This was our first trip to the Big Island and we wanted to stay on the Kona side which was a good decision given the stormy week on the Hilo side. Communication with the host was excellent and I never knew they were many time zones away by the quick response. During one of the storms the power went out. In the two minutes that I figured out a plan of action there was a knock at the door. The caretaker was there to say that he had already checked and it was a region-wide power outage and not just the house. What service. He also made suggestions of alternative locations where the power outage and storm would not negatively impact our activities. While the location is not next to the ocean, it is at the intersection of major roads getting to the Kona beaches, Mauna Kea, and Hilo. Also, it is a little windy, which just keeps the house cooler and you know that the wind is not blowing any harder on the beach. We had winds at about 10 mph at the house and zero on the beach. The elevation of the house (at about 1,000 feet above sea level) gave a good vantage point to see if the ocean was rough or like glass and an indication of the surf conditions. The store is close by long with other conveniences. What a great experience. We had most of our family under one roof with grandma (my wife), son & daughter-in-law, and two grandkids (9 and 6). The parents were able to say downstairs away from the kids so they also had some private/quiet time while still being on the family vacation. My wife is a "cleany" and was very pleased with the house and its cleanliness.
signed: grandpa, (aka geologist, snorkeler, boggie boarder.)