The ultimate Hawaii eco-retreat. Timeless design for indoor-outdoor relaxation, dining and sleeping. Experience ocean views and crashing waves from wide-open bifold doors. Walk nextdoor to Kehena black sand beach, or drive the Red Road to the state's only hot springs at Pohoiki. Swim spa is a plunge pool or hot tub; firepit brings friends and family together under starry skies. Experience Hawaii's "wild east" in Puna, live music and dance, Hilo waterfalls, and Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park.
The house is quintessential Hawaii, designed to be left open to the ocean breeze at most times.
Bedding and amenities are:
Upstairs (master suite):
- one king bed, made and ready to use
- one full futon
- additional queen bedding for futon stored sealed in the upstairs closet.
Downstairs bedroom (guest suite):
- one king bed (private bedroom)
- additional bedding for living room bean bags stored sealed in downstairs closet.
Downstairs living room:
- two double Cordaroy bean bags (unfold into very comfortable foam mattresses)
Downstairs outside lanai:
- one queen convertible sofa outside on the back lanai, fully bug screened and sheltered from the elements. Available for the adventurous as "glamping". Bedding provided in watertight storage bins.
Garage / Den space:
- one queen sleeper futon. Available for use, but not official bedding.
- mini ping pong table
- washer and dryer
- snorkeling and beach equipment
We officially allow a maximum of 8 guests, but will consider groups of up to 10 in cases of families with children.
The indoor dining table is set for 6 but can accommodate 8 with its pull-out leaf, and borrowing 2 chairs from the deck.
Washer and dryer, additional towels and supplies, and beach toys (wakeboards, snorkeling, umbrellas) available to guests in the garage.
65" and 50" TVs in the living room and master bedroom, respectively. We do not have cable TV but provide Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and encourage guests to stream from their own accounts.
The swim spa is usually set to 90 degrees, allowing for use for either swimming or as a hot tub. Please allow 4-5 hours for the hot tub to heat. To cool it, leave the cover open and run the fountain jets. Observe pool rules in the house and printed on the side of the tub.
** Nearby Attractions **
• Kehena black sand beach (3 mins walk). You can walk right out our door and the beach parking lot is 500 ft away. Follow/climb the footpath down to the beach. You will find the Hawaii's best open secret: perfect smooth, coarse grained black sand reminiscent of a high-end spa, that you'll end up rubbing everywhere. Between that, the pounding waves, schools of dolphins, you won't want to leave. There's a free weights gym nestled in the cove. Sundays the beach comes alive with a local drum circle that starts around noon and ends at dusk.
Additional notes on Kehena:
- Kehena is an informally "clothing-optional" beach. Around 10% of patrons are typically nude. Everyone is respectful and welcome, and most patrons feel comfortable bringing children.
- The waves are strong. Keep an eye on tides, and only swim if you are a strong swimmer. Supervise young children carefully. This will not stop them from loving the waves at this beach more than any other place they visit!
• Pohoiki hot ponds and black sand beach (15 min drive). The hot ponds at Isaac Hale Beach Park are the only public "hot springs" in Hawaii. They come from volcanic heat and sun warming brackish water. While generally safe, there can be bacteria. Do not go into the ponds with open sores, and be sure to shower off afterwards.
- Pohoki beach nearby is the youngest black sand beach in Hawaii, if not the world. The sand is not as nice or polished as Kehena, but it is still a great beach. If you are a strong surfer, this is your spot.
• Kalapana (10 minutes drive). Uncle Robert's Awa Bar is the thriving hub of local Hawaiian culture. Wednesday nights they have live music and dance, typically native Hawaiian bands. Some pretty famous groups have passed through Kalapana over the years. Uncle Robert's also has local food and drinks, and an awa / kava bar. When Uncle Robert's is closed, there is still a convenience store and ATM for necessities.
- Kaimu: Nearby Kaimu is a new lava flow with a cute hike to cliffs overlooking the sea. On Saturday mornings, the Kaimu farmers market brings the best of Pahoa and Big Island to the Kalapana, Kehena and Seaview areas. Stop by Jake's stand and ask for a fresh coconut (courtesy of Aaron’s house), or look for fresh ahi or ono from the fishermen.
• Kalani Resort (5 minutes drive). Just east on Kalapana-Kapoho Rd, you'll see a sign for ice cream and encounter a cute convenience store. Kalani is the epicenter of the "ecstatic dance" community in Hawaii. Every Sunday, the denizens of this resort partake first in yoga, then in their own brand of zen-EDM -- usually followed by a trip to Kehena beach for the drum circle and culminating in a dinnertime music festival / cookout at Seaview. This is Puna beach culture at its peak.
• Pahoa Town (25 minutes drive). The closest "civilization" to Kehena, this will feel like the wild west (actually wild east) of Hawaii. Malama market is the closest real supermarket to our house. Pahoa might not look much, but there are some great restaurants (Tin Shack for breakfast, Kaleo's for comfort food, Ning's Thai, Pho 19, International Grindz Pizza and coffee). On Friday and Saturday nights, the town comes alive with live music -- not just in bars but in coffee shops, dress shops and everywhere. More than meets the eye.
• Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park (45 mins drive) - see the incredible Kiluaea crater and hike through lava tubes. Amazing any time of year but especially when Kiluaea is actively erupting. Lava is best viewed at night, making this a good evening stop on the way back from Hilo or Naalehu.
- Hawaiian Volcanoes NP - Chain of Craters Rd (15 mins drive). You can also drive to the southern end of the park and hike along the ocean.
• Punalu'u Black Sand Beach (1h30), Naalehu town (1h45), Green Sand Beach and South Point (2h) - these can be done in a single day trip, with an evening stop back at Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park if there's an active eruption. When conditions permit, South Point is a fun "cliff jumping" opportunity. Punalu'u Bake Shop is worth stopping by and stocking up at.
• Hilo area (45 minutes drive). Hilo is the "big city" compared to Pahoa or Kehena. But it's a fun town if you need to get to civilization, or (heaven forbid) patronize Target or Walmart for supplies. Ola Brew serves the best burgers and microbrew I've had almost anywhere. Cafe Pesto has great upscale Italian. K's Drive In and Pineapple's Island Fresh Cuisine are good Hawaiian eateries.
- Hilo Beach Parks -- if you want to snorkle or enjoy calm water with little ones, or need a break from Kehena, we recommend the beach parks east of Hilo town. Richardson, Carlsmith and Onekahakaha feel like lush paradise, with sea turtles and clear turqoise water.
- Hilo area waterfalls -- Rainbow Falls, Wai'ale falls, the Boiling pots are all must-sees just a few minutes west of Hilo.
• Akaka falls state park (1h drive) -- just a bit north of Hilo in the cute town of Honomu is a massive 442 ft tall waterfall in a lush jungle paradise. Absolutely worth the day trip, especially if paired with a Hilo or Waipio Valley trip.
• Waipio Valley (1h25 drive) -- the picturesque Waipio Valley is sadly closed to outside tourists and nonresidents, but the overlook is splendid, and the nearby town of Honoka'a is cute. Tex Drive In has famous Malasadas (Hawaiian-Portuguese beignets).
• Mauna Kea Observatory (~2h) -- If you have a 4wd vehicle with "4 low" (ie a Jeep, Tacoma or similar) you can drive to the summit of Mauna Kea, tour famous observatories, or join a stargazing tour. Just be careful acclimating to 13808 ft (4207m) when coming from sea level!
• Kona and the leeward side (2h30) -- too much to cover here. The west side of Big Island deserves its own trip and its own stay.
Enjoy our home and the Kehena area! Help us make your stay an unforgettable experience in your “dream home away from home.”
STVR-19-364071, NUC-19-1522
