Apartment

Rain Forest Apartment!

Apartment in Keaau with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Rain Forest Apartment!

lanai
lanai
Outdoor dining
Outdoor dining
Interior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 460.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Kea'au, HI
  • Place, University of Hawaii at Hilo
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Place, Port of Hilo
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Place, Carlsmith Beach Park
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • Airport, Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Single Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Rain Forest Apartment!

Aloha
Our beautiful one-acre lush tropical paradise is located south of Hilo and near Kea'au and Pahoa Villages in the rainforest..
The one-bedroom downstairs apartment looks out lush tropical garden, orchids, anthuriums and lush tropical plants.
Queen bed in bedroom. and Double futon in living room
A piece of paradise to call home while you are on the Big Island. Go to sleep with frogs chirping and stars so bright you could almost touch them. Wake up to birds singing and complimentary Hawaiian coffee . Pamper yourself, shower in our collected rainwater.
Automatic quotes for 1 bedroom are for 1-2 guests/ additional guest $10 pr night per guest
We live on property behind the rental.
Please read house rules in apt. It is customary to remove shoes upon entering the apt.
SORRY NO ANIMALS!! NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN! NO SMOKING!
We are in a residential/rural neighborhood 20 minutes from the Hilo Airport.
*Honu Hale 3 offers easy access to east side sites.
*15 min.(10 miles) Hilo town and Hilo beaches
*4 miles to ocean cliffs, and less than a mile from the main highway.
*25-30 minutes from Volcano National Park & Winery
*10 minutes from Keaau town
*12 minutes from Pahoa Village
* 25 min Botanical Gardens
*Free Zoo in a Rain Forest
*amazing Star Gazing at Mauna Kea

See the world's most active volcano, Kilauea. Swim with the sea turtles Botanical gardens, rain forest, waterfalls and desert are all part of our unique landscape. Visit our two interesting local farmer’s markets on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, where you can get fresh and organic veggies, local artisan hand crafted gifts, yummy ethnic foods and experience the local flavor.
Aloha and Mahalo,
Jim & Kepi Hains

We also have a budget friendly 1 Bedroom apt that may be available.
2 bed Apt/ a queen bed in each bedroom. .Double futon in living room Vrbo#73302
Our Lava /1bd apt. has 1 queen bed in bedroom. Vrbo#954412
We also have a studio apt. available.. Vrbo#99067


Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; 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 deadlock
Property Registration Number TA-053-388-2880-01, GE-053-388-2880-01

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Keaau

Located in Keaau, this apartment is in a rural area and by the sea. Lyman Museum and Naha Stone are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Wailuku River State Park and Kaumana Springs Wilderness. Hobby Garden Hawaii and Hiʻiaka's Healing Hawaiian Herb Garden are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and cave exploring.
Map
Kea'au, HI

What's nearby

  • University of Hawaii at Hilo - 17 min drive - 18.9 km
  • Coconut Island Park - 21 min drive - 22.7 km
  • Port of Hilo - 21 min drive - 24.6 km
  • Carlsmith Beach Park - 26 min drive - 27.3 km
  • Ha'ena Beach - 27 min drive - 15.2 km

Getting around

  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 22 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Bite The Eye - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Poppy - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Saucy Mama’s - ‬19 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Rain Forest Apartment! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Rain Forest Apartment!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Rain Forest Apartment!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Rain Forest Apartment! located?

Situated by the sea, this apartment building is within 9 miles (15 km) of Hobby Garden Hawaii, Hiʻiaka's Healing Hawaiian Herb Garden and Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center. Pahoa Museum and Kilauea Caverns of Fire are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 125 out of 140 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 14 out of 140 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 140 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 140 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 140 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Krupa P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was my 1st time using VRBO. Place had nice bird sounds and had great deep sleep at night.Water and other amenities were good. Futon bed was hard but doable. Bathroom shower was slippery for some reason. Owner left nice directions and instructions.Overall, it was a good place to stay between Hilo and Volcano park. I would definitely recommend it.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tyrae D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Great location with soothing sounds of Hawaiian wildlife.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

KMountain Farm girl

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exceeded my expectations

I booked three separate reservations to get a taste of the island for our first trip there and honestly I would have loved to stay here the whole time.Wonderful hosts, beautiful gardens and the apartment was amazing. We will be back for our next stay and highly recommend
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bliss

Excellent in every way (2nd stay)
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect stay for Hilo side of island

The property was perfect for our day trips to Hawaii Volcano Park, waterfalls and snorkeling on Black sands beach. The bed was comfortable and the space very functional. Host was friendly and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Penelope K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thank you for a wonderful visit to the Big Island

Thank you so much for all your help during our stay on the island. We made memories that will last a lifetime!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Larry Warshauer

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

exactly as described - and even better.

The property is as described but what is even better is the outdoor covered eating area so if if rains you are still in a beautiful location eating breakfast.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Martina S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hawaiian paradies with rainforest garden

Our second stay with Kepi and Jim was like the first one - wonderful! The one bedroom apartment was clean and cosy with a terrace right in the garden. We loved our coffee in the garden every morning with all the birds around and the sound of the frogs at night. Wr highly recommend this place - that is Hawaii!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

David V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and Pleasant

Wonderful property; the unit was nicely decorated, amply appointed, clean and tidy. The grounds were beautiful, verdant, peaceful and quiet (apart from birds and other wildlife). The hosts were warm and welcoming; very knowledgeable about the area and its attractions.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

maryAnne k.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hawaii Heaven

When you imagine what your stay in Hawaii will look and feel like, this is it. All your fantasies come true.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

James Ryan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A short drive to everything

My wife and stayed a week and the place was great. A short drive everywhere. Hilo and great Snorkeling or down through Pahoa to the Red Road and Kehena (Black Sand) beach. Keep and Brian were great hosts.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rhonda W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property!

My daughter and I were blown away by the magical nature of our stay. The property is gorgeous and the artwork in the units is spectacular. The chirping of the frogs and the garden’s mini-lights made sitting on the patio in the evening the highlight of our day! Most of all, meeting Kepi and Jim was unforgettable. They are so open, kind and caring and went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kerrie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful haven in a rainforest garden

We loved our stay in the downstairs apartment with our own outside terrace overlooking the garden. It was spacious with a comfortable sofa bed in the living room for extra people. It was great to have our own kitchen and to have a big jar of coffee provided to kickstart each day. It’s not far from the Volcano Park with easy access to Hilo. Thoroughly recommend staying here.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cliff B., Liberty, MO, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Garden Paradise

We so enjoyed our time with Kepi & Jim. The lanai was terrific. The back garden was spectacular. Great location for Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. Loved all the personal touches put into the decorations. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic experience

We truly enjoyed our stay at Hawaiian Paradise Park. The listing is exactly as shown. The garden patio is surrounded by lush plants and the amazing sounds off birds and frogs.. The unit is well equipped and clean, the bed is really comfortable , and our hosts are outstanding! We highly recommend it!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen and Steve S., West Coast of Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hawaiian Paradise Village Keaau Cozy

Very accurate online description of vacation rental. Good cost/quality ratio. Cozy and unpretentious, but equipped with everything you need to be comfortable. Nice authentic Hawaiian artworks by owner throughout unit and property. Owners, Jim and Kepi are very pleasant and gave us lots of great info on things to do and see. I would certainly stay here again. You definitely need a car rental as location is aprox 10 miles from Hilo.
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jerry O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Experience with home was fine. Weather dampened plans.

No issues. Dena and Jim were great to work with.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

chris p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Artistic Rainforest Getaway

Kepi and James were very friendly and helpful. They have done a wonderful job making the grounds beautiful. The unit was a good size for 2 people. There was lots of art from Kepi on the walls and I assume she painted the turtles into the floors. We highly recommend their place. thanks!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dominic G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place, Awesome hosts.

Our trip was full of audibles and plan changes but Kepi and Jim stick with us and we're very responsive. The location is great if you're looking to relax and go to beaches, waterfalls or Volcanoes National Park but you will have about a 1.5 hour drive to Kona where most excursions and more touristy areas will be found. You'll have your own unit, however there are other units in close proximity. As far as amenities go, Kepi and Jim have made sure that you'll have everything you might want for the water and beaches as well as the normal amenities you would be expecting. Also great for remote workers as the internet is stable and VERY high speed.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We loved the tropical setting!

My husband and I had a wonderful stay. The apartment is just as listed and it has everything we needed. We enjoyed having many screened windows to allow for natural air flow. The temperature cooled down enough in the evenings to make it comfortable for sleeping with the ceiling fan on. The small kitchen was perfect for making breakfast and lunch. We loved eating breakfast outside while enjoying the gardens and listening to the birds and insects. I would have loved if there was a guest book or binder with recommended spots. There are so many places to go, it would be nice to read about past guests highlights. I recommend bringing a pair of ear plugs if you are a light sleeper. The insects at night are very loud. We loved listening to them, however I would have had trouble sleeping without earplugs. Mahalo for the fantastic time!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laurie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage in a tropical garden

We thoroughly enjoyed staying in Kepi and Jim’s cottage. The best thing about it was living in the middle of a tropical garden. We spent hours on the patio or wandering through the garden. It’s a great location in that it’s away from the busyness of Hilo, but close enough to easily get to shops, restaurants, and beaches. It’s an easy drive to the volcano and the wonderfully hippie town of Pahoa. Jim and Kepi are warm and welcoming hosts. We’re privileged to have gotten to know them a little. The only drawbacks are that there’s an apartment directly overhead, and even quiet guests create quite a ruckus. I finally resorted to ear plugs at night. Secondly, I would recommend that they replace the mattress, which is showing its age by sagging in the middle. However, these few things didn’t put a damper on our love of this place. We’d move in permanently if we could! Thanks again for your hospitality, Kepi and Jim!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely place to stay. Beautiful landscape and quiet area.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paula B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The "rain forest" gardens were so luscious with a myriad of vines, ferns, flowers and towering plants with quirky little artsy items tucked in. We loved sitting on our porch whenever we were at "home". We felt very safe and welcome. The hosts stopped by to chat and let us know what was happening nearby. Loved that coffee and basic spices were in our kitchenette. Good location for our explorations.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elisa P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
L’authenticité du lieu m’a agréablement surprise, une habitation à la hawaïenne telle que je m y attendais.
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Trev K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a great time and enjoyed staying here
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

About the host

Hosted by Kepi Hains

Host profile image
We are Jim & Kepi the hosts of Honu Hale 3. We have lived on the Big Island for 14 years and love to share the beauty and unique qualities of the island with guests.
Aloha is part of our business and talking story is our favorite pass time.
Hope to meet you soon.

Why they chose this property

Beautiful rainforest

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests