Elvira and Hugh have a wonderful, organic farm and great "earth momma" feel going on at their property. We really enjoyed our stay at the Mango House. The fridge had local, organic eggs as well as butter and more. The table was beautiful with their own fruit (lychee, papaya and tiny bananas) as well as "Thai Tulips" that they grow. (The items change with the season, I'm sure.)

Kona coffee (whole) was available with a grinder - as well as honey and sugar. It was MORE than promised and we loved it. The hosts were kind enough to allow my kids to roam and enjoy the property to the FULL extent. Hugh even took quite a liking to my "pig loving" son and tried to help him find a boar. He did get to see the pig mud wallow and some tracks - so that was very cool.

If you would consider yourself a "hippy" or a "crunchy - granola" type person - then this is an AWESOME place to stay. I would bring bug spray (there are a lot of flying bugs in the evening when the wind dies down) - and the place IS organic so of course there are a lot... (but they allow you to use bug spray). It rained every night - which was FUN for us (since we live in drought prone California). The frogs sing to you as do the birds. You can see the ocean from the place - and some sunset (but not white water).

The upstairs had a huge ceiling fan -- which keeps you cool at night. There is no A/C. Also - since its self sustaining (a plus in my book) - be prepared with a flashlight (the power can be overtaxed if you turn on too many things at once). The WIFI was great - powerful and fast.

One of my favorite things about staying here was access to MANY local sights that most tourists never see. Volcano heated pools on the ocean's edge, Lave-tree forest, a beautiful painted church, tree tunnels and local fruit stands/honey stands, etc. Of course, its ALSO pretty close to Volcano National Park (about an hour away) - so we went there one evening to arrive near sunset so we could see the "glow" from Pele's house in the crater. It was awesome! Also - the Mango house is SO close -- that we went back the next day and then could do all the hiking and touring at the Volcano Park that we wanted. We saw the walk-through lava tube, drove the rim, went to the "end of the world", saw rare Nee Nee birds (Hawaii's endangered state bird). All in all -- an AMAZING, rural, Big Island home run.

If this sounds like stuff you'd like to do -- with kind hosts who live out in the rain forest -- then go visit Hugh and Elvira at the Mango house.