Overall a great stay, I will come again! This was perfect for my extended stay, quiet and tranquil, perfect for a restorative time away. Pictures were exactly as shown. Host was super responsive.
>>>PROS: 1. fantastic LOCATION within walking distance to multiple BEACHES (among the best in the world! My fave was Papohaku 3 miles of white sand beach often all to myself, or shared with hardly anyone) 2. secluded and quiet (if this is a "con" for you, try another island ;) 3. Fantastic LANAI, comfortable patio furniture to fully enjoy the view. Of the time I spent in the unit, I spent most of it out here. The birds come right up close and on your patio. 4. WELL STOCKED (beach chairs, coolers, fishing rod, boogie board, etc.) Generous leftover items from previous guests made things easier: full cupboard of kitchen spices, and all the reef safe sunscreen and laundry detergent (coin operated) you can imagine ;) I would recommend you do your big grocery shop after you've landed and had a look at what is already in stock. 5. Fantastic online farmers market will deliver straight to the door! (free delivery over $75) molokaimobilemarket . com 6. Locals are friendly and welcoming... just don't act like an entitled consumer tourist. I took an art class at the art centre, tai chi class in town Fridays at 9am, and made some new friends! 7. Fastest internet on the island (if that's important to you, but get out and enjoy the beach, lol!)
>>>Potential CONS (Not deal breakers for me, but good to be aware of): 1. No air conditioning, but the fan is sufficient, or leave the door open to allow the winds to come through (it's generously windy!) 2. Location is secluded so you have to drive a distance for provisions. If you don't have a car, for the true local experience, there is a free MEO bus you can take, which was fantastic to get to town once a week for groceries (just show up 10 min early to be sure)...or meet some friendly locals neighbours who can give you a ride or pick something up for you. For a cheaper ride to the airport than taxi, look on the board at Ke Nani Kai complex for someone locally who will drive you for less. 3. NOISE: it's generally blissfully quiet, so much so that you should be aware that anything you say on the lanai can be heard by your neighbours. I had a couple of loud unaware neighbours at different times but fortunately they only stayed briefly. Birds start chirping early, deer cries and geckos make their noise at night (they also poop all over but they are easy enough to clean up, lol), but for a moderate to heavy sleeper like me, it wasn't an issue. Ear plugs should do the trick for anyone else. 4. There are Dilapidated buildings from the failed resort in the 80s. If you're someone who is sensitive to having a visually curated environment, this might not be the vibe for you, but honestly didn't bother me at all. 5. While it's a fully stocked kitchen, though if it's not a full sized oven / just a counter top toaster oven. And no dish washer, if that's important to you. 6. Basic provisions in terms of paper supplies, but if you're staying longer be prepared to restock yourself. As reference, for my one month stay as a solo traveler I had enough of everything, but extending an extra 2 weeks had to restock up on toilet paper. 7. Tropical cleanliness standards are strict... it's hot and tropical so it's expected for you to have to be extra vigilant with food and clean up. I never left anything out, did dishes and took all garbage out right away, yet there were still a stray ant here and there. It is a hot tropical place, and with keeping doors open for air, it's expected that unwanted visitors may come in. I did have a stray roach or two (over the course of 45 days) but I imagine this would be the same for many/most other units given the close proximity, the tropical climate, and people coming and going with different standards. I say this because this isn't something the host can control! Last Tuesday morning of the month they come and spray for bugs.
Overall a great stay, (I extended my time longer), and I'll be back again!