Modernist architectural gem w/ custom interior & bay views - steps to beach - Kehena

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Entire home

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

1 bedroom1+ bathroomSleeps 2111.5 sq m

Popular amenities

Dryer
Washer
Parking available
Kitchen
Outdoor space

Explore the area

Pahoa, HI

Kehena Beach
‪7 min walk‬
The Point
‪3 min drive‬
SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center
‪4 min drive‬
Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
‪53 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Separate dining area

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Modernist architectural gem w/ custom interior & bay views - steps to beach

Hale Balleja

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Designed by a noted San Francisco architect and once featured in The Huffington Post's '11 Small Eco Homes that Live Large,' this custom, modernist home is perfectly located a short stroll from (clothing optional) Kehena Black Sand Beach. Offering gorgeous views of Kehena Bay and the forests of Oliana Point, this home offers a wealth of little luxuries, including tropical hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, a custom mango wood dining table, and an outdoor shower.

What's nearby:
When you're not lounging on the black sand of Kehena Beach, you'll be less than an hour's drive from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 15 minutes from the geothermal oceanside lagoon at Ahalanui Park, and 10 miles southwest of fantastic snorkeling at the Kapoho Tide Pools. You'll also be seven miles northeast of Kalapana and a few minutes' drive from lava hiking trails and local restaurants. The town of Hilo, where you'll find a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, is only 33 miles north.

Things to know:
Free WiFi
Full kitchen
Outdoor shower

This rental is managed by Vacasa Vacation Rentals of Hawaii, LLC.

Stays over 28 nights may be eligible for a fee waiver.

Parking notes: There is free parking available for 1 vehicle.

Damage waiver: The total cost of your reservation for this Property includes a nightly damage waiver fee, plus tax if applicable (the “Damage Waiver”). (A discount may be applied for stays of 28 nights or longer, if permitted.) The Damage Waiver covers you for up to $3,000 of accidental damage to the Property or its contents (such as furniture, fixtures, and appliances) as long as you report the incident to the host prior to checking out. The Damage Waiver fee eliminates the need for a traditional security deposit.
More information can be downloaded from the "Rental Agreement" on the checkout page.

Due to local laws or HOA requirements, guests must be at least 21 years of age to book. Guests under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the reservation.

Property manager

Vacasa of Hawaii

Premier Host

Languages

English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Outdoor space

Parking available

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Parking next to Oceanfront Cottage in a fenced area

Ocean view
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 21

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Adults only

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.

For information about quiet hours, please refer to the listing description.

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 and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Pahoa

Located in Puna Palisades, a neighbourhood in Pahoa, this holiday home is in a rural area and by the sea. Mackenzie State Park and Kehena Beach reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Pohoiki and Hobby Garden Hawaii. Hilo Coffee Mill and Hiʻiaka's Healing Hawaiian Herb Garden are also worth visiting. Relax and indulge in the area's winery tours, or seek out an adventure with ecotours, hiking/biking trails and rock climbing nearby.

Pahoa, HI

What's nearby

Kehena Beach - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
The Point - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center - 4 min drive - 2.2 km
Pohoiki Beach - 20 min drive - 12.0 km
Isaac Hale Beach Park - 20 min drive - 12.0 km

Getting around

Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 53 min drive

Restaurants

‪Kalapana uncle Roberts awa bar - ‬8 min drive
‪Karuna Foods - ‬8 min drive
‪Uncle's Kitchen - ‬8 min drive
‪Kalapana Lava Boat Tour - ‬6 min drive
‪Dosa Mama - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Modernist architectural gem w/ custom interior & bay views - steps to beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Modernist architectural gem w/ custom interior & bay views - steps to beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Modernist architectural gem w/ custom interior & bay views - steps to beach?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Modernist architectural gem w/ custom interior & bay views - steps to beach located?

Located in Puna Palisades, this holiday home is within 2 miles (3 km) of Kehena Beach, The Point and SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center. Star of the Sea Painted Church and Mackenzie State Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.0/10

Cleanliness

4.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Check-in

9.2/10

Communication

8.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Sarah D.

27 February 2018

Beautiful, secluded home

My husband and I had a great stay at this beautiful and private home. We enjoyed the ocean views and the quick walk to the beach. We would recommend staying here for a quiet getaway!

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2018

8/10 Good

Sue E.

24 September 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place

Odd floor plan dangerous step down in kitchen other wise clean great bed nice outdoor lanai

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Beth and Greg H.

16 February 2018

Quirky and spotless

House was immaculate. Floor plan and style super contemporary. Sunken kitchen, raised platform dining area. Yes, you walk thru the bathroom to get to the bedroom so your feet get wet after someone showers. Showering feels a little exposed for the ladies as there is a window with no covering in the shower. Window at chest height and you can see the road from the shower.

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2018

6/10 Okay

MARK M., Edina, MN

23 January 2023

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

Disliked: Location

Mixed Review

The deck was wonderful. The living room and kitchen were great with the caveat that the kitchen was sunken which resulted in a couple minor stumbles. The bathroom and bedroom were spartan - no closets, just some open shelves and a free-standing clothes rack. There is no AC so it got a little stuffy in the afternoon, but not bad. The location was somewhat problematic. The nearby beach was precarious to get to. Most of the interesting locations are near Hilo which was almost an hour away. But we enjoyed our stay nevertheless.

Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

Sabine

22 May 2022

Liked: Communication

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

We woukd like to buy it. Contact us.

Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

8/10 Good

Christine W., Juneau Alaska

26 April 2022

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

was a perfectly located house in our fav neighborhood

private, beautiful, loved the glowing path from parking to house huge lanai needs some love …gutter upkeep, new window latches window screen care

Stayed 16 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Joel S.

15 March 2022

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

Puna Paradise

If your looking to be left alone and need space from the rest of the world this is a wonderful spot.

Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2022

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Bill B.

19 February 2022

Great place

Very comfortable. Bed and pillows were great. Sitting area in living room was very nice. In walking distance of a black sand beach. Lots of windows great for ventilation and watching the night sky from bed. Wonderful outdoor seating. Bring any food items you want with you. Once there, distance to pick up items is too far. A day trip into Hilo is doable. Washer and dryer available. Drinking water from facet is not a problem. Taking trash to recycle area is not difficult and there is no charge. Neighborhood is very friendly. Neighbors spoke to us on our morning walks. Very private home. Not having air conditioning is not a problem. Nice air flow throughout the home. Fans are available. Very relaxing place.

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sara W.

10 April 2021

One of the best in Pahoa

The design of this home was superb. The team at Vacasa made sure our stay was amazing. Everything was top notch from booking, checking in... to housekeeping. We had a blast - even though it rained our entire stay. I'd give it 6 stars if I could - and I am very particular. Just book it.

10/10 Excellent

Cindy C.

21 March 2020

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

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Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas B.

2 September 2019

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

Serene, Remote and perfect

Loved this property, and the awesome daily rate was super great for the size and the location that I was looking for. Having traveled to Big Island on the regular, I always stay on the quiet/off-the-grid Pahoa side - it’s always nice to find a little gem to stay at, and this is being added to the spots to check for future trips. The house is modernist in style, has great amenities, is BIG, accessible and right across the street from Kehena Beach on the ‘Red Road’. Having a washer and dryer in the house was great, and the kitchen was fabulous. In response to the majority of other reviews: - Yes, there is no TV. Embrace it, and the beautiful area you are in. Bring a laptop or tablet to watch some stuff on, as the internet is nice and fast on the property. - Yes, the layout is a little wonky, but nowhere close to being annoying or a dealbreaker. You do have to walk through the shower to get to the bedroom, but the trade off is that the shower is HUGE (like could fit six people easily). You can also walk out the lanai bedroom door right into the kitchen/living room door (about 15ft). You’ll have the doors open all day and night anyways, so it’s not a big deal at all. - Yes, there is no AC... but, welcome to hawai’i, it is quite rare to find somewhere with AC. Use the fans, enjoy the breeze and relax. - Yes, the screens on the windows do need a decent amount of repair. That’s really the only thing I would suggest to the homeowner since the house does catch a decent amount of sun, and constant airflow is crucial. (A tip for anywhere you stay on the islands, use as few indoor lights at night as possible - since the big island is generally pretty remote, your housing will be a beacon for bugs if you have a lot of light on at night. Keep in mind that this area is remote, so you will obviously need a rental car (get an SUV or something with 4wheel drive, you can experience some pretty awesome spots only with these types of vehicles!). Get groceries when you land! Hilo is a great stopover if you’re flying into that side of the island, tons of groceries stores, KTA is hands down the best! At the Kehena end of the ‘Red Road’ where it dead-ends is Uncles - if you are there on a Wednesday, go there for the night market - it’s insanely fun and what all the locals do every week. Go to every single farmers market you can find! All in all, this house was perfect for me - and I’ll be back for sure. Mahalo - until we meet again!

Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2019

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas B.

9 August 2019

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

Perfect, Serene, Remote Hideaway

Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

maurizio l.

7 August 2019

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

Missing it already!

Great home on one of the island’s best shores. Didn’t want to leave!

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

maurizio l.

23 July 2019

Already missing it...

Great home on one of the best island shores. Didn’t want to leave!

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kevin W.

19 May 2019

Clean and neat,

Directions where easy, and instructions to find the key and unlock the front door. Very enjoyable to stay there few one week. Staff very helpful to get the WiFi fixed. It was working great from the start, but it had a different name . Loved it!!

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2019

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Can A.

13 April 2019

Great contemporary house with few caveats

I’d highly recommend it for couple days of unplugging. If you are looking to stay in this area, you know that this is a remote part of the island. (Closest restaurant and grocery store is 20 minutes away with a car, everything else is farther) As you can see from the virtual tour, circulation between bedroom and living room is through the shower & toilet area, if you prefer walls:) (Wet floor alert in the toilet) However using the lanai, outdoor shower and sliding doors is always an option. The wood decking on lanai is amazing. Everything was very clean, in similar homes it is not unusual to have a sticky layer of ocean spray, not in this house. It has all the basics including few beach items and a lot of interesting architectural details for you to discover. I highly recommend turning off the lights and looking out for the milky way or hanging out in the lanai during a thunderstorm. One final note: although there are interesting local artifacts in the house, I wish the indoor seating and patio furniture matched the design of the house:)

6/10 Okay

Darcy S.

12 March 2019

Cool, but quirky architecture in a fun but isolated area

First impressions of the house upon arrival are super positive-- the house is beautiful even from the road, and it's surrounded by a tropical zen garden. Overall, we had a lovely three nights in the rental with many positive to say, but also several specific challenges. Here's what we loved: admiring the unique beauty of the home and cooking in the well-stocked sunken kitchen; looking out the big windows to see the surf pounding the nearby cliffs; being a very relaxing environment for an in-home massage (which was easy to book with a local masseur); easy parking and a lovely stroll through a garden path each time we returned home; and absolutely the best part: attending Uncle Roberts open-air market with live music, food, and shopping on Wednesday night. On the negative side- it was SUPER challenging getting a confirmation about our reservation. I don't know if VRBO or the management company were the weak links, but I had to call three times to get check-in information. I was worried we would be homeless in Hawaii, all the way up until the day before check-in! Second, the house definitely had quirks that could be a deal-breaker for some visitors. Others have written about the very strange bathroom, and it is even stranger than I expected. There is a toilet inside a shower room -- and you have to walk through that room to go from the kitchen to the bed room. The bathroom light is hidden behind a towel rack. Nearly all of the fixtures work differently than you expect (want hot water in the outside shower? don't turn it all the way to "hot"). The windows didn't latch securely, which was scary on the day we had torrential rains and winds. There seems to be another unit as part of the house, but no indication of whether or not someone else was there. Could be something to confirm if you are looking for true privacy. The area itself still has so much to offer (Volcanoes National Park, Uncle Roberts, main stream Pahoa), but some of the things we were looking forward to (the Tidepools) were destroyed by the 2018 lava flows. The guest book inside the unit has not been updated to reflect these changes. I debated whether this was 3 or 4 stars, but really think it depends on the person. This cool, quirky house could be perfect for someone open to a little whimsy!

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2019

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Matt S.

11 March 2019

Beautiful house!

The house is great. The Location is even better. 3 minute walk to a black sand beach - what's not to like?

10/10 Excellent

Terry P.

2 January 2019

Nice, quiet, easy coastline access

House is in a quiet and relatively secluded area, with walking access to rocky coastline and black sand beach. Make sure to follow instructions to the property sent by the management company, as the house number is not marked on the street.

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Anne-Marie S.

5 March 2018

This house and location are amazing. What a treat!

It was so relaxing and fun to come home to Hale Balleja for a few days, but I do wish the bathroom offered more counter space. We loved the ocean breezes and the views from this oasis, thank you!

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2018

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sarah ..

20 February 2018

A beautiful home!

My husband and I had a great stay in this beautiful home. We were close to lava flows and black sand beach, and had some good dining options close by. We would recommend this home!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michael ..

17 September 2017

Ohana and the Black Sand Beach

Unbelievable stay on the Big Island. With in walking distance to a unforgettable black sand beach. Ohana is beautiful and a piece of art. Perfect space for two guests. Enjoyed the deck and outdoor shower. A bit secluded from town, but perfect for a romantic get away. Kitchen is well equipped. Thank yyuou for a very memorable stay!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Matt E.

7 September 2017

Great location

The home is impeccably furnished and satisfied our needs. The location was perfect for our needs. Wednesday nights there is a market with food/entertainment just down the road. Great time! Outdoor shower is great! Needs some maintenance, but who doesn't?!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Arngunnur ..

28 April 2017

Beautiful days in elegant Hale Balleja

We had a wonderful time staying at Hale Balleja. The house is elegant and filled with light, the garden lush and colorful, and the proximity to Kehena Beach is a real plus as well. It was also nice just to stroll through the neighborhood, which is peaceful and well maintained. We enjoyed the many intriguing sights nearby, and for a bit of town life, Pahoa and Hilo are not far away. A great stay. Many thanks to our hosts!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Greg ..

7 December 2016

Wow did we really book this!!

What a lovely house. Great setting was a bit further from Volcano than we had intended but great location for sea lava tours. House was very well equipped and clean. Love the kitchen counter top! Only downside was that you have to walk through the wet room/shower room to get to the bedroom. But not really a big issue as you could also walk out across the deck. Love the outdoor shower.Lovely place to stay with lots to do nearby.ThanksGreg & Lucy

About the host

Hosted by Vacasa of Hawaii

Languages:

English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests

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Modernist architectural gem w/ custom interior & bay views - steps to beach

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

bedroom 1

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

About this property

Modernist architectural gem w/ custom interior & bay views - steps to beach

Property manager

Languages

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Have a question?

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Oceanfront cottage w/ AC @ Kehena Beach, Hawaii

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House Rules

Children

Events

Pets

Smoking

Important information

You need to know

We should mention

About the area

Pahoa

What's nearby

Getting around

Restaurants

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

Exceptional

9.0/10

4.0/10

9.0/10

9.2/10

8.8/10

9.6/10

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sarah D.

Beautiful, secluded home

Sarah D.

8/10 Good

Sue E.

Nice place

Sue E.

8/10 Good

Beth and Greg H.

Quirky and spotless

Beth and Greg H.

6/10 Okay

MARK M., Edina, MN

Mixed Review

MARK M.

8/10 Good

Sabine

Sabine

8/10 Good

Christine W., Juneau Alaska

was a perfectly located house in our fav neighborhood

Christine W.

8/10 Good

Joel S.

Puna Paradise

Joel S.

10/10 Excellent

Bill B.

Great place

Bill B.

10/10 Excellent

Sara W.

One of the best in Pahoa

Sara W.