New Website for Hawaii's Best Rentals

We getting close to launching our brand new website for all our guests.
Not only do we have a great new logo and look, but we've been adding
lots of new homes for our guests. Our inventory of Hawaii vacation rentals has expanded tremendously and we're excited to share.

more to follow soon.

mahalo nui loa
Craig
Hawaii's Best Rentals

Hawaii's Best Rentals Gets AP Wire -for Barak Obama's December Visit to Hawaii

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28337617/

By AUDREY McAVOY, Associated Press Writer Audrey Mcavoy, Associated Press Writer – Sun Dec 21, 12:39 pm ET

KAILUA, Hawaii – While on vacation in Hawaii, the Obama family is staying in a $9 million single-story oceanfront home in a laid-back neighborhood over the mountain from downtown Honolulu where the president-elect grew up.

The five-bedroom wood frame house sits on almost an acre of land fronting Kailua Beach, a favorite spot for windsurfers, kayakers and dogwalkers.

The white sand in front of the house is public land, just like all beaches under state law. The Obamas may see neighbors out for a walk or jog.

Martha Burke, who has lived several houses down from the property since 1972, said she is thrilled and honored to have Barack Obama nearby.

"I'm sure he wants a lot of privacy, so I hope we can restrain ourselves from waving at him. But I doubt it," Burke said, laughing.

Don Dymond, owner of Kalapawai Cafe and Kalapawai Market, said it is particularly thrilling because Obama "knows enough about the state and the island that he would know if there's a better spot."

He added, "The community is lucky that he picked here. And hopefully over the next eight years, he'll pick here some more."

Obama's vacation home sits on a dead-end road with few other homes. The street is wider than most of the narrow lanes leading to Kailua Beach, so the Secret Service has plenty of room to drive and park its SUVs. Upon the Obamas' arrival Saturday, agents set up a security checkpoint blocking off public access to a stretch of the road.

The home was originally built in 1934 for Harold K.L. Castle, the landowner who developed much of Kailua after World War II. It was renovated in 2005.

Photographs from a 2007 real estate listing show a stone-encircled swimming pool and an open-air sitting room with views of a grassy lawn and the ocean. City tax records show a Houston man bought the property in January for $9 million.

The home is listed on a vacation rental directory, http://www.hawaiisbestrentals.com

City spokesman Bill Brennan says the house has not been cited for any violations of Honolulu's strict prohibitions against renting homes on a short-term basis without a permit. Until a recent crackdown, illegal vacation rentals proliferated in Kailua, angering some residents who complain it is disruptive when tourists stay in residential areas.

The home is among the most expensive on a block where shoreline lots go for a minimum of $3 million and nonbeachfront properties easily top $1 million.

The figures outstrip the median single-family home price on Oahu, which stood at $594,500 in November.

Despite the pricey real estate, Kailua is a quiet, laid-back, and sociable place. Residents frequently stop and talk to each another while walking their dogs. They pass sugar over the fence so a friend next door won't have to run to the store for a forgotten ingredient.

It's also politically friendly territory for the president-elect: 62.4 percent — or 716 of the 1,145 voters — in the Kainalu Elementary School precinct encompassing the home went for Obama last month. That's less than the statewide average of 72 percent but more than the 52 percent national vote.

The home is less than a mile from another beach house where the Obama family stayed during their weeklong vacation in August.

Kailua is about a 30-minute drive through the Koolau mountains from Honolulu, where Obama was born and spent 14 of the first 18 years of his life. He briefly mentions Kailua in his memoir, "Dreams From My Father," saying he went spearfishing there as a child with his grandfather and one of his grandfather's friends.

Mary Carter, manager of Island Treasures Art Gallery, said Kailua has more of a hometown atmosphere than Waikiki, which is dominated by high-rise hotels and apartment buildings.

She predicted Kailua residents would "for sure" give the Obamas space to try to enjoy their vacation as a normal family. "They're here to relax," Carter said.

Hale Lanui on Maui gets rave reviews

Hi Craig,

I just wanted to let you know that we LOVED the house in Kihei.

It was perfect for our family!

I would strongly suggest this house to families with kids.

Having the park next to the house and Kihei in immediate walking distance made it great for my teenagers and my younger children.

The ocean views are wonderful from the balcony and the house amenities are terrific.

We are just sad we had to leave, especially when we got home to our cold and dreary Wisconsin weather!

I also want to thank you for making everything go so smoothly.

You always got back to me right away, which I greatly appreciated!

I have already recommended your company to a couple of other people who are interested in going to Hawaii, and will continue to recommend you.

Everything was perfect!

Hale Lanui:
http://hawaiisbestrentals.com/detail.lasso?SKU=623

Kupono Kai on Kauai gets great reviews

Craig,

Just a note of appreciation for your assistance in acquiring Kupono Kai for our recent visit to Kauai. We had a fantastic time. The home was far beyond our expectations, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd definitely recommend the location and this home to anyone planning a visit to the island of Kauai. Thanks again.

Dave Whitehead and family

Kupono Kai:

The Moore House, Kauai

Hi craig,
Just wanted to thank you, we had a wonderful time, couldn't have been a nicer week.
Can't wait to do it again next year.

Donna-

Hale Makai on Kauai get s rave reviews

Hi Craig,

I just wanted to let you know we had a fabulous time on Kaua'i. The house we stayed in, Hale Maki, was perfect !! (feb 9-16)

The weather was sunny and 80 the entire week which made the stay all the more enjoyable. We are so glad we decided to

rent a house to stay in rather than staying at a resort. However, we did get a bit spoiled having our "own" beach !!

Thank you so much for your help and for providing a lovely home for us to use.

to view this wonderful beachfront home, please click the link below

Hale Ani in Poipu gets rave reviews

Hi, Craig:
Just wanted to thank you and your company for everything...the house was incredible! We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed this property---we'll definitely be renting it again. I don't know if you've ever been to this property, but it's beautiful. The pictures do not do it justice. The view from the lanai is nothing short of spectacular. We had a great vacation, in large part due to staying at this particular house.
Thanks again,
Sandy S.

to see Hale Ani:
http://www.hawaiisbestrentals.com/view_property/126/kauai/hale-ani