Experience real Hawaii in the ultimate indoor/outdoor tropical getaway. Ideal for couples, friends & families. Take in ocean sunrises and crashing waves from wide-open lanai doors. Walk nextdoor to Kehena black sand beach, or drive the Red Road to Hawaii's only hot springs. Swim spa is a plunge pool or hot tub; firepit brings friends and family together under starry skies. Discover Big Island's "wild east" in Puna, live music and dance, Hilo waterfalls, and Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park.
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Hear and see the ocean out your bedroom balcony. Three-minute walk out your door and you're barefoot on Kehena's smooth black sand, surrounded by dolphins and Sunday drum circles. This is the Hawaii nobody talks about — the raw, wild, magical side where geckos scamper, coqui frogs chirp you to sleep -- then you wake up to gentle sounds of palm fronds and crashing waves. Pure Puna paradise.
YOUR OCEANFRONT SANCTUARY
Wide-open bifold doors frame endless ocean views. Watch sunrise from your master bedroom balcony. Fall asleep to waves. This bungalow is designed for indoor/outdoor living — ocean breezes flow through, ceiling fans keep you cool, and the jungle surrounds you in tropical luxury. There is no air conditioning here but you won't miss it. Puna rains and trade winds keep temperatures remarkably comfortable, usually cooler than Kona.
Perfect for:
• 1-3 couples and friends seeking adventure and relaxation
• Families who want real Hawaii (not resort Hawaii)
• Anyone ready to disconnect and experience Puna's wild beauty
INSIDE THE BUNGALOW
Living Spaces:
• Three spacious decks (upstairs balcony, downstairs deck, screened private lanai)
• Open-concept living room with 65" TV (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+)
• Fully equipped kitchen (cookware, dishes, coffee/tea)
• Garage/den with washer/dryer, mini ping pong, beach gear
Bedrooms (sleeps 8):
• Master Suite (upstairs): King bed + full futon, private balcony with ocean views, ensuite bathroom with soaker tub, 50" TV
• Guest Suite (downstairs): King bed, private bedroom, full bath with shower
• Living Room: Two Cordaroy bean bags that convert to double mattresses (bedding in closets)
• Outdoor Lanai: Queen convertible sofa (screened, sheltered — perfect for "glamping" in the jungle)
• Garage/den: Queen futon. Not official "living space," but available if anyone needs privacy.
SWIM SPA & OUTDOOR LIVING
Your Private Oasis:
The swim spa is set to 90°F — use it either as a plunge pool or hot tub. After a day of hiking volcanoes, swimming at Kehena, or exploring waterfalls, sink into the spa under starry Hawaiian skies. Fire pit brings everyone together for evening storytelling.
Outdoor Amenities:
• Heated swim spa (huge hot tub or plunge pool)
• Fire pit ready for smores and stargazing (huge solo stove -- bring your own firewood)
• BBQ grill
• Hammock for lazy afternoons
• Screened outdoor living/glamping space
KEHENA BLACK SAND BEACH (3-MINUTE WALK)
Hawaii's Best-Kept Secret:
Walk 500 feet out the door to the beach parking lot, then take the footpath down to paradise. Kehena's coarse-grained black sand feels like a luxury spa treatment. Dolphins visit regularly. Strong swimmers love the waves. Families splash in the shore break.
Sunday Drum Circles:
Every Sunday, Kehena comes alive. Locals gather for an epic drum circle that starts around noon and lasts until sunset. This is Puna culture at its peak — music, dance, community, and pure aloha spirit.
Note: Kehena is informally clothing-optional (~10% of beachgoers are nude). Everyone is respectful and families are welcome. The waves can be strong — supervise kids and swim only if you're confident in the water.
NEARBY ADVENTURES:
• Pohoiki Hot Ponds & Black Sand Beach (15 min):
Isaac Hale Beach Park has Hawaii's only public "hot springs" — volcanic-heated brackish water. Pohoiki Beach is the youngest black sand beach in the world. Surfers love it.
• Kalapana & Uncle Robert's Awa Bar (10 min):
Wednesday nights = live Hawaiian music and dance. Local bands, food trucks, kava bar, and the beating heart of Puna culture. Saturday mornings bring the Kaimu farmers market — fresh coconuts, ahi, ono, and Big Island vibes.
• Kalani Resort (5 min):
Epicenter of Puna's "ecstatic dance" community. Sunday yoga + zen-EDM dance parties, followed by beach gatherings and sunset music at Seaview. This is Puna at its peak.
• Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park (45 min):
See Kilauea crater, hike lava tubes, and if you're lucky, witness an active eruption. Best viewed at night! Chain of Craters Road (15 min from the south entrance) offers coastal hikes along ancient lava flows.
• Hilo Waterfalls & Town (45 min):
- Rainbow Falls, Wai'ale Falls, Boiling Pots
- Ola Brew (best burgers + craft beer)
- Cafe Pesto (upscale Italian)
- Richardson, Carlsmith, Onekahakaha beach parks (calm water, sea turtles, snorkeling)
• Epic Day Trips:
- Akaka Falls (442 ft waterfall, 1h)
- Waipio Valley Overlook (1h25)
- Punalu'u Black Sand Beach + Green Sand Beach + South Point (1h30-2h)
- Mauna Kea Observatory (2h — 4WD required for summit)
• Pahoa Town (25 min):
The "wild west" of Hawaii. Malama Market (groceries), great restaurants (Tin Shack, Kaleo's, Ning's Thai, Pho 19), and Friday/Saturday night live music in coffee shops, bars, and dress shops. Way more than meets the eye.
WHAT MAKES PUNA SPECIAL
This isn't Waikiki. This isn't Kona. This is *real Hawaii* — remote, raw, and unforgettable.
✓ Black sand beaches with dolphins
✓ Volcanic hot springs
✓ Sunday drum circles
✓ Lava flows you can hike
✓ Dozens of waterfalls
✓ Jungle living with ocean breezes
✓ Hawaiian culture (not tourist culture)
✓ Ecstatic dance, live local music, farmers markets
IS THIS HOME RIGHT FOR YOU?
Our bungalow is *perfect* for:
+ People who've already done the resort/condo thing (Kona, Waikiki, Kihei, Poipu) and want REAL Hawaii
+ Anyone who wants to see Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park AND be next to a beach.
+ Kama'aina who want to experience local life at arguably the most culturally vibrant beach in Hawaii.
+ Hot springs seekers — we're down the road from the only public hot springs in Hawaii (Pohoiki)
+ Extended-stay guests ready to meet locals (artists, surfers, yogis, hippies, off-grid builders, musicians and free spirits)
+ Families with adventurous kids who love big waves and aren't fazed by the occasional nudist (this was our kids' favorite beach in the world when they were 9-11!)
+ Anyone ready to join ecstatic dance at Kalani, skinny-dip under the stars, or dive deep into Puna culture
This home is likely *not* for:
- Guests who demand a curated resort experience
- Guests who need sealed windows and climate-controlled indoor living
- People who can't tolerate wildlife in the house (geckos, ants, spiders are part of jungle living)
- Anyone offended by occasional nudity at the beach (it's far away and easy to ignore, but it exists)
- Travelers who need everything pristine and polished — this is "rough it" Hawaii in the best way
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WHAT TO EXPECT
This is Jungle Living:
Puna is tropical, remote, and wild. Geckos are everywhere (they eat bugs and keep the house clean, even if they poop). You'll see ants, spiders, and occasional critters — that's part of living in paradise. We have regular pest control, but this isn't a sterile resort.
No Air Conditioning:
You won't need it! Ocean breezes, ceiling fans, and open-air design keep the house comfortable year-round (temps in the mid 70s-low 80s). Keep windows open, fans circulating, and embrace tropical living.
Rainwater Catchment:
Like most Puna homes, we collect rainwater. It's filtered, but we recommend bottled water for drinking. Please conserve water — avoid using the giant upstairs tub more than once every 3 days (the swim spa is way more fun anyway!).
Rust & Mold:
We're oceanfront in a tropical jungle. Despite constant maintenance, you'll see rust and occasional mold — it's unavoidable in this climate. We manage it aggressively, but if you need perfection, this isn't the right fit.
HOUSE GUIDELINES
Occupancy:
• Maximum 8 guests (works best when beds are shared or kids use bean bags/sofas)
• Strongly recommend max 6 adults for comfort
Check-in/Checkout:
• Check-in: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• Checkout: 10:00 AM
• Early/late arrangements possible (subject to availability, $25/hour)
House Rules:
• Respect the swim spa (please follow posted rules)
• Conserve water (it's precious!)
• Keep the jungle vibes going (no drama, just aloha)
LIABILITY WAIVER:
By booking this home, guests agree to waive all host liability for injury or death related to use of equipment (swim spa, grill, gas appliances) and assume all risk for use of grounds or facilities. Exercise caution with falling coconuts, tripping hazards, rust, mold, volcanic fog, and other environmental factors. If this waiver is not agreeable, please cancel immediately and notify the host.
GUARANTEES & REFUNDS:
While we strive to keep our home and its amenities fully functioning, there may be occasional defects, missing appliances or ongoing repairs. We do our best to notify guests before their stay, and advise guests that by default we will not issue refunds for temporarily unavailable amenities.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES
- $20 per night per overnight guest above the first 4 persons (plus taxes/fees, automatically charged by the platform based on group size)
- $170 for emergency water refill (half our refill cost, only if catchment is exhausted during your stay -- very rarely enforced)
- $25 per hour early before check-in or late after check-out, when possible and approved by hosts
- $50 for every 15 minutes overstay after checkout time, if permission is not given beforehand by host
- $200/hr for additional cleaning required, in case of messes that require cleaning beyond our regular cleaning window and impede incoming guests
- Damaged or irreparable items and linens will be assessed to guests at either original purchase or replacement cost
