For independent travelers desiring the Hawaiian road less taken, a
house rental on Molokai may be just the ticket. Not only does it
provide clients with a sense of privacy and freedom in an exotic
destination, it also gives travel agents another source of
commissionable bookings.
Swenson Real Estate lists several commissionable house rentals
on the island.
“Renting a house or cottage on Molokai gives visitors all the
comforts of home and the opportunity to embrace the lifestyle of
the island,” said SRE’s Diane Swenson. “We recommend rentals to
visitors who have been to Hawaii before, clients who are
comfortable traveling on their own and people who are
creative.”
Molokai Visitors Association director Sandy Beddow said many of
Molokai’s visitors are looking for a different type of Hawaiian
vacation.
“Typically they’re people who love Hawaii and have seen the
other islands, but want to get away from hotels and shopping
malls,” Beddow said. “Staying in a house is a good way to meet our
friendly residents and get to know Molokai from the local
perspective. Who knows? Someone may even take them fishing or to a
great local party.”
Liz Jackson owns and rents Beach House at Waialua, 19 miles east
of the town of Kaunakakai.
“Molokai is really different from all the other Hawaiian
islands,” Jackson said. “It doesn’t have a single traffic light.
Especially on the east end of the island, Molokai gives you a sense
of what Hawaii was like in the 1950s and ’60s. The east end of
Molokai is really the prettiest, greenest and quaintest part of the
island.”
Set on the ocean, Beach House at Waialua has three bedrooms, two
baths, a large family room and kitchen, a spacious yard with a
barbecue and views of Maui.
“In the winter the whale watching is really great from the
house,” Jackson said.
For active clients, the house is located on the way to Halawa
Valley, a hiker’s paradise. Nearby are scenic bays and beaches and
opportunities for snorkeling, horseback riding and mountain
biking.
Beach House at Waialua’s nightly rate is $150, with a
three-night minimum. Guests pay a cleaning fee of $85 and a $200
refundable damage deposit.
Call 888-575-9400.
David Alexander and his wife Joan Gattuso own and rent Aala Hale
(fragrant home), a two-bedroom, two-bathroom beachfront house five
miles east of Kaunakakai. They rented it regularly from the
previous owners before purchasing it in August 2000.
“Renting a home on Molokai, with all its magic, helps the
visitor move into the local laid-back flavor of the island,”
Alexander said. “I discover a whole new level of quiet each time
I’m in our home on Molokai. Staying in a home, one can choose to
relate to others on the island, or not.”
Aala Hale’s master bedroom has a large picture window that
frames the ocean and the island of Lanai across the channel. In the
25- by-25-foot great room is a well-equipped kitchen, a living room
and a dining area.
“With the fresh, organic produce and just-caught fish available
here, it’s easy to dine elegantly,” Alexander said.
Aala Hale rents for $145 per night (three-night minimum), $900
per week, $1,600 for two weeks and $2,800 per month, plus a $75
cleaning fee. Call 216-249-3110.
For more commissionable house rental options on Molokai, contact
Diane Swenson at 808-553-3648 or the Molokai Visitors Association
at 800-800-6367.
