Lauren B.
April 2024
I recently stayed at this home with my husband and 4 kids and we had the best time! It was hands down our best Hawaiian vacation on any of the islands. This was such a unique experience as the home is situated on such an expansive piece of land. The kids had so much room to roam around, play at the pool, pick fresh fruit and feed the cows (and deer) that lived next door! It was a perfect launching point for so many adventures, visiting Makawao, Paia, Haleakala, Road to Hana and the beaches. The house was also absolutely immaculate and completely stocked with everything we needed. Claudia and Kevin are incredible hosts and very responsive. We can't wait to come back!
jairo l.
January 2024
Our stay at Hale Mauka Makai was by far the best and most memorable of all the experiences we have had on Maui since we started coming on vacation to the island for the past 20 years. Everything is beyond perfect, starting with the hospitality of the owners. Claudia and Kevin are amazing hosts, everything operates perfectly, the property is so well taken care of, way beyond our expectations. We loved staying in the veranda and enjoying our meals with the ocean view and the amazing garden. The interior of the house is so beautiful and inviting to stay inside too. My kids had a great time at the pool, which comes full of toys ! Also we have to highlight the hosts generosity by allowing access to fruits and vegetables they produce with such care in the beautiful orchard.
I have no doubt that Hale Mauka Makai is our first call for a future stay on Maui. Strongly recommend for those that seek a place that offers the magnificent hawaiian beauty with all the comforts of a five-star plus lodging.
Finally, have to close with a personal thanks to the hosts. You provided and unforgettable experience to us. MAHALO !!!
Matt G.
June 2023
This place is fantastic! Beautiful home with ocean and Mountain Views plus a pool. Can’t beat the location as it’s close to everything. Claudia is a great host and really easy to work with. 10/10 would stay again!
Robin W.
March 2023
Relaxing perfectly equipped home lovely lovely hosts.
Jason H.
February 2023
Had a great time staying at this little Mudjimba beach house. The house worked perfectly to meet our needs, we’ll definitely stay here again on our next trip to Australia.
Chuck C.
October 2022
This home is exactly what we needed for our family of 4. We spent two weeks at the property, and could have easy spent more time based on how convenient the property and location is to everything. Claudia is such an amazing host and was always available for any questions, needs or concerns. Her attention to detail certainly made for a worry-free and enjoyable stay. We also loved how the property is more than a place to stay, but a place to experience based on the beauty of the grounds, views and amenities around the home. The grounds are kept with several fruit trees and gardens that allowed us to eat fresh fruit and vegetables when cooking out. The town of Haiku is also located near, which is a wonderful places to eat and shop, while keeping with the slower pace of this side of the island. This being our 3rd time to Maui, we were able to relax and see areas we had yet to experience when the rest of the island was some what crowded.
If you are thinking you need a home away from home while visiting Maui, do yourself a favor and enjoy Hale Mauka Makai as part of your Hawaii experience... we certainly will again!!
Chris A.
August 2022
We had a wonderful stay at Hale Mauka Makai. The house and surrounding property are absolutely beautiful-sweeping views of the ocean from one side and pristine pool and Haleakala views from the other. Claudia was just fantastic to work with, taking the time to show us around the house, property and orchard-even sharing fruit with us. We loved everything about our stay. So appreciate having a quiet, meticulously maintained and beautiful place to truly relax on vacation. The neighboring cows were wonderful as well! Can’t wait to come back-this is a special place to be sure.
Joel S.
August 2022
We stayed with 6 of us (family of four with two kids, plus two grandparents) for a week in August 2022. We had a great week. The location is great, it's close to Paia yet secluded and peaceful. The views from the back lanai, where the outdoor dining table is, are amazing. We never wanted to go out to eat because it was so peaceful and calming to be at the house, eating dinner as the sky turned beautiful colors with the sunset. We loved having the cows visit at the fence of the neighboring property, they were so sweet. Claudia was amazing, giving us a great tour of the property and loading us up with fruit. There are so many fruit trees on the property, and it's such a beautiful experience to be able to pick your own fruit.
We also loved the saltwater pool, and spent a lot of time in it. It gets nicely warmed from the sun so its super comfortable.
Definitely do not hesitate to book this amazing property!
Jay I.
July 2022
We are frequent visitors to the Hawaiian Islands and have rented several properties after abandoning the usual luxury hotel stays. This was our first property rental on Maui and boy did we luck out! The location was perfect - very private, away from the crowds yet close enough to restaurants and island attractions. Having the property owners nearby and always there to respond to any needs or questions was a real plus. We appreciate Claudia's interest in connecting with us, making recommendations, encouraging full use of the property including the various fruit trees and her personal vegetable garden, yet respecting our privacy. When we return to Maui, this home will be our first choice!
Bruce K.
April 2022
Started with a great introduction to the property by the host Claudia. The stay was fantastic and felt like home. Large, well manicured property, fruit trees for picking, pool and the location is perfect for those who enjoy North Maui, Road to Hana, and basically any other area of interest on the island.
Donna L.
March 2022
We had a wonderful stay. We enjoyed the lovely large pool for short laps, picked oranges for our morning juice, played hard and slept well. We brought a croquet set and played killer matches through the lawn and orchard. It's a good location for exploring different parts of the island, especially if you get on the road early. Our penultimate adventure was kayaking in the early morning to see the whales. Claudia is a fabulous host and her suggestions re: food truck delivery and water sports companies were excellent. Do be prepared for an early morning competition between roosters.
Christoper B.
February 2022
My wife and I rented this house to avoid the hotel crowds. It was our honeymoon trip and we didn’t feel like sharing the pool, bar, etc. with everyone else. This was a perfect spot for privacy. Our own pool, our own orchard, our own slice of paradise. The host lives close so the one time I needed to contact them, they were the within minutes. Great spot…my wife is already talking about a return trip.
Kristi H.
January 2022
Perfect house, pool and orchard. We relaxed, swam and enjoyed fresh fruit everyday. It was delightful!
Kathleen B.
January 2022
The house and grounds were amazing; the property owner and locals were helpful and welcoming. Highly recommend a break at this island hideaway - which is close to everything!
Peggy C.
January 2022
Perfect to share with family, gorgeous grounds, fruit trees, wonderful cattle with a deer friend to watch and feed carrots, super nice owners.
Daniel B.
October 2021
We booked a stay at this ideal property as part of a retirement trip for my parents and could not have asked for a more ideal booking or better hosts. The property is located right outside of quaint Haiku and within a short drive to the town of Paia and Mama's Fish House. The owners, Claudia and Kevin, also included every item you would ever dream of needing for a comfortable stay and the multi-acre, private property has numerous fruit trees fresh for the picking. Its truly a tropical paradise and it felt like having a home in Maui for our visit! We will be sure to book again when returning to Island.
Laura L.
September 2021
We enjoyed every second of our time at Claudia’s property. The house was charming, clean and well stocked - we lacked nothing. The pool was a daily delight and the fruit trees provided delicious fresh juice every day. We cannot wait to return as soon as we can.
Todd M.
August 2021
My family and I had an amazing trip to Maui. This was probably one of the most relaxing vacations we have ever had and we can't wait to go back! We will never stay at a hotel or resort again. Do yourself a favor and stay here.
Claudia and Kevin are so very friendly and wonderfully communicative. Claudia went out of her way in providing helpful information on what to do, see, local restaurants to try, and which beaches to visit and which to avoid (windy or overcrowded). The recommendations we tried turned out to be great.
Upon our entering the house, we knew we had chosen well. You know that feeling of ‘will it be as good as it looked on the website?’ …… let that feeling go – because this house is nicer! The home is perfectly placed in the middle of several acres of lush green grass, native trees and plants, and the Maui island air. It was quiet and offered us a much-needed rest. Although we spent a week in the home, we could have easily stayed for a month as it has all the amenities on might need, and was clean and comfortable.
Wonderful Location. Spotless everything. Comfortable everything. Beautifully designed house with open-truss Hawaiian construction, warm wood floors, tastefully decorated, and soothing cross breezes galore. Swaying palm trees and peaceful sounds of bamboo creaking. Ocean views from your lanai.
The view from the lanai is incredible, and calls you to sit and enjoy your breakfast, a snack, dinner, or a quiet drink or two. A very nice feature of the house and property that you are completely removed from any neighbors – the result of a multi-acre property.
Lastly, I need to say Amazing Hosts! Claudia and Kevin truly epitomize the spirit of Aloha. Most people know that Aloha is used as a greeting. That would lead you to think of it in too simple of terms – as in ‘hello’. What most do not know, and what we learned after meeting and getting to know Claudia and Kevin is the wonderful truth and feeling of what Aloha is (love, affection, peace, compassion and mercy, that is commonly used as a simple greeting but has a deeper cultural and spiritual significance to native Hawaiians, for whom the term is used to define a force that holds together existence). It is beyond something said – is something to be experienced, and that we did. Thank you Claudia and Kevin. This will be carried with my family and I and will remembered more than anything we saw while on the magical island of Maui.
Audrey S.
August 2021
Our family (including two kids under 10) thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this beautiful home. It's hard to list all the highlights as there were so many! The setting was beautiful and private. The house was well appointed throughout. We appreciated how well stocked the kitchen was to feel like home and have everything we needed to prepare meals. Our kids loved the beach gear/sand toys and we used them daily. The private pool was lovely. We picked oranges and grapefruit from the trees near the house and enjoyed fresh squeezed juice daily (what a treat!). Claudia was an exceptional host who truly thought of everything to make our stay wonderful. We have rented homes around the world and this was one of our favorites.
MJ H.
August 2021
We stayed at this house for 3 1/2 weeks in July 2021 (we were three couples and a 9 year old). I can’t think of anything about our stay at Hale Mauka Makai that I’d change except for wishing we’d stayed longer. Don’t be skeptical of how the reviews make it sound amazing. It is. We loved the beaches, boat outings and restaurants we visited during our stay, but the house and hospitality of the owners made our vacation feel perfect. We spent most of our time lounging around the property, reading, swimming, drinking and having great conversations with friends and family, playing music, and just staring at the ocean. Some of our favorite things: Claudia and Kevin, the roosters, gecko noises, the cows, the bamboo, the palm trees, eating freshly-picked papayas every day, all the other veggies, fruits and herbs from the yard, and the trade winds blowing through the house. We never needed AC. The pillows were so amazing that I plan to ask where they bought them. I’ve rented houses all over the place and this is the first one that felt like home, in large part because of the owners and how they are connected to the aloha spirit and the land. Any need/concern we had got immediate attention from the owners who are just beautiful people who give the property its amazing feel. Claudia even offered to store my daughter’s bike in her garage in case it still was the right size for her the next time we come back. I agree with the reviewers who say the pictures don’t truly capture how nice the house is. The surrounding area is wonderful as well. We loved the food trucks in the Haiku market area, the towns of Paia and Makawao, the turtles invading the nearby beach every evening, and the cute Japanese restaurant in Haiku. We also had a wonderful time outrigger canoeing at Claudia’s suggestion. I would jump at booking this place if it happens to be available on the dates you want. Really. You’ll fall in love with the whole experience and want to return.
j S.
August 2011
Our family of five enjoyed our time in this lovely home. The amenities were perfect, everything ready to just start enjoying your holiday. The gardens and views added to the Hawaiian experience - we made our own orange juice each morning and snacked on papaya and passion fruit! The private pool was enjoyed by all. From this location, we could see many of the sights of Maui - including Hookipa beach (famous for surfing and windsurfing), the quaint town of Paia (with fabulous gelato), the road to Hana, the Haleakala volcano sunrise, Baldwin state park beach and much more. We were close enough to dine in Lahaina and the airport is only 30 minutes away for quick trips to the other islands (we saw Pearl Harbor). We would definitely take another family trip to this lovely rental home. Aloha and Muhalo to the Hale Mauka Makai family for a great vacation.
Karen M.
June 2011
Having lived in Haiku for 4 years, I was being quite particular in choosing a vacation rental when booking a girls trip with my 1-year-old baby. What I found in Hale Mauka Makai exceeded every expectation (the place is actually more beautiful in person) and was an absolute idyllic setting for our vacation – getting to live more like locals than tourists at this home away from home. Because we were at home a lot due to our baby’s sleep schedule, we were able to take advantage and enjoy all of the amenities and luxuries available on this property. They have really thought of everything! And if you don’t find something you need (didn’t happen to us), the owners couldn’t be more gracious, kind or helpful. We picked fresh fruit off the trees everyday, ate fresh produce out of the garden, lounged in the pool with outdoor sound system using all the good toys, sunscreens, towels provided. Cooking and barbecuing at home was a treat in the fully equipped kitchen and there isn’t any restaurant with a better view! HMM also has THE perfect central location in Haiku. Total privacy yet only minutes to restaurants and markets. A big thank you to the owners who share this piece of paradise !!!!! Enjoy!
Renatta G.
June 2011
The home is gorgeous. The grounds are stunning. We were literally in awe of the beauty we saw around us. Cluadia and Kevin were so kind and welcoming it truly was a pleasure meeting them. The kitchen was a chefs dream. The furniture and layout of the home was cozy and incredibly beautiful. We loved the private pool and gorgeous views surrounding us. I will definately be coming back to a this 5 star vacation home and look forward to seeing the hosts again.Thank you for making our trip so amazing and creating memories we will never forget.
June 2011
We just returned from spending nine days in the Haiku Maui home of Kevin and Claudia Ledesma. It is a wonderful home on a beautiful secluded site. Fruit bearing trees allowed us to have fresh fruit any time of day. The private pool was most inviting 24 hours a day. We were close to town but far enough away. The only noise we heard were birds singing and ocean breezes. The home is beautifully decorated but with a homey style that makes you feel like you are at home the moment you walk in. The gormet kitchen had everything needed to cook a delicate meal or an elaborate one. The view of the ocean is very serene. We will definately return to this wonderful Maui vacation home. It was more than I ever expected for my first visit to Maui.
.
April 2011
Hale Mauka Makai:
We had the pleasure of spending six (6) weeks at Hale Mauka Makai with family and friends. We found the property to be as listed in regards to the location layout, equipment and amenities. The building design is such that there are as many as three or four “activity centers” in and around the house. The lanai, the pool and the living room/area are self contained and provide space for various activities. As we do a fair amount of cooking we found the kitchen to be reasonably well equipped and capable of producing meals that reflected the skill level of the cook's and chefs using it.
The house itself has a well designed layout.
The location of the property is convenient for access to Kahaluie, Momma’s Fish House restaurant (highly recommended for the food and view), and Colleen’s (within walking distance), an upcountry bistro that we found delightful.
The island is not all that large, and with the property strategically located midway between Kanapalli and Hana you are not far from anywhere on the island.
The defining difference of any rental property is the owners. Claudia and Kevin are very focused on customer satisfaction and intent on a great experience for their clients. That coupled with the unique property aspects (the fruit orchard and its product and the nursery itself) add up to a unique and outstanding experience .We heartily recommend Hale Mauka Makai !
April 2011
Staying at Hale Mauka Makai was the vacation of a lifetime for our family. It was our first time going on a vacation to Maui and we wanted to stay somewhere that was as safe for our small children as possible, with minimal use of pesticides, etc. We found this place on the the internet and from our perspective, took a chance in booking it sight unseen and sending all of the payment in advance. The risk was immeasurably rewarded, however, when we arrived in Maui and followed the owner's directions in the dark to an incredibly beautiful home. It was not until we woke up the next morning, however, that we realized what an amazing paradise we were staying in, a gorgeous acreage with fabulous views of the ocean on one side and the mountain on the other. Staying at Hale Mauka Makai is a great way to experience Maui. You can conveniently drive to anywhere on the island and then come home at night to your idyllic retreat. Or you can just stay "home" for the day and enjoy the lovely home and beautiful grounds and pool, complete with pool toys for your children. Everything is provided, including plush beach towels, excellent laundry appliances and a brand new TV and entertainment system with satellite channels. There is a wonderful kitchen to make meals in or all the delicious restaurants a few minutes away in Pa'ia. The owners are extremely friendly and helpful and great to deal with. We received our security deposit back promptly upon arriving home in Canada. One of the highlights of staying at Hale Mauka Makai was the ability to pick fresh fruit to eat or squeeze for juice and fresh vegetables for salads. Thank you to the owners for an unforgettable vacation for our family!
Todd K.
November 2010
My wife and I spent a week at Claudia's lovely home with my parents and two adult sisters. The home is beautifully located on private acreage surrounded by palms, hibiscus, lemon, papaya and various other plantings.
We were amazed at how thoughtfully arranged the whole home is, thanks to the care and attention of the owner. Claudia, our gracious hostess, came by after we had settled in and gave us the grand tour of the property, and a friendly review of all that the house has to offer.
The home is expertly appointed with all of the conveniences of home, plus many unexpected perks. Every guest room has its own bathroom and all are charmingly decorated.
We were most amazed at how quickly we felt right at home at Hale Mauka Makai. Dinners on the lanai, freshly squeezed lemonade from trees on the grounds, afternoon dips in the pool, cool evening breezes flowing through the home with scents of the sea ... it was so hard to leave.
The home is within walking distance of Haiku, which has all the basics of a small town, and only a short drive from Paia for those that wish to tackle some surf.
All in all, as our first time in Hawaii, it will be difficult to ever top the experience and we will certainly be back as soon as possible.
Glen K.
November 2010
Wanted a place away from the busy tourist environment. Hale Mauka Makai was that plus much more. Very private with beautiful grounds on several acres. A swimming pool all to ourselves. I won't even try to describe the interior of the home. I will just say that it is beautiful but yet comfortable & inviting. Claudia is the ultimate host. Very concerned that our stay was all that we expected. Only negative is that adult children would like me to take them back every year.
Renee O.
October 2010
My husband, 9-year-old son and I stayed at the lovely Hale Mauka Makai for two weeks in June. We wanted to come back for our son's Fall Break now in October, but, sadly, this beautiful house was already booked.
The photos of the house, its rooms and the grounds caught my eye and piqued my interest. But, we (especially my husband) were sold after reading the reviews posted by previous guests. They loved it and so did we!
Hale Mauka Makai is quiet, relaxing and private. The house has every amenity, is spotless, lovely and comfortable. The grounds are just beautiful! Of course, our son loved the pool...
I like room service, but I did NOT miss it here because the kitchen is set up so well and is so spacious, that I totally enjoyed making my coffee (so easy and delicous using their coffee-maker) and toast myself. I also had fresh papayas, grown here, every day, several times a day. What a treat!
My husband and son would drive off early every morning to walk one of three local beaches. The drive would take only 5 or 10 minutes and they'd walk/explore for an hour or so and come "home" to me. This was their special time together and I had my own quiet time while they were gone. They sometimes brought home a treat from a bakery in Paia.
We loved being in this part of Maui! We enjoyed feeling more like locals than tourists. However, we did do "touristy" things, such as going up to Haleakala, road to Hana, snorkeling at Black Rock, taking a flight to see the vocano on the Big Island, etc. We ate in great restaurants, especially Mama's Fish House, our favorite (it's such a short drive away and they park your car- so easy and relaxing).
Claudia Ledesma, the owner of Hale Mauka Makai, was a phone call away if we had any questions or needed anything. Her family has made this house so special for those of us lucky enough to stay here. We did feel lucky! We just settled in and had a proper Hawaiian vacation. I can just close my eyes now and feel transported. Thank you, Claudia (Kevin was traveling, so we did not meet him). We hope to return soon.
Use the "Visit Owner's Website" link to read more reviews from the reservation site, including the latest reviews submitted by recent guests.