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Kepharts' Ocean-view Hale: A Home Away from Home

Photo gallery for Kepharts' Ocean-view Hale: A Home Away from Home

Hale Kephart from the driveway in early spring
Entry way
Entry way off driveway
Front lanai
Kitchen area with ocean view from the windows

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 15223.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Kamuela, HI
  • Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Mauna Kea Beach
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Mauna Kea Resort Golf Course
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Waikoloa, HI (WKL-Waikoloa Heliport)
    ‪22 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 15)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Futon and 1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Futon and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed and 1 Crib

Bedroom 5

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Futon

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Kepharts' Ocean-view Hale: A Home Away from Home

This five-bedroom/three-bath home sits on five acres of land in the Kohala Estates. We specifically designed and built the house as a family vacation gathering spot. Its high ceilings and 760 square feet of windows make it particularly light and airy. Tradewinds and 13 ceiling fans help to keep it cool. The kitchen and the master bedroom have 180-degree ocean views plus the sweep of the Kohala Mountains, Maunakea, Hualalai, Mauna Loa, and nearly the entire Kona-Kohala Coast.

From the lanai, guests can watch a sprinkling of fishing boats, tour boats, military vessels, and pleasure boats. Several times a day a tug towing a barge pulls in and out of nearby Kawaihae Harbor. With good luck and timing, guests can spot Hawaiian spinner dolphins, humpback whales, and the occasional green flash. We can't guarantee blue skies and no mosquitoes; but odds are better here than anywhere else in the central Pacific. The house sits in the rain shadow of the Kohala Mountains, and annual rainfall totals are typically in the single digits!

We have tried to make our house a 'home away from home' for our guests. It is attractive and comfortable without being so fancy that guests are afraid to relax. The library boasts plenty of books and movies.

Extras: Guests will find enough kitchenware and linens to choke a flea market! The kitchen is well stocked with small appliances, utensils, pots and pans, dishes, glassware, flatware, and spices. Kids will enjoy several cubic feet of Legos and building blocks as well as puzzles, games, books, and other toys. Binoculars, beach towels, coolers, beach chairs, boogie boards, sand toys, and beach umbrellas are left out for guests to enjoy.. Visitors will not need to bring much besides their clothes and personal items.

Many of our guests consider this 'their' second home; and accordingly, our most popular times can be booked over a year in advance. Fall and late spring usually have the best availability.

Guests will also enjoy a Blu-Ray player in every bedroom, a satellite TV with Hi-Def in the living room, and WiFi Internet access.

Location, Location, Location: Most of our guests appreciate not only the ocean and mountain views but the house's convenient location. It is in a semi-rural neighborhood, which has no street lights and a myriad of stars at night. Weather is usually warm and dry. Within easy driving distance to the Big Island's premiere beaches and golf courses, it is also conveniently located within driving range of Kailua-Kona and Hilo. Good restaurants and shopping opportunities are an easy drive away. Neighboring houses are quite a distance away, and the neighborhood is quiet and safe.

Each day offers lovely sunrises and sunsets as well as moonrises and moonsets. The star-scape on a clear night is breathtaking.

Home away from home: The house is very comfortable, clean, and well-maintained. Many of our guests say that they feel right at home as soon as they walk in the door. The living room walls are lined with books, videos, and art work. The 2400-square-foot house features a large central great room with bedrooms and bathrooms across the back and south side. This open floor plan allows for privacy as well as communal activities.

Most of our guests especially appreciate the wrap-around lanai, which includes 840 square feet facing the ocean. The lanai has five table-and-chair sets, two lounge chairs, two small tables, and a gas barbecue, which makes it perfect for communal meals or individual relaxing and reading.

The driveway is large enough for off-street parking for up to six vehicles.

The house is surrounded with irrigated foliage and flowers, which are especially colorful and beautiful in the spring and summer months.

People who are looking for a getaway or a place to get-together at a reasonable price will find that Hale Kephart fills the bill.

Hosted Property

Property manager

Kerrill or Don
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Ocean view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Toys, games, and kid-vids are available.
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Clear with owners. No sound systems allowed.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
1. Guests will recycle cans, cardboard, plastic, and glass. They will conserve energy by turning off lights, fans, and appliances when not in use.
2. Guests will not make excessive noise, especially after 9:00 pm, out of respect for neighbors living close by.
3. Guests (unless they can't comply for medical reasons) will not wear shoes in the house.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 30
Note from host: Clear with owners. No sound systems allowed.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number GE-209-208-6258-01, TA-209-208-6285-01

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Kamuela

Located in Kohala Estates, a neighbourhood in Kamuela, this holiday home is in a rural area and by the sea. While the natural beauty of Mauna Kea Beach and Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Mauna Lani Resort Golf Course. Travelling with kids? Consider Pua Mau Place Botanic & Sculpture Garden and Pua Mau Place Arboretum. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and cycling.
Map
Kamuela, HI

What's nearby

  • Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area - 16 min drive - 12.0 km
  • Mauna Kea Beach - 17 min drive - 11.1 km
  • Mauna Kea Resort Golf Course - 18 min drive - 10.5 km
  • Mauna Lani Beach - 22 min drive - 22.3 km
  • Mauna Lani Resort Golf Course - 25 min drive - 20.9 km

Getting around

  • Kamuela, HI (MUE-Waimea-Kohala) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Ikena Landing - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Naupaka Beach Grill - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Kohala Burger & Taco - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Mauna Kea Cafe & Market - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Kepharts' Ocean-view Hale: A Home Away from Home pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Kepharts' Ocean-view Hale: A Home Away from Home?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Kepharts' Ocean-view Hale: A Home Away from Home?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Kepharts' Ocean-view Hale: A Home Away from Home located?

This family-friendly Kamuela holiday home is located by the sea, within 1 mi (2 km) of Pua Mau Place Botanic & Sculpture Garden and Pua Mau Place Arboretum. Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company Visitor's Center is 2.4 mi (3.8 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 115 out of 125 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 125 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 125 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 125 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 125 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Marion and Jesse L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A wonderful stay!
This was the absolute perfect house for our three generation family to stay. The house has everything you need for a perfect Hawaii vacation. The open airy house and porch were the perfect place to relax after busy days out and about.
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Colin O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Kepharts are great hosts.
Perfect. Our family had a wonderful stay.
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Christmas family reunion
It was a perfect place to get together as a family of 12 for Christmas. Views were incredible. Lots of space. owners were so accommodating. It is a bit far out but that made 6 young adults hang out with us instead of in the shops. Easy access to everything
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Teresa C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place for Family Gathering
Amazing view of the ocean for breakfast and dinner on the lanai. Spacious and well supplied kitchen and children's activities as promised. Don and Kerrill were very accessible and helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anthony F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
An amazing house and location
We loved the Kepharts house. It was perfect for us. We were a group of 9 and used all the bedrooms. We were a family reunion with our kids coming in from Australia. The house has amazing views, sunsets and at the right times, whales from the expansive balcony. It has everything you could need. It is kind of mid century with great windows. Both Don and Kerrill are so very helpful and you shouldn’t worry at all about them being nearby. We can’t recommend this house enough and hope to stay again someday.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A week in paradise
This is my husband and my second time at your lovely vaca home,,, the first time we were guests of friends so this time we treated our family to a week at your home,,, everyone loved it!! The lanai is, of course, the highlight of your home, so beautiful, lovely view, so relaxing, a perfect setting for family meals,, I surely hope we can come again another time,,,, 🌴❤️⭐️
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

joe u.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Panoramic and Relaxing
The view from the porch made every sunset even more beautiful. A cozy home and family friendly
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Davi M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great family vacation
House was amazing and location was perfect. Overall we were thrilled with the property. I did send a couple texts to the owners and never received a response but not a big deal.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

chris w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Location
With a view of the ocean in a peaceful area is the perfect spot for a family reunion!
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kirk S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spacious and Comfortable
Great views and lanai. Comfortably furnished. Everything you need for cooking. Plenty of beach towels and chairs. Some things are dated but everything works. Lots of windows and fans but gets hot when weather is hot.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

WILLIAM L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Comfortable and enjoyable stay
Very convenient with attentive and responsive hosts.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeffry Stephen B., Aiea, Hawaii

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Kephart's Hale
Great house, view, accomodations, friendly landlord
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sascha B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house!
beautiful view on the ocean, breathtaking terrace and always a little wind, very good climate, even when hot! Really nice people too.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tamara M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great home base
A group of us stayed here for work. It was the perfect setup with ample space for sleeping and the big beautiful deck. Ocean views every morning were incredible
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Martha J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Get-together
This was a perfect space for our family and we all enjoyed it very much. It was a tad out of the way but we were primarily there to be together with our son and his family who live in Japan. The Kepharts were wonderfully accommodating of our needs and we were all grateful for that as it made our arrival and departure much smoother. Our young grandchildren were together for the first time and got along wonderfully well. They enjoyed the games, books and toys. Our sons and daughters-in-law and daughter loved the lanai and we all spent our mornings and evenings enjoying the sunrise and sunset. The kitchen was fully equipped and worked well with multiple cooks! Everything was really great.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Home Excellent Hosts
This is a beautiful home in the most beautiful place on Earth. Perfect for families. Highly recommend staying in this home.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Monica K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family vacation
Kerril and Don had a beautiful home that was stocked with everything you could need for a vacation from towels to boardgames books to read on the beautiful balcony. We enjoyed our stay thoroughly very friendly and quick with responses would highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family gathering
This was the perfect place for our extended family to gather. Watching whales from the lanai and sunsets with green flashes was wonderful. Having toys for the young kids was great. Very well equipped.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Home
Highly recommend this property. We truly loved our trip to paradise!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth R., Canajoharie NY

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Grand escape
Wonderful space terrific location and great hosts we will definitely be back
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sean K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved our stay here
We had a great time on the Big Island and the house was a great home base for our day trips. Don and Kerrill were by far the best hosts we've had for our vacation rentals. The property provided plenty of space for the whole family and the views from the Lanai were magnificent.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Katrina M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great view
We spent every morning watching whales on the lanai. The house is very spacious. The weather is amazing on that side of the island. There were 9 of us that stayed here. It was very roomy. We loved our daily wildlife visits. We will definitely return and reuse this house!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leanne G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The perfect family getaway
Our group of 11 had a wonderful stay in this home. We never once felt crowded and our kids had a fun time having adventures in the “jungle”. There were plenty of parking spots and everything we could think to ask for was available, thanks to our accommodating hosts. . The beach supplies and beach towels were a nice touch. We would love to stay here again next time.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

John E., Des Moines, Iowa

Perfect family vacation home
Our extended family loved every minute of our stay in this large and comfortable home in one of Hawaii's most beautiful locations. The ocean view from the huge lanai is unforgettable. We hope to return next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

claudia a.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Away from the bustle
This is an awesome property. It is everything as advertised. It was so easy for our large group to relax and have fun. It was organized; there was plenty of spices and soaps and coffee pots. We will definitely try to return.
Stayed 11 nights in Nov 2023

About the host

Hosted by Kerrill or Don

Host profile image
Don grew up in California, earned his B.S. and M.S. from Stanford University, and his PhD in biology from the University of Chicago. Kerrill moved to California from Michigan. She earned a B.A. from Eastern Michigan University and an M.A. in English literature from California State University in Long Beach. We both finished our teaching careers at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where we were able to teach the subjects we loved to students who made us laugh and think every day we spent with them.

We built Hale Kephart in 1989 during nine weeks of our summer vacation with the help of family and friends. We enjoyed staying in the house during spring, winter, and summer breaks for 14 years. Then we retired and built our current residence on the same five acres as the vacation rental and thus began another chapter in our lives.

Hawaii is our home now, and we cannot imagine wanting to live anywhere else. We love the climate, the dark and quiet nights, the fresh air, the ever-changing views of ocean, mountains, and sky. We have embraced the aloha spirit and the whole concept of ohana.

We also love the people. We have made friends from many walks of life; each one of them has enriched our lives in some meaningful way. Some of them have been guests at our vacation rental who kept coming back until our relationship metamorphosed into a deep friendship. Others we met while writing articles for the local newspaper or playing tennis at Mauna Kea's Seaside Tennis Club. Most we met through other friends.

Our lives have developed a rhythm to them that is both interesting and comfortable. Every year we take at least one trip to the mainland to touch bases with friends and family. We have enjoyed sojourns in Alaska, Australia, New England, Washington D.C, New Zealand, Micronesia, the Pacific Northwest., the Galapagos, Europe, and the Pacific Southwest. We have seen spectacular places and had breathtaking experiences, but we are always glad to come home.

Why they chose this property

Our son taught high-school mathematics for a year in Kona. We came out during spring break to see him and to see the Big Island--the only major Hawaiian island we had not visited. We fell in love with the spaciousness and the diversity of the island and kept finding ourselves drawn to Hapuna Beach, which is six miles south of us.

A few years later we came back and stayed at Puako. We began looking for property. Kerrill kept coming back to a windswept, almost barren piece of land on a hillside in the Kohala Estates. Don finally said, "If you can find anything green on that lot, I'll consider buying it with you." We are not sure that we ever did find anything green--only sere buffle grass and dead kiawe trees. But we kept coming back because the view was better than anywhere else we had looked. And, finally, the land spoke to Don, too, and we put in an offer.

We've never regretted it. We enjoyed the vacation rental for 14 years and then built our retirement home behind it on the same lot.

When we are not traveling or maintaining the property, we enjoy reading and writing--we have a library of close to 14,000 books. Don does woodworking, builds model wooden ships, makes and shoots off rockets, hunts feral goats and pigs, makes knives, and enjoys photography. Kerrill enjoys tennis and gardening.

What makes this property unique

The unique benefits are self-explanatory to anyone who has visited our property. It enjoys an ideal location and an especially beautiful view. It is in a quiet neighborhood, one that so far has been so safe that most of our neighbors don't bother to lock their homes and cars. Besides, where else can you watch whales breaching against the backdrop of a full-sky sunset from your own front porch?

When we return to the mainland--as much as we enjoy seeing family and friends and taking in some of what it has to offer (theater, museums, specialty stores, national parks, restaurants, swap meets, etc.)--we soon become a little homesick. We especially appreciate the lower population density here. A traffic jam here would be considered a mild slowdown in most parts of Southern California.

When we are away we find ourselves missing the raucous calls of the gray francolins in the mornings, the trade winds blowing (sometimes gusting) through our palm trees and making their clattering fronds sound like falling rain, the panoramic and ever-changing vista that our eyes drink in as we look in any direction. We miss the fragrance of plumerias and gardenias, the bright and gaudy colors of the hibiscus and plumbagos and poincianas. We miss the fresh and soft air. We even miss the physical labor that it takes to keep up two houses and five acres of land.

We like to think that we have been here long enough now to consider ourselves kama'aina even though we weren't born here.

Languages:

English

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