Company News - Kohala Coast properties

Practice Gratitude This Thanksgiving Season

November 11, 2021/0 Comments/in Company News, Hawaii, Vacation Rentals/by Alice Hughes

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and this time of year can give us that warm, fuzzy feeling when we spend time feeling thankful for the things in our lives and talking about gratitude. But are thankfulness and gratitude the same thing?

The definition of the word thankful is “pleased and relieved.” Both of those are great feelings. On the other hand, the word grateful is defined as “showing an appreciation of kindness.” This is where the difference lies; being thankful is a feeling, and being grateful is an action.

It’s easy for us to look around the Thanksgiving dinner table and say that we are thankful for our family, friends, and food that we are blessed with. However, gratitude goes much deeper than this. It is a state of being where you feel a sense of appreciation that comes from deep within.

Gratitude is more than just the feeling of thankfulness. Being thankful is the first step, and we have to have that initial feeling to build upon. We build upon it by redirecting our focus into making gratefulness an intrinsic part of our lives 365 days a year. Gratitude requires us to stay alert of the role of others in our lives. It is different from the fleeting nature of the act of a mere ‘thank you’ or feeling thankful one day of the year. Through gratitude, we get to make sense of our lives and learn to credit our loved ones with the appreciation they deserve.

As we head into that special time in November, think about how you can practice gratitude through action. Maybe it will be treating your family to a memorable vacation, helping those in need, or supporting your community.

Living in Hawaii, we have a lot to be grateful for, especially the people around us. And, in the spirit of gratitude, we would like to give credit to organizations that help our communities and invite you to support them as well.

North Hawaii Hospice

North Hawaii Hospice provides compassionate, professional care at home for terminally ill patients, their families, and people facing end-of-life issues. The organization is primarily based on volunteers and local supporters.

The Hawaii Island United Way is a local Hawaiian charity organization with 42 health and human service programs that reach over 75% of Hawaii Island families and individuals each year.

Giving back and appreciating those around us is the most significant and fulfilling expression of gratitude, and it will come back to you exponentially from all those whose hearts you have touched. Make it your daily practice, and amazing things will happen. Happy Thanksgiving!

Save on your Hawaii vacation rental

Remember, you can always save 10% on your vacation rental when you book direct with us and mention “Aloha escape” in your reservation.

We hope to see you soon – a hui hou!

Images courtesy of North Hawaii Hospice, Hawaii Island United Way.

Aloha, Tourists, and Welcome Back!

October 29, 2021/0 Comments/in Company News, Hawaii, Vacation Rentals/by Alice Hughes

Living in the COVID era, we are getting used to the unexpected. Just as you think that things are finally getting back to normal, something happens that makes all your hopes go out the window.

That occurred on Aug. 23 when Hawaii governor David Ige asked travelers to stay away from Hawaii during a spike of COVID cases throughout the state. Unfortunately, his announcement resulted in many vacation cancellations, which, as you know, is not great news for the tourism-based economy of Hawaii.

The good news is that just a few days ago, the governor rescinded the statement he made on Aug. 23 and said the state would welcome tourists back to Hawaii on Nov. 1 as COVID continues to decline statewide.

“I think we are all encouraged by what we’ve seen over the last several weeks with the continuing trend of lower case counts,” Ige said Tuesday. “Our hospitals are doing better, and we have fewer COVID patients in them. Most importantly, our health care system has responded, and we have the ability to move forward with economic recovery. Because of this, it is now safe for fully vaccinated residents and visitors to resume non-essential travel to and within the State of Hawaii.”

Ige said the state will safely open to vaccinated residents and visitors traveling interisland and out of state for business or pleasure, starting Nov. 1.

Big Island’s Mayor Mitch Roth said the county is prepared to welcome tourists back to the island by November. Click here to learn more.

From the most recent news, Gov. Ige is considering adding more options for the Safe Travels program users.

Ige said he was working on ways to incorporate additional medical options into the program. For example, as more people get booster shots to maintain immunity against COVID-19, he hopes to update Safe Travels to include that information.

He is also adopting guidance by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recognizing that antigen tests — a more rapid form of COVID-19 test — are more accurate than previously believed, so the state is exploring ways to allow Safe Travels users to submit to an antigen test instead of the slower PCR tests.

Such measures could increase the number of travelers coming to the state.

That number is already expected to balloon in November after Ige made a statement inviting visitors back to Hawaii last week.

“We expect a strong winter season for our visitor industry,” Ige said. “But we’re trying to be thoughtful in how we relax our restrictions … and slowly expand capacity.” You can read the full article here.

So, welcome back, our dear guests! Hawaiian hospitality is here to stay, and we would love to share it with you. Book your tickets now and enjoy the beauty that is Hawaii!

Aloha heart on the sand

Save on your Hawaii vacation rental

Remember, you can always save 10% on your vacation rental when you book direct with us and mention “Aloha escape” in your reservation.

We hope to see you soon – a hui hou!

Images courtesy of Princess Roti’s, Inoptia.

New Kilauea Eruption and Some Interesting Facts About Hawaii Volcanoes

October 14, 2021/0 Comments/in Company News, Hawaii, Vacation Rentals/by Alice Hughes

You may have already heard that Hawaii’s famous volcano, Kilauea, is erupting again. The new eruption started on September 29 and is still ongoing as of the time of writing this post.

Like the prior eruption in December 2020, this recent activity is confined within the volcano’s Halema’uma’u crater, so there is no danger to the Big Island’s communities. The new lava continues to fill the crater that collapsed in 2018 and creates a fresh lava lake on top of the older one. This pattern of summit collapse and subsequent lava lake filling is one that Kilauea has exhibited in the past. Multiple active vents continue to feed the growing lava lake that rose approximately 65 ft since the eruption started.

While it’s impossible to predict precisely how long the current eruption may last, scientists expect that more summit and upper rift zone eruptions are likely in the coming years as Kilauea continues to re-pressurize and re-establish magma pathways after the 2018 eruption.

You can see incredible photos and images of the current eruption here.

Living near the live volcano is undoubtedly exciting, but did you know that the Big Island is home to not one but four active volcanoes and is the liveliest of all islands? Between 1912 and 2012, there were nearly 50 Kīlauea eruptions, 12 Mauna Loa eruptions, and one Hualālai intrusion of magma. Mauna Kea most recently erupted only about 4,000 years ago and is considered an active volcano.

Here are some interesting facts about Hawaii’s active volcanos.

Kilauea eruption crater

Kilauea, the youngest and most active volcano on the Big Island, erupted almost continuously from 1983 to 2018. From 2008 to 2018, there was a lava lake within the Halema’uma’u crater at the volcano’s summit. In 2018, Kīlauea experienced the largest lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse in at least 200 years. An eruption from December 2020 to May 2021 fed a lava lake in the Halema’uma’u crater at the summit. Since September 29, 2021, an eruption has been ongoing within the Halema’uma’u crater. About 90 percent of the volcano is covered with lava flows less than 1,100 years in age.

Mauna Loa volcano

Mauna Loa, the largest volcano on Earth, has erupted 33 times since 1843. The most recent eruption in 1984 lasted 22 days and produced lava flows which reached to within about 4.5 miles of Hilo, the largest population center on the Island of Hawai’i. Lava flows less than 4,000 years old cover about 90 percent of the volcano.

Hualālai, the third most active volcano on the Island of Hawai’i, has erupted three times in the past 1,000 years and eight times in the past 1,500 years. The most recent eruption in 1801 generated a lava flow that reached the ocean and now underlies the Kona International Airport. Lava flows less than 5,000 years old cover about 80 percent of the volcano.

Mauna Kea, the highest volcano on the Island of Hawai’i, erupted most recently between about 6,000 and 4,500 years ago from at least seven separate summit-area vents, producing lava flows and cinder cones. Glaciers covered parts of the volcano’s summit area during the recent ice ages, the only Hawaiian volcano known to have been glaciated.

A part of Mauna Kea’s glacial past is Lake Waiau, located just below the summit. It also is one of the highest lakes in the United States with an elevation of 13020 ft and is the only alpine lake in the state of Hawaiʻi.

You can hike to the lake, though we would not recommend it for beginners. Learn more about the lake here.

Lō‘ihi, the youngest and only known active Hawaiian submarine volcano, erupted most recently in 1996 during an earthquake swarm of more than 4,000 events. The volcano’s summit is about 3,179 ft below sea level, located 22 miles southeast of the Island of Hawai’i.

The newest Hawaiian island, Lōʻihi, will likely emerge from the ocean in the next 100,000 years, and possibly in less than half that time. After that, the volcano may potentially merge with the Big Island and may one day become a snow-capped mountain like the nearby summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.

Kilauea eruption at night

The current eruption event at Kilauea presents a great opportunity for visitors to see a live volcano in action. So if you are planning to come to the island this fall, be sure to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Explore towering tree fern forests, feel the heat of volcanic action under your feet at Steam Vents, then make your way over to the main highlight, Kīlauea Caldera, where you can witness the volcano’s fiery lava lake. Afterward, head over to the historic Volcano House Hotel, where you can have a cocktail by the fireplace or enjoy excellent cuisine against the spectacular backdrop of Kīlauea’s powerful glow. Just a tip: the best viewing of Kīlauea Caldera is at night.

Save on your Hawaii vacation rental

Remember, you can always save 10% on your vacation rental when you book direct with us and mention “Aloha escape” in your reservation.

We hope to see you soon – a hui hou!

Images courtesy of USGS, Inoptia.

Things You Should Know Before Booking a Vacation Rental on Big Island

April 2, 2021/0 Comments/in Company News, Hawaii, Vacation Rentals/by Alice Hughes

After a year of COVID restrictions, there is a light on the end of the tunnel for Hawaii tourism. The island is getting busy, and life is coming back to normal. If you visited the island before, you may know that life is slow here, but some recent changes may surprise you and even catch you off guard if you are not prepared. If you are planning your first visit to Big Island, there are some things that you should know about before booking your stay. We put together this blog to help you get the best out of your trip and enjoy it as much as possible.

1. Consider Timing

Timing is everything. It’s not that there is ever a bad time to come to Hawaii. The climate is perfect year-round, and the great beaches and beautiful blue ocean are always here. However, with the sudden influx of visitors during the last month you may run into trouble when booking your accommodations or a car. No one has expected tourism to come back so fast, and many were not prepared for it.

Worn out by a long and dry pandemic season, many vacation rental owners opted in for long-term leases or sold their properties. The real estate market on the island is super-hot right now, and it is very lucrative for owners to sell their properties. With real estate inventory getting tighter, it is advisable to book your vacation rental well in advance if you want to have a nice place to stay in a good location. We are getting booked pretty fast, and if you would like to reserve your spot, act now.

2. Book Your Car Ahead of Time

First, if you ever questioned whether you need a car for your vacation on Big Island, the short answer is “Absolutely Yes!”. Even if you are staying in a resort where everything is seemingly a walking distance from your condo, you may find out that in reality, it is not so close to walk to the beach or the nearest grocery store. The island itself is big (hence the name Big Island), and everything is very spread out. If you are staying in one of the Kohala Coast Resorts like Waikoloa Beach Resort, Mauna Lani, Hapuna, or Mauna Kea, you will be away from major population centers, which may be a good thing for vacationers on one hand, but not so good if you need to do some shopping outside the resorts or run some other errands. If you are planning to explore the island and experience its breathtaking natural beauty, having a car is a must. Also, the resorts, even though relatively close, are not connected to each other (except for some hiking trails), so you cannot just stroll to an adjacent resort if you want to have dinner in one of the restaurants there.

Secondly, you should book your car well ahead of time. Having to reduce their inventories during the pandemic months, car rental companies are experiencing huge shortages and are booked months ahead.

“Multiple rental companies stationed at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, including Enterprise and Budget, say they’re sold out through April. Local rental service, Joe’s Big Island Jeep Rental, will not have any inventory to offer until May. Most of that is likely to be reserved within a matter of days, and the same goes for June. The popular vehicle rental app, TURO, had zero listings available anywhere on the Big Island Monday, March 29. The Thursday prior, the app listed two cars for rent — at rates between $349 and $399 per day.” (To learn more about Big Island’s “Carmagedon” read this article).

And lastly, make sure that the vehicle you rent will meet your needs. For example, if you are coming with your family and would like to stop by Costco on the way from the airport, make sure your car will fit your passengers, luggage, and groceries comfortably.

3. Location Matters

Hawaii is a paradise, but not all locations on the island are created equal. Especially if you are visiting for the first time, we strongly recommend researching the area where you are going to stay. As was mentioned before, the island is Big and has 11 of the 13 climate zones, so if you see a cheap vacation rental somewhere on Craigslist in the hills above Kona, you may end up having rain every day, which is not what most people come to Hawaii for.

The best microclimate on the island is on Kohala Coast, which is the reason why people call it the Gold Coast. With mostly sunny weather and very little rain, it is also home to the island’s best white sand beaches and luxury resorts. You can choose to stay right near the ocean, like in Waikoloa Beach or Mauna Lani resorts, where it is a little warmer, or, if you prefer a slightly cooler climate, book a place on higher elevation, like Wai’ula’ula in Mauna Kea Resort.

4. Consider Staying Longer and Working Remotely

If you can work remotely, you can have a vacation of your lifetime and still get your job done. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune, either. A lot of vacation rental companies offer better rates and incentives for longer stays, and the state of Hawaii even created a special program for people who want to work remotely from Hawaii. It will also give you a chance to see more of the island, have more fun, and experience life here as a local, not just as a tourist.

Besides, Hawaii island is one of the safest places to be right now. Due to its low COVID case counts, low population, and peaceful society more and more people are finding refuge here. But the magic of Hawaii is much more than beautiful sunsets. The island brings with itself the element of spirituality that makes people friendly and open. After visiting the island for the first time, many feel drawn to it and compelled to come back or even move here.

If you have any questions or need advice when booking your vacation rental, ask the experts! We are here to help. Contact us.

Save on your Hawaii vacation rental

Remember, you can always save 10% on your vacation rental when you book direct with us and mention “Aloha escape” in your reservation.

We hope to see you soon – a hui hou!

Images courtesy of BigIslandNow, Inoptia.

A piece of paradise in tough times

March 18, 2020/0 Comments/in Company News/by Alice Hughes

Warm aloha to our Aloha Friday ohana,

We know that with the challenging and uncertain times facing our world right now, a trip to Hawaii is not possible for many.

The news is filled with sobering reports and, for many of us, our day-to-day lives are drastically changed. However, we, as a world, as a country, as a state, as a community, as an ohana, will get through it together.

Here, we take comfort in the fact that the birds are still singing, the waves are still crashing, and the sun is still rising and setting. So until you are able to be here and experience all the beauty the island has to offer once again, we would like to share this little piece of paradise with you.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and know we at Kohala Coast Properties are here ready to welcome you once this challenging time has passed.

A hui hou,

From your ohana at Kohala Coast Properties – Ken, Alice, Geoff and Michelle

Photo by Marvin Parks on Unsplash.