Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Outdoor space
Parking available
Water view
Explore the area
Pahoa, HI
Mackenzie State Park
Place, Mackenzie State Park
2 min drive
SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center
Place, SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center
7 min drive
Isaac Hale Beach Park
Place, Isaac Hale Beach Park
10 min drive
Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
Airport, Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
55 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Queen Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - Off-Grid, solar-powered property.
The Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage - with a spectacular oceanfront view - is the only vacation rental so close to the ocean on the scenic Old Red Road (Rural Route 137) in the small village of Opihikao. The cottage is Off-Grid with limited (ATT & Cricket) only cell service.
Situated on the beautiful Puna Coast of the Big Island amidst a majestic 'king's-grove' of coconut palms, the cottage faces directly on the Pacific Ocean with stunning, 180-degree views framed thru palms and native, mahogany trees. Set within a tropical garden planted with over 100 coconut palms, exotic fruits and the fragrance of tropical flowers, this cottage is simply the best rental in the area.
Inside this private home is a new kitchen and bathroom with tropical decor and vintage koa wood, mahogany and bamboo furnishings. The cottage is set up with everything you need - a well-appointed kitchen, one full bath, an extra outside shower for washing off after the beach, and two bedrooms with queen beds and plenty of closet space. All rooms have windows to let the natural trade-winds in, and there is a front porch and a screened lanai on the side to enjoy the balmy air.
Rainbow Dreams Cottage is the perfect eco-retreat, where you can really get away from it all. We are entirely solar-powered, so alternative energy serves your needs with a few limitations to this rental. Because we are off the grid, there is limited cell service (2 bars) and no WiFi - just the beauty and the power of nature, and the sights and sounds of the ocean. Also, we have catchment water from the rain, so we advise using bottled water, or free Pahoa town water available at roadside taps, for cooking and drinking. Full-grid services are just minutes away, up the road or in the nearby town of Pahoa.
With a direct view of the ocean, you may spend your whole vacation simply gazing at the waves, yet the cottage is the perfect base for exploring the unique nature and culture of the Big Island. All along the coast in the Puna District, you will discover special places to explore, from scenic parks to sheltered coves. Three miles from the cottage is exotic Kehena Black Sand Beach, and two miles in the other direction is MacKenzie State Park, where steep lava cliffs form a rugged shore.
Hilo is the largest town on the Big Island with a quaint Old Town that features historic architecture, specialty shops, many restaurants, and nearby attractions, including Rainbow Falls, Banyan Drive, Lili'uokalani Gardens, and the "singing bridge' across the Wailuku River, to name a few.
Volcanoes National Park, is a major attraction, and the improved Saddle Road in between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea Mountains is both scenic and convenient, connecting between our cottage and the Kona side of the island in a 2.5-hour drive.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
OCEAN View large home close to BEACH on 3 private landscape acres.
Pahoa
OCEAN View large home close to BEACH on 3 private landscape acres.
We have a strict 4 person MAX rule due to limited parking, systems and water.
Please take care of your own garbage if staying a week or more. Local Garbage Transfer Stations are free.
Guest must follow house rules, or additional fees may be incurred. Strict "no events and no parties" rule.
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number TA-138-334-6176-01, GE-138-334-6176-01, 3130020930000
Property # 152979vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses solar energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Pahoa
Located in Pahoa, this cottage is on the waterfront. Mackenzie State Park and Pohoiki reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center and Hobby Garden Hawaii. Hiʻiaka's Healing Hawaiian Herb Garden and Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding and cave exploring.
SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center - 7 min drive - 7.2 km
Isaac Hale Beach Park - 10 min drive - 6.5 km
Pohoiki Beach - 10 min drive - 6.5 km
Getting around
Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 60 min drive
Restaurants
The Jokers Hideout - 31 min drive
Uncle Dexter's Margaritaville
On The Go Food Truck - 28 min drive
paradise - 24 min drive
Luquin's - 31 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - Off-Grid, solar-powered property. pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - Off-Grid, solar-powered property.?
As of 10 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - Off-Grid, solar-powered property. on 27 Oct 2026 start from AU$356, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - Off-Grid, solar-powered property.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - Off-Grid, solar-powered property.?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - Off-Grid, solar-powered property.?
Checkout is at 10:30 AM.
Where is Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - Off-Grid, solar-powered property. located?
Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 1.8 mi (2.8 km) from Mackenzie State Park and within 6 miles (10 km) of Pohoiki and SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center. Isaac Hale Beach Park and Pohoiki Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The place was amazing,the view was amazing,needs more towels for guests that stay more than 1 or 2 daysI would definitely recommend the place thoughIt’s a perfect place to unwind and just watch the waves
This is a beautiful one of a kind Hawaiian off-grid property experience, with breathtaking views of the sea! We enjoyed our stay, thank you. Steven and Mary King
Location is perfect. Host is friendly and helpful but not intrusive. House is tastefully decorated and supplied with everything you might need. Perfect off grid location for a relaxing Puna vacation. We will return and recommend this house to others
Rainbow dreams is a wonderful cottage. It is the place where you can genuinely feel aloha.The cottage is pretty and well equipped.The setting can’t be beat. You can go across the road and sit by the shore and see all kinds of wildlife or you can sit up in a screened in porch and just relax the day away.
It was beautiful and quiet. Having no WiFi was a plus. We saw turtles and dolphins while sitting on the beach across the quiet street. The location was amazing - loved it.
Lovely location! The cottage was very comfy. I would recommend more lighting in the kitchen and a microwave.It was fun exploring this side of Island. Mahalo
Terry W.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Nov 2025
Thank you for your comments and suggestions. We’ll look at more lighting in the kitchen, however, the solar system wouldn’t support a microwave oven. That’s just a limitation of being off grid.
Hard the pleasure of meeting one of the owners, David. He was very nice and provided some great recommendations. The view of the ocean and the sound of the waves was incredible. There is a lot to love about this place. To get disconnected requires a few considerations, you need to bring in your own drinkable water. There is water for showers and the such but no drinkable, cooking water. WiFi here is negligible and there is no TV. Lastly the home is on solar which i love but it can be impactful and overnight charging is discouraged. Overall we loved our stay and as long as you know what to expect it is an amazing stay.
Beautiful cottage...beautiful setting...enjoyed every minute there
Clean private well appointed...porch has an close up ocean view...kitchen dining room too..
the sounds of the ocean waves truly lulled us tp rest and sleep on between our adventures.
This was such a fantastic off-grid getaway. If you enjoy the sound of crashing waves against the rocky cliffs 24/7, living in the jungle with fresh fruit trees and coconut trees, and hearing the sound of evening rain showers from the topical climate, then this is the place for you. My fiancé and I booked this 9 months in advance to go visit the Volcanoes National park (which is less than 45min away) and got to see Kilauea erupting!Also, booking well in advance will save you money as most hotels in the local area cost more than this vacation rental.
This is an amazing off grid property, it is the most relaxing place we have ever stayed. To just sit on lanai and watch the water is the best. Super clean and hosts are very welcoming.
This is an amazing house, 2nd time staying here, absolutely love this place, just across from ocean, great views and can go to sleep with sound of the ocean
Karen S.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024
About the host
Hosted by David Shaw
My partner and I have owned this property for 20 years, which we purchased in year 2000 as our Y2K getaway, and now we have recently retired and reside in the middle cottage. Previously, I led communications efforts for several large, nonprofit organizations in the SF Bay Area, including the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, KQED Public Broadcasting, the James Irvine Foundation and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. We are nature enthusiasts and love the natural environment that surrounds us here in this rural part of the Big Island.
Why they chose this property
We looked all over the State of Hawaii for our perfect place and found many areas that we loved, including Hanalei Bay on Kauai, and Hana, Maui, and this area reminded us of those areas, and we liked the nearness to Hilo, which is the second largest city in Hawaii after Honolulu. We especially liked the rugged quality of the Puna Coast and the primal feeling of the land in this area. Being "off the grid" and without cell service - turned out to be heaven. We have many repeat visitors, because people love coming back again and again to this very special and powerful place.
What makes this property unique
The Rainbow Dreams Cottage is extremely unique in its proximity to the ocean and its surroundings in an area that is entirely dominated by the beauty and serenity of the natural world. Also, the off-the-grid experience is becoming more and more unique as people need a place to unplug and get away from the daily bombardment of internet and email. For those that need to be connected, it's just a short drive from the cottage in either direction to access the web and cell service.
Languages:
Spanish
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests