FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

We get a lot of the same questions over and over again. We love answering questions. Really we do. Because it makes us stop whatever we are doing at the moment and think about Maui for a bit. However, we put this FAQ together to perhaps save you some time. We only want happy renters. Hopefully this information will help you decide if you will be happy at our condo. We always are!

What unit is it? Where is it?

A lot of people come back to Kamaole Sands over and over again and want to know which building of the complex we are in. We are in building 9 on the ground floor. Take a look at this map.

Does it have air conditioning?

Yes. Thanks for asking! Because a lot of the units in the complex do not so make sure you check that out even if you decide not to rent our place. Some people will say that you don’t really need air conditioning because the trade winds cool everything down. This is true, but unless you stay there for months at a time you are not going to be used to the humidity and probably won’t be comfortable. Now we don’t just have air conditioning, we have awesome air conditioning because most units that do have it only have a little in-window cooling unit. We have a Mitsubishi “Mr. Slim” (yes a strange name for an air conditioner I agree) central/split conditioner. This means that the noisy bit that actually makes the air cold is out in the lanai closet, and the part inside is just a relatively small and quiet box where the cold air comes out. And there are two of them. One in the living area and one in the bedroom. Each has its own remote control. I know! How “cool” is that?

Does it have an ocean view?

Well… if you walk out on the lanai lawn and stand on your tip-toes yes. But no, not really. With a very few exceptions, having a ground floor unit means you just are not high enough to get an ocean view. We picked a ground floor unit because we like the convenience of that vs. an ocean view, since to get a real ocean view you go to the ocean and that is a lot easier if you are on the ground floor.

How do I get the key?

We use a keyless entry system where you enter a code on the door knob to unlock the door. This door code is unique to you and is sent with your check in instructions. To get your parking pass and the code for the entry gates and pool you must check in at the front desk when you enter.

Slide your hand across the screen to activate the keypad.

Enter your 6 to 8 digit Access Code followed by the OK button. Press OK anytime to reset if you entered the wrong digit.

If the Access Code entered is correct, the door will unlock. If the Access Code entered is incorrect, Lockly™ will beep twice.

Note that the displayed numbers will be in a random order to prevent eavesdropping attacks.

The lock will automatically relock in ten seconds.

What are the sleeping arrangements in the living room?

The living room has a beautiful custom made full sized Murphy bed that folds down from the wall. The Murphy bed unit also contains three drawers that you can use to keep clothes in.

How do I get there?

Take a look at these driving directions.

Where do I park?

Kamaole Sands is a gated complex so when you check in you will be given a gate code to open the gates on either side of the complex (the main entry has no gate so you can drive in when you first arrive no problem) and you will be given a parking pass. This pass is only good for parking spot #140. You really need to park in that spot or you may get towed.

Are there beach towels? Beach toys?

Yes. There is a closet full of sand toys for the little ones, beach chairs, umbrella, balls, tennis racquets (you did know that there are four regulation tennis courts didn’t you?) a cooler, pool toys, swim fins, etc. There are also beach towels.

What if I have a problem with something or need something?

You are not going to have any problems because you are a happy person remember? But in the remote chance that you do, we have an on island agent. Your check in instructions will have their phone number as well as our phone numbers just in case.

Do you take credit cards?

Yes we do. We use Paypal and that lets you pay by credit card. If you would rather phone in your credit card number just give us a call and we can set that up too.

Why do you use Paypal?

We use Paypal because we don’t want you to have to give us your credit card information. Lets face it we barely know each other. I don’t think you want to have to give us that information and frankly I don’t want the responsibility of keeping it. Paypal acts as a trusted intermediary. You can always send us a check, but it will have to be on a U.S. bank.

Additional Options



Does it cost me anything to use Paypal?

No. It costs me about 3%. You don’t pay anything extra.

Do I need a Paypal account?

No. We send you a button link that takes you to Paypal and on their page you click on “Pay with debit or credit card” then enter your credit card information on their secure site. We never see any of that. If you already have a Paypal account then that button link lets you log in and all you have to do is click on ok.

We are not from the U.S. what about exchange rates etc. ?

Any figure you get from us will be in U.S. dollars. If you use Paypal, it takes care of all that. The amount will be converted into an amount in your local currency on their site. If you are paying by check, it will have to be drawn on a U.S. Bank, meaning you will have to take care of all that. If you use Paypal and are not in U.S. dollars, it will send you an email that your transaction is on “hold” and will take a few days to clear. This is normal don’t worry. We rent to a lot of Canadians,we think you (as a nation) are awesome 🙂

Any other fees?

No. Be careful when you compare other condos because many tack on extra fees. We pay for the final cleaning, desk and resort use fees. If you need daily maid service that will cost extra and you can ask us for that. The front desk should know that we always pay for your cleaning and resort use, but if they ask you if you are paying for it or I (the owner) am paying for it please tell them I am. A good rule of thumb for life in general is that if someone asks you if you are paying or someone else is paying you say someone else.

What is this Hawaii tax?

The state of Hawaii charges two taxes on vacation rentals. One is called the General Excise Tax (or GE Tax) and is 4.5%. This is charged on most everything you buy in Hawaii. The second one is called the Transient Accommodations Tax (or TA Tax) and is 13.25%. This is charged on short term rentals. Together they are 17.75%. We must collect this and pass it on to the state department of taxation.

Are there discounts for whole weeks, whole months?

Yes. Take a look at our rates page. When you enter your dates it will figure our what discount you will get.

My dates span the low season and high season. Which rate do you use?

We go by the arrive date to compute the seasonal rate. So smart renters pick an arrival date that is the last day of the low season. Don’t bother checking our calendar because someone already got that date before you did (especially if you had to learn that trick here!) but keep it in mind for next time (and book early). If your dates span the high to low season give us a call and we can probably work out something more fair.

When I say “from/to” dates does that mean number of nights or what?

This is a confusing point for many people. So lets not say “to” or “from” or anything like that. Lets agree to always use the terms “arrive” and “depart”. That way no one will be confused. Check out time is noon Hawaiian Standard Time (HST) so if you need to stay later than noon you can get a late checkout for $50 more.

What exactly is in your rental agreement?

We require all renters to sign and return our rental agreement. You can take a look at it
here.

What time is check in and check out?

Check in time is 3 PM and check out time is 12 noon Hawaiian Standard Time (HST). If you need to stay later than noon you can get a late checkout for $50 more. By the way, Hawaiians don’t use daylight savings time. It is always HST. I guess you can’t get any more standard than that.

Is there WiFi in the condo? Is it free?

Yes, and yes.

Are there cooking spices in the condo?

Sadly no. The health code requires any opened food item be discarded between guests. If you plan on doing extensive cooking you should bring your own from home.

What utensils are in the kitchen?

  • dishes, silverware, knife set, and normal cooking tools
  • glasses, cups, bowls, wine glasses
  • toaster, coffee maker, bean grinder, tea kettle, blender
  • electric hand mixer, waffle iron
  • fry pans (10,12 inch), sauce pans (7,7,8 inch)
  • vegetable steamer pots, collander
  • mixing bowls, cooling rack, cutting boards
  • pyrex dishes (10×15, 13×8)
  • cookie sheet (16×10)
  • misc. Tupperware, microwave dishes
  • pitchers, travel mugs, platters
  • measuring cups/spoons

Are there ants in your condo?

Yes there are ants in every home on Maui. Welcome to the sub-tropics. These are not the ants you are used to. These are tiny little ants you can barely see. The owners association has routine pest control, but for Maui ants this is like when Godzilla gets shot by the air force. It just kinda slows them down and makes them mad. So you need to not leave any food out on the counters. Keep as much food as you can in the refrigerator. Everything else needs to be stored up in the cabinets sealed tight. If they don’t find any food they move on to the next condo.

Here is a video from the AOAO office on the pest control procedures at Kamaole Sands

Is there an iron and ironing board in the condo?

Yes, and yes.

Is there a hair dryer in the condo?

Yes, below the sink in the master bath.

Are you a scam artist?

Um… no. What not enough for you? Ok check this out.

I have never rented by owner before, can you explain the process?

I would be most happy to.
First, a nice person like yourself determines (correctly) that our condo is the best choice. Then that nice person sends us an inquiry and we reply letting them know if the dates they want are available, and the total amount it will cost. This does not reserve those days or do anything at all other than provide information. Next the nice person decides that this will make them happy (we only want happy people) and they respond that yes they do want those dates. If the dates are still available we send the nice person a link that when they click on it takes them to a page on our web site (a special page only for special nice happy people) that has buttons for making a Paypal reservation deposit of $200 or information or sending us a check for $200. When we actually have that money we mark off those days on our rental calendar and generate a door key code. We then send the nice person an email that confirms we have received the reservation deposit, and an invoice showing the remaining balance. This balance must be paid within 60 days of the arrival date. When the nice person sends us the remaining balance via Paypal or check, and sends us a signed rental agreement, we send them the door code number and all the information they need to get there and check in (WiFi codes, telephone numbers etc.) The nice person has a wonderful time, writes nice things in our guest book, and comes back again. If the dates the nice person wants are already within 60 days from now the entire amount has to be paid at once.