Patti treated us like family as soon as we landed on the Big Island. She picked us up from the airport and made us dinner in her home. She told us about local attractions and even provided us a tour of Pahoa.
My friend and I were hoping to hitchhike and utilize the bus transit which did not work out. Although the locals are very kind and hospitable, we found that this was not feasible for us in Keaau. The AirBnB is about 15mins from the main road and the bus runs infrequently through this route. You definitely need a car rental.
Thankfully, Patti came to our rescue by offering her old Dodge pickup truck. We definitely felt like locals driving this powerful machine. With this, we were able to drive up to Hilo, Akala Falls, Rainbow falls, and even across the island to Kona.
Patti’s place is a two minute walk from the cliff overlooking the ocean so you can definitely enjoy a beautiful sunrise if you wanna wake up early. Patti’s dog Kai and I went for a walk one morning here and it was spectacular to see the waves hitting hardened lava. I saw little crablets in between the rocks. I do recommend hiking type footwear or sandals for better grip.
I was informed that Patti’s jungalow (bungalow in a jungle/rainforest) was built in 1974 so it is pretty well-maintained. If you’re into vintage items, you will find a lot of cool things! Ask Patti to show you :) she would love to give you a tour.
One thing to keep in mind is that Patti’s place is within the rainforest (which is absolutely amazing) so it rains often. However, it is absolutely beautiful. I felt like I was in Jurassic Park with the tall trees and big leaves. This can be perfect for some, but not for those who prefer to walk by sandy beaches in the morning. It is drivable though so as long as you have a car then you’re definitely in a peaceful, secluded rainforest.
Overall, we felt like we were staying with family at their cottage in the rainforest. I was very sad to leave but Patti said we were welcome to come back. Patti is one of the kindest, coolest and hippest grandma you will ever meet. Go check it out :D