Things to Know...

Only good surprises! That's what we want to happen.

Your vacation may be the one of the most special times of your life, and we want to be sure everything is done to make sure you have the best opportunity to enjoy it.

With respect for your potential needs and preferences, we have listed a number things you may wish to know before you commit to a reservation. If you have questions, please ask us...

• No big gatherings please -- We've learned the hard way that large gatherings do not work too well for us. It's fine to have a few visitors, but please don't plan to bring over groups of people (there are other, full houses on the beach that are better suited for large parties).

• Weather -- During the winter months, the weather can be a bit spotty, with cloudy, rainy, or windy days mixed in with some of the most beautiful clear days you can imagine. The windward side is almost always a bit cooler and a bit cloudier than the Waikiki/Honolulu side of the island. Most locals like it this way, since the heat of the concrete jungle can be very uncomfortable, and the extra rain we get over here makes the area lush and green.  We can't guarantee the weather...wish we could...but we can say that a week's vacation here will almost always offer some great beach days, some great driving days, and some great outdoor days, whatever the season. Remember, even the "cold" days here are still handled with shorts and bare feet. In the most extreme weather, we will dig out a pair of jeans and socks to keep warm!

• Air Conditioning -- Most locals never use air conditioning, and most beach lots never have a need due to the constant trade winds that keep the beach homes cool. However, if you're the type that prefers 60 degree air and your windows closed, this may not be the best choice. The downstairs room has an air conditioner for use if the weather is unusually hot and still, but the upstairs does not. The tradewinds blowing through the upstairs make it as cool as almost anyone would want almost all the time.

• The Kitchenette -- It's a fully modern kitchenette, but not quite like what you may have at home. It has a mini refrigerator without a freezer (freezer space is available downstairs, as are coolers for ice), a mini stove (two burners only), there is not a full-sized oven (a toaster oven only), and no automatic dishwasher. For most cooking, the kitchen is very adequate, but if you have special needs, you may wish to ask us about them.

• Beach Wind -- Being on the beach is wonderful...and it usually means that you're going to have some cool, moist winds most of the time. The difference between winds on the beach and winds just 100 feet inland can be phenomenal. For summertime, the winds have a wonderful cooling effect. For cooler days, the winds can be a bit much, and you'll want to close your windows...

• Critters -- Hawaii is unlike the mainland due to its constant nice weather and the propensity for people to keep their doors and windows open all the time. This sometimes means you will find a few unwelcome critters, i.e. ants, mosquitoes, geckos, centipedes, and sorry to say, roaches. A clean, modern home like this one has far fewer of these than an older place, but no place in Hawaii is immune. We can give you some very simple tips on keeping any annoyance down to a minimum, but if you have a zero tolerance for this type of thing, then Hawaii is unlikely to fit your criteria.

• The dog -- We recently got a dog that is usually kept inside, but is also let loose in the yard at times. It's a lab something or other, and is generally very gentle with kids and others. We've had three year olds riding him like a horse and pulling on his ears, and he takes it all just fine, however, if you're skiddish about dogs, or just generally opposed to them, this may not be the best match. We like having the dog because it's like having a very lovable alarm system.

• Showers -- Both bathrooms have double-sized showers. Sorry ladies, but there are no bathtubs in this rental.

• Pools, Hottubs, & Saunas -- Sorry, not here. These things are very rare for homes in Hawaii, since the beach is so accessible and beautiful. Pools, hot tubs, and saunas are at the big hotels, but they're only used when the location isn't near a decent beach!

• Waves -- The waves in Waimanalo Bay are generally very safe, being not very large and not having much undertow. In some very rare cases, the waves can be bigger and bit more tricky. However, uninformed persons or children can do things that increase the danger or likelihood of problems. Small children should always be attended to if they have access to the beach. If you have questions, please ask us. 

• Public Transportation -- Waimanalo is about as close to being in the country as you can be just 7 miles from a metropolitan city. The neighborhood has three small stores within walking distance for basic food and drink items, and two or three lower-end eating establishments, but not much else. The bus system in Hawaii is very good, but out here there can be some wait times for the bus. Unless you are planning to just totally lay back at the beach (for which we would salute you!), you will likely want to have a car.

• Burglaries -- Hawaii has fewer violent crimes than mainland cities, but it has its share of opportunistic burglaries. This unit comes with street parking, so valuables should not be left in the vehicle at night. With our fenced in yard, burglaries have not been an issue, however some of the open beach properties have been victimized, and there can be opportunistic persons in the area (the expensive beach homes are sometimes targeted). We can not be responsible for any losses that occur due to burglaries, however, with reasonable prudence there is unlikely to be any problem. You may also need to be on your guard at any tourist attraction, since they also attract some unwanted burglars.

• Bellows -- The military base up the street is generally quiet, however a few times a year they will conduct amphibious landing and training exercises. During these times you may see military ships and hovercraft in the bay (still quite a ways away from anywhere you will be), and see a few flying craft at times. Most people find it quite interesting to watch.

• Complaints: If any, we will be glad to work with you to make things right for you. If for any reason you are not fully pleased with these accommodations, we will do our best to either resolve the issue, or assist in finding alternate accommodations. Depending upon the reason, we may be able to make monetary considerations, however, we cannot guarantee such things. For the benefit of all of us, we will send you lots of information about our accommodations and other items you should know, and we will ask you to review them before you arrive so there aren't any surprises. 

• Who's involved?: Most people like to know a little bit about who owns the house and what's going on. The house is owned by a woman who lives on property, and the vacation rental is an enjoyable way to share the beauty of the property, as well as help in financial ways too. This web site was created by a neighbor of hers, who happened to have the time to do it and the know how too, and who helps with the bookings and makes all the financial arrangements. He works as an engineer in a Waikiki hotel, and does his best to make sure all the arrangements go smoothly and easily.