This post is somewhat informative as well as asking for input of what has worked for you.  Each year at Waikoloa Vacation Rentals we try to support 2-3 nonprofits on the Big Island of Hawaii where we are.  Most nonprofits we support we simply support by donating money so that is relatively simple.  This year we are supporting DNA Basketball Academy, which is a basketball club in Waimea. I also help this organization so other than donating money have been trying to set up different ways to raise money.  The club has put together some of the best girls and boys basketball players on the Big Island of Hawaii and those teams have been invited to be a part of the UA Future National Circuit.  This circuit includes a trip to Seattle, Phoenix, and Cincinnati next year.  While on these trips, th... 11/08/2024

When ChatGPT first came out I was hesitant to use it, but as more and more people began to use it I wanted to try it out.  Overall if I told it to give me a 500 word article on almost any of the properties we managed it came back about 90% correct.  For some of the properties it would get it confused with something else, but overall it was correct.  For example, we manage properties at a complex called Kolea, which is a Hawaiian word that is a bird and used in other developments so I had to be very specific for it to understand what I was talking about.Recently I got an email from our VRBO rep alerting us of the functionality of ChatGPT and that it is a great tool to generate the property descriptions for VRBO ads.Here was the question and thought I had.  For SEO purposes, one of the gr... 09/12/2023

Between 2005 and 2010 microsites were a must for search engine optimization.  A microsite is as it sounds, a smaller site specific to one of your keywords.  For example, I do vacation rentals on the Big Island of Hawaii.  I could have my main site to optimize for broader keywords and then have microsites for more specific keywords.  What this looked like for me was a site that covered an entire resort and then microsites that covered each community within that resort.  It worked great and I had top rankings in most of the keywords I was going for. Then around 2015 Google began to give less weight to the microsites and more weight to sites that had more content, which pushed companies to move all their content to one website.  They also gave less weight to the domain name itself.  I used... 06/24/2023

I recently starting using ChatGPT to see what it was all about.  At this point it seems to offer a little more insight than Siri, but can offer a lot of information.  Here is what it had to say to describe the area where we manage condos.  Does it properly describe your location and business?Kolea at Waikoloa is a luxury resort community located in the Waikoloa Beach Resort area on the Big Island of Hawaii. It offers a collection of upscale vacation rentals, including villas and townhomes, along with a range of amenities and access to the beautiful surrounding area.Kolea is known for its prime location near Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay), which features a stunning sandy beach and offers various water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding. The resort community its... 06/01/2023

I have been doing the SEO for our vacation rental company for the past 20 years and the complexity of it has grown enormously to the point that I am not sure where it is headed.On Site Keywords and Meta DataSEO seemed to really start out pretty simple.  What your website was about, what your domain was, what your URL was, and what your title and meta description was seemed to really directly effect your rankings.  You could make a simple change to the title of a given page and you would see your rankings increase.As people began buying all the relevant domains and keyword stuffing everything Google moved on to........Links, links, and more linksWhat sites and how many were linking to your website had a drastic effect on your rankings.  People begin to buy links from anyone and everyone.... 05/26/2023

On the Big Island of Hawaii Ainamalu was the first development to promote Tesla products to all their homeowners.  Just about all the people that purchased added solar panels as well as batteries in the garages.  Within the first six months of installation close to 50% of the homeowners reported problems with the Tesla systems.  Most issues related to the interaction between the panels and the batteries.  Most owners that had pools installed had problems with the operation of the Tesla system.The greater issue was that the follow up support from Tesla was next to non existent.  Almost all homeowners reported being able to get a hold of Tesla support on the mainland, but although appointments would get scheduled no one would show up to them.  Ainamalu is over three years since the homes ... 04/29/2022

Just about a year ago we saw the County of Hawaii implement a vacation rental bill to attempt to address many of the growing issues the vacation rental industry on the Big Island of Hawaii has seen.  Through the first few months it was a learning process for everyone.  Glitches had to be worked out in the application process while thousands of applications were coming in.  Within that process we also found out that many of the "zones" were becoming an issue.  A portion of Waikoloa Beach Rosort was actually not zoned a part of  Waikoloa Beach Resort and a part of Mauna Kea Resort was actually not zoned to be a part of Mauna Kea Resort.After close to a year I am wondering if more issues got made than what existed prior or if things are getting addressed.  I still see home being built in n... 03/31/2020

Waikoloa Village is a charming community located 6 miles inland from the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This lovely community covers over 19 square miles and is a mixture of condominiums and single-family homes.  Waikoloa Village offers its residents wonderful amenities such as an 18-hole golf course, a community swimming pool and tennis courts.  Also, within Waikoloa Village is the Waikoloa Highlands Shopping Center, which contains many shops and restaurants, including the Waikoloa Village Market, Island Lava Java and Pueo’s Osteria Italian restaurant. With its proximity to the world-famous resorts and beaches on the Kohala Coast, Waikoloa Village makes an affordable alternative for the savvy buyer looking for their Hawaiian Dream Home. View all homes for sale in Waikoloa Vill... 02/11/2020

Waikoloa Beach Resort is a beautiful resort located on the West Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This world famous Kohala Coast resort contains everything to make your Hawaiian experience complete. Waikoloa Beach Resort is home to the Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa.  here is also great shopping at the Queen’s Marketplace and the King’s Shops, and great restaurants like Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill, the Macaroni Grill and the Lava Lava Beach Club. Waikoloa Beach Resort also contains two world class golf courses, the Beach Course and the King’s Course, and of course, the spectacular white sand beaches are also close by.  View all homes for sale in the Waikoloa Beach Resort.  Instantly find out the value of your Waikoloa Beach Resort home. Disc... 01/14/2020

Waikoloa Village is a community located 6 miles inland from the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This lovely community covers over 19 square miles and is a mixture of condominiums and single-family homes.  Waikoloa Village offers its residents wonderful amenities such as an 18-hole golf course, a community swimming pool and tennis courts. Also within Waikoloa Village is the Waikoloa Highlands Shopping Center, which contains many shops and restaurants, including the Waikoloa Village Market, Island Lava Java and Pueo’s Osteria Italian restaurant. With its proximity to the world famous resorts and world class beaches, Waikoloa Village makes for an affordable alternative for the savvy buyer looking for their Hawaiian Dream Home. View all homes for sale in Waikoloa Village. Instantly ... 12/19/2019

Waikoloa Beach Resort is a beautiful resort located on the West Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This world famous Kohala Coast resort contains everything to make your Hawaiian experience complete. Waikoloa Beach Resort is home to two resort hotels, the Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa.  There is also a wide variety of shopping choices at the Queen’s Marketplace or the King’s Shops, and amazing restaurants like Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill, the Macaroni Grill and the Lava Lava Beach Club. Waikoloa Beach Resort also contains two world class golf courses, the Beach Course and the King’s Course, and of course, the spectacular white sand beaches are also at your doorstep. View all homes for sale in the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Instantly find out the... 10/15/2019

Waikoloa Village is a charming area located 6 miles inland from the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This lovely community covers over 19 square miles and is a mixture of condominiums and single-family homes.  Waikoloa Village offers its residents wonderful amenities such as an 18-hole golf course, a community swimming pool and tennis courts.  Also, within Waikoloa Village is the Waikoloa Highlands Shopping Center, which contains many shops and restaurants, including the Waikoloa Village Market, Island Lava Java and Pueo’s Osteria Italian restaurant. With its proximity to the world-famous resorts and world class beaches, Waikoloa Village is an affordable alternative for the savvy buyer looking for their Hawaiian Dream Home. Search all homes for sale in Waikoloa Village. Instantly... 08/27/2019

Waikoloa Beach Resort is a beautiful, world-class resort located on the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This famous Kohala Coast resort contains everything to make your Hawaiian experience complete. Waikoloa Beach Resort is home to the Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa.  There is great shopping at the Queen’s Marketplace and the King’s Shops, and great restaurants like Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill, the Macaroni Grill and the Lava Lava Beach Club. Waikoloa Beach Resort also contains two world class golf courses, the Beach Course and the King’s Course, and of course, the spectacular white sand beaches are also on your doorstep.  View all homes for sale in the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Instantly find out the value of your Waikoloa Beach Resort ... 07/16/2019

Waikoloa Village is a charming community located 6 miles inland from the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This lovely community covers over 19 square miles and is a mixture of condominiums and single family homes.  Waikoloa Village offers its residents wonderful amenities such as an 18-hole golf course, a community swimming pool and tennis courts.  Also within Waikoloa Village is the Waikoloa Highlands Shopping Center, which contains many shops and restaurants, including the Waikoloa Village Market, Island Lava Java and Pueo’s Osteria Italian restaurant. With its proximity to the world famous resorts and world class beaches, Waikoloa Village is an affordable alternative for the savvy buyer looking for their Hawaiian Dream Home.View all homes for sale in Waikoloa Village. Instantl... 06/11/2019

Waikoloa Beach Resort is a beautiful resort located on the West Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This world famous Kohala Coast resort contains everything to make your Hawaiian experience complete. Waikoloa Beach Resort is home to two luxury hotels, the Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. There is great shopping at the Queen’s Marketplace and the King’s Shops, and great restaurants like Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill, the Macaroni Grill and the Lava Lava Beach Club. Waikoloa Beach Resort also contains two world class golf courses, the Beach Course and the King’s Course, and of course, the spectacular white sand beaches are also close by.View all homes for sale in the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Instantly find out the value of your Waikoloa Beach Resort... 04/16/2019

Waikoloa Village is a charming community located 6 miles inland from the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This lovely community covers over 19 square miles and is a mixture of condominiums and single family homes.  Waikoloa Village offers its residents wonderful amenities such as an 18-hole golf course, a community swimming pool and tennis courts. Also within Waikoloa Village is the Waikoloa Highlands Shopping Center, which contains many shops and restaurants, including the Waikoloa Village Market, Island Lava Java and Pueo’s Osteria Italian restaurant. With its proximity to the world-famous resorts and beaches on the Kohala Coast, Waikoloa Village makes an affordable alternative for the savvy buyer looking for their Hawaiian Dream Home. View all homes for sale in Waikoloa Villag... 02/19/2019

Waikoloa Beach Resort is a beautiful resort located on the West Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This world famous Kohala Coast resort contains everything to make your Hawaiian experience complete. Waikoloa Beach Resort is home to the Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. There is also great shopping at the Queen’s Marketplace and the King’s Shops, and great restaurants like Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill, the Macaroni Grill and the Lava Lava Beach Club. Waikoloa Beach Resort also contains two world class golf courses, the Beach Course and the King’s Course, and of course, the spectacular white sand beaches are also close by.  View all homes for sale in the Waikoloa Beach Resort.  Instantly find out the value of your Waikoloa Beach Resort home. Disc... 02/05/2019

Mauna Lani is a beautiful resort located on the West Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This Kohala Coast resort covers over 3,200 acres and contains 15 separate neighborhoods. From private oceanfront homes to secluded condos, there is something for every discerning buyer.  The Mauna Lani Resort offers its residents two Championship Golf Courses, the Mauna Lani Beach Club and a Spa and Fitness Center.Also, within the resort are two luxury hotels, the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel (currently closed for renovations) and the Fairmont Orchid Hotel. Both hotels offer a variety of activities and dining options. The Shops at Mauna Lani also provide plenty of restaurants choices, including Tommy Bahamas’ and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, as well as a variety of shops and boutiques, and of course, the world-c... 12/28/2018

Waikoloa Village is a community located 6 miles inland from the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This lovely community covers over 19 square miles and is a mixture of condominiums and single-family homes.  Waikoloa Village offers its residents wonderful amenities such as an 18-hole golf course, a community swimming pool and tennis courts. Also within Waikoloa Village is the Waikoloa Highlands Shopping Center, which contains many shops and restaurants, including the Waikoloa Village Market, Island Lava Java and Pueo’s Osteria Italian restaurant. With its proximity to the world famous resorts and world class beaches, Waikoloa Village makes for an affordable alternative for the savvy buyer looking for their Hawaiian Dream Home. View all homes for sale in Waikoloa Village. Instantly ... 11/20/2018

Waikoloa Beach Resort is a beautiful resort located on the West Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This world famous Kohala Coast resort contains everything to make your Hawaiian experience complete. Waikoloa Beach Resort is home to two resort hotels, the Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. There is also awesome shopping at the Queen’s Marketplace or the King’s Shops, and amazing restaurants like Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill, the Macaroni Grill and the Lava Lava Beach Club. Waikoloa Beach Resort also contains two world class golf courses, the Beach Course and the King’s Course, and of course, the spectacular white sand beaches are also at your doorstep. View all homes for sale in the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Instantly find out the value of your Waik... 10/19/2018