Sonia

The combination of the Big Island climate (and all the various climate zones within), and the volcanic soil make for prolific and varied produce all year round. One of the best ways to experience the taste of Hawaii is to visit the farmers markets. You'll see everything from what you may be used to on the mainland (but we grow it bigger on the Big Island) to fruits or vegetables you have never seen before.

The Big Island of Hawaii has adopted a new law that will affect where you can book or operate a short term vacation rental (STVR). Ordinance 2018-114 regulates STVRs and deals with eligibility, registering and obtaining a permit to operate a legal STVR on the Big Island (Hawaii County).

Any time of year is a good time of year to visit Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii with many activities within the park no matter what time of year you visit (although hiking across the black lava rock fields is best done early in the day or in the winter months).

My daughter likes to say "any day that you see a turtle is a good day!" In fact, it was she (at the age of 8), who named our townhouse "Hale O' Honu'ea". Honu'ea is Hawaiian for the endangered hawksbill sea turtle. According to NOAA 20-25 females nest annually on the south coast of the island of Hawaii. We even have The Hawaii Island Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project where scientists and volunteers monitor our remote beaches and identify, protect, and record field data on

Many of the mainland flights land before our check-in time. This is the perfect opportunity to head down to Kona for lunch (if you're flight is really early) or shop for your vacation supplies. For any of these recommendations we suggest you check their current hours on the web. Keep in mind that groceries and sundries generally cost more than on the mainland, and that the state of Hawaii has banned the use of plastic bags. Hale O' Honu'ea provides a supply of reusable cloth

Essential Savvy Travel Tip: Before you book an Airbnb /vacation rental, research the local laws governing short term vacation rentals at your destination. The big listing websites like Airbnb, Vrbo, Expedia, Tripadvisor, Booking.com, and other travel search engines DO NOT require their listings to prove legality or permits before allowing a Host to list their property!

Some of the main draws for visitors to Hawaii are our year-round sunshine, warmth, and the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful beaches, snorkeling, marine life and ocean.

Mauna Lani Resort, Kohala Coast, Island of Hawaii

World Turtle Day® is May 23rd each year and is celebrated throughout the world "as an annual observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world."

Owners and managers of vacation rentals already pay to advertise on the big travel websites, but did you know that the big online travel agencies (OTAs) like Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia, Tripadvisor also charge YOU, the traveler, a service fee to make your reservation through their websites?

Some would argue that Ironman put Hawaii on the map, but there are many other multi-sport events offered on the Big Island. We have events all year for the traveling athlete to experience. Here's just a few for the month of March:

The Fairways is a gated community of town homes in Mauna Lani Resort. Here at Hale O' Honu'ea, we have a keyless entry lock. You will receive the gate code as well as your personal front door entry code 7-14 days prior to check-in, after your final payment is received. You will also receive a pdf guide with your full check-in instructions for easy printing or saving to your mobile device during your stay.