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 My exploration of the Hawaiian Islands began in 1981, shortly after I moved to San Francisco from Maryland. My love of the islands grew exponentially with subsequent visits, culminating in my move to Kauai full time in 1991.
For the next three years, I hosted Black Bamboo Guest House, a well known and popular B&B on Kauai, moving to the Big Island in late 1994. I settled near Kealakekua Bay, hosting Kealakekua Bay B&B, another popular bed and breakfast, while I began developing my own retreat property nearby. My B&B hosting, and 'networking' with hosts of other B&Bs, was a great training ground for my current referral activities. For guests were constantly soliciting my advice on additional places to visit and stay during their vacations, and I was noting their opinions of other places they'd already been. Whenever possible I continued exploring the islands, with an intensified focus on finding locations of beauty and serenity in Hawaii; and, in these locales, identifying accommodations with the charm, character and attention to detail that I was providing my own B&B guests.
No longer a B&B host, I now offer my consultation and reservation services full time, while continuing to uncover places of peace and tranquility for my clients, havens from the often frenetic pace of mainland life. Tara Cottage, my own vacation rental, exemplifies my standards for quality and ambiance.
How successful am I in my match-making? I'll let my clients speak for me...
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- Three years ago I contacted Michael seeking an oceanfront, secluded setting as a special birthday treat for an artist friend. Michael placed us in a bamboo and stucco home, designed and built by the artist/owner, on the sea. Guess what? I'm still here! Michael's gift for matching person and place is uncanny.
- Marri Parkinson, Honaunau, HI (formerly Orcas Island, Washington)
- We arrived ... after 17 hours of traveling. Michael greeted us like we were family, making us feel comfortable and welcome. We felt instantly at home. My soul has been touched and changed forever....Tara Cottage is a destination in and of itself. We found ourselves lingering over breakfast and rushing 'home' so we could enjoy this destination. Michael, thank you. You anticipated every need, every desire, and then some, right down to the tiniest detail!
- Sharon Schnotala, Des Moines, IA
- In all my travel experiences, Michael stands out as the most unique travel planner. He combines his wealth of knowledge about Hawaii, with the unusual ability to tap into the particular needs of the traveler, to provide an ideal match of accommodation to visitor.
- Anita Ross, theatrical stage manager, NYC
- Michael, blessings on your mid-life quest and on your inspired, catalytic mission guiding others to safe havens for their journeys.
- Mark Gerzon, author "Listening To Mid-life", Boulder, CO
- Because I travel around the world with my job frequently I constantly have to arrange for accommodations. I have never meet someone with so much graciousness and expertise as Michael. He has an incredible way of understanding the customers needs and providing EXACTLY what they want for a getaway vacation. Not only that, but his attention to detail is superb and every step of the planning is FUN....His energy and excitement made the process a pleasure and found myself looking forward to his descriptive emails of my property options. Without a doubt, I will use him again next time I plan a trip to the islands as well as send my friends to Black Bamboo. Bravo!
- Debra Gluskin, San Francisco
Spanning the entire Hawaiian chain, the Big Island based Black Bamboo
unearths the best dwelling for gay & straight travellers.
- From Hidden Hawaii, Tenth Edition
Here, dear reader, it is so beautiful that it is difficult to describe, and one wants to share the address with only the closest of friends. Click Here for featured photo and article on Michael's own Tara Cottage.
- From (German) ADAC travel magazine
 "I sipped Tara Farm coffee while listening to a piano concerto on the owner's excellent audio system. The perfect harmony of the sound of the music, the birds singing outside and the taste of the coffee resulted in indescribable comfort and elegant time passing by."
- From (Japanese) Safari Travel Magazine
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P.O. Box 211