I believe May may have better weather than April. However,sometimes the trade winds die down in May. A/c is a personal decision. A house needs to have good cross ventilation for the air to get through. This house does not appear to be close to the water (less trade winds) so I would personally ask how the the house is situated to cool. It looks lovely though.

Also, the community of Sunset in Princeville use to have a community pool (not sure of the size), so maybe take a look at those houses.

Fyi - did you see this review on Flipkey regarding privacy of pool? It may not matter to you.


http://www.flipkey.com/princeville-condo-rentals/p118285/#pdp-reviews

I agree, May is a better month on the North Shore of Kauai, that is a gorgeous house. Kauai is my favorite island, hope you have a wonderful trip. Pretty sure there are farmer's markets almost every day (maybe not on Sunday). Several folks on another forum recommended the market in Anahola as there is a guy there that sells wild boar but think only on Saturday (not sure about Friday). Anahola is a fairly short drive from Princeville and there is another farmers market in Hanalei, 5-10 minute drive north. Be sure and learn the etiquette for driving the one lane bridges north of Princeville.

The house gorgeous. One thing that would concern me is that there are any recent reviews listed; I'd be sure to check on this.

Thanks ever so much for those comments....I will ask those questions..about the ventilation, and
why no recent reviews....

The swimming is so important to us and it is rare that I find a house with a pool like this one.

Are there any beaches on the island that offer flat (no waves) water in springtime?

Is it conceivable to have just one base on the island, and branch out from there to do sightseeing?

eks, Kauai is not very big, so yes, you can stay put and branch out from there to do sightseeing. If you stay near Hanalei, it will take about an hour to reach Poipu, and another hour to reach Kokee State Park and the Waimea Canyon lookout. You'd likely only make this trip once.

Anini Beach would be the flatest I can think of

Thanks every so much!

I'm not sure I would want to drive 2 hours each way to sightsee, though..maybe stay a few nights on the south shore, too?

The amount of rentals is overwhelming, but there seem to be almost none with that kind of pool...and even most of the condos seem to have those irregular shaped "resort" pools that are so pretty but not so good for swimmers..

I ordered a guide book so I can educate myself before frustrating everyone with endless questions!

Right now need to decide if we should stay on the one island, or maybe include one more and if so, which one? We should always have to tackle such tough decisions, right!?

How long of a trip. Generally speaking, most people recommend staying on one island if you have up to a week, 2 islands if you have 10 days, 3 if you have 14+. But of course, that's just a rough rule.

I personally wouldn't move to the south shore just to be closer to sightseeing, because I think the sightseeing is only a day's worth west of Poipu, and there's no sightseeing in Poipu itself, just more beach (and believe me, you'll have plenty of beaches, gorgeous ones, on the north shore).

Ditto. Not worth moving to south shore to do some sightseeing.

Ok! One base on Kauai. We could spend two weeks there, and then maybe have a week on another island. I have to see if there are direct flights to Kauai from NYC...

If not, and I have to go through Oahu, should we think about spending a week there, or do you all prefer another island?

We do not care about nightlife or any kind of extreme sports, if that helps. Want to eat great food (cook in house/condo, or eat in interesting restaurants; visit farmer's markets) swim in pools and calm sea, and see beautiful scenery. I guess most of the usual stuff. Will rent a car on each island.

I did manage to check out an old guidebook at the library just now; will read through that until the newer one that I ordered comes in..hopefully I can ask some more intelligent questions after reading!

I just did a quick search of vrbo -- so if you're considering going to the island of Hawaii--here are three listing I found that appear to have the type of pool you are looking for.

http://www.vrbo.com/44011
http://www.vrbo.com/243074
http://www.vrbo.com/93958

If you are going to stay 2 weeks on Kauai, I do think it would be a good idea to spend one week on the north shore and one week on the south shore. Then you could spend the first week really exploring the north shore, the restaurants, etc. the next week could be spent exploring the south shore.

Of my three trips to Hawaii, two of which were long ago to Waikiki and Maui, my favorite was our 10-day trip to the Big Island in August of 2008. Some of what you're seeking that the BI offers:

Farmers' markets: I missed the big one in Hilo but found the markets in the smaller towns to be quite good. http://www.bigisland-bigisland.com/Big-Island-Farmers-Markets.html

Other food products: loved touring the coffee plantations and, in fact, we still order our coffee from Holualoa; The vanilla farm was on my radar but we didn't make it there.

Here's the link to my brief trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/highlights-of-our-ten-day-stay-on-the-big-island.cfm

Note: the Big Island Grill in Kona was the best of a lackluster litter

If you have three weeks in Hawaii you could stay on two or three islands. We have stayed two to four weeks on each of the four major islands for over 30 years -- escaping Chicagoland winters.

Kauai feels very SMALL, because so much of it is inaccessible by road -- the pali. It and Big Island are the most laid-back, yet each has some fine hotels. You will not find a wide choice of easily-accessed restaurants on Kauai -- or on Big Island of Hawaii, which is very BIG and will require staying in two locations if you want to enjoy the sun (Kohala area in the NW) and to explore Volcano National Park (SE).

You can fly nonstop to Honolulu on a 767 or 330 widebody aircraft from JFK, Newark or Dulles. Each winter we fly Chicago-Honolulu and hop to Maui without leaving airport security. We avoid 757's and west coast connections, which are especially unpleasant on the redeye returns.

Most first-time visitors with at least ten nights in Hawaii stay Oahu + Maui or Kauai. They stay south on Oahu to tour historic places in Honolulu and drive east and north shores. You might like the cottages at Turtle Bay or a house in Kailua. Few first-timers choose Big Island because it is not the 'typically tropical' island most people picture when they think of Hawaii. It does have perhaps the best hotel in Hawaii: Four Seasons Hualalai. Mauna Lani is also lovely.

Maui has something for everyone -- and a wide choice of lodgings, restaurants and easy-access beaches for swimming and snorkeling. I prefer the two 'ends' of the island: Kapalua and Wailea.

The listing for the house at Princeville looks lovely, but...it has no A/C; can be beastly hot when the Trades die. It doesn't seem to have any view. I didn't notice if the pool is heated.

Most visitors to Hawaii come to enjoy the beaches and the ocean; pools are secondary and usually chosen for lounging only. (Ah, I'm suddenly thinking of the swim club in Kihei, South Maui!))

Here is one. I have no personal experience with it.

http://www.kauaivacationrentals.com/rental/house.html?ID=418&User=KVR2179&Avail=&Stay=

Such great info here! I'll just ask one question and return with more:

Do you think I need a heated pool in May?

Are water temps in the ocean generally warm enough to swim in May? (I think so, but just checking..we do like warm water. I know that the pool thing is unusual, but it's been a dream of mine, so...also hope to do a lot of sea swimming in calm water)


I've spent the last two hours or so reading about the islands. From what I read so far, the big Island and Kauai appeal to me most, I think. I'm getting very excited but there is no much to read, and learn!

Marty thank you for those links..the first one looks amazing and that pool looks pretty big..


Also found this one on Big Island Kohala Coast, which includes access to pools at two nearby hotels; what do you think?

http://www.vrbo.com/208482



Maybe stay in one rental on Kauai, one rental on big Island, and then near Volcano Park for a night or two?




Thanks so much to all who responded with such good info and patience!

Electricity is so expensive in Hawaii that very very few pools are heated. I doubt you will find a heated pool anywhere.

I would want to check on the size of that Kumulani Pool in the Mauna Kea rental you have noted. The fact that it has lane lines makes me think it might be promising as a lap pool. It will be the communal complex pool, so there might be another person or two, but it won't be busy.

However, neither the Mauna Kea or Hapuna Beach Prince hotel pools you will have access to will be very satisfactory for lap swimming.

Marginal, thanks again. I asked about the pool heat because ChiSue mentioned it above.

I have a query out about that Kumulani pool; you are right about the two hotel pools being too small for real swimming. I was told that the Hapuna Beach pool is 42 feet long and the Mauna Kea only 20 feet in length.


There is a pool in the photos of Hapuna Beach that looks long enough, but perhaps that is not the one available with this rental. See photo here: http://www.princeresortshawaii.com/resorts-big-island.php

This is all a bit confusing and I am grateful for all the help here.

That is the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel pool. I have seen people lap swimming in it, but it's not very easy as one of the edges has the stairs and you can't easily do turns or even push off from that end very easily. It's a nice big pool, but not really set up to be useful as a lap pool. it's really better set up for water exercises or water jogging (walking).

Both Mauna Kea and Hapuna Beach pools are going to be too far to walk to from those units.

I frequently see people doing fitness swimming along Hapuna Beach. It's a very long beach and is generally flat in the mornings. I often see people doing Ironman training there.

Here's some nice beach pictures to give you the idea:

http://www.hawaiigaga.com/big-island/beaches/hapuna-beach.aspx

Sorry to overpost, but if you look at the hotel website, they have good shot of the end of the Hapuna Beach Prince pool, where you can see the stairs run the width of one end, and you can't do turns there.

Not over posting! Giving me lots of great information and I thank you. Are you actually lucky enough to live in that area?

If the sea is flat like in those photos, I could certainly swim there in the morning.

Next question; do I need to ask about jellyfish in May?

I don't know anything about Kauai at all. I looked at your vrbo listing and what struck me, other than how gorgeous it is, was the nightly rate of $275.00 a night!!! That is Very reasonable!

Is $275.00 a night a typical rate for vacation rentals on Kauai? If so, I'm going to start planning our second trip to Hawaii right now!

Oahu has the jellyfish problem and it is cyclic and predictable. You can google to find out when it occurs (2 weeks after full moon, I believe)

I've never noted jellyfish on Kauai or Hawaii.

However, I always swim with a rashguard on for sun protection.

Bowsprit- $275 will get you a nice place on Kauai. But it won't be on the beach and you will have to drive to get anywhere. There may also be additional fees for air conditioning. Most people want to be on a beach or within easy walking distance from one, so a more isolated place, as above is slightly less desireable. Also, you have to add in 14% tax and a cleaning fee, usually about $100 for a week.

We often feel like in Hawaii you get more for your money than a similar trip in Europe.

Thanks for the information!

you might look at the condos at Hale Kona Kai on the Big Island. This is in Kona, and they have a very nice pool. It is not on a swimmable beach but is oceanfront with awesome views. And the pool was really nice, would be fine for lap swimming and was generally unused when we were there. Its so close to the ocean, you can lie on a chair by the pool, and feel the ocean spray, and see turtles out your window.

http://www.konanow.com/

And while not ON the beach, it is not far from several beaches.

Ummm. That is not going to be a good pool for lap swimming. Too short and the ends are not parallel

Box jellfish arrive 7-11 days after full moon on Oahu. There are multiple "box jellyfish calenders" on-line to co-ordinate with your visit.

Thanks for that, China.

Marginal: Great to read about the lack of jellyfish on Kauai and Hawaii. I wear a rash guard for sun, too, since I spend so many hours in the water, but even with that... (The jellyfish have not yet arrived en masse in my area this summer (although they have been making reconnaissance forays!) but when they do, it will be only the pool for me!)

Prices on the islands are looking quite high to me but of course I'm only looking at the ones in the desirable areas near beaches, with pools, etc etc. It also looks like costs will add up substantially once rental cars and gas (very high), and the prices for some of the excursions and tours, are added in. Not a budget vacation, that's for sure! But I look forward to shopping the farmers markets and cooking "at home" on most nights.

RE: Jellyfish:


http://www.to-hawaii.com/jellyfishcalendar.html

You certainly don't need to buy excursions and tours to have a wonderful time in Hawaii. There are very few things that I would pay money for.

One of those would be some sort of boat trip that gets you out on the water. NaPili coast trip on Kauai. Lanai ferry or Molokini snorkel on Maui.

I'm not big on helicopters so you won't find me on those pricey tours.

You can have a great trip with a rental car, a guidebook, and some footwear suitable for hiking. No ATV's, guided trips, parasailing, jetskiing, ziplines, etc for me.

Water temps in May will be fine without a heated pool. There are a few public pools on Oahu that are heated, but I think it's only during the winter months. I swim laps most of the year and it starts to become noticeably warmer about mid-March (I had to give up swimming in the winter because I get hives when the water temp is too cold).

Open water wise, there are a lot of swimmers at Ala Moana Beach Park, as the outer reef keeps the inside portion pretty much flat year round. See this blog for pictures and more info: http://tinyurl.com/6h5kbg3

However, if you swim there you need to be careful about watching out for the paddle boarders. I used to paddle board a lot out there and ideally both swimmers and paddlers are looking out for each other - (a bright swim cap would help) - but sometimes you get those people that think everyone should be watching out for them, not vice versa.

I've done small amounts of open water swimming and I don't really like it, but Ala Moana is probably the most convenient area for visitors.

Chepar: So good to "meet' another swimmer! And great to know that I do not "need" a heated pool in May. Ala Moana looks super, but I'm not sure if I will get out that way on this trip...unless I decide to forego the Big Island and visit Oahu instead, in addition to Kauai.
There seem to be a few people here that would advise doing that, I think. So difficult to narrow down when there appears to be so much to experience!

Marginal: Not for me, either!

Thoughts on Kealakekua Bay for swimming? There are a few rentals there but I'm not sure how easy the access is from the houses to the water.... Is that bay too clogged with boat tours and snorkelers?

Kealakekua isn't really that calm that I would consider it good for lap swimming. It's also really quite isolated, as compared to the south Kohala locations you are looking at in the Mauna Kea condo.

From the vrbo photos: The only one of those three vrbo's upthread that really have a lap pool is the first one. The second is a very small pool if you look at all the photos, the third has rounded edges and doesn't look very long.

There was a complaint some time ago on Trip Advisor about an owner in Kealakekua Bay who was absolutley obnoxious to deal with - claimed there was lots of damage, actually came to the unit to check out the guests unannounced, etc. I would want to peruse all reports on TripAdvisor before committing. I'm not saying it's that one, but there's something familiar about that ad. I would also want to check that the unit is EXACTLY as portrayed and all appliances and fixtures are in perfect condition, as there was tsunami damage to waterfront units and you could end up in a mold pit or with non-functional appliances, etc.

Forgot to mention: I notice they say the pool is heated. There may be an additional fee to heat the pool, despite the ad implying it't included in the price. Ask about that if you rent.

Agree on the pools of those VRBO links. The first one might be long enough, not the others.
I wish owners would list the pool dimensions in their ads! I will go through the TA reviews and see what turns up..that sounds gruesome! But if the Bay is not great for swimming, I might be better off with a rental further north, like this one (waiting to hear the dimensions of a third available pool (Kumulani) accessible to renters of that property)


http://www.vrbo.com/208482




I was thinking that some of the pools would be solar heated, but maybe that is not common in Hawaii...(?)

Having the benefit of accessing the facilities the Mauna Kea is a is a big perk of that unit. I hope the pool thing works out. Mauna Kea beach should be pretty flat by May (you never know though), and you could swim there for sure. It is one of the great beaches in all the islands.

btw...I am using your trip report on Naples and the Amalfi Coast to help in the planning of our trip. I got so excited reading about your food excursions in Naples!

Hello-

If you are considering the Big Island, take a look at the Puakea Ranch website: http://www.puakearanch.com/yoshis-house.html

We love farmer's markets, gardening, animals, etc and will be staying at the James Cottage this summer to experience organic farm life with a gorgeous view and a Japanese bath house near the town of Hawi. We didn't go for Yoshi's House with the pool because of cost, although we considered it and it looks fabulous (although maybe not long enough for your lap swimming needs).

We will have a house with a pool in Puako on the Kona side for one week- the pool looks small and the house doesn't have AC but was an affordable ocean front- our dream is to take our coffee out to the tide pools every morning and snorkel in our front "yard". http://www.vrbo.com/110896

We also plan to spend time on the Hilo side to be near the farmers' markets and dining in Hilo and Puna. We found a little cottage on the tidepools. Not sure if you can actually swim for exercise in them but snorkeling should be wonderful: http://www.vrbo.com/147778 It looks like a bit of a drive to get to either Puna or Hilo, but we enjoy vacation driving in Hawaii with scenery everywhere.

I will report back on the houses when we return. When we make our choices for vacation rentals, we are less picky about how fancy the accommodations are than the locations, privacy, views, and water access. We'll see how we do with no AC. Everyone says the trade winds keep you cool...

I haven't been to Kauai, but spent a number of vacations in Maui. If you decide on Maui, stop by the north shore town of Paia (where we stay in a cottage called Maui by the Sea- adorable and affordable but no pool). The Mana Foods organic grocery store in Paia is worth a visit for local and organic products galore and the hippie vibe! The Nagata Market on the main street looks like a dusty little general store, but their tiny fish market has the freshest fish caught and delivered each day. We would get a block of just caught tuna or other fish to make sashimi appetizers for the sunset each night, and something else like opakapaka or whatever was caught that day to grill for dinner. Heaven...

Hello, blue Swimmer (love your screen name!)

The Ranch looks absolutely charming! Like a photo spread in a design magazine. Pool looks to small for us, but I would love to hear details of your visit once you return from paradise!

Thanks every so much for the helpful tips about Hawaii. I agree about the important elements in choosing the rental..


On the Big Island, I did find a slew of rentals in a complex names Vista Waikoloa, where the pool looks excellent for our needs. This looks to be an older complex and the rates seem in the moderate range, around $200-$250 per night for a 2-bedroom, with the higher figure for the full ocean view units. (it is not on the water, though, so those views are not the most riveting as compared to others I've seen online)

Anyone care to comment about Vista Waikoloa..location, nearby beaches and services, etc?



I've sent two e-mails (spaced over 3 days) to the owner of the Princeville private house with the lap pool, but have not yet received a response. Should I be worried?

I'm thinking that we could spend two weeks on Kauai and a week on another island, probably the Big Island. Would not mind adding a few nights in Honolulu, in a hotel (maybe good to recuperate from jet lag at the start of our visit??) but will see how the flight schedules work out..

Forgot: Here is the site for Vista Waikoloa; there are also lots of VRBO entries for this complex:

http://www.southkohala.com/store/p20condo_details26.php



http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/hawaii/big-island/kohala-coast/waikoloa-resort/vista-waikoloa

We stayed Vista Waikoloa many years ago -- nice, big units. There are few lodgings ON beaches on Big Island. Kohala will give you sun. Hilo tends to be a lovely climate for orchids, insects and mold. LOL

Maui has two Olympic pools. One is in South Kihei. One is in Lahaina. I believe they are free.

Your post has made me aware that I don't know what the length of our pool is at Maui Kamaole. I often see people doing laps there though. However, I think you want something beachfront. You might look in Wailea.

Sue thanks so much for that and all the great info before this last post.

I heard back from the owner of the Princeville house with the lap pool. From what she wrote, I'm beginning to wonder if the water in the unheated pool would be warm enough to swim in May. (The owner herself told me that it was very chilly in April).

I would hate to focus so much on a pool and then find out that the water was too cold to swim. To give you an idea, I would consider anything much below 80F to be cold for swimming laps.

The Vista Waikoloa has a heated pool that looks really nice.


is the ocean very warm for swimming in May? (I know that that is subjective, but what do you think?)


I think I've all but narrowed it down to Hawaii and Kauai, so will leave Maui for another trip!!

http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/hawaii.html