Hale Koa is situated in the lush fruit garden that has its own life; if not aware of it by the daytime, you will learn about it by night. We loved it.
Our place was spacious, practically furnitured and a little bit shabby, but providing everything we needed, incl the luxury of doing the laundry.
The lanai is great, it was our place to enjoy the red sunsets above the ocean and to share our (garden picked) tangerines with our loyal guardian gecko's.
The surrounding offers you many possibilities, some of them being a must see of Big Island: Kealakekua Bay, Place of Refuge, great ocean experiences (starting from Honokohau Harbor, or simply venturing on your own from some of the beaches), farms and ranches, trips al along the West Coast, from South Point to Pololu Valley. Kona is 20min drive. Stop by the Painted Church if driving near by.
To get around you do need a car.
One of the most beautiful experiences are those early mornings in the bay, before the crowds pour in, when the beautiful sea creatures allow you to look around their kingdom and swim with them as you were their ohana.
Our host Ed we unfortunatelly have not met, but we did communicate on several occasions, he is flexible and friendly.
To appreciate Hale Koa and get the best of it, I think you need to know and understand something of the way of living of Big Island.
And than you start feeling like you belong there.