What a fun stay in a charming cottage with an ocean view & stone's throw from a trail to the beach! We drove over from Waimea/Kamuela on the other side of the island for a "staycation."
The cottage was cute & bigger than I bc expected with several places to sit & relax. The sweet little lanai (deck) was our favorite & we enjoyed cocktails just before sunset & enjoyed looking at the palm trees & the ocean & shared some fruit with a gecko! The next morning we enjoyed coffee & breakfast on the lanai again... It was so peaceful it was hard to leave for the beach!
I knew the beach was closed, but couldn't believe how close it was to the trail! (The trail is steep in places & rocky, so take it slow & wear water shoes with walking soles or walking sandals.) Kehena Black Sand Beach is so pretty (note: swimsuits are optional so you may see more than scenery... But such a relaxed friendly vibe if you talk to people on the hike down or back up). We were there on a Sunday morning, so only a few people there, very peaceful. But I heard it can be very busy on Sunday afternoon for a drumming circle.
We also drove down the road, over the cooled new lava flow to see the island's newest landscape & one of the new black sand beaches at Pohoiki.
If you are there on a Wednesday night, check out Uncle Robert's (directions on the fridge, it's just down the road the other way)... Market, food, music, dancing.
Highly recommend this sweet place to stay (we were in the yellow cottage) & the hosts were quick to respond with any questions! Hope to stay here again!