The Pagoda House is a beautiful, almost ocean-front traditional Hawai'ian screen home with a private pool and lush tropical garden overlooking Kealakekua Bay Marine Sanctuary - widely considered some of the best snorkeling in all of Hawai'i. The home's open-air design (there are no glass windows on the front of the home or on the sides— just screens) makes it feel like an oceanside treehouse. We are just across a one-lane road from the water. The home is filled with the sound of waves and birdsong and has stunning views of the Bay, the surrounding tropical gardens, and the adjacent soaring cliffs.

Pagoda House's layout makes it especially perfect for extended family (or two families) traveling together -- it has two ocean-facing master bedrooms each with their own ensuite bathroom, and two additional garden-view guest bedrooms that share a bathroom. The upstairs master bedroom, bath and private sitting area cover the entire top floor of the home and has ocean and cliff views. The upstairs master shower overlooks a giant monkeypod tree. The home is surrounded by a large and beautifully-manicured tropical garden, which makes it feel like you and your group are on vacation at your own beach resort.

The main living area is large and open-plan with high ceilings, and a gourmet kitchen perfect for cooking and socializing with family and friends. Even though the home is open-air, it is designed to stay cool whatever the weather -- the offshore breezes come through and there are ceiling fans throughout the home. Air conditioning is unnecessary (but we have one anyway in the fourth bedroom only — that bedroom does have windows that close).

We are one of the few homes in the area with a swimming pool -- it is surrounded by palm trees, plumeria, orchids, hibiscus and other tropical flowers and vines. The pool and outside dining area have tiki torches for fire-lit evening BBQs and swims. There is also an outdoor shower in our large and private back yard for rinsing off after trips to the beach or ocean paddles. Depending on the season, fresh starfruit, mango, passionfruit or bananas hang from the vines and trees.

One of my favorite things about the house is that it has plenty of places to gather with family and friends (the spacious and high ceiling'ed open-plan living / kitchen / dining area, or the pool and patio area/ the garden) but there are plenty of places to retreat for some alone-time too.

We are located directly across the street and down three lots from the Napo'opo'o wharf, where most kayak companies put in. No need to drive to the ocean -- you are there! Spinner dolphins frequent our bay and it is just a short kayak or SUP paddle over to the Captain Cook monument, which marks the spot where he was killed by native Hawai'ians in 1779. The stunning and sacred Kealakekua cliffs (Pali Kapu O Keōua) -- where the bones of Hawai'ian royalty (ali'i) traditionally were buried -- are visible from much of the home -- but especially from the upstairs master sitting area. Kealakekua Bay State Historic Park is only a few minutes walk away, as is charming Manini Beach Park. Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park, local favorite snorkel spot "Two Step," the Painted Church, Big Island Bees, and Kona coffee farms / tours are all within 8-10 minutes drive. We are 12 miles from Kailua-Kona and 85 miles from Volcanoes National Park.