We are two friends who traveled to the Big Island for the first time. Maria actually started helping us out before we met or checked in, by giving us some ideas of where to go for lunch in Hilo. Maria is very welcoming and obviously enjoys meeting people and hearing their stories (not just in this for the $$). The house was very clean and well-supplied, including a hair dryer and iron/ironing board. All rooms have fans and there is good cross-ventilation. Maria showed us all the fruit trees, etc., in the yard and told us we were welcome to have anything that was ripe. We had a yummy papaya our last morning there. Maria was able to give us advice about the area such as places to eat and things to do. The house itself is one block from the ocean and is in-between two really nice public beaches. I felt like we got much closer to Hawaiian culture staying in this house rather than a hotel, particularly for two people visiting the Big Island for the first time. For example, as you drive down the street past Maria's house you'll see ponds in the neighbors' front yards where they raise their own fish to eat--apparently this is a historic innovation by the Hawaiians to ensure a ready supply of fish to eat even if the fishing at sea is not good. There is no TV but the wifi works very well.