Location: Kealakekua Bay, Kona Coast, Big Island, Hawaii, USA (Kailua-Kona 30 min, beaches 15 min, Volcanoes Nat Pk 90 min) View Map
Accommodations: Cottage, 1 Bedroom + Other (See Description), 1 Bath (Sleeps 3)
Tara Cottage is a handcrafted redwood and cedar octagon on secluded and beautifully landscaped property in Kona coffee country, overlooking Kealakekua Bay and the South Kona coastline. Kealakekua Bay, with its unparalleled fine swimming, snorkeling and kayaking, and Pu'uhonua O Honaunau (the Place of Refuge National Park) are both less than 10 minutes away.
Three lovely beaches are within a 15 minute drive. Tara Cottage is within minutes of restaurants, health food stores, produce markets, shops and theater in the villages of Captain Cook, Kealakekua and Kainaliu. The bustling resort town of Kailua-Kona, with its array of fine options for dining, shopping and entertainment, is 30 minutes drive north.
The cottage features a 300 sq. ft octagonal main room with a 15 ft apex and skylight. Furnishings include a raised platform bed, Art Deco armoire, writing desk and a sitting area with an enclosed cabinet for cable TV and DVD. There is a fine stereo system with both a CD player and iPod dock and high speed wireless internet. Tara Cottage is beautifully appointed with original artwork, fine furniture and Indonesian wood carvings and fabrics.
Surrounding the octagonal main room are: the kitchen with its door to the service porch; the dining area with a 9 foot bank of windows framing a stunning view of Kealakekua Bay, and the door to the lanai; a large bathroom; and an intimate dayroom with its twin bed and back door opening to a bromeliad and bamboo garden. One showers outdoors in a dramatic lava rock grotto within this garden. The shower is equipped with Grohe fixtures and side jets, for a sensual, satisfying cleanse.
Privacy is assured by the landscaping and the surrounding lush Thai bamboo.
On the oceanside of the cottage is a bi-level lanai with superb unobstructed views of Kealakekua Bay and the coastline. The spacious lawn area with its profusion of Hawaiian ti plants and bougainvillaea provides a truly park-like setting ideal for special occasions and small wedding/ commitment/ recommitment ceremonies.
Tara Cottage was carefully sited to take full advantage of prevailing day and nighttime breezes and is comfortable year round at its 900 ft elevation. It is most appropriate for adults desiring a peaceful environment with few distractions.
For larger parties please inquire about additional B&B accommodations nearby.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer: Bosch front loading
- Dryer: Bosch front loading
- Linens Provided: 400+ thread count linens
- Off Street Parking: Ample parking directly adjacent to the cottage
- Beds
- Queen Bed: New, firm Serta 'Perfect Day' mattress
- Twin/Single Bed: In the semi-private day room with Spring Air pillowtop mattress
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Video Library: Extensive library of DVDs
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library: Extensive collection -mostly classical and Hawaiian music
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: There is no oven. However there is a large convection toaster oven, a two-burner halogen cook top and an outdoor propane grill.
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Lanai: Bi-level ocean view lanai: Upper level with table and chairs for dining; lower level with two chaise lounges for relaxation/sunbathing.
- View/Location
- Ocean View: Expansive and unobstructed views of Kealakekua Bay and the coastline from within the cottage as well as outdoors
- Monument View: Captain Cook Monument--site of the demise of this famous explorer in 1779
- Communications
- Telephone: Private phone line
- Free Long Distance: Free to US mainland, Canada and all US territories (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa)
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Outdoor shower equipped with Grohe fixtures and side jets, skylight over bed, Kona coffee and fresh fruit grown on the property
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations): With some assistance
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations): With some assistance
- Not Suitable for Children: under 5 years of age
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters: 5 years
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Parasailing
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Surfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Spelunking
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Kona coffee tasting at many farms nearby
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
COTTAGE: $1100/wk mid season; $1250/wk high season;$1350/week peak season
$175/night mid season; $195/night high season; $210/night peak season
Monthly rate: $3200 mid season; $3400 high season; $3600 peak season
HIGH SEASON: 11/20-12/19/09; 3/01-5/31/10; PEAK SEASON: 12/20/09-2/28/10
MID SEASON: 6/01/10-11/19/10
Two taxes total 12.416%
Out cleaning Fee: $80
Maximum occupancy: 3 adults/older children (5+ years)
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Map & Owner's Profile
Tara Cottage: a Haven for Relaxation and Renewal
Year Purchased: 1994
Why the Owner Chose Kealakekua Bay
While rebuilding my home and business on Kauai following Hurricane Iniki in 1992, I would periodically visit the Big Island for relief from the physical and emotional stress associated with recovery from that truly devastating (Level 4) hurricane. Instinctively I was drawn to Kealakekua Bay and the Place of Refuge National Park area of South Kona-- though I had previously visited there only once before during my years of exploring the Hawaiian islands beginning in 1981. In this area that I later learned was and is sacred to the Hawaiian people, I experienced what I can only describe as profound healing energy. This healing allowed me to return to Kauai again and again over the next two years -- each time invigorated, energized and able to engage in the demanding hurricane recovery efforts.
My love for the beauty and the healing that I found in the Kealakekua Bay and Place of Refuge area was so remarkable that I was literally compelled to move here. This I did in late 1994 after selling my property on Kauai. And after months of careful searching I finally was led to the land that I have developed over the years into Tara Cottage and Farm.
I believe that this land that I now call Tara-- and that I am privileged to caretake-- is imbued with the sacred healing energy so often associated with the Big Island in general--and this region of South Kona in particular. This belief has been shared and reinforced by native intuitives/healers from both Hawaii and other cultures who have visited this property over the years.
But please-- don't take my word for it! Come and see if you too find here some of that connection that ultimately led me to move here and make this place of beauty my permanent home.
The Unique Benefits at this Cottage
Tara Cottage is ideally located between Kealakekua Bay and the beautiful Place of Refuge National Park--both less than a 10 minute drive way. The Bay--the site of the demise of famous explorer Captain Cook in 1779--is a marine preserve that is truly the best place on the island to swim, snorkel, kayak and scuba dive-- while enjoying the infinite varieties of reef fish, sea turtles and the famous spinner dolphins that come closer to shore here than anywhere else in the world.
The Place of Refuge National Park, sacred to the Hawaiian people, is another wonderful place to explore, with educational exhibits on the life of the Hawaiian people, a superb picnic area, and wonderful hiking trails along this historic coast. There are three lovely beaches within 15 minutes of Tara Cottage. Also the villages of Captain Cook, Kealakekua and Kainaliu are within a 5-15 minute drive and offer an array of fine restaurants, shops with local arts and crafts, and markets and produce stands featured the organic fruits and vegetables for which this area is well known.
This church was erected in 1899 by Father John Velghe.Without any professional training and using house paint on ordinary wood he beautified the church with his paintings.
This accessible and enchanting National Park is the most complete restoration of an ancient Hawaiian religious sanctuary in Hawaii. http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm
This 7 acre botanical garden facilitates educational, spiritual, and cultural programs.Walking paths weave through beautiful vistas, gardens and private sitting spaces. http://wwww.paleaku.com
Kealakekua Bay's waters are nearly pristine and the diversity of coral and fish is exceptional. Fish are tame and spinner dolphins are common. http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/coral/mlcd_kealakekua.html
This dark-gray coral-and-lava-sand beach offers good swimming, snorkeling, and bodysurfing. Rest rooms, showers, and picnic tables are available at the park.
A former stronghold of Hawaiian chiefs, Honaunau Bay has some of the best underwater sights on the island, if not the entire state. Rare fish and sea turtles can be seen playing amidst colorful coral.
In this 15-acre botanical garden you will see over 200 species of plants that grew in the native forests of Kona before Captain Cook arrived in the late 18th century.
Owner's Map of Kealakekua Bay
My name is Michael Sisk and I have been living above Kealakekua Bay on the Kona Coast of Hawaii's Big Island since 1994, when I moved here from the island of Kauai. I live on land that I developed and named Tara Farm--a 15 acre Kona coffee and gourmet white pineapple farm,also the site of beautiful Tara Cottage.
I was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area, moving to San Francisco to take a job as the Audiologist for Alameda County in 1978. After 13 years in the Bay Area I moved to Kauai in 1991 and managed a B&B there for 3 years. The move to the Big Island followed in 1994 where I managed another beautiful B&B at Kealakekua Bay while developing my farm upslope at the 950 ft elevation. I moved onto the farm full-time in 1997 and have been privileged to live there ever since.
Property Photos
- TARA COTTAGE - Kona Coast, Big Island, HI - Hawaii Cottage Rental - In Rural Kona Coffee Country!
- Bi-level lanai with lower sun deck - Kona Coast, Big Island, HI - Hawaii Cottage Rental - In Rural Kona Coffee Country!
- Tara Cottage grounds - Kona Coast, Big Island, HI - Hawaii Cottage Rental - In Rural Kona Coffee Country!
- Tara Cottage grounds-Owner's cottage to the left
- Cottage Grounds and View of Kealakekua Bay
- Octagonal Great Room- cathedral ceiling with skylight and queen bed
- Kitchen/dIning areas with Bay and coastline views
- Tara Cottage dining area
- Tara Cottage Kitchen
- Tara Cottage desk area with WiFi
- Entrance to alcove with twin bed
- Alcove room with twin bed
- Walkway to the Shower Grotto
- Secluded outdoor shower -left door entrance to cottage
- Kealakekua Bay View
- Sunset from the lanai
Guest Comments (14)
First (10) of (14). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #37172
There have been 27756 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2004.
This listing was first published here in 2004.
Date last modified - November 22, 2009
Positive Rating
Marcia and Jerry ,
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Petra and Jan , Duvall, WA
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Nancy Rebecca , Gig Harbor, Washington
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Jan , Edmonds, WA
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We feel like two of the luckiest people in the world getting to spend 1/12th of each year here. Tara is something special! Thank you Michael for making it so. We just love hanging out here. The view is amazing. The art is superb. The bed is so comfortable. The sheets are silky. The kitchen has everything we need. The outdoor shower is the best shower we've ever been in... We love going to Painted Church Road where Larry runs and I walk. I love walking thru Paleaku Peace Gardens. We go to Place of Refuge picnic grounds for breakfast granola and dinner from Jake's [BBQ stand near Tara]. During the day we sit by the ocean and watch waves and whales. We snorkel at Two- Step. We sit on the twin bed and read and watch birds bathing in the bird bath. We go to Farmer's Market in Captain Cook on Sundays. What a life!
Positive Rating
" Do not say that I depart tomorrow, for even now I still arrive." (Thich Nhat Han) When we think about leavingTara (our 3rd visit) we feel sadness, but we know we have a year's worth of memories to sustain us: the sweet little birds that come to visit, the expansive view to Kealakekua, playful geckos popping up in unexpected places,the warmth and beauty of the outdoor shower... Mark and I treasure our memories of this wonderful place and talk about it often when we are at home. Michael, thank you for the beauty that you have brought forth here--you have enriched the lives of many people and we feel fortunate to be among them.
Positive Rating
Thank you for being such a generous host and for creating such a lovely haven. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Tara and on the Big Island. We will miss our geckoes and the easy access to delicious coffee, so we will look forward to periodic care packages of Tara coffee! We also enjoyed the opportunity to meet someone else from the DC who succeeded in breaking free to live a dream. Thanks again for everything.
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Cindy Wasserman , Lagunitas, CA
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Jay , San Diego, CA
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Once again we've come home ( is this the 7th or 6th time? ) and it's even more beautiful. Mahalo for another fantastic visit. It's too short, but as always, it keeps us coming back!! Our spirits are rejuvenated, revived and rested and, of course, loved!