First off, I will say right away that if you are worried about visiting Hawaii and Hilo because of the Kilauea volcano, you should not be. We visited Hilo and stayed at Laura's bungalow for two nights about three weeks after the first eruptions (May 28-30) and there was absolutely no affect on the area. There is no reason to put off your trip. We are so happy that we did not let ourselves discouraged by the news reports.
About Laura's place. Wow. This place is simply amazing. The location is unbeatable- it's hard to believe the house is only 6 miles from the Hilo airport; it's so quiet and relaxing there. The jungle surrounding the bungalow is breathtaking. The bungalow is quite open- it has mosquito nets in place of several walls, which makes the experience of staying there super unique. We felt completely surrounded by nature- yet, at the same time, the bungalow has all amenities one might possibly need.
The check-in and check-out were super easy, and you will be amazed by all the things Laura has prepared for her guests, including beach towels, beach mats, beach chairs, snorkeling stuff, and several large umbrellas for the rainy days. Since this is a rain forest, you should not be surprised to hear the sounds of the coqui froggies at night. We found them very soothing and loved falling asleep into their songs. But for the guests who might not like the sound, Laura has earplugs ready and handily placed by your bed.
If you are lucky enough to book this place, we recommend that you book it for at least three nights if not more. There's lot to do in the Hilo area, and Laura's book with suggestions is super helpful. Don't miss the Carlsmith and Richardson beaches in Hilo- we went swimming there in the rain and it was beautiful.
Thank you, Laura!