Waikoloa Vacation Rental Management

Majestically standing at an elevation of 13,796 feet is Mauna Kea, which means “White Mountain”. Its name comes from its snow-capped summit in the winter. It is the tallest mountain in the world at 33,000 feet, when measured from its base at the sea floor. Mauna Kea is home to the Hawaiian goddess Poliahu. The last eruption was 3,500 years ago.

The summit is the home to some of the world’s leading astronomical observatories such as Keck, Gemini, Canada-France-Hawaii, Cal-tech and the University of Hawaii, where the view is clear 300 nights a year.

Waikoloa Vacation Rentals does recommend arriving at the visitors’ center toward late afternoon into the early evening. As the elevation is so dramatic, the night sky is one of Mauna Kea’s most impressive features.

There are two options to visit this historical site. The First would be to drive with your loved ones, family, and friends to the visitor center at Mauna Kea. There are great views and some activities at the 9,000 feet elevation. A four-wheel drive vehicle or commercial tour must be utilized to gain access to the summit, as ordinary vehicles are not capable of handling this road. The second would be a guided tour, allowing access to the higher elevation, observatory, and more.

To reach Mauna Kea, take Highway 190 north towards Waimea. The Saddle Road (named because it runs between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa) is located on the right, just before the 6-mile marker. After the 28-mile marker, turn left onto the Mauna Kea Access road. The Visitors Information Station is about 6 miles up the road, on the right. They are open from 9 AM to 10 PM daily. This trip takes about an hour and a half to two hours from Waikoloa Beach Resort.

Effects of high altitude and weather conditions are two factors that should be known prior to embarking. Be sure to check updated conditions, pack appropriately and take the recommended precautionary measures.

Guests of Waikoloa Vacation Rentals may contact (808) 987-4519 or email concierge@waikoloavacationrentals.com for assistance.

To see what Waikoloa Vacation Rentals has to offer for luxury vacation rentals, please visit us at waikoloavacationrentals.com.

Weather and Road Conditions (808) 935-6268
http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/forecast/mko/index.cgi
http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/road-conditions

Imagine a tour that can provide you with an aerial view of the glorious Big Island of Hawaii. One that will allow you to hover beside a cascading waterfall, suspend you over the active Kilauea Volcano, gently drift in and around mystical valleys, and take you through a journey of the majestic mountains of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai and Kohala. There is nothing that can compare to the scenic experience of a helicopter tour. It is the only way to immerse yourself in the full beauty of the island. The breath taking sights will completely consume you creating lifelong memories that will instill in you the essence of Hawai’i.

From short, budget tours that take you to the volcano to private valley landing tours, the Big Island of Hawaii has a tour for everyone. Helicopter tours are one of the most popular adventures on the Big Island and fill up quickly.

Contact Waikoloa Vacation Rentals at (808) 987-4519 for more information.

Enjoy a selection of luxury Big Island of Hawaii vacation rentals at www.waikoloavacationrentals.com.

Here is a list of some of the more popular island restaurants in the area. Most are available for dinner only unless otherwise noted.

Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill
Location: Kings’ Shops at Waikoloa Beach
Phone 808-886-4321

This dining hot spot features Euro-Asian food and a full-service bar by Roy Yamaguchi, a world-renowned chef and restaurateur who has received numerous awards from top ranking restaurant and dining publications. Yamaguchi was named best chef in the Pacific Northwest in the James Beard-Perrier Jouet Restaurant Awards. Roy’s has a strong local following while simultaneously attracting visitors who want to enjoy the enticing cuisine.

Monstera Sushi and Noodles
Location: Shops at Mauna Lani
Phone 808-887-2711

Monstera is a hip, casual “izakaya-style” restaurant offering Japanese pub food and sushi from owner Norio Yamamoto. Yamamoto is a successful sushi chef with more than two decades of experience with discriminating employers such as Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental and The Fairmont Orchid. The restaurant caters to the residential market with a menu built upon fresh local ingredients.

Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Café (available for lunch and dinner)
Location: The Shops at Mauna Lani
Phone: 808-887-0800
Imagine the perfect escape where the only criteria is good food and drink in a relaxed, carefree environment. Sound like wishful thinking? Not at Tommy Bahama’s, where the purveyor of island lifestyles has evolved their successful men’s and women’s upscale casual sportswear, golf wear, accessory and home furnishings collections into a well-respected restaurant and retail operation that serves up island-inspired fare and lots of tropical fun.

Café Pesto
Location: Kawaihae
Phone: 808-887-0800

Seeking to be at the lead of Kohala’s culinary adventure and preserving the historic charm of the small town, while providing the best of local Hawaiian Regional foods. In addition to their magnificent regional cuisine, they also offer a selection of homemade pizzas. Café Pesto is known for their mai tai’s and Lilikoi Margaritas.

Merriman’s
Location: Waimea
Phone: 808-885-6822

Chef/Owner Peter Merriman is a three-time finalist in the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. Merriman’s serves the freshest ingredients paired with the finest wines.

CanoeHouse
Location Mauna Lani Bay Hotel
Phone: 808-885-6622

Creative farm-to-table menu by Sandy Tuason, CanoeHouse specializes in extraordinarily fresh cuisine with a contemporary flair. Come relax and enjoy the scenic Kohala Coast sunsets and island fresh cuisine at a
casual oceanfront setting on the water’s edge.

Sea, Sand, at Stars at Four Seasons
Location Hualalai
Phone: 808-325-8000

This seafood buffet is located on the beach at Hualalai offers the best ambiance of any dining experience on the Big Island of Hawaii. Enjoy listening to the ocean and cool breeze while selecting from an array of seafood favorites.

Seafood Bar
Location: Kawaihae
Phone 808-882-1368

This is a Great place for mai tais and pupus for a reasonable price. Happy hour is from 3p-5:30 and 10pm to close.

Brown’s Beach House
Location: Fairmont Orchid
Hours of Operation: 5:30p-8:30pm daily
Phone 808¬-887-736

Award-winning Brown’s Beach House is the place for the quintessential island dining experience located just steps from shore. Big Island-inspired cuisine is drawn from simple, pure flavors from locally grown, sustainable agriculture.

Norio’s Japanese Rest. and Sushi Bar
Location: Fairmont Orchid
Phone 808-887-7368

A favorite among guests, visitors and locals alike, Norio’s Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar is located alongside a serene koi pond on the garden level. The 60-seat restaurant features a 14-seat sushi bar and an 18-seat private dining room. Enjoy some of their signature sushi dishes such as the 69 Roll and Tuna Tataki.

Guests of Waikoloa Vacation Rentals may contact (808) 987-4519 or email concierge@waikoloavacationrentals.com for assistance.

To see what Waikoloa Vacation Rentals has to offer for luxury vacation rentals, please visit us at waikoloavacationrentals.com.

Kolea is one of the most dynamic locations in all of the Hawaiian Islands. The beachfront property has an array of options including luxury beachfront homes all the way to reasonably priced two bedroom garden view villas. Another unique aspect of Kolea is how the rental of these properties are handled. Kolea is one of the only luxury properties in Hawaii where there are almost as many VRBOs (Vacation Rentals by Owner) as there are vacation rentals offered by management companies. Here are some of the many things to consider when deciding whom to rent from.

First, many owners do not have a licensed property manager available to help you in the event something goes wrong. For example, being locked out when you arrive or a plumbing issue occurring.

Second, given that most owners only own one property, in the event something happens and you are unable to stay in their villa you are left without a place to stay. There are many reasons this could happen (double booking, foreclosure, maintenance issue, etc). Since property managers have numerous properties, they can typically move you to a comparable or better one without too many issues.

Third, the property management companies are on island so they are constantly checking the villas to ensure the cleanliness of the villa and that all the amenities are there. Many owners just have a housekeeper, whom does not have anyone checking their work to ensure that it has been done properly.

Last, licensed property managers have standards and codes to follow in order to help assure that vacationers are getting a good experience. In the event that a vacationer does have a bad experience, they are typically responsive in trying to remedy the issue to save their brand. Since owners do not have a brand, many are not eager to go to any extreme to ensure that the problem is remedied. Not to mention that it is very hard to remedy an issue from the mainland where many owners live.

Sometimes getting Kolea vacation rentals from owners can lead to savings and a positive experience at Kolea, but there are risks involved. If you do rent direct from an owner we would recommend doing further research on the specific villa prior to settling on one.

Click here to view the largest selection of professionally managed villas at Kolea.

The Hilton Waikoloa Village encompasses 62 acres of pristine oceanfront property on the Golden Coast of Kohala. Since 2005, over $100 million has been invested in capital improvements. From the reupholstering of the canal boats and engine replacements, to the system upgrade. You are sure to enjoy a fun day riding on both modes of transportation as you visit each of the four swimming pools.

The beautiful Hilton Waikoloa Village now offers a day use room with pool passes for all Big Island visitors based on hotel availability. It allows up to four persons including children to utilize a guest room, the pools, and slides from the hours of 10am to 6pm for $160. Registering earlier than 10am is possible, however access to both the pools and slide begin at 10am.

Reservations for this activity can be made 7 days or less in advance. Registration begins at the front desk of the hotel and ends at the pool desk. Resort staff will direct you beyond the front lobby.
Parking validation is not included in the price of the room however if any of their restaurants are utilized during the day (minimum of $50), parking will be validated. Otherwise self-parking is $15.

Towels are included; just bring your sunscreen, personal items, and loved ones to enjoy the day in the sun.

Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort specific questions can be directed to (808) 886-1234. Guests of Waikoloa Vacation Rentals may contact (808) 987-4519 or email concierge@waikoloavacationrentals.com for assistance.

To view luxury vacation rentals near the Hilton Waikoloa Village visit www.waikoloavacationrentals.com.

Beaches, sunsets, lei’s, waterfalls, the ocean breeze, and the aloha of Hawaii can make any wedding even more memorable. Whether there are three people or one hundred and three in the wedding party, the Big Island has everything to make it a total experience.

According to Frommers, a world-renowned travel resource, “Hawaii is a great place for a wedding. The islands exude romance and natural beauty and after the ceremony, you’re already on your honeymoon. The members of your wedding party will most likely be delighted since you’ve given them the perfect excuse for their own island vacation.”

When deciding where, when, and how to get married, many questions may arise. Over the years, Waikoloa Vacation Rentals has hosted several wedding parties at their vacation rental locations. Here are some things learned along the way that may be helpful.

One option available for wedding services here on the Big Island of Hawaii is the beautiful Hilton Waikoloa Village. The property offers full service wedding planning, catering, and a large assortment of ceremony and reception venues able to accommodate three to three hundred guests or more. These venues currently have pricing structures based on the time of day as well as the season.

The Hilton Waikoloa Village has four different venues for a ceremony. Each of these venues were specifically selected by the hotel to create a truly memorable experience based on view, size, and overall atmosphere. Some of the sites do have a specific number of guests they can accommodate, making them that much more intimate.

The Wedding Chapel is a smaller venue for up to eighteen guests while the Palace Garden and Grand Staircase can accommodate up to one hundred attendees.  Buddha Point is a very private venue, located at the north end of the property, along the coastline. With a fabulous view of the ocean and the surrounding area, it is the perfect location for up to forty guests. This can truly be a place for a spiritual event.

After the ceremony, the property has five different locations available for the reception. Based on the size of the party, the decision may be difficult, as each venue is very different from the next offering an exciting location for any group. These venues have rental fees; however, they can be waived with an established food and beverage minimum.

Donatoni’s, The Palm Terrace, and The Ocean View Terrace are great venues that can accommodate a wide variety of groups and their needs. The Lagoon Lanai can accommodate up to three hundred guests or, two hundred with a dance floor and head table. The backdrop is a lagoon, tiki torches, and the stars above. Should weather become an issue, a covered area just off the lanai is available for the festivities to continue. If a larger area is necessary, ballrooms are available for up to nine hundred guests. This venue is great for the groups looking for more square footage or protection from the weather.

The property does all of its catering in-house. Sample menus, preferred vendor lists for entertainment, photography, florists, spa options and more can be viewed below. If a wedding party has an outside vendor in mind such as a photographer or disc jockey, they may work the event. If they are not a preferred vendor with the hotel, there will be an additional charge for them to work on property. This allows them access to the grounds and the event.

The wedding department has some fantastic packages including everything necessary to create an unforgettable experience. An à la carte menu is also available with specialty items such as harpists, solo acoustic guitarists, and more.

Shuttle service is available between the property and your villa or condo using SpeediShuttle, a reliable transportation provider throughout the islands. SpeediShuttle is available for larger groups at 877-242-5777.

Another available avenue is a private wedding coordinator to help with the arrangements. There are quite a few wedding planners on the island. These planners can offer a preferred vendor list for services such as catering, photography, makeup, entertainment, floral arrangements, etc. They can also assist with marriage certificates and public area permits. As these choices are extremely personal, viewing credible resources can be a valuable tool as well. Please contact Waikoloa Vacation Rentals for recommendations regarding these companies.

When contacting wedding planners, vendors, or anyone who may have an integral part in the event, there are a few extremely important things to consider and evaluate. Do they respond appropriately? What feeling do they evoke with their communication via email and telephone? Are they prompt? Do they offer confidence during the conversation? All of these criteria can help ensure the greatest of service and most positive overall experience.

Any of the wedding coordinators will have their preferred locations based on the needs of the client, size of the group and other various requests. Some of these locations can host the reception, ceremony or both. Wedding planners can assist with those decisions as well.

Some ceremony locations include Kukio (Hualalai) Beach, Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park, Kikaua Point Beach Park, Saint Peter’s Church, Paradise Cove, and Secret Beach, just to name a few. Some of these venues do require permits if money is changing hands for goods or services rendered, especially if it is a public space. Any coordinator or authorized vendor can assist with these regulations.

Reception locations for a truly unique island experience are Anna’s Ranch, Parker Ranch, Kahua Ranch and the Sullivan Estate among many others. Some Big Island properties are equipped to host receptions too.

Some of the advantages to getting married on the Hawaiian Islands are the unique rehearsal dinner venues. Luaus are a great option as they are interactive and complete with food, beverage, atmosphere, and entertainment. Local restaurants such as Merriman’s Waimea, The CanoeHouse at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows, or any of the larger hotel properties can host such events as well.

In Hawaii, tradition and culture reign supreme and are part of daily life. Their place in weddings is no different. Some examples are both the lei presentation, a symbol of love, respect and spiritual connection and the blowing of the conch shell. This act symbolizes the desire of all men and women to use their breath of life, also known as ‘ha’. The shell is a form of communication with anyone whom can only be present in spirit.

As these examples are extremely important to the Hawaiian culture, they most certainly are a part of the Hawaiian wedding celebration. The inclusion of the lei is typically part of the ceremony but please ask if the blowing of the conch shell is of interest as well.

An extremely important decision necessary to complete the total Hawaiian wedding experience are the accommodations. Considerations in regards to amenities and group dynamics are necessary. Waikoloa Vacation Rentals has quite a few luxury vacation rental selections available. These vacation rentals range in size from two bedrooms with 1,020 square feet of space, to three bedrooms, three and a half baths with 2,147 square feet. There are additional floor plans and sizes in between. These options will ensure any wedding party remains comfortable and allows everyone to be close to each other while also having plenty of space to relax. With amenities such as expansive lanais, additional outdoor kitchens, Anaeho’omalu Bay and both the Kings’ and Queens’ Shops within walking distance, there are plenty of activities and options for everyone.

Feel free to contact Waikoloa Vacation Rentals at (808) 987-4519 if you have any questions regarding accommodations or planning a wedding on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Additional Hawaii wedding information
For marriage license inquiries, visit http://hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/vitalrecords/marriage/index.html#howto.
Information regarding public area permits is available at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/land/forms-1/forms.

Over the past five years, there has been fluctuation within the leisure travel industry. One thing has become evident; the vacation rental industry popularity is on the rise.

As seen below, 2010 marked a change for the industry as more people are looking to vacation. In early 2010 a national level campaign was started promoting vacation rentals helping the vacation rental industry to see a larger increase in guests than the hotel industry. Though the statistics for 2011 for vacation rentals are not yet published nationally, some trends were sited recently in a survey completed by TripAdvisor, an authoritative company within the travel industry. Of 1,400 travelers who took part in this survey, 40% of the respondents said they would be staying in a vacation rental during 2011. Much of this was attributed to more space, full kitchens and a better overall value than a hotel.

As it stands right now, both the continental United States and the Hawaiian Islands are seeing positive results with the number of arrivals still gaining momentum over the past few years. Though tourism is still below that of 2005, the outlook does look promising.

According to data obtained from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Hawaii travel industry and the vacation rental market are on faster tracks for recovery than that of the United States travel and vacation rental industries. Below it can be seen that arrivals have been on the rise since 2009 within the state of Hawaii; however, the hotel industry is not experiencing the same growth as the vacation rental industry.

As Waikoloa Vacation Rentals moves further into the 2nd half of 2011, August offered very promising statistics and reservations are continually coming in for the fall. The outlook for both the vacation rental market and Waikoloa Vacation Rentals looks positive. Superior guest service, cutting edge marketing and an overall emphasis on guest experience will continue to push Waikoloa Vacation rentals forward further into 2011 and beyond.

Anyone who has either lived or owns a property on the Hawaiian Islands knows full well that the cost of electricity is extremely high. As technology improves, more avenues for cost savings exist than ever before. Some of these options include:

· Air Conditioning Shutoff Systems
· Energy Star Hot Water Heaters
· Energy Star Appliances
· Lights with Motion Sensors
· New Aerator Shower Heads and Faucets
· Installation of HCFL Light Bulbs
· High Efficiency Ceiling Fans
· Thermostats with Minimum Settings
· Higher Efficiency Air Conditioning Systems
· Energy Star Electronics Such as Stereos, Televisions, and DVD Players

Any of these money saving opportunities listed above on their own will reduce the cost of electricity immediately, and used in combination with each other, will pay for their initial costs in a very short amount of time. Taking such steps to be ‘Green’ will be good for everyone including the environment.

On March 11, 2011 a 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Japan created a tsunami that made its way to the Big Island of Hawaii. This incident damaged parts of the Big Island including A’naehoomalu Bay, A’Bay. This is a stretch of beach directly fronting the Kolea Resort and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott. The damaged area is directly in front of the Marriott. The missing section separated the ocean from the Ku’ualii Fish Ponds, a place of great historical significance to the Hawaiian people.

The concern is that the water is pushing sand into the fish pond, which could cause a loss in sand volume and collapse permanently, making future restoration impossible. This would make a temporary coastline change into something long term.

Sea Engineering, Inc received the proper permits and a temporary solution was created. On July 28th, bulldozers were brought in to repair the area with sand-filled geo-textile tubes. These devices will not allow the force of the tides and ocean currents to continue to dismantle the beach area. The project creating this temporary barrier was completed as of August 3rd, 2011.

The crews worked quickly to ensure residents and visitors were impacted as little as possible knowing this was an extremely important project, not only securing the beach area but the historical fish ponds behind it.

The final stage of the permanent repairs are currently being discussed and will completed at some point in the future. As part of the permanent repairs, the addition of Makahas, or gates is being explored. This will give the fish ponds greater circulation to ensure the longevity of this historical landmark.

To view more photos visit our facebook page.

In December, a very exciting event will be taking place at Mauna Lani Resort. The 8th annual Kona Surf-Film Festival will be held on Friday, December 2nd and Saturday, December 3rd. It is a benefit for the Big Island surf community raising funds for Kulana Huli Honua, the Betty Kanuha Foundation, Protect Kohanaiki Ohana, and the Surfrider Foundation.
Since 2003 Chad Campbell, a local Kona surfer and filmmaker, has brought the Kona Film Festival to the Big Island of Hawaii. This event showcases surf films from around the globe. It was founded for the purpose of bringing Hawaii’s surfing O’Hana (Hawaiian for family) together for their love of the sport. Independent film makers share their passion for a chosen lifestyle. They offer the breathtaking visuals, sights and sounds that they have dedicated their lives to.
This year’s selections have not yet been chosen so check back later in the year. The deadline for film entries is September 31st, 2011. The choices and winners will be made available sometime shortly after that date for December’s event.
For up to date information call (808) 936-0089.
This event has grown in popularity over the years and now helps support ‘Sea-Thos’, a cause aimed at reversing ocean damage.  With supporters such as Julia Roberts and Jeff Bridges, the foundation is surely going to help this extremely important issue.  Please take the opportunity to be a part of this unique occasion only available on the Big Island of Hawaii at Mauna Lani Resort.

The Mauna Lani Terrace offers luxury beachfront villas within walking distance of the festival.