Caretakers of the CastleInHawaii - Pahoa, HI

Background and History of Sheri Smith and CastleInHawaii
I’ve lived in paradise since 2001. I am truly blessed. This is probably one of the most amazing places to live, not “just” Hawaii, but our particular location. Green, organic, eco & permaculture, lush and plush with the rain, amazing sights and views. Off the beaten trail. Plus there are all kinds of wellness and healing activities available close by such as yoga, massage, watsu - too many to list.

I have to go to California to work and coordinate events every so often so I need a responsible and qualified couple (or person) to be here in my absence to take care of the property, 3 cats and guests if they are here.
The Castle in Hawaii is a vacation rental as well as my home, with several living spaces (view our web site).
Ideally, I’m hoping the sitters would want to live here even while I’m here to caretake.
This castle is just too much for one person to handle alone.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
There is a separate house (The artist’s carriage house) that would be yours; you can see it (and all about this castle) on the website. This house is empty more than it is full. That would be your space. If an inquiry were to come in and I am “able” to rent it out while you are here, and you are amenable to move to one of the suites just for that duration, that will give you extra consideration. It’s not necessarily a deal breaker if you are unwilling. Vacation rental is so unpredictable. And the income is necessary. There would always be sufficient notice. But as I said, this house stands empty a lot and it makes me sad. I would love to see it being enjoyed. I lived in it for ten years and it was recently remodeled.

NEEDS/YOUR QUALIFICATIONS:
I would appreciate knowing your qualifications and background as pertains to the following - (send an email to me directly and cut and paste)

CONSTRUCTION/HANDYPERSON. The place was built by my husband from an artistic POV (point of view) and ten years ago when we started building and planning and purchasing materials, I don’t think we realized how the salt air would affect the materials. So there is maintenance, repairs, painting, etc. ongoing.

HOUSECLEANING. Cleaning the rental space when needed before and after guests arrive. I also need help cleaning my space & spit shining the entire place in general to be able to show it to prospective buyers (I’m thinking of seeing what it will “fetch”). THEN if I do decide to actually sell I would need HELP packing up. So with this in mind, I ask for flexibility (re: length of stay) but I would keep the “sitter” totally informed every step of the way! I can’t see this being any less than three months, and who knows, could be as long as the sitters care to stay and enjoy paradise.

POOL & JACUZZI. Cleaning, maintaining, etc. at least once a week.

CUSTOMER SERVICE.  Ability to deal with guests as they come and go, just a pleasant smile and “Aloha” is usually all they require and the ability to answer some questions about the area, activities, etc. I wrote it all in our Welcome Booklet, but hopefully you will see and discover it for yourselves as well.

GARDENING/LANDSCAPING. We live in the jungle so the landscape needs attention (weeding, weed-whacking, feeding, trimming palms, etc.).
Weeds spring up overnight and take over.

COMPUTER SKILLS/INTERNET MARKETING A PLUS (I am technically challenged).

VEHICLE SITUATION:
If you cannot or do not want to provide your own vehicle, I have a 2001 Echo you can rent or use IF you provide your own insurance & have a good driving record. It’s a stick shift so you would have to be able to drive stick.  

SMOKING & DRINKING:
Please share your views and habits on this topic. Do you or have you ever smoked tobacco, pot, etc. And do you drink?

Without getting into too much info regarding my personal life, suffice it to say that after 25 years of marriage I am separated and getting a divorce. At my age ("pushing" 60) I just can’t do all this alone. I’m in the process of trying to figure things out and how to proceed, so please bear with me. This is the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do. Especially SHARING with strangers. However I’m a huge believer in the Law of Attraction and it is my belief that if you have inspiration, you must follow up with the action as well as the intention, as I am doing by posting my needs on this website. My time frame is flexible and immediate. Comments? What’s YOUR “story”? (not a rhetorical question) Where in the world are you? I prefer to be contacted via email. Mahalo! I’m hoping someone or some couple will say “when do we start?”

Respectfully,Sheri Smith