Overview
A closer look
About this property
Summary:
Trade resort crowds for the sound of a stream, coqui frogs after dark, and a real slice of Hamakua Coast country life. Hale Ohana is a classic 1950s, three-bedroom home that sleeps up to eight, just four miles from the edge of downtown Hilo. It is a strong starting point for the four-mile scenic drive, the Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden, and Onomea Bay, both just over a mile away. Keep going north for Akaka Falls and the wider Hamakua Coast, then return to a fully equipped kitchen with stainless appliances, a cozy living room, cable TV, WiFi, and a washer and dryer. The stream below the hillside can be heard from two of the bedrooms, while neighboring goats and cows in the field add to the country setting. This is an older rural home, not a resort stay, and it does not have air conditioning. That honesty is part of its appeal for guests who want an authentic Big Island base close to Hilo’s markets, waterfalls, and lush backroads. It is a warm fit for a family or group of friends who would rather wake up to green than a parking lot.
The Space:
This single-level 1,360-square-foot home has three bedrooms, one bath, a fully equipped kitchen with stainless appliances, and a cozy living room for quiet nights in. A washer and dryer, WiFi, and cable TV add everyday convenience. There is no air conditioning, so the home leans into its rural setting with open windows, country air, and the sound of the stream below the hillside.
Guest Access:
This rural Papaikou retreat offers guests a private entrance and single level layout for easy access, set on the Hawaii Belt Road just outside Hilo. There is no shared pool or gym here, just a quiet garden and backyard to relax in after exploring the countryside.
The Neighborhood:
Papaikou is a quiet plantation-era community just north of Hilo, where the Hamakua Coast turns lush, green, and waterfall-rich. The Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden and Onomea Bay are close by, and the scenic coastal drive begins nearby. Plan on driving into Hilo for restaurants, groceries, the farmers market, and the waterfront. Akaka Falls makes an easy northbound outing. This is a genuine country base for guests who want botanical gardens, rainy-day beauty, and Hilo access rather than a resort strip.
Getting Around:
Hilo International Airport is about 15 to 20 minutes away, a short and easy drive. A rental car is recommended for reaching Hilo's beaches, shops, and restaurants just a few miles down the coast. Papaikou itself is a small, quiet community with limited walkable amenities, so a quick drive covers most errands. Parking is generally simple, available on site or along the street.
Other Things to Note:
No smoking is allowed on the property. Stays over 28 nights may be eligible for a fee waiver. This vacation rental is not equipped with air conditioning. This property is managed by Heavenly Vacations.
Interaction with Guests:
Our local Heavenly Vacations Hawaii Island team is just a call or message away throughout your stay. From Kona sunsets to Volcano adventures, we love sharing our favorite places to enjoy on the Big Island, and we are here to help right away should any issue arise. We respect your privacy and are here whenever you need us.
Registration Number: 270320170000, TA-179-681-4848-01, GE-179-681-4848-01
Availability
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Availability calendar
Choose an available check-in date, then your check-out. Your selected dates and booking link will appear in a popout.
Availability can change. Final availability, rates and booking details are confirmed by our partner.
Guest reviews
Guest experiences
Guest reviews
Very clean and beautiful the jungle views from the windows in the bedroom and the sound of the river running at night are fantastic
We were very comfortable. The house was clean and nicely decorated.
It was an ideal location. The home cleaner did an excellent job with care of neatness and cleanliness. The only issues we had was the keypad which was difficult to operate despite many attempts; and and we frequently used the back door when we returned in the evening. We were not given option of key. But the home is very quiet and serene which we enjoyed in the mornings and evening while listening to coque frogs singing. They are actually quite pleasant to listen to and lulled my husband off to sleep. The home was less than a mile from my daughter, so that was very convenient. Unfortunately for us, nature would not cooperate and it rained nearly every day. Highly recommended for those seeking peace and tranquil lodging. Thank you.
Would have been nice
The house was charming. The property was amazing. It has three nice bedrooms. We only use two, but there is only one bathroom that is a drawback, but we made it work between the four of us. Also, there are no USB or seaport plugs anywhere in the house so make sure and bring an adapter I didn’t get a chance to use the bathtub, but it was wonderful. The shower is a little bit small overall this property was a dream.
The home was very easy to find and just a short drive outside of Hilo town. Entry into the home was easy however the inability to unlock the front door did have me worried that I would end up locking myself out. The home itself is super cute and filled with just about every amenity you could think of. The only fault I found while at the home was that because I am a light sleeper, did walk up when vehicles drove by but would definitely stay here again.
Great location, near Hilo, but doesn't get it's traffic. Property is dated (which isn't a bad thing), but clean. Huge space, room for my family to spread out which was great. The only reason for less than perfect score was all the mattresses were wrapped in plastic. Like a plastic case that was intentional, not like saran wrap that they forgot to take off. For a place that had no AC it made for some uncomfortable and sweaty nights.
Very convenient and a short drive to Hilo town. Perfect amount of space.
Comfortable house, comfortable beds. Communication was amazing. Only issue we had at first was getting the door open due to the long code; other than that great place to stay!!
The house is right next to a stream so you hear the sounds of frogs singing all night.lots of towels and linens . Air mattress. Great deal. Would come back for sure.
Noise from traffic on the road out front was a bit much.
Entry to the property is bizarre at best. Arrived at night and missed the driveway twice. See Google Earth for details. Difficulty with initial entry. Had to make at least four attempts before the lock worked. Was immediately hit with a heavy musty odor. The house could benefit from a couple more dehumidifiers. Two irons, no ironing board The stove stopped functioning. While using the griddle, blew a breaker. The entire kitchen is daisychained so everything in the kitchen went out. No access to the breaker box. Luckily, Vacasa earlier in the day supplied as with a 50 foot extension cord. Otherwise, the food in the refrigerator Would have spoiled. Was told that the issue with the stove is ongoing with the owner refusing to replace it. The house is charming enough, and had we not had the problems that we did, we would have given this a much better review.
I was pleasantly surprised with the spacious room in the house, especially dehumidifier in our bedroom (very nice accommodation to have) & beautiful artwork on the walls. Not to mention privacy, didn’t have to hear neighbors maybe just cars passing every now & then but otherwise it was totally fine. Was great to have that washer & dryer, boogie boards & umbrellas helped us a lot on outings!! The cookies was a nice touch, so thanks for that. Overall, I miss that place compared to the next place we had to move to, but will definitely remember it if coming again.
Great location had a great time will definitely recommend to others.
Good place to stay. well distribution of living space and very clean. Tank you very much for all your services Edwin Marengo
Location
Your island setting
Property location
Hilo District, Big Island
Photos
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FAQ
Helpful details
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about this property and the reservation process.
Where is this vacation rental located?
- City: Papaikou (postal 96781) Hawaii
Nearby highlights
- Location: Papaikou, HI (Keaukaha – Pepeekeo Scenic Drive – 0.43 km to center), US
- In a rural location
- In a village
- Near a zoo
How many bedrooms and bathrooms does it have?
3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.
How many guests can it sleep?
This rental sleeps up to 8 guests.
What amenities are available?
- Private vacation home
- Unit size: 1360 sq ft (126 sq m)
- 3 bedrooms
- Bed sheets provided
- 1 bathroom
- Shampoo
- Shower
- Towels provided
- WiFi available
- Blender
- Coffee/tea maker
- Cookware/dishes/utensils
- Microwave
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Stovetop
- Toaster
- Washing machine and dryer
- Garden
- Dryer
- Internet
- Kitchen
- Living Area
- No Smoking
- Outdoor Hot tub / space
- TV
- Washer
What should I know about check-in?
- Check in starts at 4:00 PM
- Check out before 10:00 AM
- Minimum check in age: 21
- Check in time starts at 4:00 PM
- You will receive an email from the host with check in and check out instructions
- Government issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check in for incidental charges
- Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
- Property Registration Number 270320170000, TA 179 681 4848 01, GE 179 681 4848 01
What are the house rules and policies?
- Pets not allowed
- Children are welcome.
- Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
What are popular things to do nearby and on Big Island?
- Horse riding nearby
- Location: Papaikou, HI (Keaukaha – Pepeekeo Scenic Drive – 0.43 km to center), US
- In a rural location
- In a village
- Near a zoo
Do I need a rental car on Big Island, and what about parking?
A rental car may not be required for every stay, but transportation needs depend on your arrival airport, activities and how much of the island you plan to visit.
What kind of rental is this?
This is a private vacation home rental.
Does the Check Availability button open the booking page?
The button opens the partner listing page where you can review final rates, fees, availability, policies and booking details before booking.