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Escape to the Big Island! Honomū Haven - 5bd/2ba At the Gateway to Akaka Falls 🏝

Photo gallery for Escape to the Big Island! Honomū Haven - 5bd/2ba At the Gateway to Akaka Falls 🏝

View from front balcony of beautiful Mauna Kea mountain
View towards neighboring churches & Honomu Gym
Street view of Honomū Haven
Beautiful private yard with seasonal fruit trees
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Honomu, HI
  • Akaka Falls
  • Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Port of Hilo
    ‪25 min drive‬
  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
    ‪27 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Escape to the Big Island! Honomū Haven - 5bd/2ba At the Gateway to Akaka Falls 🏝

Honomū Haven is the perfect Big Island escape for families and groups - just 20 minutes from Hilo and 5 minutes from ʻAkaka Falls. This spacious 5-bedroom home features a lush yard, screened patio, and a balcony with views of Mauna Kea. Whether you’re relaxing, exploring, or making memories together, Honomū Haven offers the ideal setting for your Big Island adventure. 🏝

Welcome to Honomū Haven – Your Home Away from Home on the Lush Hāmākua Coast

Aloha and mahalo for considering Honomū Haven, a spacious, family-friendly retreat nestled in the heart of Honomū town – close to Hilo and minutes from the breathtaking ‘Akaka Falls. Whether you're traveling with a large group, extended family, or multiple couples, our lovingly restored 5-bedroom, 2-bath plantation-style home offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern comfort.

Why You’ll Love It Here:
- Room for everyone: 5 bedrooms (4 queens, 2 twins) sleep up to 10 guests comfortably
- Two living spaces, two bathrooms, 1.5 kitchens – ideal for multiple families or groups
- Sweeping views of Mauna Kea from upstairs lanai
- Peaceful backyard with tropical plants, fruit trees, and fragrant blooms
- Relax on the screened-in porch and enjoy the gentle breeze
- Fast WiFi, Smart TVs, Spectrum cable, and a washer/dryer for your convenience
- Walkable town location with charming shops, cafes, and eateries just steps away

Thoughtfully renovated by one of the owners – a builder trained in historic preservation – Honomū Haven retains the soul of a classic Hawai'i sugar-era home while offering the amenities you need to unwind and recharge. Trade winds flow naturally through the home, keeping it cool and comfortable year-round.

The Neighborhood:
Tucked at the quiet end of a friendly village street, Honomū Haven is surrounded by historic churches and local homes. Across the street, Honomū Park features a playground, baseball field, and public gym with a basketball court, pickleball court, and weight room. Explore the local charm at Mr. Ed’s Bakery, The Hive Café, Birra Boss, and boutique shops – all a short stroll away.

Adventure Awaits:
- ‘Akaka Falls State Park: 3 minutes
- Hilo town: 15 minutes
- Turtle viewing and black sand beaches of Keaukaha: 25 minutes
- Hilo Airport: 25 minutes
- Historic Honoka'a Town & Waipi'o Valley: 45 minutes
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: 1 hour
- Kona Airport: 2 hours (The Saddle Road on the Big Island offers a scenic drive through diverse landscapes, from lush rainforests to volcanic desert, with stunning views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa along the way)
- West Side Beaches including Hāpuna and Puako - 1 hour 15 min

Good to Know:
- Quiet hours are 9:00pm to 8:00am
- No parties or large gatherings
- Charcoal grill provided (BYO charcoal)
- Water pressure may vary due to the age of the home
- Coqui frogs are part of the Big Island’s unique nighttime soundscape – small but spirited!

Local Hosts, Local Insight
We’re Ramona & Devin and we’re happy to share insider tips and activity recommendations to help you make the most of your stay.

Come experience the beauty, serenity, and aloha of the Hamakua Coast. Honomū Haven is more than a place to stay – it’s a place to feel at home.

Property manager

Ramona Herlihy

Languages

English, French

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Gym

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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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
Please do not wear shoes in the house.
Quiet hours are from 9:00pm - 8:00am daily.
Use Charcoal Grill at least 25 ft from house in side yard or in carport. Guests are responsible for purchasing their own charcoal.

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 indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
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
Property Registration Number GE-197-606-6048-02, TA-197-606-6048-01

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Honomu

Located in Honomu, this holiday home is near theme parks and on a river. Mokupapapa Discovery Center and Palace Theater are local landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Hilo Farmers Market and Hilo Shopping Center. World Botanical Gardens and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Honomu, HI

What's nearby

  • Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden - 12 min drive - 9.9 km
  • University of Hawaii at Hilo - 23 min drive - 22.3 km
  • Rainbow Falls - 24 min drive - 22.0 km
  • Port of Hilo - 25 min drive - 23.9 km
  • Carlsmith Beach Park - 31 min drive - 26.5 km

Getting around

  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Mr. Ed's Bakery - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Onomea Country Market & Cafe - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪What's Shakin - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Onomea Country Market & Cafe - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Blue Kalo - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Escape to the Big Island! Honomū Haven - 5bd/2ba At the Gateway to Akaka Falls 🏝 pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Escape to the Big Island! Honomū Haven - 5bd/2ba At the Gateway to Akaka Falls 🏝?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Escape to the Big Island! Honomū Haven - 5bd/2ba At the Gateway to Akaka Falls 🏝?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Escape to the Big Island! Honomū Haven - 5bd/2ba At the Gateway to Akaka Falls 🏝 located?

Situated by the sea, this holiday home is 0.3 mi (0.6 km) from Hamakua Heritage Corridor and within 6 miles (10 km) of Akaka Falls State Park and Akaka Falls. Hakalau Beach Park and World Botanical Gardens 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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Simon G.

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

Family Holiday

Good Holiday,nice and relaxed
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan B.

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

Easy Hilo and falls acess.

Great time.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie G.

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

Great pick!

Excellent property. Beds were comfortable and it had everything you would need.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jacob T., Iowa City, USA

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

Amazing time

Our group of friends and family LOVED the property. Clean and well appointed! The community was lovely with great shops and beautiful scenery. Property management was responsive and welcoming.
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sidney R.

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

Everything easygoing

Nice quiet
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachelle D.

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

Lovely stay

This is a great little house walking distance from the Main Street of Honomu. The town looks like it used to have more shops before Covid but now it’s got about 5 shops, a bakery, a coffee shop and a cafe. The house had everything we needed, clean and comfortable. The hosts were easy to get in touch with.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Adriane J.

Great Hidden Gem

Really cute little house. Plenty of space and even had kids toys, shampoo and conditioner. Very clean. In the morning we took a walk and there is a beautiful waterfall and lush greenery. You can also walk to a little breakfast spot just right up the road (super close) as well as a bakery.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

William F.

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

Beautiful Home

The house and surrounding property were beautiful , it had a kind of beach house vibe , me and my family came to Hawaii island for a family members funeral and this place was a bit far from where our family on the island were but it was a nice scenic drive to and from where we were going , the house was very clean and loaded with all the amenities you would need , I would definitely bring my family back to Honomu Haven.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Judith O.

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

Honomu home was perfect for the family trip

Honomu Haven had everything needed, making it just right for the family. Being located ~15 minutes from Hilo made additional necessities easily met. The local community was friendly, safe and very relaxing. Each night hearing the chorus of frogs chirping was a very pleasant surprise. We loved the deck to have a family meal enjoying the sunshine and gorgeous backyard with many peaceful spiritual qualities. We were all content with our stay.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

BLOSSOM L.

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

Diamond in the Rough

The home is very well kept and stocked with all the items that you will use. The kids enjoyed the yard and hunting for koki frogs. The playground across the street was fabulous. The neighborhood is very safe.Barría Boss is a must eat at, walking distance. I will definitely stay at this house again, without hesitation.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aileen D.

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

We felt quite at home in this old Plantation Hale in Honomu, HI

We all enjoyed so much and the location Area of Honomu and Akaka Falls! As we were all attending the Merrie Monarch Hula Competition this location got us out of all the hustle and bustle in Hilo Town! It was s short drive of 20 minutes to Hilo and the Edith Kanakaole Stadium. We loved and thank you so much for the lawn mowing..,realizing that there had been so much “UA” on Hawaii Island😊
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Birgit W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Lovely place

We had our French tour group staying there and overall they liked the place. The only thing was that the bedding situation was not accurately listed. We needed one bed per guest and it ended up that some of our clients had to share a bed since they did not have enough of beds. That was not a good situation.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Aileen D.

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

Honomu Haven

Our Hālau Group Of 10 adults return to Hilo every year for the Merrie Monarch Hula Competition & Festivities. This Is our 2nd year to stay at Honomu Haven! We feel more at home staying here rather than a Hotel! Each day the girls take turns in preparing a breakfast before we depart for the day and also prepare a dinner to eat when we return in the late evening after the competition for that day has ended. Itʻs just nice to relax and visit around the large table in the kitchen! After a full day of activities we were able to comfortably get a good nights rest! Honomu Haven truly meets all of our expectations. Pekelo & Aileen Day
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Evangeline S.

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

Staycation

Quaint town, cool weather, peaceful & accommodating location. Home was comfortable and host was prompt with responses. Overall, it was a good place for our family of 6.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charlene O.

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

Reunion of Friends

Group of 8 nursing classmates celebrated our 50 year reunion! This 2 story home with 5 bedroom, 2 bath is spacious, clean, comfortable, and charming. The tile and wooden floors and beautiful staircase are the highlights. The location is convenient to visit Hilo, Honokaa, and Waimea. It’s 10 minutes to Akaka Falls and there’s pickleball on MWF evenings in the gym across the street. Cell phone service is weak inside the home. Reception is better outside the house. Wi-fi available.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura L.

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

Quintessential Hawaiian house and community

We loved staying here! The house is fantastic, works for multigenerational families. Good location for being able to go to Hilo easily and up and over 19. We will book again someday…Mahalo!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Danetta L.

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

One night stay.

We stayed for one night on the Hilo side of Big Island. The house was great. Loved the hardwood on the stairs. Everyone had a bed, even though the kids decided to make a blanket fort. Close to the little downtown and waterfall. Had we stayed longer we would have enjoyed using the gym across the street. The manager was receptive. No complaints with our stay at all.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

Shaye R., Salt Lake City, Utah

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Cute island experience

We really liked the location, especially how lush the area is. The pictures posted are a bit more flattering than the actual home. It was charming, but I was ready to leave after three nights.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

James L.

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

Lanford

Property manger was excellent. House was just as described. Refurbished and clean.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Marilyn P.

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

Honomu Heaven

My husband and I stayed for two weeks with three other couples from our family. We found the house clean and comfortable. It has a nice well equipped kitchen, and a large family sized eating area. The yard is beautiful and well kept. Short walk down the street to unique shops and a great bakery. We were close to Hilo and enjoyed the many amenities there. Ramona and Devin were great and super accommodating. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

john m., santa monica

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

Great peaceful location

What a great place! It’s a short easy walk in to Honomu which has some great shops. Very peaceful and clean! We would definitely stay again. Thank you for allowing us to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jim H.

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

Nicely appointed, comfortable

Perfect for a family w/ a baby. Older place redone with great care and thoughtfulness. We enjoyed it, and hope to return.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sheri H., Swift Current, Sk

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

Quiet small town setting

We loved the location in Honomu. We were a group of 10 adults, this house gave us enough space. We would drive to interesting sites nearby during the day and played crib on the back deck and lounged in both living areas in the evening. Picking oranges from the tree was a highlight. The frogs are loud in the evening but did seem to bother any of us.
Stayed 14 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Carla D.

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

Peaceful Hawaiian Getaway

Pleasant, comfortable, clean, and unique accommodations, affording plenty of opportunities for relaxing together made this a terrific base from which to experience the Hilo area. The location was enviable considering the close proximity to the incredibly beautiful Akaka Falls, some local shops, and not too far from downtown Hilo. The home itself has character and is enhanced by pretty landscaping, local artwork, and a nightly frog serenade. All ten of us really enjoyed our stay. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tracy W.

Nice setting, nice accommodations

Comfortable accommodations for our party of 10. We were particularly grateful for the washer and dryer. Beautiful rainforest just a short walk away. This was just a short overnight stay for us on our trip but would be a lovely place to revisit and spend more time.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

About the host

Hosted by Ramona Herlihy

Host profile image
Aloha! I'm a lifelong resident of the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii. I live with my husband Devin and two young children on the Hāmākua coast. My favorite place to be is in the ocean. I love surfing, diving, swimming, kayaking, you name it! I also love to travel, hike, read and learn new languages. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about Honomū Haven or visiting the Big Island. Devin & I look forward to welcoming you to our island home.

Why they chose this property

Honomū is a quiet & quaint town with lovely historic buildings. I love the feeling like I'm in the country while being conveniently close to Hilo Town and just a short car ride away from incredible places like Onomea Bay, Akaka Falls, Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park, Black sand beaches in Keaukaha just to name a few! The Hāmākua coast is magnificent, so lush, green & peaceful and Honomū is the perfect central location to explore it.

What makes this property unique

Licensed and registered Short Term Vacation Rental with the County of Hawaii
STVR-19-361213
NUC-19-1492
PL-NUCR-2022-000674

Languages:

English, French
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