Let’s start by saying I would like to give this a 3 star review based off my experience but don’t want to harm the owners due to one horrible employee.
This cottage in Kalani was definitely a unique and interesting experience. The room was nice, keeping in mind you are in a jungle so bugs and geckos are to be expected. The oversized bath tub was definitely the highlight. WiFi connection was extremely poor but it ended up being a great way to disconnect. On the downside we booked this stay to hang out at what looked like their amazing pool. The first night we went to the pool around 7-8 and all of the lights were out so it was 100% pitch black. This was pretty scary in the middle of the jungle but we decided to stick around for a bit anyways. We used our flashlights to walk around and see if it was closed or if there were any lights we needed to turn on. There was a sign next to the hot tub saying it was down for maintenance but the rest of the pool appeared to be open, with the aerator up and running. Since we couldn’t find any lights we hung out for a bit then headed back to our room. On our way back we met Zoltan who was super nice and apologized for the pool. He said there had been electrical issues but it should have been resolved and he would look into it so we should check back tomorrow.
The following day we out and explored Pāhoa, the black sand beach, and hot lava pools. We returned to our room for some pool time after lunch where we ran into the angriest most aggressive man we have come across in all of Hawaii or any vacation. This blew our mind since Pāhoa and Kalani seemed to be a community built on love and peace. We first met him in the front office when we went to check on the pool lights for a later evening swim. We explained to the front desk the lighting situation the night prior and the “master electrician” walked in as we were doing so. He was very frustrated there could be an issue and questioned us as if he did not believe our story but said he would check the lighting timer. We left and headed to the pool for the afternoon. Once at the pool we had the opportunity of spending the day with this man working in the room at the opposite end of the pool. For the next 2 hours this man screamed, and I mean screamed profanity and let all of his anger out. There was a new electrician working with him who he repeatedly put down by yelling “I fu**ing hate dumb people”, “where is my fu**ing (insert tool)”, and the list goes on. Believe it or not, this was not the worst of it. He had his beautiful, timid pit bull with him who cowered as we walked by her. We assumed she did not like strangers so we just continued on. Soon after we learned why she was so frightened. He had her tied up right outside the room he was working on. We watched her wander in there and stand in the doorway. It appeared she was just checking on dad. A few seconds later she must have stood in his way so he started going after her, “stupid fu**ing dog get out of the way”, “why are you being so fu**ing bad today”, etc. He then kicked her out of the doorway into the pool area and as she cowered down he picked her up and bounced her off of the ground. He kicked her away so she tried to run down the path out and of the pool but was tethered so she could only make it a little ways. She was then in trouble for running that way. Luckily, he did not chase her or we would have intervened. I have never in my life seen anyone treat an animal this way. We were awe struck this would happen anywhere but especially in a community like we were visiting.
A bit later this “master electrician” loudly walked toward us in the pool taking to someone else saying “some tourists came by complaining the lights didn’t work last night”. We told him it was us, he checked the lights and said we must have come at the wrong time. At that point we left the pool and decided there was no need to return there day or night.
Overall this could have been a unique, great experience but this “master electrician” definitely was the memorable part and ruined the peaceful and loving environment. As this community strives for peace and harmony, I truly believe this “master electrician” and disgraceful dog owner must be the only electrician in Pahoa or Zoltan and Lily must have no idea who he really is.
-Morgan & Dmitri