I’m planning a Christmas trip to Hawaii. It is, of course, very late to be planning a Christmas trip to Hawaii. Here’s one set of email exchanges:
Date: Fri, June 15, 2007 5:48 PM
From: “Katja Stokley”
To: “Serene”
Subject: wheelchair accessible condos?Aloha,
I notice on your website you mention wheelchair accessible grounds (http://www.xxxxxxxx.com/view.htm); are any of your condos accessible for wheelchair users? My family and I (5 people total) are interested in a 2 week Christmas holiday rental.
Thank you,
Katja Stokley
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007 5:28 PM
From: “Serene”
To: katja@
Subject: FW: wheelchair accessible condos?Aloha,
We are currently on a long wait for a two bedroom condo over the Christmas holiday. I am not sure which condo is wheel chair accessible but would be more than happy to look into it on Monday if you would like to go onto our waiting list.
Mahalo,
Serene
Reservations
Xxxxx Ocean View Resorts
Rental Agent for Xxxxx Xxxxxx
2221 Xxxxxx Road, Xxxxx HI 96756
http://www.xxxxxxxxxxx.com serene@xxxxxxxxxxx.com
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007 5:45 PM
From: “Katja Stokley”
To: “Serene”
Subject: Re: FW: wheelchair accessible condos?Thanks for your reply – yes, please do look into it for me!
Katja
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 2:35 PM
From: “Serene”
To: “Katja Stokley”
Subject: RE: FW: wheelchair accessible condos?Aloha,
Any of our one bedroom ground floors would be wheelchair accessible. Our Two bedroom condo’s are townhome style with the bedrooms upstairs.
Mahalo,
Serene
Reservations
Xxxxx Ocean View Resorts
Rental Agent for Xxxxx Xxxxxx
2221 Xxxxxx Road, Xxxxx HI 96756
http://www.xxxxxxxxxxx.com serene@xxxxxxxxxxx.com
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 2:54 PM
From: “Katja Stokley”
To: “Serene”
Subject: RE: FW: wheelchair accessible condos?So for 5 people I’d need to rent 2 one bedroom condos? When you say a one bedroom is wheelchair accessible, does this mean the bathroom is actually set up for wheelchair users (toilet grab bars, grab bars in tub or shower, shower bench, wall hung versus cabinet mounted sink)?
Thanks,
Katja
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 2:57 PM
From: “Serene”
To: “Katja Stokley”
Subject: RE: FW: wheelchair accessible condos?I am sorry none of the condo’s have these things. They are accessible only as far as getting into the condo and moving about it.
Mahalo,
Serene
Reservations
Xxxxx Ocean View Resorts
Rental Agent for Xxxxx Xxxxxx
2221 Xxxxxx Road, Xxxxx HI 96756
http://www.xxxxxxxxxxx.com serene@xxxxxxxxxxx.com
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 3:59 PM
From: “Katja Stokley”
To: “Serene”
Subject: RE: FW: wheelchair accessible condos?So do you suggest I continue to pursue this option, or cross your rental properties off my list?
Katja
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 3:57 PM
From: “Serene”
To: katja@
Subject: FW: FW: wheelchair accessible condos?Aloha,
If you need complete accessibility as far as toilets and showers are concerned then I suppose that you should cross us off. I am very sorry that we can not accommodate you in this manner.
Mahalo,
Serene
Reservations
Xxxxx Ocean View Resorts
Rental Agent for Xxxxx Xxxxxx
2221 Xxxxxx Road, Xxxxx HI 96756
http://www.xxxxxxxxxxx.com serene@xxxxxxxxxxx.com
I’m too embarrassed to put my final reply here, except that I refrained from saying “Yes, when I asked about wheelchair accessibility I was asking about actual wheelchair accessibility, not pretend wheelchair accessibility.” I also refrained from pointing out her wild and crazy apostrophe abuse.

I have begun asking very specific checklist sort of questions… I have had it up to here with people who answer “Is it accessible” with “yes” as they think to themselves “As long as we carry you up the stairs”.
In Vancouver I gave a long explanation to someone about what accessibility means at least for people in wheelchairs. Stairs + handrail is a degree more accessible than just stairs. I should write this up along with the long list of wheelchair manners and dos and don’ts.
Yes, I have been told a room was “wheelchair accessable” to have it up 8 stairs, or on our trip last week – Do you have a wheelchair accessable room – yes. Book it, no problem. We arrive – yes we have a wheelchair accessable room but we didn’t book you in it, we gave it to someone else. Do they have a wheelchair? No.
But not bitter – oh, no.