Rental car essential: Public transportation is limited (Hele-On bus runs infrequently), and taxi rides are expensive ($65 each way from Hilo airport).
Drive to Honomu (11.5 miles north of Hilo on Route 19, Hawaii Belt Road you can use your GPS for this step). Look for signs for Honomu Road (Route 220) and Akaka Falls. Follow signs towards Honomu.
In Honomu town, stay STRAIGHT (don't turn right towards Akaka Falls). Continue straight through the historic town, past the Honomu Gym and churches. The road will narrow to one lane, curve right, and wind through a ravine.
After exiting the ravine, you'll see a few houses. Keep going! The last 200 yards will be a gravel road.
Our place is located at 28-1435 Old Mamalahoa Hwy, 96783. Look for a green placard with "Hamakua House" and the address. Turn right onto our driveway (steep at first, but levels out).Â
Enter through the back porch (no public entrance on the front). You'll receive a contactless self check-in email, text, or app message at 3 pm on arrival with room/cabana assignment. Check your spam folder if you don't see it. Direct phone numbers for on-duty managers will be listed on the Whiteboard by the door.
GPS may not work well: Download a copy of these directions or use Google Maps for navigation (avoid iPhone Maps, which may lead you astray).
Gravel road: Passable by any vehicles (cars, vans), but slow down if your car has low clearance.
Enjoy your peaceful stay at Hamakua House!