A Magical Destination on the Big Island
Our lovely three-acre property is situated on the Hawaii Big Island’s scenic Hamakua Coast.
The property holds a rare, very difficult to obtain special permit as a retreat center.
Its colorful name, “Peace Garden Retreat,” derives from the lovely secret garden on the property that features a Peace Pole surrounded by a low rock wall and high, circular mock orange hedge.
Portals to the garden allow entry from East, West, North, and South. The bench offers guests a perfect space for quiet contemplation, reading, and for pondering the mysteries of life.
Overlooking the ocean at the property’s edge, another special contemplative space with a comfortable bench offers breathtaking vistas over the vast blue Pacific – including frequent whale migration sightings during the winter months.
All of the land between the retreat property and the nearest ocean-level beach access, less than a mile away, has been designated permanent open space. With nothing but primeval pastoral land between us and the Pacific, the breezes off the ocean are so pure, they actually seem to sparkle in the sunlight.
The property is situated on lightly traveled Honokaa-Waipio Road, which dead-ends roughly four miles away at the inspirational Waipio Valley Overlook. After 5:00 p.m. the light tourist traffic disappears and only local folks occasionally pass the property.
At 800 feet elevation, the climate is perfect – tropical, but not languid and sweltering like locations closer to sea level tend to be. The retreat is blessed by gentle trade winds, and the property receives sufficient rainfall to nourish the expansive tropical fruit orchard with its more than 200 trees comprising thirty-plus varieties of tropical fruits and macadamia nuts.
The two main structures are lovely plantation-era houses that have been beautifully renovated and updated with modern facilities.
Traditional single-wall Hawaii plantation houses are perfectly suited to the Hawaiian climate and hold a place of special affection in the Islands’ architecture – much like the Victorian houses of San Francisco.
The residential facilities also include two lovely one-room cabins: the Forest Cottage, a bedroom/kitchenette; and the Om Bath House, a bathhouse/office.
In total, the retreat’s living spaces encompass nine bedrooms and six bathrooms (including half-baths), two living rooms, a meditation room, and an office.
The property has a two-car carport, and ample street parking.
Also on the retreat property are two small agricultural sheds, a tractor/mower shed, a tool room/shop, a large (9’ X 21’) greenhouse, and a 10’ X 20” shade house.
A small garden pond in a niche surrounded by artful landscaping provides a lovely flowing water accent in the area between the Forest Cottage and the Residence.
Four miles from the retreat, the former sugar industry town of Honokaa has slowly evolved with picturesque Hawaii-style shops and restaurants to serve locals and visitors who appreciate the joys of small-town Hawaii life. Honokaa is rich in amenities, with a small hospital, food stores, and a weekly farmers’ market.
Because the property holds a (very rarely granted) special permit as a retreat center, it can also operate as a vacation rental without having to register with the Hawaii County government.
The special permit covers the income operations whether visitors come as vacation rental guests or retreat participants. This is extremely beneficial, as the County has greatly tightened its oversight on vacation rentals.
Financial information is available upon request.
Please follow the active links below for details and photos. We are developing text and photos for the remaining pages.
The Forest Cottage
The Om Bath House
The Mermaid Room
The Buddha Room
Tractor Shed
Garden Sheds
Greenhouse
Shade House
Honokaa Town
Waipio Valley