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Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage

Waterfront cottage with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage

View from Front Porch. Amazing view of the ocean. No other rentals compare.
View of front of Cottage, Porch.
Front porch.
View from front porch.
Front Porch

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 483.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Water view

Explore the area

View map
Pahoa, HI
  • Place, Kehena Beach
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Pohoiki Beach
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Place, Isaac Hale Beach Park
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Airport, Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
    ‪57 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
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage

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, see below.

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.

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Amenities

Kitchen
Outdoor space
Water view
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:30 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
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

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
Property Registration Number TA-138-334-6176-01, GE-138-334-6176-01, 3130020930000

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Pahoa

Located in Pahoa, this cottage is on the waterfront. Mackenzie State Park and Kehena Beach reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Pohoiki and Hobby Garden Hawaii. Hiʻiaka's Healing Hawaiian Herb Garden and Hilo Coffee Mill are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Pahoa, HI

What's nearby

  • Kehena Beach - 7 min drive - 7.6 km
  • SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center - 8 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Pohoiki Beach - 10 min drive - 6.5 km
  • Isaac Hale Beach Park - 10 min drive - 6.5 km
  • Pahoa Museum - 26 min drive - 19.3 km

Getting around

  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Jokers Hideout - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪Luquin's - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪Cajun Paradise Farms - ‬39 min drive
  • ‪Hale Aloha At Kalani - ‬3 min drive
  • Uncle Dexter's Margaritaville

Frequently asked questions

Is Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage 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 Kehena Beach and Pohoiki. SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center 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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 151 out of 163 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 163 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 163 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 163 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 163 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

John H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was amazing, everything we expected and more. Was very peaceful. We cant wait to stay again.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pam R.

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

Celebration

This was an ideal vacation stay to shut out the world. It is the best vacation i have had. The house is amazing.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jim L.

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

Nice

Nice! Everything was as described.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Larry S.

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

Anniversary Trip

Calm, peaceful stay at the perfect location to celebrate our anniversary.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dr. Heather F.

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

Beautiful

Second stay at this lovely cottage. The sounds of the ocean and views are incredible. Such a relaxing place to stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa C.

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

Magical retreat

Just finished our second visit to Rainbow Dreams Cottage and it was absolutely wonderful! The cottage is beautifully decorated and immaculate. It has everything you need for a relaxing stay from comfortable beds and linens to a lovely kitchen. You can’t find another spot along the Puna coast with this incredible ocean view! Can’t wait for our next visit!
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrea

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The property is in an amazing location, opposite waves crashing on jagged volcanic rocks. It was very clean and i loved the furniture and style of the cottage. It is out of the way and off grid, so felt like a very different experience to Kona and Honolulu.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

CB W.

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

Surfside Symphony

This is our second time staying at Rainbow Cottage! We love the atmosphere and the local Hawaiian culture. It feels like “old Hawaii”. It’s every thing a mega resort isn’t!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan C., Macungie, PA 18062

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

Waves crashing

Perfect, gorgeous place to stay on the Big Island! The sound of the ocean ever present. Sturdy lovely green cottage with a large lenai facing the sea. Comfortable beds and living room furniture tastefully chosen to make us feel at home! Plenty of electricity and hot water. Thank you!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

William G.

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

A Wonderfully Relaxing Cottage

We have stayed at Rainbow Dreams Cottage three times. We appreciate the sound of the waves crashing on the shore as well as the voices of the frogs and birds. The cottage is comfortable and just the right size for two. The kitchen is well equipped. We bought fresh fruit from local stands and enjoyed that with our breakfast while watching the sun rise. Area is very residential, not built up with resorts. Great Place.
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Renee B.

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

Paradise

Loved everything about our off grid stay. Very cozy and lovely comfortable home in a Garden of Eden setting. Fun to see neighbors cats, rooster, chickens and the black wild boar come for a visit. Sleeping with open windows is a dream and you can hear coconuts falling, crickets, frogs, birds, ocean waves and the rooster is the perfect alarm clock to wake up to view amazing sunrises. Thank you for sharing your lovely home. Blessed Mahalo
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cody w.

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

Paradise

My wife and 20 yo daughter stayed here with me for 4 nights. I’m actually in mourning right now as I write this from Maui because we miss everything about the little cottage. I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that this place facilitated my most successful down regulation ever. We cooked most meals in the cottage’s kitchen and spent hours on the deck watching the surf and waving at the occasional passerby on the old highway. This place feels ocean front even though there’s a small and very underused 2 lane road between the cottage and the ocean. The place sits up higher than the road so it’s barely noticed. Loved all of it. We’ll be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dana R.

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

Magical Getaway

We loved our stay here due to the quiet, wild beauty of the Puna coast, and this lovely little cottage by the sea. The cottage was very clean, beautifully decorated, and you can hear the roar of the ocean from every part of the house. We especially loved the screened in porch to sit and listen to waves and the lovely little natural bench across the street where we could watch the waves crash and the sea turtles surface for air. Pure magic. The house is close to the Pohoiki Hot Springs and a there is a little store up the street with coffee, ice cream, and wifi. More than enough for our quiet little getaway. We will be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

2/10 Terrible

joe h.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy

Washcloths

I would not recommend this property to anyone. I had one washcloth for five days. When I requested more washcloths the owner replied that a VRBO was not a hotel. That he had traveled all over the world and been in rental business twenty five years and that I was the first person ever to request more than one washcloth for five days.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

ANNA

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Great place to stay if you don't like people and want to get a feel for what Hawaii actually is. Really enjoyed our stay. The place was beautiful and the area quiet. There isn't any touristy stuff to do in the area, which is what we enjoyed! The owner had a lot of information in his welcome email with places to go and what to see. Very helpful. The only reason I docked communication is the directions and key code things could be updated, but it didn't impact my stay at all. I appreciate the information provided. This place is great and I would recommend it to anyone who wants an out of way place to stay. Don't rent if you need to be in the middle of things and want to be close to town. This is not for you!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matthew T., Terre Haute Indiana

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

Simply Amazing

The word amazing doesn't even do this home justice. The cottage is even better in person than what the pictures show! The view is about the best you could have. Waking up each morning to the waves crashing against the lava rocks across the street. The fruit trees in the back yard are plentiful and provide great fruit for a delicious breakfast. The cottage is perfectly located close to Pahoa town but far enough out to enjoy the peace and tranquility that the Big Island has to offer. It is off grid living and it is absolutely wonderful! If you are needing to check your phone or emails there is a very friendly little shop just 3 min up the road with free WIFI. David Shaw, the owner, is the very best to deal with and communicates very well! We highly recommend the Rainbow Dreams Cottage to anyone looking for an amazing Hawaii experience!
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Crystal S.

Perfect and Peaceful

It is a gamble sometimes when you rent a vacation home - things don't always end up being as nice as they are in the pictures and description. But this home was even better than I thought it might be. The place is simple, clean, and elegant. It has a full kitchen to make meals in, a screened porch to relax on in the evenings and listen to the frogs, and even though there is no AC the airflow is great. It is tropical Hawaii - so be prepared for a little dampness, but that is everywhere you stay. It was wonderful to watch the ocean and fall asleep to the sound of the waves. Being off the grid was a blessing - one week of no TV, internet or cell phone did us a world of good. All within a 15 minute drive is amazing snorkling, black sand beaches, surfing, great food and local flavor. The location is tucked away from the tourist areas of the island, and it is a bit of a trek to get to some areas - but we loved being so remote. Can't wait to come back!

10/10 Excellent

Jeff C.

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

Fantastic experiencce

Spectacular location, right on the ocean. We used this as a base for exploring both Volcano National Park, Mauna Kea, and the coast northwest of Hilo, and then just spent a day hanging out at the local coast. The traffic around Pahoa and Hilo seems perpetually heavy, but the cottage is about 5 miles away from this, so the only sound is the surf, and at night the frogs. I was a little worried about "off the grid" limitations, but we never had trouble with the solar power, even at night, and except for cautions about drinking the cistern water, there was plenty of running water. The cottage was very clean and nicely furnished, both beds really comfortable. We were impressed how the kitchen had everything we needed to cook dinner each night. Note that cell service is non-existent not just at the cottage (which was fine!) but also spotty throughout the whole local area, so just prepare to be a bit more cut-off than normal, but isn't that the point of a relaxing vacation? Highly recommended--we hope to visit the island of Hawaii again, and this will be our first choice of accommodations!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan S.

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

One version of paradise

This ohana sits in a prime location: in close proximity to the ocean with and unobstructed views accurately depicted in VRBO photos. It would be hard to find a similar property anywhere nearby. The ohana is thoughtfully outfitted (though the refrigerator was not working properly this time). You are truly off the grid: no internet and no wifi. No real concession to electronic appliances. Those accustomed to constant communication through digital means might get twitchy. For others (including us) it was a welcome relief -- time to relax, read a book, and look at the ocean. Wonderful opportunities to get up close and personal with the Pacific nearby. A serviceable internet cafe only 1.5 miles down the road, for necessary fixes of Hawaiian ice cream and wifi. All roads leading to this place are achingly scenic, in classic, Hawaiian ways. If you are prepared to be away from it all, this is the place for you.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022

8/10 Good

Terry W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Richard T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Phillip P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A very unique and wonderful location.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

MARGARET B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect in every way.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Oliver H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Barbara W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
May be one of the best places I’ve stayed at. I was able to relax, and feel at peace. The cottage was comfortable, clean and had a well set up kitchen, three lanai and lovely decor. The beauty of the surroundings was wonderful; trees, plants, ocean, and our own good luck gecko:). The owners were kind and respectful of our time there. Putting my phone away for a bit, other than taking photos also increased my joy. Thank you David and ClayWe hope to be back again soon!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

About the host

Hosted by David Shaw

Host profile image
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

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