This is a really charming place. We stayed there for 45 days so I feel the need to write a lengthy review :)
1) Location. Perfect if you have something to do with the university. It is just 10 min walk to the main entrance to campus, 15-16 minute to Korean studies building, Kennedy theater (can catch some great performances there), Moore hall, East-West center. Bus stop is literally 3-4 min walk and the bus can take you straight to Ala Moana shopping center (15 min ride); or Manoa falls trail. Another bus stop is about 8-9 min walk and another bus can take you to Waikiki area. Safeway supermarket is about 20 min walk, there's a shopping area with the ramen place, mexican restaurant, starbucks, another good coffee shop "coffee bean", fedex. Safe, quiet, beautiful neighborhood. Really feels like you're a local, not a tourist.
2) Wonderful view from the window that you can enjoy and never get tired of it. It's truly magical. Can also see gorgeous rainbows right in your window pretty often. Winds are so nice we never turned on the AC in the living room since it just was so nice and breezy especially at night.
3) Kitchen is fully equipped for long stays. There's pretty much everything you need to cook all your meals. We ate out very rarely so we cooked a lot. One thing I would comment on is that the fridge felt small if you're planning to do a lot of your own cooking and there are more people than just you.
4) We really enjoyed the children's books that were laid out in the second bedroom, we read them many, many times.
Overall, we enjoyed our stay (there were three of us: my husband, I and our 5 year old daughter, and I think (in my personal, completely subjective opinion, three people is the maximum for the comfort of everyone, the house is not very big.
While technically you can get away without renting a car, using the buses and Lyft/Uber, nothing can compare with the freedom the car gives you. Manoa Valley is quite a ways from the beach and all the hustle and bustle of the downtown/Waikiki area. I think it'll be ideal for someone who wants to experience the true sense of living in Honolulu or someone who's traveling for work at the university.
Kathy was very prompt to respond, communication went really smoothly, the house had great detailed instructions of what to do with what. Overall, for what we need (traveling for work with family) it was a good find.