I am offering my 20+ year-old permaculture homestead as a vacation rental/work-trade option for permes in the coastal jungle of the Big Island on the eastern tip near Cape Kumukahi, the Place where the Sun Rises. For $250/week there's a large jungalow with 2 plus bedrooms, one with it's own entrance, and could sleep 6 if needed. The property is on 2 acres of avocado, banana, papaya, rollenia (football sized in the cherimoya family), citrus, jackfruit, mango, and too many more exotics to name. Also a coconut grove- learn to climb with my tree-climbing equipment. Fragrant flowers everywhere, beauty as well as function. The house is completely off-grid but has all the comforts needed with 120 power for kitchen and music appliances. Solar fridge, separate bath house and shower in a fairy-tale-like setting with fragrant brugmansia flowers filling the sky and the most amazing plants all under a giant monkeypod tree. We are currently getting set up with bee-hives, my caretaker is learning all he can.

The neighborhood is filled with people who have chosen this alternative lifestyle and live off the grid with jungle trails leading to one anothers' abodes. A walk down the road will often introduce you to the friendly residents, and there are several fruit stands to buy produce that may not be on the property. It is closest to the town of Pahoa, about 12 miles away and just off a paved road with great cell reception with AT&T. Although it is only 1 mile from the ocean, there are many swimming areas along the coastal road, secret and known. Warm springs flow into ocean lagoons in many areas creating perfect sheltered snorkel and swim areas. Wai O'Pae is a marine sanctuary a few miles away. n Poho'iki or Isaac Hale Park is a swimming, boat dock, and well-know surf spot 4 miles away. The Warm Pond or Ahalanui Park is nearby. Kehena Beach is 12 miles down the road, a clothing optional black sand beach.

There are some great Farmer's markets. On wednesday night is a night-market at Uncle Robert's in Kalapana with some great Hawaiian music and culture. Saturday is at SPACE in seaview near Kehena, and Sunday is the Maku'u near Pahoa. You can buy all your produce plus eggs, dairy and pre-made food at these markets for very inexpensive prices, although there's a health food store in Pahoa also.

If you pay for 1 week and really love it, I am offering a work-trade with my awesome caretaker Bryan whom you would be very fortunate to be able to work with, he's a gem! The 2nd week could be half price with 12 hrs of work , and if my care-taker really loves working with you it may be possible to stay on longer for a complete work trade option if there are no other bookings at the time or if work is really needed. We are currently in the process of creating a new orchard area/ food forest and could use some help figuring out the best use of the area between the young fruit trees as well as constantly developing new ways to beat back the encroaching jungle, and being creative about how to best deal with invasive vines and plants. There may be an extra bicycle around to use if you stay on a bit...

So I tried to really lay it out here. I encourage you to look up online as much about the area as possible so you have a good idea of where it is. Fly into Hilo which is 45 minutes away. Sorry but right now this is not a great place for kids, too many hazards, but a babe in arms that is not yet crawling is fine.

Hope to hear from you when you have an idea of when you'd like to visit. I live in northern California and get over there whenever possible.

Mahalo,
Shanna Rose