Pages Menu
Categories Menu
The Poolhouse (Waikoloa Village) (NO LONGER ALLOWS PETS)

The Poolhouse (Waikoloa Village) (NO LONGER ALLOWS PETS)

NOTE: Unfortunately, a few irresponsible dog owners have taken advantage of this dog-friendly AirBnB, causing extensive damage, so the owner no longer allows pets. Accommodations: 1-bedroom 1-story studio unit (accommodates 2 people) with full kitchen and bathroom with walk-in shower (and outdoor shower) in Waikoloa Village (in walking distance of Waikoloa Elementary School) and a large POOL for you and your dogs’ use! Cost: $155 to $165/night (2 night minimum stay) + $75 cleaning fee. Website: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1714262 Contact: Kelsey through the above Air BnB link. Fence:  YES…completely fenced-in!  Since there is a pool, County code requires a fence with latching gate.  From the parking area, you will walk through a gate and walk down two flights of outdoors patio stairs to the pool deck where The Poolhouse is located.  NOTE: If you have an elderly dog who cannot navigate stairs, you will have to carry him/her down the stairs.  Once you reach the pool deck at the bottom of the stairs, then it will be easy for any dog to...

Read More

Dog Safe Landscaping

Now that we know what plants are toxic to our dogs, what is SAFE to plant in our yard? There are only two potential toxic native plants, and those are any species within the euphorbia (‘akoko) and wikstroemia (‘akia) genera.  Be sure to learn their scientific names since Hawaiian names can refer to other species within other genera.  Toxic native Hawaiian plants are pretty uncommon since most native species have lost their need for defense mechanisms against mammals. Looking for safe, durable landscaping?  Many of the native ferns are quite durable, as are ground covers like ‘ulei and pukiawe. Also mamaki....

Read More
Kona Coffee Ocean View Farmhouse

Kona Coffee Ocean View Farmhouse

Al’s Kona Coffee Ocean View Farmhouse is actually TWO separate vacation rentals: one upstairs and one downstairs, but both are dog-friendly and AMAZING!  The ocean view is incredible, and we highly recommend this lovely, modern “farmhouse” in the heart of Kona coffee country. TOP FLOOR Accommodations: House, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths (Sleeps 4), laminate wood and tile floors.  Cool and breezy, perfect for long/thick-haired pooches. Base Rate: $132 per night (4 to 5 night minimum). Website: https://www.vrbo.com/370929 Contact: tel: (831)-277-7270 Pet Policy: Pets considered upon approval by owner. Pet fee: Not listed Fence: None Yard: There’s a very nice grassy lawn plus the whole coffee orchard.  Ample room to run and play! WARNING: There is a lot of wildlife in the area: chickens, turkeys, and pigs at night feeding on the mac nuts, so we cannot recommend this rental to anyone with dogs who have a prey drive. BOTTOM FLOOR Accommodations: House, 1 bedroom, 1 bath (Sleeps 2), laminate wood and tile floors.  Cool and breezy, perfect for long/thick-haired pooches. Base Rate: $108 per night (3 to...

Read More
Pu’u Wa’awa’a – Halapepe and Ohia/Cone Trails (North Kona)

Pu’u Wa’awa’a – Halapepe and Ohia/Cone Trails (North Kona)

PLEASE NOTE: Please keep your dog(s) on leash at all times, so that we may continue using these trails!  Mahalo! Pu’u Wa’awa’a Trails website: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/frs/reserves/hawaii-island/puuwaawaa/ Directions: Traveling from either Kailua-Kona or Waimea on Mamalahoa Highway (Hwy. 190), find the mauka turn for the trailhead between the 21 and 22 mile markers (closer to the 21 mile marker). It is just south of the hill that goes up to Puu Lani Ranch and Big Island Country Club.  Drive along a white pipe fence until you reach a metal gate. Go through the gate and close it behind you (this area is still used for grazing stock) although our visit on 12/31/17, the gate was AUTOMATIC and opened for us and then closed behind us…Please double-check that it closes behind you.  The gate is unlocked daily from 6am – 6pm. **Note:  To access the Ohia or Cone trails, take the LEFT fork in the gravel/asphalt path (Vulcanite Road) to the hunter check-in station. Halapepe Trail length: 1.1 mile loop Ohia/Cone Trail length: 8.1...

Read More
Puna Trail that leads to Haena Beach (Shipman Beach)

Puna Trail that leads to Haena Beach (Shipman Beach)

Location: Hawaiian Paradise Park (Puna) Directions: South of Hilo, drive Hwy. 130 to the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision and turn makai (toward the ocean) on Kaloli Drive. Follow Kaloli Drive for several miles until it dead-ends into Beach Road. Take a left and follow Beach Road until it ends shortly in a gravel parking area ringed by large boulders with an information kiosk. There are frequent car break-ins (Notice the window glass in spots), so do not leave any valuables in your vehicle. The trailhead has no facilities. Description: 5-mile round trip FREQUENTLY MUDDY hiking trail. This is a lovely, almost entirely shaded, cool trail, just perfect for an adventurous dog. There were a few areas of the trail where it was a lake of mud, so we would divert off the trail along parallel trails that must have been cut specifically due to the nearly impassable mud lakes. Right at about the 2 mile mark, you’ll come to the coastline with no beach and no safe access to...

Read More