This place is a true gem; a cozy, spacious, clean, and beautiful space wrapped up and plopped down in the middle of the rain forest, a short drive from Volcano National Park. Not to mention the hospitality: Rachelle and her family which included cats, dogs, goats, and ducks were gracious, respectful, and lively in every aspect; it's called the Ohana suite for good reason! And you honestly can't beat the location. With the big island being so, well, big, it can be tough to plan things out so you won't be driving all day. This place offers relatively nearby access to varied hikes, beautiful beaches, and excellent restaurants. A couple things to note, don't book without fully understanding the implications.
- This is the rain forest, not a beach house. Humidity is very high so things that are wet tend to stay wet longer. It also rains fairly often and can get slightly chilly some days (~55F at the lowest I think).
- It's fairly remote. Most of the neighborhood is on gravel roads, but those roads are completely straight and marked with street signs. You shouldn't get lost. Cell reception can occasionally be an issue, but I found it was rare and didn't cause me much trouble (I have AT&T).
- It's definitely off-the-grid. Solar power (with a backup generator), catchment barrels, propane heating, satellite internet. None of this was much of a problem for me and Rachelle works hard to ensure her guests are comfortable.
If you're wondering about anything (like I was), definitely reach out to Rachelle. In my experience she was very responsive and honest in her answers, and as I said she does her best to make sure her guests are comfortable and happy.