We had a wonderful time. My partner and I are a bit different, but the same, because we both go with our gut and trust each other. We are well seasoned international travelers and Tom doesn't post a lot of pictures of his place; however, there was something about it that felt right. Tom's place was right for us! Tom is extremely gracious and accommodating. Kevin, the location property manager, is wonderful and even the security and grounds keepers have the aloha spirit. The balcony is my favorite spot in Tom's place. It is large and I setup my hammock to watch the most beautiful sunsets kiss the ocean goodnight and we had almost every breakfast and dinner on the nice high top table. Bring candles because there's no light on the balcony (which is good because in Hawaii light only attracts flying things). I suggest citronella candels because they will keep the misquotes away. Molokai is extremely laid back but if you need to and/or can work remote Tom's place is 1st class! The internet is faster at Tom's then in Tokyo and if you bring the right cables you can mirror your laptop to his huge HD TV. There is so much more to say and I had the best adventure in a long time. Interestingly, I have traveled and lived/worked all over the world for different professionals and out of all the places I have been I had the best time in my own homeland. I meet many like minded native Hawaiians who are friends of my family and if you want to go to Halawa and listen to live Hawaiian jams contact Uncle Eddie Tanaka mysticalmolokai.com /FB mysticalmolokai
#1 advice take care of Tom's home as you would your own. The reward is in doing right and right comes back.
#2 be prepared for quite and breath it in
#3 need a Western fix Tom's home is modern... sit back and stream Netflix. You'll be amazed how clear big and clear his screen is. It is like you are at the movies.
4# sunscreen sunscreen and more sunscreen
5# keep cooling gel for sunburn in the fridge. It will be much more effective.
6# burt bees bug spray
7# be prepared not to get good phone reception but that's ok if you are prepared and heed advice line #2
8# shop early (in town) and if you are there on Saturday there's a framers' market in town it starts about 9am, it is across from the library. There is a shop at Tom's open till 5 and if you do need something and don't want to go to town you can ask the owner and if he can bring it in he will. He's very nice. But, there's shops and post office 10mins away in Maunaloa town open till 6pm.
Again I cannot express my mahalo to all. Especially, Tom for opening his home to us. Thanks for being so awesome! We'll be back.
Carisa