Hale Ono Loa is a perfect example of the “Uberization” of the real estate world. European cities are now pushing back from this style of ownership, which creates basic, hotel-style accommodation without the concierge. Few people really live there any more, so it is just tourists coming and going. First, the property itself. This is an older style, four-story building with one small, slow elevator. We chose to take the stairs except during loading in and loading out. Perhaps that was good exercise. Most of the units do not have air conditioning, and this is true for Unit 311. There’s no beach out front – it’s a rock wall – but the turtles are right there if you want to watch them feed. The lanai (balcony) is not fancy or particularly comfortable (e.g., no lounge chairs), but it does have a lovely ocean view, and you can watch the whales frolic between Maui and Lana’i in season. Bring binoculars!
This development is an easy walk to the small but lovely Honokowai Beach Park, which has a very nice beach and low surf conditions good for children. It also has lots of shade trees for us northerners. The reef is quite good for snorkeling, but can have poor visibility near shore. Access can be a bit tricky over the shallow rocks at shore. I suggest the north (right) side of the beach for entry and exit. Don’t try it in high surf. I had a nice swim with a ray once out at 10 feet of water, toward the south side of the beach. It’s also right across from my favourite coffee shop, Badass Coffee, where the mocha granita is on tap, cold and delicious. A bit further down, still very walkable, is the Times grocery store for all the daily needs, along with the best pancake place on the planet, Slappy Cakes.
Unit 311 seems to be a poster child for what could be called the Minimum Acceptable Standard (MAS) in everything. It is clean, which is good. But basic suite hotels are nicer, and better appointed. This room has been refurbished to the MAS – sinks, countertops, floors, cabinets, bathtub surround – all just to the Minimum Acceptable limit. Dishes and utensils are “mix and match”, more like the summer cottage than an apartment hotel. There is one wine glass and one sherry glass. Chairs drop strange black pieces on the floor if you sit in them. There is not even a salt or pepper shaker, so you have to buy your own salt, pepper and sugar for coffee or tea. If you plan to eat in, just plan to bring everything consumable. At least the pots and pans are in good shape. The real point is that there is nothing at all in this unit to provide special comfort or delight. The bed is fine, though.
The lack of air conditioning is workable in the winter months, mostly. However it has two results that you may or may not be able to live with: to keep air moving, you have to keep the window over the bed open and that is exposed to the noises from the parking lot and local road. And there are no curtains to block the flow of air either, so that means the morning light shines in starting at about 6:30 am in the winter, and 6:00 in the summer. If you follow the “island lifestyle” of going to bed early and rising early, you are fine. Don’t stay in this unit if you like to be up late and sleep late.
This unit is advertised as a one bedroom. But the owners took out the wall to the bedroom, so it is really a large studio style now. This would not be a big deal if there were curtains on the lanai windows, but there are only partial sheers, which do not provide any privacy when it is dark outside and light inside. When I complained about this to the manager, she said “It is what it is”. Not helpful.
In sum, there is nothing really wrong with this unit, if what you want is the MAS and a nice view. If you want something a little special, with a little extra, for your holiday then this would not be your best bet.