Theresa and Justin's Mana house was at the far end of what our family could afford, but it was worth every cent, and we were so happy we stayed there. The seven of us highly recommend this Airbnb for beauty, comfort, relaxation, location, and eco-sensitivity. We highly recommend Theresa as a host for friendliness, politeness, follow-through, reliability, and local suggestions. Details:
Mana house is the upstairs of Theresa and Justin's home. However, upstairs, you will experience 100% privacy and feel you are in your own place. Mana House is well represented by the Airbnb photos (Only one difference: There was no dining table inside when we were there. This didn't matter, as we wanted to eat at the large table on the lanai, anyway.). The high ceilings and open floor plan make the space feel large. The colors are both tropical and restful, and the furniture is all extremely comfortable, as in "I wish I had this chair/bed/sofa/table at home!". The lanai (porch) is screened in, and there aren't really any interior walls in the kitchen/living areas, so you feel like you are outside when you are in (which is exactly what we wanted) - you feel like you're in a tree house. This is the most perfect home to book if you want to spend time relaxing in a hammock, cozy chair, or on a sofa while you listen to the crash of the waves, birdsong, and chirp of frogs. The only drawback is that you might not want to leave to go see local stuff!
The kitchen is equipped with everything you need, and if something's missing, step downstairs and ask, and Theresa will likely provide it for you (this happened to us when we needed a can opener). There are also ample blankets, towels, etc. There is a bookshelf of Hawai'ian interest books, and a shelf of family games in the linen closet. There's no TV, which was perfect for us. Wifi reception was smooth, though our phones had no coverage in this fairly remote locale. Pahoa town is about 15 minutes away for errands and better phone reception. This is a great place to unplug and be present/
Everything in the home is clean and obviously fresh. The main bathroom and hallways are showing some age, but are very clean. Though it didn't matter to us, the electric outlets in the bedrooms do not all work. Though a couple of electric candles and table lights are provided, and a flashlight, there are not many lamps/lights to use around the table after dark, though the main lighting over the kitchen, and overhead lights in the bedrooms, all are bright and work perfectly. Again, we didn't experience this as a drawback, but it's something some guests might want to know. Theresa is very communicative and up-front, so if you have any questions about how this eco-house might function, just ask her, even before booking! We loved staying in an off-the-grid home and experienced not a single inconvenience because of it. The off-grid vibe is obviously a part of the feel of this part of the island, and it's something great to experience, especially in the comfort of this home.
Theresa and Justin, and their son, Xander, are gracious hosts. You get the feeling they will share with you anything they have. Their back yard is a gorgeous jungle, and they welcome you to explore it. The cliff-top ocean access is truly directly across the street. Theresa was generous with her time and we felt like friends, not guests. If you'd like to get involved in the local community, just ask Theresa to point you in the right direction! You're likely to meet folks and have local-to-the-max experiences.
One last note: This home is also in a prime location to see the new black sand beach which was created in 2018 - it's gorgeous, and super-cool to experience. If you're interested in the new lava flow, and witnessing the power of Pele, we recommend this home, midway between both 2018 flows - both are visible within a 5 minutes' drive.
Our family sends a giant "Mahalo!" to Theresa and her family for providing such a wonderful Airbnb. Stay at Mana House if you can - you won't regret it!