Rainbow Views   Frequently Asked Questions

1.   CAN YOU WALK TO THE BEACH?   Many places advertise that you can walk to the beach.  A friend who manages 40 rentals and has her own rental near beach says that all her guests drive somewhere else everyday.  Why?  You will want to explore many different beaches, each with different character.  (See our beach tour Beach Photo Tour.)  Kauai has more white sand beach than all the other islands combined.  Some beaches offer soulful walks, some good for swimming, (lagoon sheltered beach or lifeguard), some for surfing (winter),  snorkeling (summer),  infants ..... For rentals that claim "walk to beach", question is, "Is it a safe beach?  Is it crowded by houses?  Do you walk by streets that are dangerous for kids? Is it even attractive? "     The beach that is walking distance from our place, about 10 minute walk, is a river mouth that is not as epic as other choices.  We ourselves never use it.  It is better to drive 1 mile to world class beach, Lumahai, or Tunnels Beach, 2 miles, or 4 miles to Hanalei Bay, or 4 to Ke'e.  The list goes on.  Walking on road here isn't safe as there are no shoulders in some places. Bike riding in this area is also hazardous for same reason. There are intrepid joggers who make the traffic go around them, dangerous for everyone. I think it is better to drive 5 minutes to long beach and walk or jog there.  The contrast between the windy beaches you will visit in the days and secluded lushness and river sounds you will experience here at night is wonderful.   When there are big waves, ONLY SWIM at lagoon beaches or near lifeguard towers.

2.  HOW CLOSE ARE STORES AND RESTAURANTS?   Hanalei Town is 4 miles, or 10 minutes away, with about 15 restaurants, grocery store, photo processing, ATM machine (of course!),  and gift-art shops.

3.   IS THIS ONE HOUSE OR SEVERAL? This is one long house with all rooms sharing view to south. Each space has a private entrance after coming up stairs (or elevator for elderly)

4. WHAT WEATHER CAN WE EXPECT?     Is the weather predictable anywhere?!!   Do I trust the weather report??? (not!)  Hawaii is a land of rainbows. That means sun shining down on rain. That means passing clouds and showers mixed with blue skies and sun. You can expect the weather to change several times a day. You can expect gloomy mornings to change to brilliant baking sun block afternoons, and vice versa. We have had a record breaking droughts in recent winters, while some summers have been rainy, which just shows how unpredictable it is. Honestly, in 6 years of business, there have only been 4 times where a period of 5 days was rained out, and all 4 times it was state wide storms.   In general, anticipating some rain is wise, and having sunblock with you is very wise! You will be in shorts and t-shirts most of the time. Summers bring one sweater just in case an evening is cool. Winters, bring two layers in case it gets real chilly. ... Below is current weather within one hour of right... now!..........                                  If you hear that it is storming here, don't worry.  It will change before you arrive.

A note on South Shore vs. North Shore.   All the calendar photos of Kauai that you have probably ever seen were taken on North Shore, the green lush side of every island in Hawaii.  I think this makes the South shore businesses jealous, so they put out negative comments about the North Shore being rainy or cloudy.  Read GREEN!   The south sides of all our islands are the leeward, dry sides.  Mesquite and prickly pear cactus, no kidding.  Sun is guaranteed and so are mega resorts and artificial environments.  On Oahu it is Waikiki, on Maui it is Kihei, on Big Island it is Kona, and on Kauai  it is Poipu-Waimea-Kekaha.  On Kauai, a small island, the 20 mile long  south side can be seen in a 2 hour drive.   Forget splitting your vacation between North and South!  Stay on North Shore and visit South side one half day, see the desert and resorts and be very pleased you chose the calendar photo, green, North shore.  Oh, another criticism from the south, "rough water in winter on North Shore".   True, depending on waves, but there are several sheltered beaches.   We know.   We swim daily.

Not convinced?  Why is Pierce Brosnan my neighbor and NOT living on South Shore?

5. ADA? Dawn Studio was designed at complete wheel chair access space, with lever door handles, roll under kitchenette and bathroom vanity, and roll in shower. And of course, the elevator

6.  VALUES/SPIRIT/LIMITS ?    We don't want to attract drunk energy or drugs or promiscuous energy (people who bring home strangers). We expect our guests to dress modestly in the carport area or on grounds.  (One young couple in carport explained their nudity this way  "We're from California!"   Huh? Give me a break!)   We don't subscribe to HBO or Showtime anymore, because of late night porn. If you like to party, maybe a different rental would be better for you.    I would like to hope our place is supportive of traditional family bonds.   I use words 'traditional' and 'family' and 'honeymoon'  in historic and biological sense. 

7.   HOW CLOSE ARE THE NEIGHBORS?  We one neighbor behind bamboo, maybe 150 feet away. Basically no neighbors.

8.   ARE ALL THE RENTALS NON-SMOKING?    Yes, no smoking.  Message from Ray.... smoking killed a friend of mine before he turned 50.  Quit now.

9. ARE THESE HOT TUBS?  The jacuzzi tubs are empty until you fill them with fresh water.

10.   AIR CONDITIONING?   We don't need AC on the North Shore.   All the spaces have ceiling and portable fans, and many screens. This is comfortable. If you are from the Southern states and used to air conditioning,  or have stayed on desert sides of islands, maybe you will expect AC but you won't miss it once you are here.   And on winter mornings when there is a clear starry night, as stated in weather paragraph, a sweater and socks are often needed, (unless you just flew in from winter in Wisconsin).

 11.  WHAT IS CANCELLATION POLICY?  When you book, you do this with an email confirming your intention, I confirm with email, amd mark calendar and then send directions by email., and  you send deposit check in mail or by credit card.   Full payment of balance is expected with personal check by mail, or another credit card payment 60 days before your arrival.   If you cancel more than 60 days before your booking, we charge $50 service fee and return funds to you. Less than 60 days, if you choose to cancel, we refund you only if we can replace your dates with another visitor.  What if there is a disaster?  If airport is closed and your vacation cannot occur, or if landslide blocks road and you can't get here, I think we each should take 50-50 responsibility for the loss, and I would refund you 50%.  

If you arrive here and do not like the place, we''ll refund 30%  in such a scenario.  This is unconventionally generous compared to other rental agencies on Kauai.  

 12.  DO YOU TAKE CREDIT CARDS?        Yes.  For those who prefer cards and are willing to pay an extra 3.5% (charge from paypal), please request an online credit card invoice when you send your inquiry.   I'll ask last minute bookings to be paid this way.   The service is provided by Paypal.com with over 100 million accounts, and EBAY their biggest client.   If you are coming from Europe and don't want to use card,  we can arrange for you to wire money bank to bank.

13.   WHAT DO YOU PROVIDE ... Washer (with detergent included) and Dryer for laundry  is located in carport area,  beach towels,  cooler, charcoal barbecue, iron and ironing board, hair dryer,  dvd, cd player, cable tv, wireless internet, beach equipment.   For babies we have high chair, play pen, stroller.   We rent kayak, surf boards... There is no daily maid service.  You clean your place while you are here and take trash to cans in carport when needed.  On that subject, it is shoes-off policy in house, and there is hose at bottom of stairs to wash off your feet.   If you have a favorite shampoo, bring it, but not in carry on luggage, as you know.  Hikers should bring shoes and shorts that WILL get stained by iron oxide  in dirt here. SURFING LESSONS, BOAT AND HELICOPTER DISCOUNTS,  LICENSED MASSAGE.  Just ask me, Ray, about it.

14.   WILL WE NEED TO RENT A CAR?   Yes, absolutely. The public transportation here is very marginal. You will want to explore all the beaches and there are no signal lights within 20 miles, so don't worry, you will not be in a traffic zone on north shore.  There is rush hour traffic in Lihue and Kapaa.  For car rental quotes, use 800 numbers in your local yellow pages to call the different car rental companies, such as National, Dollar, Thrifty, Budget, Alamo, Avis, and tell them you are needing a car at Lihue Airport on Kauai. For guests under 25 years old, you will probably pay double.  I personally think renting a jeep is a waste of money. They are all automatic transmission, you can't lock them, they cost double an economy car, and, there are almost no roads where you need one!    I know,  I know, you are on safari and have to have 'the look'....    For all of them ask for AAA discounts, etc.   Remember to check for damage before driving off with car.

15.  AIRLINE TIPS?   

United  and American Airlines have a direct daily flight to Lihue Airport on Kauai  from San Francisco or LA.  We just found a DIRECT flight Lihue to Phoenix inexpensive, Amer-West airlines (US  Airways).   Sun Trips also had a direct budget flight from SF?  There may be others also as things change quickly but look into this option of flying direct to Kauai, not going to Honolulu. This will save you the inter-island flight time (Honolulu to Kauai) which is about 3 hours (with all the waiting) minimum each way.  Shop online for interisland tickets  from Go! (Mesa Airlines) and Hawaiian Airlines. 

All of you, if you are passing through Honolulu, you can often immediately catch the about-to-take-off flight to Kauai with your existing ticket, and not have to wait around at Honolulu airport. Hawaiian airlines leaves almost every hour, kind of like a bus.  Just ask if you can get on an earlier flight standby.   By catching an earlier flight, you will probably beat your baggage to Kauai, but you will be here and can use the time to get your car. Try travelocity , priceline, expedia or orbitz to see possible itinerary from your area, but call the airlines to get the real lowdown.  Then you can save money by reserving your ticket online at airline website or often your local travel agent can get a discounted fare. 

Be forewarned.  Frequent flyer miles are usually very stingy on availability.  Book way in advance when you want to use your miles.

 Things change fast in travel industry.  If anyone has any updates, please let me know.

16.  WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU RECOMMEND?   We encourage all water sports.  EVERYONE should do the 3 or 5 hour Napali Coast boat tour!!! (whale watching in the winter).  I can book this for you at a discount once you are here.  Saves enough money for a restaurant dinner!    There is a great 8 mile round trip hike to a waterfall, and shorter hikes also.    Hikers should bring grubby clothes as the earth (okay, MUD!) here, repeat,  has iron oxide, staining clothes and shoes permanently.  Here are some great photos of famous Kalalau trail (link).  There is golfing and tennis in Princeville, riding stables, windsurfing lessons, live music, helicopter trips.  We can give  at least 10%  discounts for boat and helicopter trips so, again, don't book these until you get here.   We rent  a soft top surfboard ($20) and have massage studio on river. 

THE 3 QUESTIONS YOU WILL ASK YOURSELVES...

 1. Do we have to leave?   

2.  How can we bring this feeling home with us?       

3.  When can we come back?    

Reality.....  If you liked this website

you will love our place!  

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