Island Life Big Island

In Hawaii, it is customary to remove your  shoes before entering someone's  home. Never leave valuables unattended  around the pool or yard, on the beach or in your car. 

Lock doors and windows when away from home, this also helps out when unexpected rain showers and keeps mosquitos away. 

Coqui frogs are a non-native invasive species in Hawaii,  causing significant noise pollution and disrupting the ecosystem by  preying on native insects, potentially impacting native birds. They  are established on the Big Island and Maui and have been found on Oahu  and Kauai, likely spreading via human transport through plants or other  materials. 

Hawaii's year-round, temperate climate attracts critters just  like it does people. The mosquitoes  have the potential to be vicious. We recommend  bug repellent and keeping screen doors closed. Store or refrigerate all food and drinks to discourage ants, roaches and mice.  Due to the  humidity we experience, it also keeps food from going stale quickly.  The good news is that most of them are harmless and there are NO snakes on the Big Island. We make every effort to keep  our rentals clean and critter free, we have a monthly pest control  service once a  month.

GECKOS:   If you hear a clicking noise at night, it's most likely a gecko.  Geckos  are small and harmless and eat their weight (or more) in bugs!  Many  Hawaiians consider geckos as  aumakua, or family god and considered good luck. Keeping doors and screens closed tightly will prevent them from sneaking inside.

In Hawai'i, feral pigs are known as wild boar or pua'a.   It's not uncommon to see pigs on or off the roads or occasionally in   the neighborhood. While they are not typically aggressive, please do  not  approach or provoke them.

Feral pigs, or puaʻa, are a non-native, invasive species in Hawaii with a population estimated at 400,000 as of 2023,  causing significant ecological damage to native plants and animals by  consuming resources, spreading disease, and destroying habitats. They  are found on all main islands except Lanaʻi and are hunted as part of  management efforts, though control is challenging due to access issues  on state and private lands. The  meat is edible but requires thorough cooking and preparation, such as  de-worming and long, slow cooking methods like Kalua pig style

Coral reefs are  living animals that grow and reproduce, creating  habitats for thousands of marine species and protecting shorelines from  erosion. In recent years, there has been a major decline of our world’s  reefs —  40  percent in Hawaii' as of 2024. Human interactions has decimated with over swimming, diving  Sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals that have been shown to be damaging to coral reefs, are banned  in Hawaii. Avoid touching reefs or anchoring your   boat on the reef. Contact with the reef will damage and kill the delicate coral animals. Recycle and dispose of trash properly.

 Rip Currents

1. Don't get caught in a Rip

Conserve your energy by not panicking. Float, breathe and wave for help.

2. GO WITH THE FLOW

Relax and float in the current

knowing   there is no undertow. Allow the current to take you away from the  beach  where it will eventually release you offshore. Once this happens,  swim  perpendicular and toward the beach.

3. If there is large surf or shoreline hazard , wave your hands for help and wait for assistance.r. 

Lock doors and windows when away from home, this also helps out when unexpected rain showers and keeps mosquitos away. 

 Respecting Marine Life

There are several marine mammals, turtles (Honu), Humpback whales( Kohala), Spinner Dolphins (Nai‘a), Monk Seals, Manta Rays (Hāhālua),   and fish in Hawai`i that are  protected by both State and federal  laws.  These legal protections are in place to ensure these species   populations continue to recover.  Interacting with a “protected species”   can be a violation of these laws  and may result in harm to the  animal,  inhibit population recovery, or  result in fines or other  penalties. 

Safe Distance for Marine Life

 Keep your distance from protected animals. 

• 10 feet from sea turtles (both on land in the water)
• 50 feet from Hawaiian monk seals, or remain behind any signs or barriers
• 50 yards from dolphins and Humpback whales ( do not swim w/ them)keep  our rentals  clean and critter free, we have a monthly pest control  service once a  month.

Ocean Conditions Change

Daily & seasonal changes must be monitored closely. Yesterday's calm snorkel spot may be a death trap today.

Hazards can exist in Any Coastal Area

Not just in the water. Be careful on wet sand and rocks. Never swim alone. Know your limits.

Our   local lifeguards are very experienced  and are water men. They know   that prevention is the best way to save lives. 

It is illegal to swim with or approach wild spinner dolphins in Hawaii's nearshore waters

.  A 2021 regulation from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric  Administration (NOAA) made it unlawful for any person, vessel, or object  to be within 50 yards of a Hawaiian spinner dolphin. This rule was  created to protect the dolphins from chronic human disturbance, which  disrupts their essential daytime resting periods. 

Spinner  dolphins are nocturnal and hunt in deep offshore waters at night. They  rely on shallow, nearshore bays during the day to rest, socialize, and  nurture their young. For years, heavy pressure from commercial and  recreational activities caused significant stress to these vulnerable  animals. Constant interaction forced the dolphins to remain vigilant and  expend valuable energy, leading to disrupted rest patterns and putting their long-term health at risk. 

Maintain a safe distance of at least 50 feet (15 meters) from a Hawaiian monk seal. If you encounter a mother with a pup, you must keep an even greater distance of 150 feet (45 meters). Always  follow instructions from authorities, and if you notice the seal  exhibiting signs of disturbance, such as vocalizing or moving away, you  are too close. Monk seals are a protected, endangered species. They need to rest, molt, give birth, and rear their pups undisturbed. Close human interaction can cause them stress and hinder their ability to survive in the wild