Generally, this is a good deal and nice condo to rent, but may have to wait a bit if you have a problem. We had an ANT INFESTATION that took a total of 10 days to get resolved and NO HOT WATER in our shower that also took 10 days...both were deemed to be non-emergencies, but my husband and I beg to differ. We could not even put a drink down, at all, or it would be completely covered with ants! We had ants crawling on us at night! FYI, Terro ant poison works wonders. Cold showers the first 10 days were pretty rough. We were extremely patient about that and a lot of things and then got fussed at at the end for daring to ask the cleaning lady (best friend of host) to wash dishes (nothing outlined or expected AND permission given -- esp because we needed to leave earlier than expected on the last day to wash rental car in a different location because the VILLAGE'S HOSE FOR CAR WASHING HAD A HOLE in the side!), take out trash (completely gathered by the door), and do laundry (also gathered and placed by the washer). WE paid her $150, and left an apology note and a tip for the dishes, for 2 to 3 hours of maid service in a tiny studio (think - full time that is $96k to $144k per year! I think we are ALL in the wrong line of work!) yet she complained to the host, who then complained to us, who then felt she needed to pay her more money out of her pocket. It was a bad way to end a trip. It really left us with a bad taste in our mouth, especially when we had been so patient and reasonable about so many, much more important things, on our once in a lifetime trip. Why on earth even mention anything about her cleaning when she is paid handsomely for it and we put everything in the proper place, even though there is nothing that says that is even necessary? Why say something when we have had so many problems throughout the trip, you know what we have gone through before the trip (how hard our life has been - IVF and fostering) and during the trip (issues with the condo, etc.), yet we have been really understanding only to have something rude said to us after leaving the condo in very good shape? It could have been a complete mess and it still would have taken two hours to clean because of the size! $150 is more than enough for the job and she should be over the moon about it. There are many people out in the world, especially at this point in history, that would love the opportunity to help their families with this kind of income. Maybe you need to hire a professional company rather than giving your friend a cushy job.
Overall, the HOST was communicative and answered most questions quickly and politely, though she didn't know the answers if it had to do with the actual condo. This was the first time the condo was rented and you could tell. She wasn't sure about what was in the condo (ex. we bought SNORKEL EQUIPMENT per her suggestion, but there was snorkel equipment in a drawer), we asked her to put extra HANGARS in the closet (not only did she tell us to bring hangers with us rather than just making sure there were plenty in the closet - because that makes sense - but she also didn't know there is a dresser in the closet with 2 of 5 drawers already filled with things like with twin sized sheets for a full sized bed...or that there was a cordless vacuum hooked up on the side that takes up most of the hanging space - so we put it behind the plant to hang up more clothes, but could still vacuum - just plug it in sometimes), we had to request another set of bath towels (to have two sets to total four towels vs. one set totaling two towels and then explain how much laundry I was going to do because of it), and we requested a brita filter due to the LOW QUALITY OF WATER (never was really drinkable and had to buy many gallons or do refills). It had also not been dusted in some time, the bathtub was dirty (also would drain very slowly and fill up while showering), the water had not been run after having a pipe issue or checked to ensure all warm/hot water was working properly. We had also asked for a pedestal fan prior to our arrival and had to wait and ask to get it. That was the prime time in which we needed it as we were jet lagged and staying in the condo with no air conditioning and were acclimating to the climate. A simple 30 minute cleaning and check of the property would have revealed and rectified these issues before our arrival.
BASIC TIPS/INFO
LOCATION: It is in between Kualoa Ranch and the Polynesian Cultural Center (both are awesome) in Ka'a'awa. I would highly suggest going to the PCC all three days they give you if you can...and with a month....you can. These 3 days are consecutive and are separate from the night show. It is so fun and there is so much to learn.
If you are a light/medium sleeper, you will be WOKEN UP AROUND 7:30ish by the village chickens. We actually adored them, found out what they liked to eat, and fed them regularly.
Sometimes, when you pass the Kualoa Ranch, they will have their horses out near the street and you can park and pet them! So much fun!
NO AC needed in the winter! Seriously. The condo is smack dab in between water and mountains with a screened balcony/patio and a screened door in the front and when