Vacation Rentals by Owner

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

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:

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:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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

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

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:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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

Beautiful House, great Potential...Dissapointing

Guest: Redfoxx (Pacifica, California)
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 05/21/10

Upon our arrival we were delighted with the house location, eco-friendly environment, and plentiful ceiling fans, even one in the bathroom! But, then we sat on the futon/couch, question: Who buys a futon with springs in it? Then we laid upon the dinky bed that must be at least 30 years old and designed for people under 5 feet tall - seriously, you could actually feel the circled outline of each coil on the bed, like a medieval torture device. The bed was truly unusable, so, my partner and I slept apart the first night, wow. The futon was just as horrible as the bed and we got no sleep...for 3 nights, that is not vacation and not worth the touted 'deal' for this place. I recommend saving your money and camping nearby as it would have been more relaxing and comfortable to sleep on the ground in Isaac Hale's park and it's closer to the beach! We also tried both sleeping on the futon...that didn't work. The best part of this story is then we were actually charged a cleaning fee for 3 people for "the amount of dishes in the sink and the amount of laundry that had to be done" - RIDICULOUS! I think if the owner expects guests to do the dishes before they leave she should clearly write this is out in her book next to where it tells you to take out the trash.... what are we paying a cleaning fee for then? Truth is, I always do the dishes before I leave and clean up, but, this place was so disappointing we just couldn't wait to leave and we actually considered leaving a night early and eating the cost.

Owner response:Aloha and mahalo for staying at Hale Haumea. Thank you for your feedback regarding the bed - I'm going shopping today for a queen-size bed room set. We had originally purchased the double bed only 4 years ago as it fit in the small room with plenty of walking room around. But I understand that most couples are used to the larger beds found in hotel chains. Our futon couch is very recently purchased, made of organic cotton with a thick foam and spring core so it won't compress in Hawaii's humid climate. It's the most eco-friendly option available for a couch/bed combo. I've added a foam topper to make it more comfy. And thanks for the reminder to leave a note asking guests to put dishes in the dishwasher. We always appreciate when guests put their dirty dishes in the dishwasher, so that the bugs here in the tropics aren't drawn into the house by food-covered dishes in the sink. We prefer not to spray toxic pesticides, but rather keep food out of the ants' reach.

Recommended for:

It was a Perfect Honeymoon!

Guest: HoneyMoon at Hale Haumea (San Antonio, Texas)
Date of Stay: 04/24/10 Review Submitted: 05/25/10

The cottage was the perfect spot for our honeymoon. It was very cozy, romantic, clean, artistically decorated and private - just greenery out the windows, no neighbors. At the end of the road, Highway 130, we walked out the short path under a full moon to see the lava flow into the ocean - really surreal and worth the trip alone! (Remember to carry a flashlight.) On other adventures, we soaked in the scenery of the shorter trails in Volcanoes National Park, as well as the volcanically-heated ocean pool at Ahalanui county park. As a change of pace we dipped into the Olympic size swimming pool, hot tub and sauna in addition to having an aqua-massage (Watsu) at neighboring Kalani Retreat Center. Down Highway 137 about a mile in the opposite direction from Kalani was Kehena Black Sand beach where a short cliff trail took us down to a beautiful beach where we swam, sunbathed and watched for dolphins. When we were hungry but didn't feel like cooking, we had so many choices for eating out. We feasted on the scrumptious food at Kalani and really loved the fresh fish and delicious Hawaiian ice cream at the Kalapana Village Cafe at the end of the road (Highway 130). Right next door to the cafe was Uncle Robert's Hawaiian-style Awa Bar where we got a little awa pick-me-up before the short drive home to Hale Haumea. Nearby Pahoa Town had groceries, gas, banks, pharmacy and a post office, great pizza at Boogie Woogie, Italian and Thai restaurants as well as a Farmer's Market on Sunday morning. Kaleos was our favorite restaurant, offering live music and wonderful food. (Joy said to make sure to try their desserts.) When we wanted fresh fruit and veggies, we walked the few blocks from Hale Haumea to SPACE, a performing arts center that features a Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings and a Bazaar (food and crafts) on Wednesday evenings. We actually ran out of time to see the sites in Hilo and the waterfalls and botanic gardens but next time for sure. As you may can tell, we really enjoyed our trip, and would heartily recommend Hale Haumea for couples. In fact, we are already planning to visit again for our first anniversary.

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

Cozy cottage in a very scenic part of Hawaii

Guest: Bernie and Sandra (Albany, NY, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/16/09 Review Submitted: 03/13/10

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.

Guest: Jess & Eileen, San Francisco
Date of Stay: 12/09/09 Review Submitted: 05/01/10

“Thank you for sharing your amazing Hawaii home with us. We really appreciated all of your activity suggestions and tried to do as many as we could with our limited amount of time. We loved the lava flow, the hot pond and the non-touristy escape Hale Haumea offered. We also ate as many likikoi that we could while there! They are our favorite. Mahalo!”

Recommended for:

A non-Touristy Hawaii Escape

Guest: Jess & Eileen, San Francisco
Date of Stay: 12/09/09 Review Submitted: 05/01/10

“Thank you for sharing your amazing Hawaii home with us. We really appreciated all of your activity suggestions and tried to do as many as we could with our limited amount of time. We loved the lava flow, the hot pond and the non-touristy escape Hale Haumea offered. We also ate as many lilikoi that we could while there! They are our favorite. Mahalo!” Jess & Eileen San Francisco, CA Dec. 9, 2009

Recommended for:

An Excellent Value

Guest: Matt & Jen, Portland, OR
Date of Stay: 12/02/09 Review Submitted: 05/01/10

"We enjoyed our stay here very much. Next time we will stay longer so we can explore the area more. Found the house to be much nicer than expected. This house is an excellent value. We hope to be back soon."

Recommended for:

Guest: Bo & Sue, San Francisco
Date of Stay: 07/25/09 Review Submitted: 05/01/10

“Your cottage was very cozy and relaxing. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the porch and the symphony of sound throughout the night. This side of the Big Island is lush and beautiful. We especially loved snorkeling at Kapoho and visiting the Volcano. We will never forget our experience here."

Recommended for:

Lush and Beautiful Side of the Big Island

Guest: Bo & Sue, San Francisco
Date of Stay: 07/25/09 Review Submitted: 05/01/10

“Your cottage was very cozy and relaxing. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the porch and the symphony of sound throughout the night. This side of the Big Island is lush and beautiful. We especially loved snorkeling at Kapoho and visiting the Volcano. We will never forget our experience here."

Recommended for:

Kehena Beach Cottage

Guest: hman (San Diego Ca USA)
Date of Stay: 06/04/09 Review Submitted: 10/08/09

We had to cancel a Cabo San Lucas vacation due to the swine flu scare and decided to vacation in Hawaii. I found the cottage by a search through Craigslist. The ad said pay for 7 days and get the 8th day free, well due to a misunderstanding during the booking process we lost a day, we paid for a day that we couldn't use. Upon our arrival the ad said that there would be a fruit basket, laundry soap, hair and body soap and conditioners, there was none. So after a few calls we were able to take care of that and started our vacation. The cottage was very clean, The bed was comfortable, the kitchen/living room had all the kitchen amenities, full size refrigerator, stove, dish washer, with a small TV and a futon that you could sleep on. It was very uncomfortable and should be replaced with a sleeper sofa and maybe an additional chair. Outside the kitchen was the lanai, there was a table and 3 chairs the washer and dryer and completely screen in. No Bugs! The cottage was about a mile from the beach set back into tropical trees, it looked as though they took a bull dozer and cut out a section of the jungle and put the cottage there. It was a nice setting but a view would have been nice. We met a few neighbors that were very nice and there was a farmers market a few blocks away local fruit and souvenirs. The weather was pleasant it rained just about every day mostly at night. At night there were these little frogs, the nosiest frogs I have ever heard. We had to sleep with the windows closed at night to cut down the noise. We spent most of our time away from the cottage viewing the sites, there is only one beach (Keneha Beach) and It's not really a beach to speak of on that side of the island but the views of the surf crashing on the black sand beaches and rocks is breath taking. The locals take over the beach on the weekend so if you want to see it, go during the week day. The cottage itself is for two people and there isn't anything for young kids to do. It was very relaxing, not to many places to eat so most of our meals were self prepared which was fine with us. With the few problems that we had we would do it again. It was a very nice memorable vacation we will do it again, but don't bring the kids.

Owner response:Aloha and thanks for taking the time to write a review. We offer everyone a weekly discount, but have never offered the 8th night free, but that's a good idea during slow periods! We always provide fragrance-free, natural toiletries and cleaning products (sorry there was a mix up this time), as well as special amenities such as tropical flowers and fruit (which we have never advertised, but like to provide when available). I agree that our cottage is best for couples, due to its cozy size, and that's why we limit occupancy to 3 people. The futon couch is comfortable for most, and children that have stayed in our area have greatly enjoyed the nearby warm ponds and marine sanctuary area for safe snorkeling and swimming. Kehena Beach does not have a reef like those areas, so there can be strong waves, best for good swimmers and dolphin-watchers.

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

Guest: Elizabeth29 (Dallas, TX)
Date of Stay: 01/12/09 Review Submitted: 01/12/09

We came from Dallas to spend our holiday in Hawaii, and we were not disappointed. Hale Haumea is wonderful with everything you could imagine to help you enjoy your stay. You are minutes from a beautiful black sand beach, tide pools for snorkeling and warm geo-thermal pools for relaxing. Right around the corner (but not too close!!) is a new lava vent where you can see lava entering the ocean. A night time hike on a marked trail takes you to a viewing area where you can watch the lava spout and spray in a better-than-fireworks display. Pahoa is a charming village with every amenity and the friendliest of people. We went to Oahu for several days after leaving our cottage and realized that we had experienced a truer side of the Hawaiian islands where we were. Oahu is beautiful, but Kalapana and the Hale Haumea are magical.

Recommended for:

Non mainstream environment

Guest: tj and cathy (chicago area)
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/09/09

The cottage exceeded our expectations in terms of cleanliness and charm. We spent the month of January 2009 at this property and report the following: if you desire a non touristy location with a bit of retro 60's native neighbors and the clearly off the grid town of Pahoa, this is it. Attention to home details is great, catchment water is non issue, bed needs new mattress (firmness), solitude is ensured, and the neighboring black sand beach, volcanic attractions, and a non commercial atmosphere combine to form a neat vacation. The maintenance fellows (if needed-which we did not)) are very responsive and the owner gets high marks for maintaining a quality level cottage in all ways. You will not be near shops and villages if that is your desire---nearest town is Pahoa roughly 10 miles. The weather was another surprise....rained at night about 10-11 evenings and only about 2-3 early mornings (pre 9am) otherwise fantastic weather ---and this is in the rainy season with wet Hilo about 45 minute drive away!! Interesting stretch of climate along the Puna peninsula vs. rainforest area nearby. We would do this again but probably for not as long a period--ran out of things to see and do,,,the cottage itself is a fine value.....this is not the Mauna Kea or Waikola type tourist compound on the beach however for those who need that type of setting plus the costs for those places far exceed the cost of this property. Terrific value for a cool setting in the unspoiled, non commercial, eco friendly side of the Big Island. Tom and Cathy

Owner response:We appreciate the accurate description of our special eco-tourism destination on the Big Island of Hawaii... the sites, serenity, and special volcanic features (such as hot pools and natural steam saunas) can be found no where else on the island. Our bed has been upgraded to a larger, firmer mattress -- which seems to have been the only complaint from the happy visitors to our cozy cottage. Mahalo.

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

Great Place to Relax and Explore the Puna Coast !

Guest: Florence & Alex (Marin County)
Date of Stay: 10/08/08 Review Submitted: 11/25/08

We recently spent a week at the cottage and couldn’t have asked for more. We were very pleasantly surprised when we got there as the cottage looks even better than in the photographs. Everything needed was provided and the bed was very comfy. Although there is a full kitchen, we usually only ate breakfast on the lanai then spent the days exploring and eating out in Pahoa Town, the Kalani Resort or in Hilo as there’s no lack of restaurants. We saw dolphins at Kehena beach the first day we were there and were joined by curious turtles most days when swimming. The volcano is nearby, the botanical gardens are incredible, and the warm pools are great. A stay at this cottage is definitely recommended. We’ll be back, but for longer next time.

Recommended for:

Relaxing and Satisfying

Guest: Philip J. (Brooklyn, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/20/08 Review Submitted: 05/01/08

Location was perfect! Out of the way, quiet, yet near everything. Directions were good. Had two exciting scuba dives with Phil of East Hawaii Divers: one just down the road at Kehena Black Sand Beach (descend the rough trail) and a few miles east at Isaac Hale. Organic produce available in Pahoa was the best-tasting we have had in a while. And you can't beat home-grown papayas. Owner was very accommodating and the cottage was as described... even better. We did not get bitten up (good screening) and everything we needed for our week's stay was provided. Non-perfumed bath products, cooking utensils, fresh-picked fruit, maps & guides, lots of absorbent towels, beach chairs, variety of electronic entertainment, washer-dryer (Wow, imagine getting home with clean clothes. Boy, did we overpack!), local phone, all contributed to our pleasurable and care-free time at Hale Humea! The volcano show at Kalapana is an easy hike for our 50ish knees. We will definitely communicate our experience to others!

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Place to Relax

Guest: Doug & Lorraine (Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/01/08 Review Submitted: 03/06/08

We spent 10 very enjoyable, relaxing nights at Hale Haumea. The cottage is very clean and free of environmental allergens. We enjoyed eating all of our meals on the Lanai. The kitchen has the basic requirements that we made almost all of our meals at the cottage. The cottage is surronded with trees and with the fans in the cottage, the temperature was very comfortable that we did not need to use the airconditioner. It was convenient to have the washer and dryer so one can pack lighter for vacation. This is a very quiet place, with the only the sounds of the birds during the day and the frogs in the evening. Well stocked for linens. We especially enjoyed the rugged, black sand/lava beaches. We also enjoyed the small restaurant at Kalapena.

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

Needs improvement

Guest: Umauma (Raleigh, NC, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/01/07 Review Submitted: 02/29/08

My husband and I stayed here for 10 days over New Years 2007 and enjoyed our time on the Big Island and sleeping to the sound of the frogs but we could have been a lot more comfortable. Between the brutal futon as a couch and the only den seating, the kitchen chairs on the porch and the non-existent mattress on the bed, we could not find a comfortable place to sit or lay down. The lack of restaurants requires cooking and the very under equipped kitchen made it extremely challenging to prepare a meal. Unless of course you're a raw vegetable eater and cooking is not required. In addition, more plates, cups, bowls, utensils so the water and washing could be kept more to a minimum. As it is, you have to wash by hand daily or run a very empty dishwasher...seems pretty wasteful for such a eco-friendly house, But the Big Island is spectacular, Kehena Beach is really great especially when then dolphins visit, the steam vents are great, Kalapana is a sight to behold and Maune Kea is a must see.

Owner response:We appreciate feedback and have done everything possible to make our next visitors more comfortable at Hale Haumea. The futon mattress has been replaced with an innerspring version that is guaranteed not to get compressed by the humidity here in Hawaii. The bedroom mattress, which is only one year old, has been topped with a Tempurpedic foam pad for greater comfort and firmness as well. And we've added extra pillows to the Adirondack chairs on the lanai so guests can relax more comfortably as they watch the sunrise or the stars come out at night. I hope our guests take advantage of the fabulous tropical buffets served 3x day at the Kalani Oceanside Resort, just 1 mile away, or the breakfast & lunch available at Kalapana Village Cafe, which just opened a few miles down the oceanfront road where hikers can walk over a lava trail to the island's newest black sand beach. There are also excellent restaurants inland in Pahoa Town (13 miles away) and wonderful cooked entrees as well as raw produce at our local Farmers Markets in Hilo and Pahoa. There's even a Farmers Market just three blocks away every Saturday morning now at the new SeaView Performance Arts Center, home of the Hiccup Circus and Belly Acres entertainment and educational center for children. We just attended their grand opening performance and it rivaled Cirque de Soleil! Our kitchen cupboards are stocked with place settings for 8 and, based on this feedback, we're adding more pots, pans and utensils to make cooking a happier experience at Hale Haumea. We strive to make our lovely cottage a home-away-from-home for travellers to our beautiful island. Aloha.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Clean and Spacious

Guest: 2 adults and a toddler (Tacoma Wa)
Date of Stay: 12/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/04/08

New construction, clean & well maintained. Bright, airy & spacious. Well appointed regarding linens & bedding; could use some more kitchen wear tho' (ie tupperwear, knives.) Lots to do in surrounding area. Only issue we had was getting in; lock-box set up is hard to figure out, cell phones don't work so calling for assistance was difficult. It's the second time we've stayed here in two years- we'll be back, we love it!

Owner response:Aloha and thanks for your positive review and feedback... we've made the lock box easier to use but still secure and recently added an array of new kitchen items. We hope to have you as our guests again next year.

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Jutta Krebs and Earl Constantine_HAC109325 (Not Specified)
Date of Stay: 10/01/07 Review Submitted: 10/06/07

Recently we spent 10 days at Hale Haumea.We enjoyed our stay in this recently built, well appointed house located in a beautiful jungle-like setting. It is a wonderful place to either "just" relax or to explore the Hilo side of the Island including Volcano National Park . We also enjoyed using the pool of the nearby Kalani Retreat center. The ownwer as well as the caretakers of the cottage were available when needed and very helpful with tips for any kind of adventure. Enjoy your stay...

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/07 Review Submitted: 09/06/07

My husband and I stayed here with our young daughter at Christmas and had a lovely time. We enjoyed the frogs singing us to sleep, the home- grown papayas, the hot pools and the black sand beaches. The nearby Kalani resort is a bonus - lots of interesting activities and great food. We dream of a return visit!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Candy Soles (San Jose, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/17/07

Hale Haumea See View Cottage is a 10! It is beautiful, clean, secluded in a quiet neighborhood and close to all of the wonderful attractions in the area. My husband and I stayed for a week in late February 2007, and we hope to have the good fortune to return in the future!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Jeanette and Sandy Hicks (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/01/06 Review Submitted: 10/16/06

We stayed 10 days at the Hale Haumea Seaview Cottage in Sept. 2006 and it fit our needs perfectly. We loved the location and the cottage itself. We cooked most of our meals and found fresh fish and wonderful produce in Pahoa. We explored Volcanoes National Park and the gorgeous Puna coast. I participated in a pilates class at the nearby resort and we floated in the warm seaside pool. We would definitely return.

Recommended for:

Guest: DohertA (San Leandro, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/12/06 Review Submitted: 07/12/06

When ATA announced discounted fares on their new non-stop from Oakland to Hilo, Hawaii, we rushed off to see the spectacular volcano on the Big Island. We also felt lucky to find "Hale Haumea" a brand new vacation rental in sunny Sea View offering a special introductory rate. The charming cottage has a beautiful view of the sunrise over the ocean, and is just minutes from the black sand beach, where we were lucky enough to swim with the resident pod of dolphins. The fully stocked kitchen had everything we needed to cook up the fabulous local produce we bought at the Hilo Farmer's Market. We also bought some beautiful Hawaiian artwork there, done by the same artist that adorns all the walls of the cottage with her tropical landscapes.We enjoyed the yoga classes, massages and café open to the public at the neighboring cultural center (we became members to use their pool, hot tub and sauna facilities for just $25/wk), and the many restaurants and local shops in Pahoa Town, about 10 miles away. We can't wait to visit again!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Ralph (Pahoa, HI)
Date of Stay: 07/01/06 Review Submitted: 07/12/06

I had the pleasure of staying at the cottage for a few days in mid-June when my own home was being renovated, and I loved the convenience to the beach, and the serene setting as sometimes even a party animal must rest on his laurels. Diane was very very helpful in making sure that the cottage was outfitted to my satisfaction, and I will recommend this property to any overflow guests that I have.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Roni_HAC56710 (Glendale, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/06 Review Submitted: 07/12/06

I was very pleasantly surprised when I got to the cottage. The real thing is even better than the photos. It was so charming, from the color scheme and the local prints on the walls to the wall sconces and the homey touches. Because I'm chemically sensitive, I was very, very happy that it was totally non-toxic and that the owner Diane provided all non-scented bedding and cleaners. It was such a pleasure to return to it after soaking in the geothermal ponds and taking saunas at the Kalani Oceanside Retreat next door, which I did almost every day. A monthly pass at Kalani for $40 was an unbelievable deal. I also enjoyed many meals on the screened-in lanai. The farmers' markets, three a week, were full of fresh fruits and vegetables, and the Pahoa fish market had fresh fish every day. Organic foods and products were also available in both Pahoa and Hilo. When I didn't feel like cooking I went next door to Kalani, or to Pahoa for Thai, Mexican, Filipino, or vegetarian. food. I also experienced great massages using Hawaiian healing techniques. This location has so many unique qualities that make it a perfect combination of fun and health for an unforgettable vacation. I would definitely come back again and again.

Recommended for:

A Volcanic Vacation in Hawaii

Guest: DohertA (San Leandro, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/01/06 Review Submitted: 06/08/07

When ATA announced discounted fares on their new non-stop from Oakland, California, to Hilo, Hawaii, we rushed off to see the spectacular volcano on the Big Island. We also found a new vacation rental in a part of Hawaii we never knew existed – the Puna Coast, a sunny peninsula south of Hilo. Puna has volcanic features such as geothermally heated hot ponds and natural steam baths. One day we were snorkeling in 92 degree ocean water with turtles and tropical fish and, the next day, climbing down a bamboo ladder into a natural steam room to detoxify from the chemical pollution of the city we left behind. On days when we wanted to cool off, we headed to the Kapoho lava rock tide pools for a refreshing snorkel amid colorful coral. Another day found us swimming with dolphins at dramatic Kehena black sand beach. The Kilauea Volcano is the most active in the world and we drove up the mountain to visit the home of Pele, watching a local hula halau (school) dedicate their dances to this goddess of ancient Hawaiian mythology, then hiking the many trails through Volcanoes National Park. Closer to our vacation home back down near Kalapana, where the lava flowed and destroyed the village in the 1980s, there are lava fields you can hike across to see the hot lava literally explode into the ocean. However, we opted for a more leisurely sunset boat trip with a new local friend to sip champagne as we watched the fireworks erupt. Our vacation cottage, named “Hale Haumea,” was built by an artist as her personal retreat in Sea View Estates. As the name suggests, it has a beautiful view of the sunrise over the ocean and lava lands, and is just minutes from the beach. The 1BR cottage, with a futon couch and full kitchen, sleeps four and was complete with all the amenities and tropical touches. Colorful island art adorned the walls. The floors were all beautifully tiled and the screened-in lanai offered a perfect dining spot. For breakfast, we picked our own papayas in the garden,. We also enjoyed the Pilates and yoga classes, Hawaiian lomi massages and the café open to the public at the neighboring cultural center, and the many restaurants and local shops in Pahoa Town, about 10 miles away.

Recommended for: