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Aloha. My name is John Schroeder. I bought my first Hawaiian home several years ago after several years of visiting Hawaii, and after developing a deep appreciation for the areas of the the state that are NOT the typical tourist destinations. After years of life in small towns and villages in Wyoming and Alaska, I appreciate the friendliness and aloha attitudes still prevalent in the out of the way rural areas of Hawaii. Aloha here is more than just a word meaning Hello, Goodbye, or I love you. It symbolizes an attitude of giving and respect seldom found in today's world. Although I was unable to move immediately to the big island, I decided that others might like to experience the area and avail themselves of an affordable vacation home where they could, like me, explore the island, the volcano, snorkle, swim, dive, ride, sunbath, or just sit on the lanai and let it all go by. After plastering and painting and attending to myriad other chores, the Pahoa "Getaway" house is nicely finished, comfortable, and easy to maintain. ( and yes, it is my "getaway"!) The "Getaway" home typically appeals to those who have the desire to spend time in rural Hawaii and appreciate living in a local area instead of a "condo jungle" or a mega-hotel. My vacation rental is located in an area near the Nanawale Forest Preserve, in the Nanawale Estates subdivision.(Nan-a-"V"al-e in Hawaiian means "beautiful place"). Nanewale itself is about one mile from the town of Pahoa, a funky little town 20 minutes from Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii. This is not where Waikiki is found, that's Oahu, several Islands to the west, and about a light year different in attitudes and lifestyle. Pahoa, as well as the neighboring towns of Volcano and Keeau, are in the Puna district of Hawaii. Puna is known as one of the most diverse and beautiful places in Hawaii. It does not have vast expanses of white sand beaches, or large luxury hotels with the golf course within walking distance of your room, exclusive restaurants in every complex, and squads of gardeners, maids, and a concierge to attend your every whim. If that is what you want and expect, then go no further and save you and I, both, the stress of disappointment. That said, a memorable day trip is to drive into Hilo itself, then, up the Hamakua Coast, stopping to see the Botanical Garden, Akaka Falls, then on to the overlook above Waipio Valley (memorialized in "Waterworld" where Costner et al found dry land at the end of the movie), on to Waimea (hawaii's cowboy country) then on to Hapuna Beach on the Northwest coast, designated as the country's "best beach", for a day of swimming, sunbathing, and boogyboarding. In the afternoon, explore the shops and snorkeling at Kailua/Kona, then Captain Cook and south to South Point, the furthest south point in the United States, a "must see" for anyone. Next stop should be Pualu'u, "Turtle Beach" in Kau country, then on to the Kilauea crater overlooks and back to Pahoa. I've done it all in a big day, and have also cut the trip into shorter segments and enjoyed both versions equally. It's up to you. It's a big island, and one can never see it all. Puna is home to several very secluded black sand beaches, with more being created yearly near the sea entries of the current lava flows. Most of the western world's orchids are grown in Puna. We have one of the most active volcanoes in the world, having been in a continuous state of lava flows for years. We have tropical rain forests, upland forests, steam vents for outdoor saunas, snorkeling, surfing, swimming, hiking, and a public hot spring pool surrounded by palms, rocked in with Lava and flushed by the tides daily. Within a few miles of the Pahoa Getaway house is the Puna Trail, a remnant of the "King's Highway", built by King Kamehameha as a means to foster travel and trade within the various districts of the Island. Areas of the trail along the east coast can be found that are overgrown yet passable and one of the best hiking experiences in Hawaii. Pahoa is one of the most diverse communities in Hawaii. Part historic, the home of the Akebono Theatre, the oldest Theatre in Hawaii; part modern,Banking and a small professional plaza, the rest of Pahoa is a delightful blend of small resturants and shops and the home of a farmer's market and several old time General stores and a new health food store. If you need itm, this is where you get it from gas to a mocha (when he's not at the beach. See the Tripod.com Pahoa link for some neat pictures and descriptions. Nanawale itself is a local community which has amenities for the kids (keikis) at the "Longhouse", the community center office and activity center, where locals get their mail, county drinking water, and all residents and guests are invited to use the pool and park area. The Lava Tree State Park is a mile Makai (towards the sea) from the Nanawale Entrance turnoff, and has unique evidence of the 1840s lava flow. Down through a canopied roadway, where the Albezia trees are over 200 feet tall, and ten minutes further down hill, is the local surf board and bogeyboard spot, Pohoiki, where the snorkling is awesome on the occasional day when the surf's not up. Just down the road is Ahalanui, the "Millionaire's Pond", a volcanically heated pool about 90 degrees fahrnenheit. Well attended on weekends, semi private weekdays and in the evenings, I try to spend as many evenings as possible soaking and swimming, watching the starsand moon come up through the palms. Its one of life's simple pleasures when you're in east Hawaii. Further north from the hot ponds, along the "Red Road" is the small community of Kapoho, homes along the tide pools and a small bay, just the thing for snorkling or just soaking in tropical waters. Along the "Government Road" otherwise known as the "Puna Coastal Trail", the road turns to dirt and winds through the forest past barely noticeable old Hawaiian lava rock enclosures, mostly overgrown, past Honolulu Landing, a very narrow wide spot in the road, and then on to Hawaiian Shores. Please feel free to e-mail me any and all questions that I might be able to answer. Aloha, John Schroeder Dec 31, 2003 
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