This weekend, we ventured down to Kahalu’u Bay. We have just added two new condos to our vacation rental program which are located at the Beach Villas at Kahalu’u  and needed some pictures for the website listing. The vog’s still here , but, as the pictures attest, the scenery in Kona is second to none. Check out the Honu pictures and videos which were taken from the overhang at the Outrigger Hotel. They are beautiful creatures and amazingly graceful! The last video is of Ka’aloa Beach, commonly referred to as Magic Sands. All of these pictures and videos were taken today.

Kahalu'u Bay Beautiful Water

Nice Colors!

Lush Vegetation

Red Hibiscus

Honu

Kahalu'u Bay looking south

St. Peter's Church at Kahalu'u Bay

Heiau

Watch a Swimming Honu:

Boogie Board at Magic Sands (Ka’aloa Beach Park):

May 23, 2009–Kailua Bay

This weekend was the opening competition of the Big Island paddling season at the Kailua-Kona pier at Kailua Bay. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and crystal clear water.

Getting ready to launch

Koa canoe

Close race

Beautiful Kailua Bay in Kona

Dances with Whales

Ours is usually Honaunau/Two Step–easy in and easy out. Great visibility and always great sites and relaxing time. This pic was sent to me by Scott Hansen who dives all over the world.  I believe this was taken in Tonga where it’s “legal” to purposely dive with the Humpbacks. Sue has some great pics of the Kona coast–send them and we’ll post!

Thanks to Gary Orton and my co-worker, Joanne Lombardi, for the following great picture of Rainbow Falls:

Rainbow Falls courtesy of Gary Orton

Below is a photo from Karen and Dickie Huff, Kona residents and some of my BEST patients:

Kona Sunset courtesy of Karen and Dickie Huff

We are at a unique latitude in Kona where it is possible to see the Southern Cross and the Big Dipper–at the same time! Check out the picture I recently took of the Southern Cross from our home in North Kona:

Southern Cross viewed in Kona, Hawaii

This nice Honu pic at Makalawena Beach was taken by my trusty assistant, Katrina Sheehan:

Makalawena Resident

Most of the world-renowned coffee grown in the Kona district comes from 2-3 acre farms such as ours. The farmers usually take the freshly picked coffee cherry (within 24 hours) to a nearby processing plant where the cherry is sold. In 2008, the going price paid per pound of cherry was $1.10. Deducted from this is the cost of picking labor ($0.45 to 0.60 per pound), fertilizer (as much as $35 per bag  x 45 bags total for us this year!), weed killer, and pruning costs. To keep some or all of the coffee ourselves, we pay a processing fee of $0.35 per pound. So, it’s not really a money making operation. (At least I still have a day job!). “Estate Grown” coffee refers to farms who sell only coffee that they have grown and processed. Typically, we get about 1 pound of roasted coffee for every 7-8 pounds of cherry picked.

Our Coffee Label

2008 Coffee Cherry

This was a great place to stay and we would highly recommend it to anyone. It is convenient to many of the attractions and beaches on the western side of the Big Island. It is also situated in the heart of the resort area and close to some great shopping. Did we mention that it is just a 5 minute walk to the beach?! The view of the mountains from the lanai is spectacular. This condo is beautifully appointed and decorated and is comparable to staying in a luxury hotel but with much more room! Our return back will not be soon enough! Thank you to Carole for great service!

Harold and Sue V.
West Chester, PA

February 28th, 2009

Hi Carole,

Was texting you from the airplane on the runway, but never finished!

We had the most incredible time — thank you so very much for helping to make that possible!

We loved Kolea 16B.  It was comfortable and clean — I have chronic allergies to dust, dust mites, etc.  Not once did I feel bad — the place was very well maintained!  The kitchens, indoor and outdoor were very well equipped.  Who likes to cook while on vacation?  Well, if the kitchen is beautiful and well-equipped, I don’t mind at all!  I didn’t even mind doing laundry!   ;-)

The 2 bedrooms were tastefully furnished, and the baths were luxurious!  After day trips around the island, we looked forward to coming back to relax in a beautiful home.  We loved hanging out at the pool and having the A-bay beach so close by — the kids went snorkeling and saw sea turtles.  Sunsets were gorgeous at the beach.

A-bay beach had chairs, but we were able to make use of the cooler and beach chairs provided in the unit, to take with us to nearby Mauna Kea beach, a pristine beach.  There really wasn’t much that we were missing, to make our stay comfortable!

Being situated in Waikoloa was an ideal distance from Kona, Kings Shopping Center, Hilton, Mauna Loa Beach, Waimea, etc.   Having walking access to the beach from the unit was great.

The only comment from our family is that the pool was not heated — so the kids did not enjoy it as much as they’d like.  The ocean was much warmer!  We did go spend a day at the Hilton with a day pass to make use of their facilities.  It turned out their multiple pools were not heated either.

Overall, I would highly recommend renting this condo!  Great value in a beautiful home!

Mahalo to you and the owners!

Eileen & family