Vacation Rentals by Owner

Better Than Resorts!

Guest: 3 Bambinos (Idaho)
Date of Stay: 03/21/12 Review Submitted: 04/03/12

We want to thank you for providing such a great place to stay for our family and for the advice about what to do while there. We have stayed at several vacation homes all over the country, including Hawaii. Hawi Haven is now our favorite among them all. The house is decorated beautifully and spacious. Expense was not spared to ensure a unique Hawaiian experience for guests' stay--paintings, artwork, wood carvings, music and movies, beautiful paint colors and decor in the bedrooms, comfortable beds, and nice towels. We really only needed to pack our clothes--everything else was there (including sun screen, toys, everything we thought we would need and more for the beach, and stuff for our baby). The house was easy to find, but still in a location remote for the busy tourists spots and not too far from the beach. Little Hawi town is a great place to visit. We liked our resort stay at the end of our trip, but wished we could go back to Hawi Haven after to return to this little treasure in paradise.

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

Blue Honu

Guest: Laurie J. (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 10/31/11 Review Submitted: 11/11/11

We loved staying up in Hawi! This home is beautiful, very quiet and comfortable.

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

kohola guest house hawi hawaii

Guest: janice (dallas, oregon usa)
Date of Stay: 04/04/11 Review Submitted: 04/05/11

Nani the owner is a wonderful person. The accommodations were just like home. Own laundry facility was a big plus. It has a view of the ocean and is located on a very quiet street. Close to hiking and town. We have stayed here for the last ten years on vacation and would choose no other place to stay. janice parker dallas, oregon

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

Feels like home, but better

Guest: R G (Alameda, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/10/11 Review Submitted: 01/23/11

?I have stayed in hotels in Hawaii, but when I return to the Big Island, my choice will always be Hawi Haven. A family reunion in a hotel meant living in identical rooms and carrying all the chairs to one room to give enough seating for everyone. There was coffee in the lobby, but a family visit with a roomful of others puts the damper on sharing memories; plus leaving sleeping children back in the rooms was not an option. In a hotel, the visiting time between adults is limited by the needs of the children. We just spent a week with three generations sharing this house. The decor is obviously Hawaiian, but each room is different. While the little one slept, the adults could play board games, watch movies or just sit and enjoy a cup of Kona coffee together on the porch. You have thought of everything. For those days when we felt like eating in, the kitchen had everything we needed plus some extras we hadn’t thought about. When we preferred to let others do the cooking, a quick visit to Yelp told us that several of the local restaurants got five star reviews. A pleasant two block stroll brought us to any one of them. The washing machine proved to be essential with a baby in residence, but we felt like every need was anticipated and met. From bandaids to body wash and beach towels to boogie boards, your provisions had every situation covered. You even had provisions for Baby Jake. A portacrib and booster seat kept him sleeping and eating well. A happy baby means relaxed adults, and you made that all possible. The palm trees and avocado tree blocked the ocean view, but not the breezes. A lovely breeze every afternoon kept the whole house nicely cooled. Your manager even left freshly picked tangerines from your tree for our enjoyment. We hit the perfect season for picking the fruit. The avocado tree is loaded and begging to be enjoyed; and the owners gave permission to help ourselves. At our last hotel, the restaurant breakfast buffet was a great place to plan our day; but the morning gatherings in this lovely dining room over waffles, fresh pineapple and Kona coffee was a much better way to start our day. Our next visit will include our older grandchildren and there are beach toys, a big yard to run in and a couple of bikes that should keep them happy. And for the inevitable rainy days, there are coloring books, kids' games, puzzles and videos to pass the time. For the adults, there is an assortment of books to meet every taste. We love Hawi Haven

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

Hawi Haven, Big Island Hawaii

Guest: 20yrtrip (Iowa)
Date of Stay: 06/16/09 Review Submitted: 06/30/09

Easy to make arrangements with owner. House has nice layout and lots of provisions we weren't expecting to find, but very much appreciated! House had not been used recently and we could tell - needed more cleaning / wiping down, but not a big deal. No air conditioning but ceiling fans in every room made it comfortable and it cooled down at night. Lots of great beaches and activities nearby though the town itself is very small. Recommend: swimming at Hapuna State Beach (NW), sunsets at Kapaa Beach Park (NW), shopping in Waimea (Central), visiting Akaka fall (NE) and Mauna Kea Observatory (Central), Volcano National Park (SE), snorkeling at Kahalu'u beach (SW) and Greenwells coffee tour (SW), gourmet meals at Cafe Pesto (Kawaihae, NW). Had a great visit and enjoyed staying at the house. Will definitely rent a house - not a hotel - on our next vacation! The convenience, personal space, and savings in food/laundry really make it worthwhile.

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

Guest: Ashley Mc Spadden (Spokane, WA)
Date of Stay: 05/03/07 Review Submitted: 05/03/07

I wanted to thank you – we had an unbelievable time on the island, and being able to stay at Hawi Haven was truly a huge part of that experience. The house was more than we could have hoped for and more than what any big name resort could ever offer; it was comfortable, quiet, the interior was really well done – truly a place you could come home to. We passed through Kailua on the way back to North Kohala , and were overwhelmed by all the tourists and all the establishments catering to them – it made us even more grateful that we were able to find our own little tucked away spot in Hawi. Thank you again for such a wonderful house!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Ashley Mc Spadden (Spokane, WA)
Date of Stay: 05/01/07 Review Submitted: 05/02/07

I wanted to thank you – we had an unbelievable time on the island, and being able to stay at Hawi Haven was truly a huge part of that experience. The house was more than we could have hoped for and more than what any big name resort could ever offer; it was comfortable, quiet, the interior was really well done – truly a place you could come home to. We passed through Kailua on the way back to North Kohala , and were overwhelmed by all the tourists and all the establishments catering to them – it made us even more grateful that we were able to find our own little tucked away spot in Hawi. Thank you again for such a wonderful house!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Maile Kane (Durango, CO)
Date of Stay: 04/01/07 Review Submitted: 04/10/07

We loved staying in your Hawi Haven. It was everything we expected and more. Every time I needed something, it was there. Even down to finding a bandage in the drawer... we replaced what we used. We had my family over for a family dinner and all were impressed with what you have done. Giovanna (the property manager)was great. I can't think of any improvements to Hawi Haven. You have really equipped it well and it was really appreciated! I am letting people know about this wonderful gem! We appreciate all you have done. Aloha, Maile Kane

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Hilary Wallis (Sorrento, B.C.)
Date of Stay: 03/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/26/07

Amazing house! Yours was the first of 3 we stayed in for our month on the islands and it continued to be a yardstick. You have thought of EVERYTHING! It was all organized in a way that made sense and you obviously have fabulous taste in decor. Much mahalo and aloha - Hilary.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Bobbi and Cameron Tracy (Grand Rapids, MI)
Date of Stay: 03/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/13/07

Date: 2-17-2006 Visitors: Bobbi and Cameron Tracy Home: Grand Rapids, Michigan Weather back home: 22 Degrees F - snow Favorite part of Hawi Haven: Kitchen Favorite Hawi stores: Kona Coffee Mill and Bamboo Restaurant We love this house! Pictures don't even do it justice! We can't wait to come back...and we hope everyone enjoys it as much as we did!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: The Schmidts (Anchorage, Alaska)
Date of Stay: 03/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/13/07

How relaxing and lovely! So many wonderful touches. Our kids wondered if we could move in. :-) The stars display south on a clear evening is matchless. Greg, Rebecca and family

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Barbara and Joe Baldwin (Palo Alto, California)
Date of Stay: 03/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/13/07

January 4 - 11, 2007 Barbara and Joe Baldwin, Palo Alto, CA Wayne Olival, Kailua, Oahu, HI Kevin Olival, New York, NY Dan and Asa Kalish, San Francisco, CA Hawi Haven was a PERFECT vantage point from which to enjoy surprise 80th birhtday party for Aunty Dixie Kinoshita, visit graves of Barbara's grandparents who came from Hiroshima to work the cane fields, see remains of the old company store near abandoned mill, whale watch at Kapa'a Park, see world's biggest, brightest rainbows, hear and see John and Hope Keawe's guitar and hula, browse Jan and Frank Morgan's splendid bookstore in Kapaau, shop the Takata store, enjoy fresh fish at Aunty's and fabulous lilikoi margarita at Bamboo. Web site understates the totality of amenities in this wonderful home.

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Guest: Barbara and Joe Baldwin
Date of Stay: 01/11/07 Review Submitted: 01/10/07

Dates: January 4-11, 2007 Barbara and Joe Baldwin, Palo Alto, California Wayne Olival, Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii Kevin Olival, Kailua, New York, New York Dan and Asa Kalish, San Francisco, California HAWI HAVEN was a PERFECT vantage point from which to enjoy surprise 80th birthday party for Aunty Dixie Kinoshita, visit graves of Barbara's grandparents who came from Hiroshima to work the cane fields, see remains of the old company store near abandoned mill, whale watch at Kapaa Park, see world's BIGGEST, BRIGHTEST RAINBOWS, hear and see John and Hope Keawe's guitar and hula, browse Jan and Frank Morgan's splendid bookstore in Kapaau, shop the Takata store, enjoy fresh fish at Aunty's and fabulous Lilikoi margarita at Bamboo. Web site understates the totality of amenities in this wonderful home.

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