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Hilo's Secluded Luxury & Ocean Front Estate

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One of Hawaii's most luxurious and secluded estates on 16 acres in Hilo, HI
Main outside dinning area
Sit and relax, read a book, play a board game, watch TV or simply enjoy nature
A sunny Hilo day with views of Hilo Bay and maybe even a humpback whale
View from Breezeway between Main House and Cottage

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 62200 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Papaikou, HI
  • Coconut Island Park
  • Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Port of Hilo
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Guest House (Ohana Unit)

1 Double Futon and 1 Queen Bed

Main House Guest Bedroom

1 King Bed

Main House Master Suite

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms

Guest Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Guest House (Ohana Unit) Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Master En Suite Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Hilo's Secluded Luxury & Ocean Front Estate

Hale Hokulea - Private Oceanfront Estate on 16 Acres

Welcome to one of Hawaii’s most secluded luxurious ocean front estates!
Our family vacation home is situated on a 16-acre heart of palm plantation along the Scenic Route. As you enter the gated estate, you will feel like you have left the stresses of life behind. The property is surrounded by breathtaking ocean views and open agricultural lands, which create a sense of privacy and seclusion. You will drive down a spectacular driveway and see a beautifully hand crafted cliff top plantation style home, which is completely off grid.

Thanks to the home’s cliffside position on the Hilo side of the island, fresh ocean breezes flow through the property all day and night, keeping the interior cool and comfortable. That’s why we’ve chosen to have ceiling fans and large windows throughout the estate instead of air conditioning—letting you enjoy Hawaii’s natural climate the way it was meant to be.

The estate is 20 minutes from Hilo International Airport, 10 minutes from downtown Hilo, and just 4 miles (about a 10-minute drive) from the closest swimming beach. The world-famous Volcano National Park is also within an hour’s drive of the estate.

ENTIRE ESTATE FOR YOUR STAY!

3-night minimum stay
Base rate includes up to 6 guests
Additional guests: $50 per person, per night (maximum 8 guests total)
Cleaning fee: $300
Special pricing applies for Merrie Monarch, holidays & special events – please inquire

MAIN HOUSE

- MASTER SUITE with Bathroom
A vanishing 15’ window opens up to a spectacular unobstructed 270° ocean view. Fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the waves crashing on the cliff in a comfortable king-sized bed with soft cotton sheets and a twin bed too. The master bedroom is connected to the wraparound veranda where you can enjoy your morning coffee and awaken to the smell of tropical flowers. One closet in the bedroom hallway provides plenty of space and privacy for your comfort.
The spacious master bathroom boasts his and her vanities, a walk-in shower, and dual shower heads, including a rain shower overlooking the estate. Shampoo, hair conditioner, hand soap, toilet paper, and plenty of towels are all provided.

- Second Bedroom
Enjoy a comfortable king-sized bed with soft cotton sheets, two bedside tables with reading lamps, ceiling fan, and a handcrafted mango and eucalyptus wood entertainment table. There is also a spacious closet for your comfort.

- Second Bathroom
The second bathroom is shared by both the second bedroom and the main house. It features a tub/shower, sink/vanity, and toilet. Shampoo, hair conditioner, hand soap, toilet paper, and plenty of towels are provided.

- SEPARATE GUEST HOUSE (OHANA UNIT)
A short walk down a beautifully landscaped covered breezeway leads to a private guest house with its own bedroom, living space, bathroom, and TV.
The guest house features a full-sized bed with soft cotton sheets, a ceiling fan, a chair, bedside table, reading lamp, a pineapple dining table for 4, and a pull-out Italian leather couch that converts to a queen-sized bed.
Sliding glass doors open to a private lanai with views of the estate and Hamakua coastline.

- Ohana Unit Bathroom
Includes a walk-in shower, vanity, sink, toilet, and incredible views of Mauna Kea. Shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, toilet paper, and towels are provided.

- LIVING SPACE
Surrounded by unobstructed ocean views, the great room—kitchen and living room combined—is truly the heartbeat of the home. Decorated in a casual beachy style, it features gallery artwork by a renowned Hawaii artist, a comfortable couch, large flat-screen TV (DISH), and a wood-burning fireplace for cozy nights.
A massive reclaimed wood dining table with 8 chairs and 3 additional bar stools complete the space. Windows throughout frame breathtaking views of Hilo and the Hamakua coastline.

- KITCHEN
The gourmet kitchen features a commercial gas stove, a large island, and a convection oven. It includes:

- Regular coffee maker, French press, and espresso machine
- Stainless steel cookware and essential condiments
- Cooking utensils, bowls, plates, glasses, and flatware
- Gas stovetop with 4 burners and overhead exhaust
- Full-size convection oven
- Toaster oven, microwave, refrigerator/freezer combo, and dishwasher

- WRAPAROUND DECK
The home is surrounded by a spacious wraparound deck offering an outdoor seating area and a solid teak dining table for 8 guests. Enjoy panoramic views of the Hamakua coastline from every seat. It’s the perfect place to watch the Hilo sunrise or spot whales breaching during winter months.

- LAUNDRY ROOM
Includes a new front-loading energy-efficient washer and dryer.

- OTHER AMENITIES
Iron & ironing board
Hair dryer
Shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, dish soap, laundry soap, and dishwasher soap

- LINENS & ESSENTIALS
All linens are 100% cotton, 400 thread count or higher. Towels are plentiful and plush.

- INTERNET & CONNECTIVITY
Wi-Fi via DISH Satellite
Password provided at check-in inside the house book
No landline telephone – cell phone coverage is excellent

- DRINKING WATER
Water is sourced from a County of Hawaii aquifer and filtered through the refrigerator.

- HUMPBACK WHALES
In winter months (Dec–Apr), the deep ocean in front of the home is a haven for humpback whales. You may hear them at night and see them during the day—right from the deck.

- PORT COCHERE
Spacious covered entry with parking for two vehicles.

Property manager

Steve Shropshire

Languages

English, Spanish
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Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Long-term renters welcome
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 deadlock
Property Registration Number TA-208-811-8272-01, GE-208-811-8272-01

About the area

Papaikou

Located in Papaikou, this holiday home is by the ocean. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and Wailuku River State Park, while Pacific Tsunami Museum and Mokupapapa Discovery Center are cultural highlights. Travelling with kids? Consider Onomea Tea Company Estate and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Papaikou, HI

What's nearby

  • Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden - 5 min drive - 1.0 km
  • University of Hawaii at Hilo - 16 min drive - 12.3 km
  • Rainbow Falls - 17 min drive - 12.0 km
  • Port of Hilo - 18 min drive - 13.9 km
  • Carlsmith Beach Park - 23 min drive - 16.5 km

Getting around

  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Kozmic Cones - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Waioli Lounge - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Puka Puka Kitchen - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Hula Hula's - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Hilo's Secluded Luxury & Ocean Front Estate pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Hilo's Secluded Luxury & Ocean Front Estate?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Hilo's Secluded Luxury & Ocean Front Estate?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Hilo's Secluded Luxury & Ocean Front Estate located?

This family-friendly Papaikou holiday home is located by the ocean, within 1 mi (2 km) of Hamakua Heritage Corridor, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and Onomea Tea Company Estate. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and Onomea Bay are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 86 out of 91 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 91 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 91 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 91 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 91 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mike A.

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

Old Hawaii magic!

I actually hate to write a review for this property because it’s so great! Crashing waves at night allowed restful sleep and whales in the morning with Breakfast. We were here in 2014, and while Hilo has grown, driving upcountry was a great experience.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Naomi H.

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

Beautiful setting in comfortable home

This is a unique property with a wonderful unobstructed ocean view. The house is very comfortable with a well stocked kitchen. A quiet relaxing place to stay while visiting the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrea C.

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

Vacation & celebration for our son’s return home from Navy Graduation!

Hale Hokulea was a fantastic & gorgeous vacation home to enjoy with our family! Very beautiful views all around to enjoy. Very spacious and pleasantly peaceful. Property is just wonderful and we’ll be looking forward to staying there again in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

chris s.

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

Quiet and beautiful locatio

The house has a large lanai where we spent most of our time, but the house is also spacious and comfortable. We have rented it numerous times.
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rich C.

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

Gorgeous spot, beautifully maintained

What a treat it was to spend a few nights in Steve’s house in Papaikuo. The home and property were every bit as beautiful as the pics. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

noreen p., Philadelphia, PA

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

Beautiful spot!

My family of 6 absolutely loved our short stay at this incredible spot! It is breathtaking in person, to take in the views from just about every window in the house. We just wish we could have stayed longer! The host was super quick to respond to questions and went above and beyond. Will never forget our stay here!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey D.

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

Beautiful

This property is wonderful. Absolute privacy and so peaceful. We enjoyed the flat yard with our family and amazing views for the cliffs and ocean. There was a fence up along the cliff which was nice as we had young children. The house was clean and large. Landscape was beautiful. Very easy drive into Hilo. This was our home base for visiting Volcanos park and Mauna Kea.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

David T.

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

Healing

Just what our family needed. It was wonderful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

chris s.

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

Perfect setting on Hamakua coast

The house is on a spectacular and large and very private acreage The house is very comfortable, though we spent most of our time on the lanai watchin the dawn or the whales or the porpoises. We have rented most of the high end houses on the Hamakua coast and this one is among the top 2 or 3.
Stayed 11 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dawn V.

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

Our favorite VRBO on the planet

This property is a slice of paradise, the beautiful home, the view, the lanai, the secluded location, and the coqui frogs singing you to sleep every night are what Hawaiian dreams are made of. We have stayed here 3 or 4 times, I have lost count, and if we are lucky we will find an excuse to come back. Steve is fantastic and always assists with any needs right away. Thank you for sharing your home with us!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stacey S.

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

Incredible views

This is a gorgeous estate with amazing views. We couldn’t have asked for a better location - close to Hilo but it feels like you are out in the middle of nowhere with lots of privacy. The home is very nice with a great kitchen and bathrooms. We loved sitting out on the deck and watching the tons of whales playing offshore. Great host too - easy to communicate with.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen C.

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

A Little Piece of Heaven

Beautiful home. Perfect place for a belated Christmas gathering. Views are spectacular!! The only thing is with so much to do and see on the Big Island, I wish we had more time to enjoy relaxing on the porch.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Allen G.

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

Perfect

Sweet
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

James S.

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

Papakou 2023

The property met all our expectations. Off the grid experience was new for us. It caused us no problems. Host Steve was outstanding in his attention to our comfort and enjoyment of our stay.
Stayed 35 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joseph R.

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

Hale Hokulea is absolutely Beautiful!!

We just loved it there!!! It's the type of ocean front property you just fall in love with. The home is surrounded by tropical beauty and it's very secluded for privacy (as advertised). The home design is fantastic, well-kept and clean, and has everything you'd need for a home away from home vacation. Hint: use the provided candles at night to achieve that old-fashioned night-light feeling - this place is perfect for that!!! Can't say enough good things about it. We'll be back to stay again!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bob A.

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

Just book it !

Unbelievably beautiful property! Ultra private location that you may not want to leave. Steve was great and brought us fresh fruits from his farm. We did so many bucket list worthy adventures on this trip but the overall best part was this property. We were three couples and all of us hated to leave. When we come back we will Definitely book again with Steve. You’re gonna love it !
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia S.

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

Heavenly Hilo

We came to attend the Merrie Monarch in Hilo. We had a lot of plans but found the house and property so wonderful we spent most of our time there. The house is fantastic. We loved cooking in the big kitchen and eating our meals on the wrap around deck. The beds were very comfortable and the showers had plenty of hot water and pressure. The neighborhood feels remote, but it is an easy 10 minutes to Hilo town. We are all already talking about next year!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jim B.

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

Rare property. Gracious host.

We spent six weeks in Feb/Mar 2021 and the property lived up to the listing. The private setting, sweeping lawn, and views of whales just below the cliffs offer an experience not many have access to in Hawaii. We took daily walks to the Botanical Gardens just down the street walking through one of the few rainforests in the US passing waterfalls along the way. Steve was a gracious host. He surprised us with fresh ginger and turmeric from the farm. Checked in to see how we were doing and quickly responded to any questions/requests. If you're looking for a private slice of heaven you won't find this opportunity very often.
Stayed 46 nights in Feb 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Pierre D.

A wonderful stay place to stay on the Hilo side

We stayed for about 8 days at this modern and meticulously maintained villa and had a great time. We will certainly go back when visiting the Hilo side of the Big Island. The large kitchen is lovely and fully equipped. The bedrooms are large and comfortable. The plantation-style balcony offers an expansive view of the ocean and has a lovely large table for dinner outside. The adjacent guest house is perfect for those who might cherish a little more privacy from the main group. The property sits on large piece of land perched on a cliff directly overlooking the ocean and Hilo bay. The front lawn of freshly mowed grass is simply enormous and allows for entertaining games of mid-afternoon crocket. While secluded, serene and peaceful the property is actually fairly close to Hilo and its shopping centers so everything is a short drive away. In conclusion, this is a wonderful property that is sure to delight anyone who relish a peaceful hawaiian vacation while being a very convenient base for exploring Puna, the volcano park, Mauna Kea and also Waipio valley on the north side.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Barron G.

Best Kept Secret in Hilo

Wow! I was expecting a beautiful property based on the photos and description of the property, but words can't describe the experience of sitting on the plantation deck with family and friends while enjoying a 270 degree view of the ocean in front of you. The home is VERY well maintained and has everything you would ever want in the area of convenience and outfitting, not only is there a chefs kitchen but there is every kitchen implement and appliance needed to exercise your culinary chops. Each bedroom is comfortable and the en-suites rival that of the best hotels. One very interesting feature of the home is that it is 'off the grid,' therefore one has to be mindful that monitoring electricity usage in the evenings is a must, but there is a back up generator so there is never really an issue of not having power. Our family took it as a 'challenge' to see how little energy we could use during the evening….a good reminder that the earths energy resources are precious and we all need to do our part. Rambled on long enough….with that being said, everyone in our party agrees that we will make our return to this picturesque property an annual event

10/10 Excellent

Naomi W.

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

Amazing vacation

This home and property was amazing. We arrived after dark, the smells and sounds the the flora and fauna and the ocean. We didn't want to stop inhaling, it smelled so fresh, and the we instantly relaxed when we got out of the car. It was as if we had a surround-sound white noise machine. As we looked off into the distance, we could see the faint lights of Hilo. As we turned our heads, we caut sight of the moon reflecting off of the ocean, then we looked up. All of the stars we could see, breathtaking, it was better then I imagined. Once we pulled ourselves from outside, we opened the door of the immaculate house and turned on the lights to a fantastic space. Open kitchen to out left, large dining table to our right, tall ceilings, and open spaces. This was perfect for use, because we were traveling with a person in a wheelchair. We found our rooms at the back, the boys got the master, with the king bed, twin bed, and roll-in shower, and I got the large guest bedroom. Once the second half of our party arrived, we walk the path over to the guest house. It was perfect for the newlyweds. The full sized fridge, large bathroom and storage, a nook to eat at when they wanted to have meals on there own, and a nice large bed, and windows everywhere. It was secluded enough from the main house, so they could feel independent and have their own space, and join our group when they wanted. The security and drive were great. I do suggest high clearance on your cars for the driveway...
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

SK H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We thoroughly enjoyed our time here. It worked both for members in our group who wanted just to relax and enjoy the outside views/area as well as avid birdwatchers and hikers who had a short drive to those activities. Hilo was a short drive. The kitchen was well stocked and we had great dinners on the outside deck. A bonus was we could see the Fourth of July fireworks from the deck.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ben B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandra B.

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

Big island adventure

Stunning home and grounds! It was pretty warm without A/c in June but after the windows were open for a day and fans on high it cooled off nicely. My recommendation would Be for the owner to open up the windows and turn on the fans a day before guests come so it’s pleasant upon arrival. The house has everything! From spices to sunscreen to boogie boards and snorkels guests have left behind. It was the perfect set up for our family. Teen boys loved their own space in the guest house. Lastly, be ready to listen to the loud chirping of the coqui frogs at night. With all the windows open they were pretty loud but we got used to it. Like camping in a jungle!! I wish I had looked around a bit because there were plenty of earplugs available! Overall this home is amazing and well worth the price! Thanks Steve!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike B., Red Bluff, CA, USA

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

Best View in Hawaii!

An amazing property. Perched high on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The property is close to town, but very secluded. There is literally not another human or building within sight of the property. The home is located on the most beautiful scenic routes on the island. The master bedroom has a huge window that opens to reveal the amazing view of the ocean. Each morning we were greeted by a beautiful colorful sunrise. The property is lush with green vegetation, flowers, coconut trees, and banana trees. Outside the geckos and frogs were plentiful. The frogs would sing us to sleep each night. The property runs on solar, so very environmentally friendly. Even with solar, we were able to wash laundry and run the dishwasher. The home is spacious and plenty of space to spread out. If you're looking for beach access, you picked the wrong place. There are not many beaches on this side of the island. We were able to take a short drive to Carlsmith beach for some great snorkeling. If you are looking for breathtaking view and a place to relax away from the hustle and bustle, you have found it. Our last day at the home, we saw a pod of over 50 spinner dolphins put on a show right in front of the home for over 30 minutes. One of the most memorable homes we have stayed at. I highly reccomend this property.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Steve Shropshire

Host profile image
I grew up in Florida, moved to Alaska and spent 20 years in the nursery business and always dreamed of living in Hawaii. Since 2000, I have called Hawaii home and have houses on both Oahu and the Big Island. We recently purchased this property because of its uniqueness and natural beauty. I am a local farmer and business owner

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with this breathtaking estate. It is truly one of Hamakua's rare gems.

What makes this property unique

This experience is about luxury, privacy, and serenity. We trust that once you have experienced a piece of our paradise, you will count the days until you return.

Languages:

English, Spanish