Kilauea Volcano Cottage or Kahili Ginger Estate – Volcano, Hawaii

Accommodations: House, 2-bedrooms + Convertible Bed(s), 1.5 baths (Sleeps 8)
Website: http://www.vrbo.com/235107
Contact: tel:(808)-896-7174
Pet Policy: Pets are welcome. Pet fee: $100 (not refundable).
Fence: No (although the property is surrounded by lush rain forest foliage and lava tubes that the dogs were intrigued with…Be careful)
Yard: 2 acres of rain forest, about half of it is grassy that the dogs loved to romp in
Wireless Broadband: Yes

We brought our two Labs here in February 2013 for 4 days of very rainy weather (typical for Volcano, especially during the winter). There’s a huge 2-car covered carport, but our truck didn’t fit, so we parked in the mud near the front door. Upon arrival, the dogs bolted into the yard, and I could tell they found a scent. I discovered later that the groundskeepers feed the large pheasants who tend to hang out in the open yard area. If you have hunting type dogs, I advise keeping an eye on your dogs or keep them on leash.  Large water/mud puddles pooled throughout the yard, enticing Kimo to roll in them.  So, we wiped them down with towels every time they came inside. Thankfully, all floors are wood; bathrooms tiled…with some floor carpets.

The house itself is older (100 years old) and large (1,200 square foot) and has a nice open floor plan that includes a fireplace and lanai. Due to the rain, we weren’t able to use the lanai, and the firewood was a bit wet…and no kindling, so you might want to stop beforehand at True Value Hardware in Volcano Village and pick up a box of “fool-proof” easy start firewood.  No DVD player and very limited radio stations on their little stereo system. Kitchen is stocked with coffee maker, grinder, coffee filters (mahalo!), and plates, cups, pots and pans, tea kettle, utensils, nice BBQ grill, wine and champagne and martini glasses, full size fridge, older microwave and oven (a bit on the grimy side), and there is no dishwasher. The living room leather sofa was comfortable, and the master bedroom king size bedroom was comfy, too. Make sure to bring dog beds because there are no soft laying spots for them.

BRING: dog beds, poopie bags, leashes (I brought a 15′ one for Kimo), old towels (to wipe down dogs), firewood & kindling, thick and wooly socks, sweatpants, rain jacket, waterproof sneakers or hiking boots