Kapoho is a beautiful, peaceful and quiet place that's perfect for those who want no part of "tourist Hawaii." It is a small, friendly community that's also the sunniest spot on the Windward side of the Big Island. The nights bring a little rain, and the days are generally sunny and bright. We get to see some great winter storms, and the ocean definitely speaks more loudly during the winter months.

If you have already experienced "tourist Hawaii" and are ready for something different, you will appreciate this. If you would like a taste of what it would be like to live among the folks who spend their lives here, work here, play here and raise their families here, you might find this interesting. If you're into hiking, swimming, snorkeling, exploring, and just Being, you'll love it.

No White Sand Beaches

We like to make it very clear that there are no tourist attractions anywhere near here! This is rural Hawaii! The only "real beach" nearby is Kehena, which is a small black-sand beach accessible down a short-but-steep trail. But there are lots of what we call "beach accesses". "Beach access" means that it's easy and safe to get into the water, but it does not imply that there is a traditional sandy beach. There is ample and wonderful water-access with a delightful variety of offerings: a huge 90+ degree, geothermally tidal pond; tide-pools that offer amazing snorkeling experiences and lots of great spots for safe swimming and surfing.

What you do get here is rural Hawaii at its best. You get to experience the most beautiful, unspoiled tropical surroundings imaginable. From languishing in the geothermally heated warm pond (5 minutes away) to snorkeling in our crystal clear tide pools or taking a short ride down to beautiful Kehena Beach, you will be richly rewarded with taste after taste of our roads less traveled.

Our nearest town, Pahoa, is a quaint little village that time seems to have forgotten. You'll find Old-West style buildings with wooden sidewalks dating back 100 years, and a great variety of resources for residents and travelers alike. No tourist trappings here, either, but we do have some of the finest restaurants on the Island. Thai, Tuscany Italian, natural-foods, bueno Mexican and the best "hole-in-the-wall" take-out Chinese that you can imagine! Funky ambiance with a delightful surprise of wonderful cuisine.

We have a Sunday Farmer's Market that sometimes features live music, and just the people watching is worth the trip. It's as much a social event as a marketplace. Of course, you can also find about every kind of local veggie and fruit, plus a lot of prepared offerings, too. And just in case you're in the mood, how about an open-air massage?

If you would like to venture out and explore more of the Big Island from here, you can take some day trips to Volcanoes National Park, Waipio Valley, beautiful and friendly Hilo town or even a scenic 2 ½ hour drive to Kailua-Kona on the other side of the island. Also on the other side of the Island, the coastline from Kailua Town up to Hawi (at the northern tip of the Island) has some of the most fantasic white sand beaches you'll ever see, and Hawi itslef is a very special artist's community featuring some of the best galleries and the famous Bamboo Restaurant. The Island also has abundant hiking trails with all sorts of spectacular destinations.

If this sounds like the kind of Paradise you're looking for, we'd like to extend our welcome and Aloha to you!

Your hosts,

Camille & Skip Thomsen

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