Escape back in time

"I lived in Hawaii from 1975 til 1978 and never missed a day being astounded by the beauty of it all. For 34 years I have steadfastly refused to return lest I would have my memories destroyed by the overwhelming commercialization and crowding that have occurred since I left. Having remarried ten years ago, I finally relented to my new wife's implorings to visit, but I would not be a part of the Kaanapali/Makena madness. So I searched the net and found Hale Mauka Makai after much time spent looking for what I remembered about the Hawaiian paradise I once knew.

The fear I had of disappointment when we arrived vanished when we arrived on the grounds, a surprisingly short drive from the airport. This was exactly the Hawaii I remembered! Wide open acreage, cooing doves, rampant with blooming flowers everywhere and a drop dead gorgeous house and grounds with absolute utter privacy.

Looking down to the ocean on one side and at Haleakala on the other. Trees laden with a variety of tropical fruits are begging to be picked and the pool is pristine.  Claudia, Kevin, and little Nohealani will meet you when you unpack and then, unless you ask, you see no one and no other dwelling for the rest of your stay. There is among the owner's family that exceedingly rare quality that makes you feel like you've known them before and would love to know them forever.

I've read travel reviews more than I care to count over the years in search of our travel destinations, but I have never written one. Hale Mauka Makai and the Ledesma family changed that. Take it from me--- I've lived the classic Hawaiian paradise years ago, and I'm here to tell it is still alive and well if you know where to look.

Look no farther
William and Elizabeth

WOW!!

"That was the first word we uttered as we drove down the palm lined driveway......again when we entered this magnificant home......again when we saw each bedroom and bath.....again with the kitchen "goodies".....and a big WOW for the surrounding acreage and pool and lounging area! We felt like we hit the jackpot of all vacations rentals ......and we did!

Claudia could not have been more welcoming and charming. We felt very at home and comfortable. One thing we did that I'd like to pass on to you readers is that although this home is on the North Side of the Island we love to snorkel (got the best Maui Snorkel Rentals at Boss Froggs, the Breathe Easy for $25/wk) and spend time at the beach. So if you are so inclined you can rent Cabanas for the day at the Sheraton at Black Rock. We were actually stepping on sea turtles!! They have a nice bar and we watched their show that is free and open to the public and the waitress validated our parking ticket. We did this twice and it was great. It's also nice that the house is located just off the Road to Hana. Got bikes at Haleakala Bike Co. in Haiku and did the Summit Deluxe Tour with FRANK...he was awesome. Took alot of pics of us at the top and on the bikes. Was nervous at the first few minutes and then setteled into a great time down hill! Ate at Kula Lodge. Watched them make our pizzas in an outdoor oven. The location and garden's were just amazing.

Makawao is just 7 miles away and has the neatest stores. My favorite where I spent my "wad" was Sheri Reeves Gallery. A wonderful artist who specializes in watercolors of Hawaian flora. Her drink coasters make wonderful gifts.

The Tedeschi Winery was at the Ullpalakua Ranch just up the road about 30 minutes from Makawao. The tours and tasting are free as are the incredible views. You could see Wailea, Kihei and Maalea Bay. Don't miss going to Hookipa Beach Park for the Wind and Kite surfers. What a treat! Glad to be just watching! All of the these sites are practically in Claudia's back yard. Do try to find a day to just "crash" at the pool. If it gets too hot, the lounges were easy to wheel to the shade of the many beautiful trees surrounding the pool. I see I'm running out of characters soon and didn't mean to bore anyone, but really wanted you to know what a "FIND" HALE MAUKA MAKAI was for our family."

Many thanks Claudia. OXOXOXO
Sandy,Terry, Lauren and Randy

Home

"Travelling twelve time-zones towards the other side of the planet and immediately feeling at home. We would have never dreamed to be so at ease. The North shore is the right place to be at Maui, Haiku has exactly the right pace of life and ideal microclimate on the North shore and Hale Mauka Makai is simply the most beautiful place to be in Haiku. From day one, you wished to have booked two months instead of two weeks. This house and garden has been build and maintained with absolute love and devotion. No compromise.

The best kite and windsurfing around the corner and yet the house is an oasis of calm for those moments you need a break from the beach. The nights are simply magic and keep inviting you to sit in the garden staring at the stars.

Claudia is your perfect host, enthusiastically presenting the house, the garden and surroundings, caring when needed and providing total privacy. The whole experience provides that serene calm and inspiration we are all looking for on holidays and rarely find for real.

Anytime we would be back to this part of the world, we will not miss this destination and would highly recommend it to anyone."

Karin and Manuel

Vacation in Paradise

"This immaculately maintained luxury home away from home is set in a huge garden and orchard. Already on the approach to the house you enter a new world, between palm trees there are flowers blossoming at the edge of a carefully mowed lawn. We were welcomed and introduced to all the amenities and facilities of this truly five star estate by the owners Kevin and Claudia. The kitchen fulfilled and even exceeded my high European expectations. I vividly remember the barbecue at sunset on the patio overlooking the ocean: can you ask for more?

Yes! In the mornings we picked ripe papayas from the trees around the house together with lemons from a bush a few feet away. It felt like paradise to eat these delicious tropical fruits just cut up with a few drops of lemon juice sprinkled on top.

This is the perfect place to relax, away from the crowds in a pristine paradise-like setting, with all the amenities you could wish for. I have recommended Hale Mauka Makai to all my friends considering a trip to beautiful Maui, Hawaii."

Chris

Heaven

"My wife and I spent 5 days of our honeymoon at Hale Mauka Makai, and I cannot express how perfect it was. The hale is a private, upscale home from which to explore Maui from and "insider's" point-of-view, and it is immaculately tended by Claudia and her husband, a warm and attractive young couple who are true locals. The home is beautifully appointed, the views are terrific, the pool is like your own personal spa, and the location gives easy access to all parts of the island. Some of the best (and unexpected) aspects were the nearby villages of Haiku and Paia, with excellent "mostly locals" restaurants, market, and shops which were off the beaten path of the tourist-heavy hotel areas and therefore both more authentic and of higher quality. It's the perfect place to flop after an exhausting day on the Hana Highway or a self-contained resort in itself, where you could spend a whole day by the pool drinking your own tropical concoction and eating leftover pizza from the local joint (as we did, now remembering that as the best day of the whole trip!). I would give the place 6 stars out of 5 if I could."

Check your Stress at the door!

"This lovely Hawaiian decorated home is fully appointed with everything you will need from beach towels to espresso coffee! We literally checked our stress at the door of this gorgeous home. We were greeted by our host Claudia who showed us around the home, the orchard with trees full of fruit for the picking, flowers and wonderful landscaping surrounded the pool. She ensured that we were settled and were not in need of anything.

The trade winds gently blew across the lanai as we sipped our coffee watching the bamboo sway in front of the views of the ocean. The fresh smells of the flowers and the fruit trees will soon make you forget all about traffic back home! This home is extremely quiet, clean and well appointed for any traveler. There is internet connection, printer and a fax machine all set up for when you felt you had to check in back home.

The location is perfect, close to Haiku and Paia, both have wonderful stores and restaurants. Makawao is about a 15 min drive and one of the state's last paniolo towns. Baldwin beach is about 10 minutes drive and rarely has more than a few dozen people on it! Hookipa Point is about 5 minuntes drive and you are able to watch the surfers ride the waves. All that for the days you can tear yourself away from the gorgeous pool! We have never met a better host and have never felt so comfortable in a vacation rental. I would not hesitate to recommend this home. We have already booked our next stay! If you have never stayed in a vacation home, I urge you to try. Once you do, you will never go back to the crowds of the big hotels. The little touches... are what make this a fabulous home away from home! Mahalo to them for making our stay this special!"

Heaven on Earth

We would "highly" recommend staying in this wonderful home. The attention to detail is wonderful from the warm welcome received from Claudia and Kevin, the walk through the property full of fruit trees and flowers ( there to be picked!) , the traditional Hawaiian art pieces in the home, the espresso machine! We were able to settle in and not need or want for anything. Our stress melted as we sipped our drinks on the lanai staring at the Ocean and the bamboo swaying in the warm Maui trade winds. The location is excellent and the home so well cared for. We were so thrilled to see Claudia and Kevin's little girl at the door one day with a Poinsettia larger than her for our dining room table! The home and owners are warm, interesting and frankly one of a kind! Enjoy your stay!

J&W Goss, Vancouver, B.C.

"My partner and I have rented Claudia's Hale Mauka Makai on Maui for at least the past four years, usually beginning the middle of December for four to six weeks. We often extend our stay if it is available. We first rented the home after viewing it on the internet and we were not disappointed when we arrived. Their are many homes to rent on the island, but Claudia's house has a warm Hawaiian plantation feel. The design of the home is quite unique and the quality of the workmanship and the furnishings throughout the house are extraordinary, and reflect Claudia's loving care.

We particularly appreciate the privacy of the home due to the beautifully landscaped grounds surrounding it as well as our ability to walk outside our door to pick papayas, star fruit, bananas, lemons, limes, and much more. The pool area is also very private and affords a full days sun. Honestly, we seldom go to the beach because we enjoy the privacy we have in sunbathing and swimming in the pool. It also has a panoramic view of Haleakala Volcano where we have gone hiking on numerous occasions. The kitchen is well equipped and we have held dinner parties during our stay.

The home is located just a short distance from popular beaches and island restaurants such as Mama's Fish House and Haliimaile General Store. The casual laid back town of Paia offers wonderful shops, restaurants, one of the best health food stores we have ever shopped, and a gallery of local artists. Haiku and Makawao are close by and the Maui Gym and Maui Studio in Haiku offer a tremendous variety of exercise and dance classes as well as special events and workshops.

Kevin and Claudia are also very accommodating to whatever our needs throughout our stay and keep us well informed about what's happening on the island---especially when "Jaws" 50 feet waves are about to hit so that we can make the drive through the pineapple fields to view it first hand.

There is something for everyone on Maui and each year we experience it as if it were our first time. We are anxiously looking forward to our return to Hale Mauka Makai next month and always feel as though we are visiting our second family when we think of Claudia, Kevin and Nohealani. I couldn't recommend a better vacation home on Maui.

I trust you will have a very memorable island experience with Hale Mauka Makai!"
Mahalo,
Diane Carlson

(Visitors from Switzerland)
"By the way, I did it in a similar way like you. In April I got in contact with Claudia and reserved this rental home for the first two weeks in October. Arriving at the airport in Basel, my family heard the first time where the trip will go. You can imaging how surprised my 4 kids and my wife were!!

We spent really an unforgettable and amazing time and didn't regret any moment. It's hardly to describe. A wonderful place where everybody of us could immediately live. The environment is ideal for kids. No boring moment at any time. Heaven in earth - I heard once one of my daughters murmuring. A huge green with a lot of tropical plants around this really well equipped rental home. At least there is only one wistful (lamenting) point. Two weeks were a little bit too short. Next time, in summer 07, we will lookout in any case a four week stay."

Enjoy it. It's a good decision.
Best regard
Simon Schmid

“Our stay at this home was everything a vacationer dreams for. We arrived at the house late one evening after a very long day of travel. The owners had put the lights on for us, making it very warm and inviting. We walked in, smiled, and immediately let go of the travel stress. After meeting Kevin and Claudia the next day we knew why the house felt that way - it is a reflection of their warm and welcoming personalities. The house is spacious, comfortable and well appointed. We wanted for nothing. We would highly recommend this home to anyway who wants to experience Maui away from the crowds, yet still be close to all the beauty the island has to share. It is close to wonderful beaches, many restaurants, and is a couple of miles away from the Road to Hana (a must see). We have to divulge that after staying in this home we decided to move to Maui!!”
Rosalyn Caltrider

“Aloha Visitors! My review can not be just a one liner. I must say from the time I did my research on the internet to find Hale Mauka Makai, my experience will always be remembered. Claudia and Kevin (the owners) are such personable people and would welcome anyone into their beautiful home. My 2 week visit in Hawaii staying at Hale Mauka Makai was unbelievable!! Claudia and Kevin Ledesma’s hospitality was remarkable. They made me feel right at home the entire time I was there (like I was part of their family). Their property/house is literately the BEST place to stay on Maui. The property is surrounded by 4.3 private acres. On the one side of the property there is the view of the Haelakala volcano and then on the other side you have the view of the beautiful Hawaiian land and the ocean with views to die for! From the moment you drive into Hale Mauka Makai one is greeted with beautiful palm trees on either side of the driveway. The property has been beautifully landscaped with different tropical flowers and fruit trees that are waiting to be picked to make homemade orange juice. What a morning treat to have fresh orange juice to start your day!! Mmmm….delicious!!! If that’s not enough to digest, wait till you get into the house!! It’s been beautifully decorated, very spacious and airy. On the one side of the house is a deck off the kitchen and living room for those days when one wants to have a romantic dinner. On the other side of the house it has a very inviting pool for those play days. Hale Mauka Makai definitely offers visitors a romantic yet adventurous place. Hope all who come, enjoy it as much as I did!!! ? Thank You Claudia and Kevin!!”
Jon Volwider
 

“Bob and I have stayed at Hale Maka Makai four times and it is our favorite on Maui. The privacy the property offers is wonderful as it is on 3+ acres with a pool to cool off in day or night. It is delightfully furnished with two decks--one to watch the sunrise and one the sunset with a view of Haleakela. If you like a place out of the hubbub, this a the property for you, but close to wherever you want to go. Mama's Fish House right down the road and you can walk to the village of Haiku for breakfast or dinner. Our favorite place on our vacation list!”
Linda Thauer

“My husband and I spent our honeymoon at Hale Mauka Makai in Maui. How do I begin to explain “brilliance”...? First of all, the property is so well presented on the website that it's accessible on- that there's not much to do when you enter the property except size it up in "real life" compared to the photos. Honestly- it just doesn't compare. The sense you get of the general area it's located in is private, quiet, country, AUTHENTIC HAWAII. The house itself is located on a huge private parcel- you can't see another structure from ANY window in the house. The pool area is so peaceful & quiet that we even engaged in a little risqué sunbathing- I've been to Maui several times & stayed in any number of various resorts, condos, vacation rentals, etc....NONE come close to the level of privacy this property offers. The interior is just as (even more!) beautiful than the photos that you've seen. The kitchen is the best equipped kitchen I've ever cooked in. I even came home with ideas of how I wanted to adapt our kitchen to make it more functional! It’s just down the road from Haiku (a nice walk from the property). Paia is a short drive away- YOU MUST go shopping @ Mana Foods! Makawao is a nice drive up the road- a great little town to stroll through, great shops & restaurants. The best part of staying in this area of Maui is the lack of tourists! My husband and I made many walks up to Haiku with our backpacks on to load up on supplies at the little market…and would stop to pick guava along the way, stop and chit-chat with a local- one day we sneaked onto the pineapple field and picked a pineapple on our way back from the market! You just can’t have that type of experience in Kaanapali!! I can’t wait to return…maybe for our 5th anniversary…and our 10th…and our 15th…”
Stacey Bruno Migale