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Important Stuff:
First: Know you're helping support a family on Maui by staying here.
Thank You!
Summary
This is not a resort or a condo. You will be very disappointed if you are looking for man-made landscaped jungles, concrete water features. sipping mai-tai's by the pool and the overall luxurious and exclusive pre-packaged resort experience. Our guest cottage is for lovers of the 'aina (land.)
Seekers of a glimpse of God's garden of Eden; the true Hawaii, are the type of folks that will never forget this vacation as long as they live. (Seekers of the Ritz Carlton will never forget this vacation as long as they live, either. ;-)
While a narrow, windy, bumpy country road leads to the cottage, and the area is largely undeveloped, this is not an isolated grass hut in the backcountry thick of the jungle! The area immediately surrounding it has plenty of trees and foliage, but the cottage itself does not sit inside the untamed thick of the jungle, which, trust us, is a very good thing ;-) The jungle does back up very closely to the property - seconds to walk into it from your door - so it is right here, and you have the option to explore whenever you want.
Priority Number One
There is only one way a place as magical and beautiful as our valley stays that
way: everyone that lives here cherishes and respects the 'aina (land) above
and beyond our own needs and desires.
By having these terms and conditions we only offer use of our cottage to a select group of people. You truly must be intentional in your actions and capable of living in harmony with your surroundings. You must really read, understand and agree to all the information on this page. It may take a minute, but some things are expected of you that you may not be used to at home or when traveling, and we all come from different lifestyles, and expectations. This is where we have gone to the effort to communicate exactly what to expect when you visit.
The bottom line from a practical standpoint is that the land, and our neighbors with whom we share it, must always come as your first priority when you are making decisions about hiking, swimming and playing in the beautiful rainforest which surrounds us.
Off The Grid
Living "off the grid", as they call it, has a component of adventure when it comes to some of the modern amenities that folks might take for granted. Yes, we have high-speed Internet, running water, electricity, and an access road that any vehicle can navigate. But there is a need to be far more conscious and aware of how you use these things out here in order for them to function safely and properly. Simply said, "autopilot" that most folks take for granted in an urban lifestyle doesn't function properly down here.
The Road & The Neighborhood
You will be provided with superb directions to our home as well as our mobile numbers. You really can't get very lost on the road down here, but it is easy to feel lost the first time you come down the road because of the jungle scenery, and how slow you'll be driving.
Our home is 1.5 miles from the main road (the road to Hana) on narrow, twisting, partially paved/unpaved road. It is accessible with any vehicle (4WD is not needed) however it is bumpy, and you must take the road extra slowly because children, pets, and other cars can be just around the next turn.
Feel free to wave, smile and be friendly to everyone you see - just like you might with your neighbors at home - most everyone here is kind and friendly, and they will usually respond with a genuine warmth and spirit of Aloha that you will find refreshing.
A Word About Exploring
There are countless adventures to be had for miles upon miles along the road to Hana. If you choose to explore in our immediate area by foot, you will encounter property boundaries. Some that are, and many more that aren't, designed to impede human movement. You must use common sense when you encounter property lines. While people here love their privacy and have worked very hard to obtain land, they do share a common sense of making natural resources available to everyone. Streams, pools and waterfalls and shoreline are all generally considered to belong for the use of everyone, even when they fall on private property, or when the only route of access is across private land. There will be an established access trail across most such properties. Do not stray from the access trail when it is clear you are on someone's private property (houses or buildings are a sign that it is someone's private space.) Always look at and think about the trail. Is there a home within sight? Does the trail head toward a home? If so, it may be considered Kapu (forbidden) for you to venture toward the home and private property of the landowner and you must always respect that. It is very much about balance, respect for the land and the privacy of people. If you are mindful, respectful, and use common sense, crossing through private land to access nature's gifts will rarely be an issue with most land owners.
Tap Water
Our tap water comes from rainwater catchment. This is a giant tank of rain water. It is crystal clear and regularly treated, but we do not consider it suitable for drinking. We will provide you with some drinking water in the cottage at check-in - when you grocery shop you should make a point to pick some more up.
Power
We generate our own electricity via solar panels. The appliances
and lighting have been carefully chosen to be highly
efficient.
The system generates and holds plenty of power to power everything. During
times of extended heavy cloud cover, we do have a backup generator, we quite
literally do everything within our power to not run the generator
while guests are here, however, depending on circumstances a few
days
out of the year
we're
required
to
fire up the
generator while guests may be otherwise enjoying the sounds of nature.
No Smoking
Smoking is not allowed inside at any time. If
you smoke in the cottage, you'll be charged to replace what your smoke damaged.
You may
smoke outside under the condition that you dispose of your buts properly.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SPECIFIC TO THE STUDIO COTTAGE ONLY:
The Bathroom (cottage only)
There is a standard toilet in the cottage bathroom. The sink is in the kitchenette,
and the shower is outside ;-)
Gas Burners (cottage only)
Besides the microwave and toaster oven, the kitchen is equipped with a simple
two-burner propane camping stove. Propane is provided. This is a portable set
of burners that requires match lighting and requires some common sense when
using it Please, if you do not understand the operation of a propane camping
stove, ask us, we will be happy to show you how to operate it safely!
Neighboring Homes (cottage only)
There are two houses you can see from the cottage. Our house, which has a separate driveway, and our next-door neighbor, who shares the entry portion of the driveway with the cottage.
Both houses are close enough that you won't feel isolated and all alone out here.
While both houses are somewhat further from the cottage than most are from one another in typical urban settings, the undeveloped nature of the land and lower overall human-activity level (it is quiet!) have made some of the folks more accoustomed to the city feel less "anonymous" and more "aware of the neighbors." (and most guests have enjoyed that feeling!) But the point is that while you may not quite hear pin drop over the sounds of the wind, crashing waves, songbirds - you will hear the sounds of active families, see children playing, and otherwise be aware of our presence - this isn't a jungle home in complete seclusion. Both of our families are kind, respectful of privacy, and no one will intrude upon your personal space (unless you want to strike up a conversation - we're all happy to oblige ;-)
THE FOLLOWING ARE SPECIFIC TO THE ONE BEDROOM HOUSE ONLY:
TV/DVD/VCR (1br house
only)
There are no over-the-air signals or cable TV out here. If you plan on using the TV you should bring DVDs or VHS tapes with you. (You can also rent them from the video store in Haiku.)
Other Houses & Neighbors (1br house
only)
The house sits alone on a two acre parcel. There are other parcels with homes
within sight. While
all these houses are further from you than most houses are from one another
in typical urban or suburban
settings, the background ambient human-activity level is also lower. So,
while you may not quite hear pin drop over the sounds of the wind, crashing
waves, songbirds, or the occasional neighbor's vehicle passing on the road,
you will probably hear the sounds of other active families coming from their
houses!