Cozy cottage in a very scenic part of Hawaii

Guest: Bernie and Sandra (Albany, NY, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/16/09 Review Submitted: 03/14/10

Hale Haumena is a wonderfully cozy, comfortable, and clean cottage in one of the most ideal locations on the Big Island. The surrounding area is beautiful, virtually free of VOG, and not as populated as other spots. The strip along the coast is a small sunbelt and thus gets less rain than most other places on the Hilo side. We spent our days rotating between the gorgeous black sand beach, soaking in the relaxing and rejuvenating warm ponds, and snorkeling at the Kapoho Tide Pools. The cottage offers all the basic amenities, a visually pleasing atmosphere, and a screened-in lanai. Hale Haumena is the perfect place for anyone with allergies, asthma, migraines, or chemical sensitivities as fragranced products are not permitted. All the environmentally safe ones are provided for your use in addition to scent-free bedding. We enjoyed a Qi Gong class at Kalani, the nearby yoga resort, which offers a variety of programs and massage. The local community offers a very friendly ambiance. After enjoying the local culture and beauty for just a week, we decided to move here permanently! It's a very special area of Hawai'i.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, adventure seekers.

Your cottage is a breath of pure fresh air.

Guest: S M.
Date of Stay: 01/23/12 Review Submitted: 02/25/12

We enjoyed our stay so much! When we pulled up to your place we couldn't stop grinning at each other. It's the best place we have ever stayed (pictures don't capture it's charm and essence). There is not one thing we would change! (other than us living there all the time) The bed was so comfortable. We loved lying in bed and looking up into the night sky. We never used the air conditioner, no need with the ceiling fans in every room. Lots of towels, bathroom products, dishes, pots and pans, TV, books and etc. The people in the community were so nice. We enjoyed the market at Space (delicious food and wonderful fresh fruit and veggies) the tidal pools, beaches, restaurants in Pahoa and Lilikoi jam (brought some home). We wished we had more time there as the days flew past. We can't wait to return to your cottage. Booking with you was a pleasure and I will gladly recommend you to all of our friends. The Marshalls Niagara Falls

Recommended for:

Quietude, privacy, and spotlessly clean

Guest: jay (Vancouver, BC)
Date of Stay: 02/08/12 Review Submitted: 02/21/12

This a well-appointed and immaculately kept Hale, a bit off the beaten path but within reasonable driving distance to some fantastic natural attractions. Wonderfully private with lush greenery surrounding the cottage, it is perfect for a romantic getaway, or just a quiet respite from a busy life. The owner was accessible and attentive, and the deposit was refunded promptly. We would definitely recommend Hale Haumea to our friends and family.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

AN INSPIRATIONAL VACATION

Guest: Diane S.
Date of Stay: 12/01/11 Review Submitted: 01/04/12

I won a week-long stay at Hale Haumea through TheChakra.org's Hawaii Sweepstakes. Wow - we never expected the trip to be so exciting! Lava started flowing again into the ocean just prior to our arrival (Pele had taken a break for several months and Kilauea Volcano was not spewing lava down the mountain). We were taken on a guided hike at sunset and between the flow of the lava creating fireworks and the billions of stars above us, it was breathtaking. The days were also wonderful, from swimming on a black-sand beach with others brave enough to go bare, to snorkeling in a warm pond with two large and one baby turtle, to meeting the author of The Chakra Diaries for a yoga class at Kalani Oceanside Retreat Center, just a mile away. I'm hoping to enter and win again this year, as we didn't have enough time to see all the sights we wanted to - like Waipio Valley, but we were able to see three fabulous waterfalls in the Hilo area, so the falls at Waipio are something to look forward to. My husband loved the aqua massage he got from the owner's friend (at a great discount) and I loved my lomi massage - my skin is still soft from the coconut oil. The cottage had everything we needed to feel comfortable and right at home, but the people we met probably made the trip for us - from the owner and her friends, they made sure we didn't miss one special site or event happening nearby. Mahalo, D. Stone

Recommended for:

Traveling on the Puna Coast of Hawaii

Guest: Nancy W. (Calgary, AB, CANADA)
Date of Stay: 04/10/11 Review Submitted: 04/26/11

There are tourists and then there are travelers. We travelled to "Hale Haumena" and had a wonderful stay. Check you phone and laptop at the door, it does not work until you hit the main drag, but who cares, listen to some music, listen to the sounds. This eclectic, friendly neighbourhood comes with green initiatives throughout. Too bad we missed several of the Farmer's Markets. Take care of this impeccable well stocked "Hale." Use less, enjoy more. The frogs will rock you to sleep. Love to return. More traveling to do?

Owner response:Thank you for being ideal guests - you cared for the Hale as if it were your own home. And yes, cell phones don't work until you reach the park at the bottom of the hill, and wireless internet is available one mile away at Kalani's internet cafe or at the Seaview Farmer's Market. Mahalo and please visit us again!

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Great getaway cottage

Guest: Bryce & Jeanine (Magnolia, Arkansas)
Date of Stay: 02/11/11 Review Submitted: 02/20/11

My wife and I spent 6 days at Diane's beautiful cottage. It is secluded and has great landscapeing. We especially enjoyed cutting the bananas off the tree and eating them. If you want to explore the volcanos and the black beaches, this is the place to be. The only drawback is cell phone reception and the lack of internet connection.

Owner response:I'm glad you enjoyed your visit at Hale Haumea. On the Big Island, cell phone reception is sketchy outside of the towns. Luckily, reception is good at the park at the bottom of our hill, and WiFi is available at Kalani's roadside cafe 1 mile away.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Wonderful place!

Guest: HawaiiTraveler (Arlington, VA)
Date of Stay: 01/08/11 Review Submitted: 01/25/11

My husband and I spent three nights here and wished we could have stayed longer! The cottage is exactly as pictured and is quiet and secluded. We kept all the windows open, falling asleep to the sound of the tree frogs and waking with the birds. The kitchen was well equipped with appliances and utensils, and the washer and dryer were great to have. Shower had plenty of hot water and the water pressure was good. Definitely talk to Naia about the dolphins in the area and the laval flows nearby. Unfortunately we weren't able to see the lava flow due to rain, but she was a wealth of knowledge for us regardless. And absolutely take advantage of the discount offered by Sylvie, the massage therapist. My husband and I both had aqua massages at the nearby retreat and there is nothing like it in the world! The only drawback to this location is the distance from everything, which Diane has accurately pointed out in her description. All of the charter boats for dolphin and whale excursions leave from the Kona side of the island, a 2 1/2 to 3 hour trip from the cottage over a two lane road through the middle of nowhere. A disadvantage when you have to be there at 7:30 in the morning! But I would absolutely stay here again and recommend it to anyone visiting the Big Island.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

Wonderful stay in Sea View Estates

Guest: Diane (Santa Barbara, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 07/26/10 Review Submitted: 08/21/10

The Cottage was so sweet and offered everything we needed and more. The tree frogs were a magical part of each evening and the peace of freedom from electronic connectivity was truly paradise. Anyone looking for all the great ammenities and comforts and cleanliness in a sweet haven of a setting would enjoy this space. Washer and dryer for use as well. Bring your own CD's if you must. Lots of down time for rest. And wonderful beautiful black sand beaches just down the road a piece. Diane has created a charmer for the BI. We loved it. We will be back! ...in peace, Diane

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Fantastic Value and Lovely location

Guest: Carla (St. Paul, MN)
Date of Stay: 06/05/10 Review Submitted: 08/12/10

Hale Haumea was wonderful and we enjoyed our time immensely. The pictures and descriptions of the property were accurate and we were so pleased with the cleanliness and comfort of the cottage. We were a little nervous because this was our first time making online reservations for a rental property, but Hale Haumea exceeded our expectations. We appreciated the full kitchen, the screened in linai, and the suggestions of activities in the area. I think the bedroom mattress was brand new, and we found it quite comfortable. We were super grateful for the biodegradable products at the house, and our allergies and sensitivities were never irritated. We didn't receive cell phone reception, but the owner had told us ahead of time that was a good possibility. While we did venture to all parts of the island, we really appreciated being on the opposite side of the island from Kona. We wanted to be more secluded, and we were. It was so nice to have a Hawaii experience without a huge hotel-resort component to it. We counted less than ten cars drive by in the whole week of our stay. The privacy and serenity of the Hilo side of the island was perfect for us. We also hesitated a little before making the reservation, because many previous travelers had recommended it as ideal for travelers 55+. We found it to be perfect for younger travelers, too: we came to the Big Island for vacation and left as an engaged couple! :) I highly recommend Hale Haumea! We kept saying over and over how amazed we were at the value. Given the property and amenities, it made our Hawaii vacation both affordable and enjoyable.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

My wife and I had a wonderful time!

Guest: Visiting from California (Sunnyvale, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/31/10 Review Submitted: 06/03/10

Everything was perfect, the cottage, the weather, the activities, even the waves cooperated.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.