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9.2/10 · 41 reviews

Makana Kai Hale: Oceanfront House on Famous Ali'i Drive

Kailua-Kona, Big IslandView location
Bedrooms
2
Bathrooms
2
Guests
6

A place to make Hawaii yours.

Overview

A closer look

About this property

Located right on the water, Makana Kai, gift of the sea, has been family-owned for more than 40 years and retains the feeling of visiting a beloved and well-furnished home. The house has been renovated with a new kitchen, appliances, beds, fans, furnishings, and a rebuilt Ipe lanai. The beauty of this house is its spectacular location at the edge where the pacific ocean meets the Kona coast. Guests love the views from the deck: sunrises, ocean tides, dolphin spinning, whales in winter, golden sunsets, the moon over the water and stargazing at night.

The house has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and is best suited for two couples or a family with 2-3 children. The primary bedroom has a king sized bed. The guest bedroom has a Japanese-style shoji screen doors that sections off the room to provide privacy of a separate sleeping area in the room. The sleeping arrangement would be one queen bed and one double bed. You have the option to open up into one larger room or close to two smaller sleeping spaces. The The house stays cool through the open louvered windows and daily ocean breeze. Some amenities in addition to a full kitchen include a barbecue and washer/dryer. There is beach gear for your use: cooler, boogie boards, beach chairs, mats and umbrella.

A short walk north from the house is Magic Sands - a white sand beach - and Mile 4 Marker Cove. Less than a mile south is Kahalu’u known for its calm waters, snorkeling inside the breakwater and surfing/stand-up-paddle-boarding at the point. The nearby Keauhou Shopping Center has a market, bakery and coffee shop, restaurants, a book store, shops and a movie theater and also hosts a Farmer's Market on Saturdays.

In the town of Kailua (4 miles north) are restaurants, shops, and historic sites including the Hulihe’e Palace of Queen Kapiolani and Kamakahonu Bay, a home for King Kamehameha in his later years.

Most activities along the Kona Coast are within a few miles of the house: swimming, snorkeling, golf, hiking, biking, deep sea fishing and diving and exploring the art galleries of Holualoa. You can also enjoy drives around the island to the beaches and hotels of the

northern Kohala coast, see the spectacular Waipi’o Valley, explore beautiful waterfalls and rainforests, visit the old Hawaii of Hilo and journey to the Volcano National Park to see the active volcano Kilauea.

Whether you seek adventure sports or quiet time to relax and renew or something in between, vacationing at Makana Kai will be a blessing to you and your family.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

~The Smiths

STVR#19-364693

TAT#038-146-2528-01R

  • **All Reservation Requests greater than 12 months in Advance MUST be approved in advance by the Broker In Charge. Rates are subject to change.***
  • *All guests are required to sign a rental agreement with Knutson & Associates Property Management**

Please note this home does not have Air Conditioning.

Registration Number: TA-038-146-2528-01, GE-038-146-2528-01

Availability

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12-month availability

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Guest reviews

Guest experiences

Guest reviews

Paul G.10.0/10
May 26, 2026

This home has a great ocean view. Love hearing the waves crashing at night. The deck view is amazing. The only down fall is that their is a very busy street right in front of the house. But other than that is was very pleasant place.

Melissa M.10.0/10
Apr 11, 2026

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Absolutely loved this vacation rental. The way it is set up worked perfectly for our family of 4. Each kid got their own bedroom and mom & dad got the room by the water. It was the perfect spot for our 8 day stay. I was worried that there was no a/c, but the weather was perfect and we got breezes coming off the ocean the whole time, I never felt overheated while staying here. We stayed right after the big Kona Low storm and still had showers almost daily. The ocean was a little rough out front, but we did get one day where we were able to go out and snorkel, there were so many fish! I would stay here again without hesitation. The management company was useful when we had issues and it was actually very nice to meet them at the beginning of the trip to discover all the treasures of the home. They even sent me a text, reminding me to put out the trash, which when you are on vacation, you tend to forget what day it is, so very helpful. I did not find them invasive at all, just helpful when you needed them to be. Overall great stay and I can't wait to go back!

Guest review10.0/10
Mar 16, 2026

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We had the greatest time in this oceanfront house. It was a great location. Very comfortable house that had all the amenities we needed for our stay. So great to just sit on the deck, listening and watching the ocean. And falling asleep to the sound of the waves. Great house and not far from restaurants and shops.

George D.10.0/10
Mar 9, 2026

All went well, the top rack in the dishwasher is broken but it still works. Beautiful setting, loved the master bedroom and deck!

Tobin & Marta10.0/10
Feb 25, 2026

Older home but very comfortable! Nothing beats the sound of the waves from the deck or as you drft off to sleep!

Ilse C.10.0/10
Feb 8, 2026

We were warmly welcomed in the beautiful house, it had all the comfort and exceptionally amazing back porch, overlooking the ocean, where we spent a lot of time. Great place to relax, nap, read and soak up peaceful ocean energy. When we had questions, there was immediate support, and we had everything in the kitchen anyone could ever need! Sometimes the nearby road was quite noisy, but focusing on the ocean sounds made it all ok. We are so happy we chose this place, we enjoyed it alot, and we're likely to return!

Anne B.10.0/10
Dec 2, 2025

The location of this home was amazing. We loved listening to the waves, and watching the dolphins, snorkelers, and outrigger canoes come by each day. The house was well supplied for cooking, and we enjoyed preparing some meals at the house. We were there Thanksgiving week, and the traffic on Ali'i drive was pretty heavy. It was a bit hard to sleep in the rooms that were roadside due to traffic noise, and the louvered windows let sounds in even when closed. The host was very responsive and supplied a noise cancelling machine, which did help.Overall we had a lovely week.

David B.10.0/10
Oct 13, 2025

Absolutely stunning.It really is on the ocean and it takes a couple of days to adjust to the sound of the surf but it really changes how you see the world.....loved it.

Craig R.10.0/10
Feb 15, 2025

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We absolutely loved this house, the location, the intimate setting on the water and the Old School Hawaii charm it exudes. It was the perfect house for us to relax on the open-air deck watching the massive surf come in. Whales were out front on our last day playing and breaching which was a nice ending to our trip. The house, the amenities, the location were ideal, and I would recommend to anyone that wants the true Hawaiian house experience.

Alan L.8.0/10
Oct 19, 2024

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We stayed for 16 days.Great location and view, updates throughout the house were very well done, amazing lanai with incredible view and sunsets, new appliances, comfortable beds. Ceiling fans and extra fans were key to keeping the house at reasonable temps. Amazing view from the lanai and when sitting in the living room, all you can see is water. Nice overhang of the roof over a portion of the lanai protects from rain when needed. Great snorkeling less than a quarter mile away with hundreds of gorgeous fish. Management company, Knutson, was extremely responsive and ensured we had everything needed. When we asked a Keurig, they purchased and provided it the next day. Was good being 4 miles outside of Kona, as the town gets very crowded and when cruise ships are in, it gets even more congested. After eating on the lanai, we realized no restaurant could match the view of where we were staying so we ordered delivery when we didn't feel like cooking.The only significant con was the almost ever-present noise, which is beyond the control of the owners or management company. The road is only about 25 feet away from the house and frequently cars, trucks and motorcycles had loud exhaust, and booming sound systems that actually vibrated the house as they accelerated past. It was particularly loud in the living room and non-MBR bedrooms, but better in the MBR and on the lanai. Fortunately, traffic diminished significantly between 10pm and 6 am. The shojii doors are very attractive but if guests are staying in either of the 2 extra bedrooms, they do allow sound and light to pass through. The uneven lava rock steppingstone pathway from the driveway to the front door was difficult for my mobility challenged mother.There was a house renovation next door and it was quite loud every day but Sunday, especially on the lanai. It appeared this renovation may continue for some time, so suggest checking to get latest status before committing to a rental in the next month or

Robert R.8.0/10
Jul 16, 2024

The house is nicely located on the water and close to two great beaches. However, the two back bedrooms are along the street and extremely noisy. If you’re a light sleeper don’t plan on sleeping due to loud cars, motorcycles or people playing music as they pass by. The main bedroom is fine and has ocean sounds which is a good bit different from street sounds. We effectively consider this a one bedroom house since two were too noisy to be used. I slept outside on the deck after the first night (with bug spray). During our stay, the house next door is being renovated so you get construction sounds during the day. In the past, if construction was happening, the landlords would at least tell you. In fact the last time in Kona in a different property they not only told us but gave us a discount. Not here. The house does come with a fully stocked kitchen and beach stuff. The deck overlooks the ocean and you can watch sunsets. You’re close to beaches and great restaurants as well as grocery stores. Overall, I give it a poor rating because if you can’t sleep it’s not worth what they charge. I’m not the only person who has written about the noise issue—I didn’t realize how loud it was.

William E.6.0/10
Jul 13, 2024

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was very clean. I was happy with the location. I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Just stayed at Makana Kai Hale. Loved, loved loved the view sitting right on the water. It’s absolutely beautiful and is so relaxing. The location to Kona, shops and beaches was excellent. Being in the center of everything was super convenient to our stay. The size of the property for 5-6 people is small. Property manager was excellent and was very responsive and met us upon arrival. It must be noted the road noise is very load. The house sits about 1 car length from the road. If you don’t have sleepers that can sleep through very noisy things, sleeping in front 2 rooms will be very difficult. It’s loud. The master bedroom is on the ocean, but the front two rooms are on the street.

Christina M.10.0/10
Feb 20, 2024

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Met expectations. Views were amazing. On the beach as advertised. Nothing better than sleeping to the waves.

Tracy s.10.0/10
Feb 3, 2024

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: This was a great place for our Kona vacation. The deck is large and comfortable and is right on the ocean with spectacular sunsets. Expect some street noise from Ali’i, but most of it is muted by the surf.

Kelli S.10.0/10
Jan 8, 2024

We loved this property! The location is ideal and the view is outstanding . It is clean and comfortable. We would stay here again if returning to Kona for sure!

Kelly C.10.0/10
Jan 8, 2024

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Our stay at Makana Kai Hale was spectacular. We were warmly greeted at the property by a Knutson & Associates team member who showed us around the house, all the amenities and answered questions. (Thank you for the thoughtful welcome gifts!) The house is even better than the description. It is a lovely balance of cozy and island chic with a perfectly appointed modern kitchen complete with pass-through windows, comfy beds and updated bathrooms. But the Christmas miracle?...the breathtaking view from our private deck making outdoor living a dreamy experience. (Think "Dorothy opening the door to Oz.") We created so many new and lasting family memories with our two adult children and their spouses, just hanging and eating together at the house. But every one of us had plenty of space to just hang and "be." Reading a book, taking a nap, drinking in the view of whales, fishes and boats and the mesmerizing ocean waves added up to pure relaxation.The house is ideally located to explore all the wonders of the island. Every day was a new adventure! We highly recommend renting dune buggies for a day from Big Island Buggy who delivers to your doorstep.We would definitely recommend this property to others and plan to come back again soon!

Marilynn C.10.0/10
Nov 17, 2023

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was more than happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: This was a wonderful home -our time in Kona for the wedding of our son was enhanced by this stay in Makana Kai Hale. The amenities were abundant and cleanliness immaculate. The setting was enchanting. Gorgeous views of the water were spectacular. Loved it!

Hans-Peter W.8.0/10
Sep 18, 2023

Rating Details: The property manager was more than helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was happy with the location. I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Dieses Haus hat einen tollen Ausblick auf das Meer und ist sehr hübsch eingerichtet. Für unsere Ausflüge war es der perfekte Ausgangspunkt. Hinter dem Haus verläuft direkt eine vielbefahrene Straße (auch nachts). In den zwei Schlafzimmern zur Straße gibt es lamellenfenster, die nicht gegen Lärm schützen. Zwei von drei Doppelbetten sind sehr schmal. Das Haus verfügt hauptsächlich über asiatische Schiebetüren, die sehr schwergängig sind. Privatsphäre daher sehr schwierig. Die Hausverwaltung hat eine Mangel umgehend gelöst, dass war sehr positiv.Wir (6 Personen) hatten das Haus für 2 Nächte im August gebucht und das Preis-Leistungsverhältnis war aus unserer Sicht nicht in Ordnung.

Location

Your island setting

Property location

Kailua-Kona, Big Island

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FAQ

Helpful details

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about this property and the reservation process.

Where is this vacation rental located?
  • City: Kailua Kona (postal 96740) Hawaii

Nearby highlights

  • Location: Kailua Kona, HI (Kahaluu Bay – Keauhou – Kona Coast – 1.95 km to center), United States
  • On the waterfront
How many bedrooms and bathrooms does it have?

2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

How many guests can it sleep?

This rental sleeps up to 6 guests.

What amenities are available?
  • Private vacation home
  • Unit size: 1046 sq ft (97 sq m)
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided
  • Free WiFi
  • with speed of 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices)
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Lanai / balcony
  • Onsite parking
  • Dryer
  • Free Parking
  • Internet
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Living Area
  • No Smoking
  • Toys
  • TV
  • Washer
What should I know about check-in?
  • Check in starts at 4:00 PM
  • Check out before 11:00 AM
  • Check in time starts at 4:00 PM
  • You will receive an email from the host with check in and check out instructions
  • Government issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check in for incidental charges
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
  • Property Registration Number TA 038 146 2528 01, GE 038 146 2528 01
What are the house rules and policies?
  • Pets not allowed
  • Children are welcome.
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
What are popular things to do nearby and on Big Island?
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Surfing/body boarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Location: Kailua Kona, HI (Kahaluu Bay – Keauhou – Kona Coast – 1.95 km to center), United States
  • On the waterfront
Do I need a rental car on Big Island, and what about parking?

A rental car may not be required for every stay, but transportation needs depend on your arrival airport, activities and how much of the island you plan to visit. Parking notes: Onsite parking.

What kind of rental is this?

This is a private vacation home rental.

Does the Check Availability button open the booking page?

The button opens the partner listing page where you can review final rates, fees, availability, policies and booking details before booking.

Local Weather

Today's Weather in Kailua-Kona

Weather in Kailua-Kona
Cloudy · Updated 9:30 pm HST · Sunset 6:16 pm HST
Temperature
77°F
Feels like
86°F
Wind
3mph
Rain chance
98%
Cloudy tonight – the sky went low-key.

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