We were truly made to feel welcome by Morris and Yuka, from the sign w/ our name in the lanai, to the well-stocked fridge & gift basket. There were a million small touches everywhere that reflected our hosts’ thoughtfulness and kindness - like inside home slippers, little lights on the stairs to help us find our steps in the dark, a DVD on the 2018 eruption to orient us before going to the volcano national park, etc. There's even a swing in the living room! The location was perfect for our adventures to Hilo and north, to the VNP, to Isaac Hale Park to see where some of the lava flow from 2018 ended.
My family was obsessed with all the local fresh fruit and our hosts were a wealth of information in that regard; sadly miracle fruit and lychees were not quite in season but we gorged on fresh local papaya. The home was definitely cooler on the inside and I was even glad for the extra blankets at night. Be prepared for a lullaby of passing cars, roosters and coqui frogs but honestly the house was so nice that we didn't mind at all. And for those who do, there are ample ear plugs provided by the hosts. Will definitely stay here again for our next BigIsland adventure!