Kolea at Waikoloa

We rented ground-floor Unit 7D, a three-bedroom, three-bath condo at Kolea Beach Resort through Waikoloa Vacation Rentals for nine nights. The resort location was beautiful, with the beach steps away, great pools, and a scenic, walkable community. Inside the unit, though, our vacation turned into a health nightmare. Soon after we switched on the air-conditioning, I began feeling ill. By the end of the stay, both toddlers and our three-month-old baby were sick with coughing, congestion, headaches, and respiratory distress. At first we wondered if it was coincidence or just the change in environment, but it got worse quickly. We found what appeared to be black mold throughout the HVAC vents and duct system, deep inside rather than just on the surface, blowing through the unit’s air supply. We have photos and videos showing how serious and widespread it was. We contacted the managers at Waikoloa Vacation Rentals right away. They offered to clean the vents, which seemed superficial and dangerous because it could stir mold spores into the air and make things worse, especially for our infant. They then offered another unit, but said, “99% of our units probably have the same issue.” To me, that’s an alarming admission that mold may be present across nearly all their units. I consider it gross negligence. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-42, the Landlord-Tenant Code, vacation rental operators must keep units safe and habitable and promptly address health hazards once notified. Under HB 210 (2023-2024), landlords and rental managers also have to disclose known mold before occupancy. None of this was disclosed, even though management seemed aware of a widespread issue. Renting out a mold-infested unit to families, especially with infants and small children, is dangerous and possibly illegal. The resort grounds are stunning, and the pools and beach access are top-tier. But that means little if your family gets sick inside the unit. We left sick, disappointed, and furious. Our vacation was ruined, and my wife, mother-in-law, and children are still sick; we also have respiratory concerns for our infant. Do not rent Unit 7D, or any unit from Waikoloa Vacation Rentals, unless they publicly address the mold issue, have all affected units remediated by certified professionals, and comply with Hawaii law. The health risks are real, and management’s statement that most units likely have mold should be a red flag. We plan to file a formal complaint with the Hawaii Department of Health and make sure other families know the risks before booking.

We were in Kolea 15C for a week with our two young kids, and it was an amazing stay. The place was spotless, furnished beautifully, and stocked better than any rental we’ve used. There were beach chairs, coolers, kids’ sand toys, board games, even a beach bag. The kitchen had every kind of dish and tool, plus all the grilling equipment. Everything was high quality, from the coffee to the toilet paper, and there was plenty of it all. There’s a washer and dryer in the unit, so all you need is a suitcase. The view was perfect every day. A-Bay is a 5-10 minute walk with the chairs and coolers, and the quiet pool that was great for the kids is about two minutes away on foot. Waikoloa Rental company managed the unit and were quick to respond and helpful. We also got a Hilton Waikoloa amenity card, which let us use all the Hilton pools, water slides, pool bars, and lagoons. We’ll definitely return to Kolea 15C!

We stayed five nights in August 2025, and repeated cockroach sightings inside the unit ruined the experience. On the first night alone, we killed six live roaches indoors. More turned up over the next two days, including one crawling near my foot while we were eating at the kitchen table. My children were terrified. There were also many on the patio and ants along the wall by the sliding doors, so we couldn’t use the patio or leave the doors open for fresh air. Management sent pest control to spray, but we kept seeing roaches. They offered less than 10% compensation, which didn’t make up for being unable to relax or feel comfortable for most of the stay. I know Hawaii has tropical insects, but this was far beyond an occasional sighting. It was a recurring, disruptive infestation. Management called it “normal” for Hawaii. I’ve been visiting Hawaii for decades and have never experienced anything like this. It’s especially bad for a resort (supposedly) of this caliber and price, and the response from management was slow and unsatisfactory. I do NOT recommend the resort. Proceed with caution, especially if you’re considering a ground-level unit.

My family felt comfortable and welcome in this beautiful residence. We enjoyed the beach and pool access, and being able to visit the Hilton. We also loved seeing the birds, cats, spiders, and other wildlife around the property.