I believe that my move to Hawaii in 1997 is a perfect example of why the Big Island is referred to as the 'Healing Island'. Sure, I had fallen in love with Hawaii ever since my first vacation here in the '80s, but I was far from financially ready to make the move until pow! my life blew up one insane day, and the decision to move was made for me! And so it was, within 22 days, I resigned from my position as a police administrator, divorced, and hopped a plane bound for Kailua-Kona, Hawaii with my 80 year old mother. Why Hawaii? It was the only place on earth where I had always felt completely happy and healthy and where I knew I would be safe to begin a new life.

It is often said that the Mana, or 'Spirit', of this island calls out to those whose hearts need to heal. I know now that it was not a coincidence that I was called here or that I found an old coffee plantation house for sale, next to the most famous 'place of refuge' on the island, Puuhonua O Honaunau.

With pennies down, we bought it and learned how to grow and roast coffee! and hung macadamia nuts to dry in our old panty hose! Eventually, we sold that wonderful place for such a profit that you may now guess the rest of this story: yes! that first humble blessing, our place of refuge, sold for an amount large enough to provide not only for our next home, but also for the purchase of this beautiful condo at Punalu'u! And now I am blessed to offer a haven and oasis to travellers and visitors from all over the world, whether weary from life and needing to heal, as I was; or those coming to explore and enjoy the wonders of Hawaii! I still pinch myself often, to be sure this is all real!

Barbara Rushton purchased this condo in 2003

I first saw Colony One at Sea Mountain way back in the '80s when we stopped at the Black Sand Beach on a tour bus, and I vowed then that I would find a way to stay there on my very next trip to the islands. Sea Mountain is unique, not only to the Big Isle, but truly is not to be found anywhere else in the entire island chain! Not a ticky-tacky high rise, this small complex sits on a bluff like a quaint Polynesian Village might have, with the calm, turquoise Pacific Ocean at its foreground and the dark green forestland of Mauna Loa Volcano as its background. I can't imagine a more perfect location for a vacation, as we're located half-way between the 'big' towns of Kona and Hilo, and only a 30 minute drive to the Volcanoes National Park. There's plenty to do without ever leaving the resort, as well! With our own magnificent black sand beach, Sea Mountain Golf Course, a beautiful fresh water pool and a volcano-style spa, tennis courts, tropical gardens and manicured lawns to enjoy, I jumped at the first possible chance to purchase one that I could afford, in 2003. I've had nothing but positive experiences managing the rentals myself, and I've met people from all over the world! I've made enough $$ in the last couple of years to offer free stays to returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan, and have a few more scheduled this year. Life just doesn't get any better than this! Please come and find out for yourself!

The perfect day for me while staying at the Turtle Hut myself always begins with watching the SUN-RISE out of the ocean with a freshly brewed cup of local coffee, right on my lanai! Remember, we're located on the windward coast, so its the sunrise that lights up the sky with every glorious color you can imagine, and I promise you'll re-define 'pink' and 'orange' and 'red' and try to find new ways to define those desciptors. I always have great company on the lanai, as our neighborhood cardinals and finch families will be waiting for me --sometimes chirping their impatience from atop the chairs! -- calling for their pieces of fruit and nuts! We've given them all names, down to the smallest male yellow finch with a broken left foot, who we call - you guessed it: 'Lefty'. When I'm lucky enough to have finished most of a papaya from the garden here, I usually take off for a good, long walk. There are endless walking or hiking choices here, depending on your conditioning, time and interests. One of my guests called me one day so thrilled that he had found waterfalls! on his hike during a heavy rain!

The perfect day's end always is spent here in our magnificent volcano-style spa. It's huge! and the perfect place to un-wind from a long day while gazing at unbelievably clear night skies. One night, I counted seven falling stars!