet so near the best beaches and hiking that the Island has to offer. The house itself is spacious, quiet, clean, and beautifully furnished; a pleasure to return to after a busy day. We will return, I'm sure.

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Guest: Robbie5 (Oakland, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/28/09 Review Submitted: 07/28/09

We just got back from our first trip to The Big Island, and we spent the first 5 nights at Hale O Pueo. It really was the perfect place to stay - beautiful, quiet, solar powered and an outdoor shower too! The view is stunning (day or night) and Kalia, the owner, is very helpful. We can't wait to come back soon :)

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5 Days in Paradise

Guest: Minnesota Snowbirds (Buffalo, MN, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/25/08 Review Submitted: 12/03/09

Our stay on this beautiful property could not have been nicer. The accommodations were every bit as wonderful as they appear on this site. What surprised us was how well equipped the home is. From the kitchen supplies and linens to the snorkeling gear and boogie boards, you will find everything you need here for a relaxed Hawaiian retreat. The DVR and internet were great too. We enjoyed hiking and water sports, along with Island exploration, but the best part of our vacation was relaxing at Hale O Pueo. and watching sunrise and sunset from our lanai. This is a great get-a-way. We will recommend it to friends and hope to return soon!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.