hi'olani - to sleep, lie at ease, lounge, relax

Thanks for visiting us on the beautiful island of Hawaiʻi! As residents of this amazing place, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to learn more about its history, culture, and natural beauty, and we're excited to share it all with you.

We'd like to give you a preview of what life is like here, as well as provide practical information to make your trip as smooth and enjoyable as possible. We want our guests to be comfortable and feel at home, so we've included a few house rules to help everyone have a pleasant and relaxing visit. We've also curated links to a variety of our personal local favorites, including tasty local foods and enchanting places to stay in Hilo and Volcano.

Above all, we want you to experience the true spirit of aloha! If you have any questions or want to chat more about your upcoming visit, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Trip Planning

Weather

Our house does not have AC so please keep that in mind when choosing a time to visit. We live at an elevation of 1,000 feet so our evening temperatures are quite nice but it can get a bit toasty during the day. Summer has a higher likelihood of warm days with average highs in the upper 80s and lows around 70°, while winter is usually 5-10° cooler - a noticeable difference given our average humidity is 75%. 

The odds are good you'll have plenty of fun in the sun at our place on the leeward (west) side of the island but flash floods are a significant hazard island wide when we have large storms. With heavy rains, the windward (east) side is especially prone to road closures from rock slides, downed trees, and flooding. Hawaiʻi island is one of the most diverse climate areas in the world and is home to ten of the fourteen major climate subgroups.

Flights

Our house is ten minutes from Kona International Airport. Please forward your flight confirmation email upon booking.

House Rules

Shoes

Most households in Hawaiʻi request shoes off inside but we're ok if you wear a dedicated set of "house shoes" inside.

Utilities

Electricity rates here are 2-3 times as much as most of the continental US. We have leased solar and with our agreement we don't pay for electricity consumed while the panels are actively generating during the day. We try to do energy intensive activities like laundry during the day. 

Kaylee

Our doggo is adorable and she knows it! We want to reinforce when she has good manners though so please ignore her when she's exuberant. You are welcome to pet her when she is calm.

Food & Fun

Pono Pledge

The Island of Hawaiʻi's Pono Pledge

I pledge to be pono (righteous) on the island of Hawaiʻi. I will mindfully seek wonder, but not wander where I do not belong. I will not defy death for breathtaking photos, trespass or venture beyond safety. I will mālama (care for) land and sea, and admire wildlife only from afar. Molten lava will mesmerize me, but I will not disrupt its flow. I will not take what is not mine,
leaving lava rocks and sand as originally found. I will heed ocean conditions, never turning my back to the Pacific. When rain falls mauka (inland), I will remain high above ground, out of rivers and streams. I will embrace the concept of being a steward of the land, revered as my loving chief.


E ʻapo i ke aʻo a hoʻohana, a e ʻoi mau ka naʻauao. (Those who apply their teachings increase their knowledge.)