Beautiful house with a view of Mauna Kea. This house is in a quiet neighborhood, large yard, just outside of town. White sand beaches about 20 minutes down the road. Comfortable home With Stunning View of Mauna Kea Mountain. Aloha! We’re thrilled that you’re taking a look at our lovely, spacious home just outside the town of Waimea. We know that once you stay here, you’ll find it hard to leave. Our three bedroom, two bathroom home built in 2002 is on a quiet, relaxing street that feels like your own private escape, despite being a mere five-minute drive to plenty of shopping, dining and culture. Our home has a stunning view of Mauna Kea (“White Mountain”) and the ranchlands of Kamuela. Let the stresses of everyday life back home float away as you relax on our spacious wraparound deck (Lanai) and take in the rich changing colors of the landscape as the sun rises or sets over the mountain. You can even see the W. M. Keck Observatory and its 13 telescopes for astronomy near the 13,796-foot summit of Mauna Kea, which include the largest telescopes in the world. While the sunrises and sunsets are in a league of their own here, we know what you really daydream about while you’re at your desk at work back home is the luxurious, white, sandy beaches. Fortunately, just 20 minutes down the road, you’ll find: Entire home Our manager Moani can help with all of your questions! Waimea is a great town on The Big Island, it is up in the mountains, and cools down nicely in the evenings. It is just a short drive to beaches but lets you escape the heat at the end of the day! Some of our recommendations/guide of things to do on The Big Island: Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, just 20 minutes down the road! Nearly 62 acres of a landscaped beach park featuring swimming during calm seas (waves get over 3 feet during high surf!), bodysurfing, picnicking and lounging under the sun. There is also hiking along the coastal trail. You can also head over to the Hapuna Beach Hotel to their pool-side bar for some drinks or snacks. Mauna Kea State Recreation Area: Enjoy a green picnic area at 6,500-foot elevation with good views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. There is pig, sheep and bird hunting nearby. You can access the Mauna Kea beach by driving up to guard station and asking for a public beach pass – you need to get there before 9 and weekdays are best – super calm water as the bay comes in further than Hapuna – the snorkeling on the left away from the hotel is fabulous but when you venture out, stay along the rocks to the left. You can also go around the point and then swim back to the right, you’ll see big coral rocks and tons of fish. I have seen many turtles here. Puako: Enjoy sensational kayaking and excellent snorkeling. There are 12 access points along Puako Road that provide easy access to both sandy and rocky beaches. Some other beaches we recommend in the Kona area: -KUA bay is beautiful -The Turtle beach (Kahaluu Beach Park)on Alii Dr South of Kona downtown has great snorkeling. -Place of Refuge – beautiful snorkeling also on the right side of the park – do the park and the tour, it’s worth it. If you want to see what the area has to offer beyond the beaches, there are endless activities to take advantage of as well. Nearby, you can go horseback riding at Waipio Valley or backpack into Waimanu Valley where you can find massive, awe-inspiring waterfalls. Are you a coffee loyalist who wants to see where your daily pick-me-up comes from? Take a trip to Kona, just a 40-minute drive southwest from our home. It’s famous for its coffee plantations, beaches, shopping and restaurants. If you’re looking for a drive along the coast, hop in the car and take the Hamakua coastal road east to Hilo. Hamakua is a Hawaiian heritage road and will get you to Hilo in a little over an hour. Hilo is a great day destination if you’re looking to ride the waves on a surfboard, explore unusual beaches or, yes, shop! Take a day when you know the weather will be absolutely clear on the Hilo side with no clouds – Go to Kapoho Tide Pools – amazing place to snorkel, however this is only suggested for strong swimmers.. Be brave and go out to the far reef but be careful the current pulls you in and out but it’s just the wave action going through the narrow channels don’t fight it and talk to some locals at the spot before going out. I tend to stay closer to beach because my elbows are bad and sometimes you have to work at the swimming. When you have a sunny day it’s one of the best snorkeling spots in the world. You can look up directions at http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-kapoho-tide-pools.html Have lunch in Pahoa – it is a cool historic town. Great places to have dinner in Hilo – Hilo Bay Café – Oceans – Café Pesto – if you like raw fish Suisan café is the best place for lunch take out The botanic gardens in Hilo are worth it, they are beautiful– it takes you to Onomea Bay and the road to the gardens is a state heritage scenic drive. There is a sign on the Hamakua coastal road on your way to Hilo for the turn off. If you are on the Hilo side of the island and are looking for a family friendly beach Richardson’s is a really nice, partially sand beach. Just be cautious coming in and out of the water as there are rocks and you always want to be careful about urchins. It’s an easy snorkeling spot, we have seen turtles around this area before. Along the way to Hilo, you can stop at Honokaa, a cute little historic town about 15 minutes down the Hamakua coast from our house. On your way to check out the Hilo coffee plantation, you can visit this old sugar plantation town. On the same route is the Waipio Valley overlook and tours. Waipio valley is great to see, we have hiked down to the beach many times but the road is super steep. Do NOT drive down the road unless you have a 4 Wheel Drive car. The hike can really wear out your quads going downhill, If you can find someone to take you into the valley it is very cool. At the bottom of the road stay to the right and head to the beach. About 30 miles north of Waimea is Hawi, the northernmost town on the big island of Hawaii, also known for being the bicycle turnaround for the annual Ironman World Championship every October. Hawi was once the hub of the area’s sugar industry, but is now home to charming art galleries, boutiques and restaurants. If you’re going that way, a stop at the Pololu Valley Overlook for incredible coastline views is a must. The southeastern portion of the island is home to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, which is about an hour and 45 minutes from our home. Whether you have an hour to spend at the park or a day, you will find plenty to explore. You can cruise the 11-mile Crater Rim Drive around Kīlauea volcano or adventure off the roadways with day and backcountry hikes that will satisfy your curiosity of the area. At Volcano National Park stay until dark and view the crater from the bar at Volcano House and go back to the visitor center at pitch dark because that is the best view of the active crater. On your way to Volcano National Park there is a beautiful orchid gardens, called Akatsuka Orchid Garden, I would recommend stopping by if you are interested in flowers. If you continue to the southern coast, you’ll reach Papakolea Green Sand Beach, where you’ll actually find — you guessed it — green sand! This is a great stop for someone who’s willing to work a little for an awesome sight like green sand, as the beach is about a 3-mile hike in from the road. Try to go on a calm day. Gauge the water. I’ve seen lots of tourists pummeled on the beach. Do not put your stuff too close to beach, put it high up on rocks, every now and then a huge wave will come in, you can see them building so pay attention. It is a three mile hike round trip, hot and windy, bring lots of water, but it is a very cool thing to go see. There are not that many green sand beaches, it’s not emerald green its olive green and it’s a very cool hike along the coast. You park in a really strange parking lot, just lock your doors. On the other side you can go see the huge cliffs, my boys jump off these all the time and the swimming below is awesome, but do not go out far at all stay very close to the rocks and make sure you read the current signs. These currents here are wicked!! Swimming is unreal on a clear calm day. And who can’t forget fresh fish! At the junction of Hawi and Kawaihae you take the road to the left instead of heading up the hill to Waimea, this is where the Fish Lady is. The fish here is the best I have found. Sometimes I have shown up there as the fisherman are filleting and I get my piece right there after it’s been cleaned. You have to take the road that is at the junction going to the road to Hawi after you get into Kawaihae, literally about two minutes from the main highway junction - she is in a little shack on the right and there is a gas station on the other side I think it’s called the fish house but it really looks like a shack. Please note you should always try to get there before 4 for the best selection. After your daily adventures head back in the evenings and you will experience a great night's sleep with our cool night temperatures and quiet neighborhood. It’s clear there is no shortage of things to do within a two-hour drive from our lovely home and it’s completely up to you how much you travel around the island. If you have any questions or need more ideas, we are more than happy to give you as much of our insight as you want. Whether you choose to cover it all, or simply relax near the house, you’ll have a wonderful stay that you’ll never forget! For Tenants: STVR License 19-357203 NUC License -19-904 GE Tax 055-358-4640-01 TE Tax 055-358-4640-01 STVR Display requirements Quiet hours shall be from 9 PM to 8AM, during which time noise levels should not be unreasonable to disturb the adjacent neighbors. Sound that is audible beyond the property boundaries during non-1uiet hours shall not be more than would be otherwise associated with a residential area Please make sure that guest vehicles are parked in the garage or down below outside the garage – no street parking please