Home	Welcome	Visitors	Residents	Groups	What To Know And Bring	Quotes	Gallery	Newsletter	Contact Us	Printable Guidelines

WHAT TO KNOW AND BRING:

•  OUR ENVIRONMENT: Located in tropical, volcanic rainforest, Kulana is a peaceful, quirky, rustic, women-centric (though not women-only), cooperative, work-in-progress sanctuary of rooms, cabins & camping within a private home that welcomes the artistic and spiritually minded for short and longer-term stays.

•  Kulana is intended to be a unique experience in intimate "creative community" conveniently located within easy driving distance of many of the top attractions and sacred sites Hawaii has to offer: Volcanoes National Park hiking trails, black sand sea turtle and snorkeling beaches, local farmer's markets, waterfalls, art galleries/workshops, Wood Valley temple, snow-topped Mauna Kea, Hilo's dollar theater, the University of Hawaii, the annual Merrie Monarch hula festival, etc.

•  Kulana is maintained as a smoke-alcohol-drugs-&-drama-FREE ZONE.

•  Folks who have notions of what Pele's Big Island and creative, cooperative community living will or should be like are often gifted with surprises! Over the years we've found it is best to be open to experiencing each moment as it actually "is." The Big Island is not at all like Waikiki, and Kulana is not at all like a resort where everything is done for the guests, nor is it a loud or crowded youth hostel. We are also not a bedroom-only bed & breakfast, or a free love commune...and though sacred and rustic, Kulana is not as intense as an ashram...yet, if one lets themselves fully embrace the experience, it is quite deeply real.

•  Those who enjoy a balance between simple country living, putting good energy towards co-creating someplace special, and having access to amenities like electric lights and flush toilets will like it here, because these are the things we have to offer! This Hilo-side of the Big Island where Kulana is located   (-vs- Kona, the more developed other side of the island with its traffic, resorts, etc.) is a place where the natural beauty of nature is louder than things created by people...and it is a place where the spirit of laid-back, friendly aloha is prevalent, while city conveniences such as frequent bus service, cable TV, high-speed internet, etc. are not. (Note: we have cats, and sometimes other pets as well, on the property but, for those who are allergic, none go indoors unless you let them!)

•  WEATHER: Yes it rains in the rainforest, that's why everything is so green even in times of drought! Lucky for us, our slight elevation makes mosquitoes rare...and actually, 21 of the world's 22 temperature zones are on this island, from humid sea level to snow-topped mountains! Kulana is located at 2800 feet where night air can be mild or cold. Bring sturdy shoes and warm clothes for the evening along with beach-going tropical wear, especially if you plan to visit the Mauna Kea star-gazing observatories (13,000 feet elevation), Volcanoes National Park (4000 feet), or the live lava at night. (The weather patterns also seem to be changing here in Hawaii. It is too soon to tell what the new patterns will be, but those who have spent significant time here over the years feel like it is getting chillier down at lower elevations, while at the same time less snowy up high where traditionally the mountains were mostly snow capped.) UPDATE SPRING/SUMMER 2008: Thanks for all the calls & notes of concern regarding the recent volcanic activity and vog that apparently has been much in the news! We're happy to report that yes the lava is flowing and viewable again (though not near us!), and while the vog too has increased, it mostly continues to blow towards Kona...so Kulana's air quality along with our plants, kitties & people thus far continue to be just fine.

•  PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: As a rustic co-creation located in the tropical jungle of an active volcano, all who visit and live at Kulana agree to be 100% responsible for their own safety and the safety of their belongings.

•  LEADERSHIP: While suggestions for future community improvements are always welcome, current Guidelines (available in each cabin/room & printable in its complete form from the last page of this website) for this particular version of creative sanctuary are maintained by Founder...&/or the long term Resident assigned host/caretaking/management duties in Founder's absence. Community-related disagreements are mediated by Management as necessary, though what we prefer is healthy win-win harmony. Over the years we've enjoyed our best connections with short & longer term folk who "get," and want, what this unique, work-in-progress home for artists in the rainforest is--rather than those who want or need things we do not have to offer.

•  INDIVIDUAL SPACES: Upon arrival you will find that our basic indoor spaces have windows, beds, pillows, comforters, lamps, flowers, and individual perks ranging from private decks for some spaces to already installed phone jacks in others. Visitors are assigned a modest-sized private cabin or room from what is unoccupied when they arrive. (As other spaces open up, visitors/residents are welcome to claim a different space if they desire, based on seniority order & other Kulana priorities at the time.) Visitors & residents should bring their own toiletries, flashlights, etc. (A set of sheets and towel can be rented by Visitors for $5 plus tax for the duration of their stay, if that's preferred!)

•  COMMUNITY SPACE: Shared kitchen is equipped with pots, pans, dishwear, refrigeration, individual and community food shelves. Our growing library includes an eclectic collection of reading material, our history documented in a series of Guest Photo Albums, art & music supplies, and an Art Wall in progress. Bathrooms offer shower and tub.

Shared main house is for meals, discussion, reading, and bathroom use, mainly during daylight hours; please be considerate of those sleeping and working below! (Campers please note: the community space can not be anyone's personal &/or sleep space should your camping equipment leak. It is wise, in the rainforest, to have tarps both above and below one's tent.)

All Visitors and Residents clean up after themselves promptly; we have no huge tropical roaches here, and would like to keep it that way!

•  SHARED HOUSEHOLD PURCHASES:   Management, Residents and Medium/Longer-Term Visitors take turns paying for shared community things like: toilet paper, cleansers, propane, Envirobio, water filters, electricity, etc. at the beginning of their third week. These costs range from approximately $40 for drinking water filters and the refilling of propane tanks to dish detergent (approximately $5) and sets of 3 scrubby sponges (approximately $3).

Visitors also contribute $12.50/week, and Residents contribute $50/month, towards a reasonable amount of electricity usage.   As a newcomer to Kulana, those that have been here longer carry your portion of shared expenses....Later, you get to help carry the newcomers who make up our ever-evolving creative community.

Optional: Though we prefer all participants share in the care of our facilities, "medium-length" & "longer-stay" visitors can add an additional $15 per day into their reservation to opt out Care Project and Household Purchase responsibilities. (In the spirit of hands-on community, this option is not available for Residents.)

•  MONEY: Visiting/living on the Big Island of Hawaii--like anywhere--can be done on a budget...or extravagantly. There are $1 movies...and $25 plays. There are pricey health food stores -vs- inexpensive Farmer's Markets. There are free hiking and ocean adventures...and there are far-from-free helicopter rides and tour boats. Gas is expensive...while the (infrequent) busses are, thus far, free.

In terms of employment, we've seen some folks make their living partially or entirely from their art...we've seen others acquire part or full-time jobs--sometimes quickly, sometimes after several weeks of looking--in work environments ranging from book shops to health food stores, offices to child & elder care...and we've seen folks incorrectly budget and flounder.

Please come prepared to enjoy the experiences and length of time here you wish to have, and are able to afford.

Neither Kulana nor other wonderful people you will meet in Hawaii can be expected to pick up the slack if you incorrectly budget or overspend.

•  CARE PROJECTS: Co-creating and maintaining even a small, affordable retreat in the tropics is no small feat! Kulana is meant to embody balance, equality & health on many levels by providing a cooperative environment where all who visit & live here are considered her part-time "caregivers". In the spirit of the Hawaiian principal of ukupau, one-a-week Care Projects for Visitors and two-a-week Care Projects for Residents enable the sanctuary to thrive and grow. No experience necessary. Please let us know of any bodily limitations you have, or any special skills you'd like to share!

•  Our general Care Projects alternate between care of the structures, inside & out, and care of the land...with a bit of organizational paperwork or outreach PR from time to time. And we try to rotate everything, whenever possible, so no one does one particular thing too often. For those who prefer to think in terms of "hours", a weekly Care Project can take up to one hour per day of one's stay. Though some folks request additional projects which we can happily supply, this is not expected; it is expected however that each participant will pitch in, giving good energy and their best selves to completing each Care Project as assigned. Weekly projects range from meditation trail shaping with pruners/weednetting/red gravel to cabin painting (including artistic designs as appropriate!), mailing list updating to posting Kulana brochures in nearby towns, cleaning community spaces to land TLC which includes weedwacking and planting/tending new flowers/bushes/palm trees, taking visitor bedding and community items to the local laundrymat, etc.

•  Care Projects are tailored to current Kulana priorities, individual abilities/talents, length of stay, and to the weather.

OPTIONAL: For those Visitors who want or need their time at Kulana to be strictly "vacation" with no pitching-in work involved, an additional fee of $10 per day/per adult visitor can be added into reservation, instead of contributing to the sanctuary's grounds and structures via weekly Care Projects. Medium-length and longer-stay Visitors can also choose the option of adding an additional $15 per day/per adult visitor into their reservation, instead of participating in both Care Project and Household Purchase obligations. (In the spirit of enjoying a hands-on community that we all co-create, these options are not available for Residents.)

•  MEETINGS:   All Visitors and Residents participate in generally brief weekly meetings with their designated Check-In Person, usually on the day their next Care Project is assigned. Participants may also meet with Founder plus other Residents and Visitors, as needed.

• TRANSPORTATION:   UPDATE 1/2010: The bus system here is expanding! There are now several (free) buses to & from Hilo a day, plus service to local beaches and other areas of the island including Kona, Honokaa, Pahala, Waimea, Pahoa! Whoo hoo!

Meanwhile, they don't call this the "Big" Island for nothing! Neighborhood & trail walking/biking is enjoyable, and limited bus service to Hilo and around the island is available (808-961-8744), but specific near & far sacred sites, local farmer's markets, stores, social events and the multi-colored beaches are still reached most easily, most conveniently, by car. There is a wonderful Sunday morning farmer's market in Volcano Village, about 3 miles from us, along with a few small markets, some restaurants, a laundrymat, post office, etc. The nearest big grocery stores and health food stores are in Keauu or Hilo, which are reachable by the bus that can be caught out on the main road, about a 15-30 minute walk, depending on your pace.

Longer-staying Kulana participants who want the ease of being able to go where they want, when they want, have shipped vehicles over &/or purchased new ones here. Rental cars are also available at the Hilo and Kona airports, as are taxicabs which, last time we checked, cost $70-90 from Hilo Airport to us. We have also heard that there is a once-a-weekday commuter flight between the Kona and Hilo airports.

Carpooling with other Visitors or Residents is sometimes possible by invitation, but please note: ALL KULANA PARTICIPANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MEETING THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION NEEDS THROUGHOUT THEIR STAY. (We have found that folks who lean too heavily on the generosity of others in order to get their daily needs met do not tend to work out as well here...!)

•  SETTING UP SERVICES: Most folks have found cell phones, free internet through the Hawaii library system, mail delivery c/o General delivery at our local post office or at mail services in town, and rental cars or the once-a-day bus system sufficient for their time at Kulana. Residents and longer term Visitors are welcome to acquire expanded versions of these services as they wish.

There are no "street addresses" nor mail delivery in our rainforest area. Mail can be received for YOUR NAME, c/o General Delivery, Volcano, HI 96785, or via an individually rented post office box either here in Volcano (usually a several month wait to get one) or down in the "city" of Hilo where mail services in shopping malls, for example, have street addresses and often do not have a waiting period to obtain a box. There is a special process for receiving Fed Ex deliveries; speak with Cristina.

Internet access is free via the Hawaiian library system. Payphones and low cost internet access are located in Volcano Village, 5 miles away, as well as in Hilo and elsewhere. Several Kulana spaces have phone hook-up for longer staying guests who wish to have these turned on via the local phone company for land line and internet use. Past Visitors/Residents have also enjoyed the ease of cell phones, high-speed internet "air cards," plus inexpensive answering services . Laundrymats are located in Volcano Village, Mountain View, Keaau, Hilo, etc.  

There is no community access to the personal/business phones, internet, computers, mailing address, or transportation of Kulana residents or management. Please respect community-member privacy and the way we've streamlined doing business here so that we remain happy to welcome a continual flow of wonderful strangers into our midst year after year. Please do not think it's okay to be the exception to any of the above "just this once..." Thanks!

•  WHAT DO WE MEAN BY "WOMEN-CENTRIC" AND "DIVERSE"?   Kulana is a woman-centric (though not women-only) space that values diversity (age diversity, racial diversity, diversity by spiritual and affectional preference, artistic medium, etc). Here women and people of color are prioritized. Many artistic retreats seem to select more talented men than women, many creative communities seem to assign men the interesting and valued work, and women the stereotypical chores of cleaning up. Many resorts to "get away" from daily life and focus on art or spirituality often cost more than many women and people of color can afford. Gay/bi/transgender folk often feel invisible or unwelcome in predominately heterosexual environments....

Here we turn those imbalances around. Men cannot take up more space (physically, emotionally, or psychically) than women at Kulana. Male opinions are not valued over those of women's. We practice gender neutrality when assigning Care Projects, i.e. a man is just as likely to be assigned a cleaning project, and a woman is just as likely to be asked to help build or move something (bodily abilities taken into consideration of course.) In general we have welcomed wonderful women and men over the years, though overall Kulana has been about 80% female. Men and women with gentle and feminist sensibilities tend to fit in well here.

Here at Kulana, we enthusiastically welcome gay people, people of color, those who are younger or older, etc!

•  CHECK OUT: Check-out is at 11 AM of the day you are departing. Individual spaces should be left clean and welcoming for the next Kulana participant. We are always happy to welcome back folks who leave the premises as nice--or better--than they found them! Visitors and Residents welcome to donate belongings for us to use or pass on at our discretion. As we have very limited storage space, we cannot hold individual possessions until your next stay.

•  GUESTS OF GUESTS:   Kulana was created to be a sacred retreat environment conducive to on-going creative/spiritual work; therefore we keep the number of participants utilizing our shared grounds and main house intimate. Friends/partners are always welcome to schedule visits with Kulana Visitors/Residents during daylight hours; and welcome to spend the night by reservation, all fees and guidelines apply.

•  OUR ATMOSPHERE: Kulana is a quiet, nature-based, nurturing, growth-full sanctuary, generally housing 2 - 7 people at any one time. Participant "energy" and the number of folks sharing "community" here fluctuates. Meals, creativity, and adventures are shared as mutually desired. Sometimes many interactions and adventures are shared; other times people are more focused on solitary growth and expression, &/or busy concentrating on facets of their individual lives.

All who visit and live here are responsible for co-creating a relaxed and considerate atmosphere (no matter what Pele might be bringing up for them!). Consideration re: noise, privacy, use of shared space, behavior, etc. is required. For those who have not experienced this type of intimate, cooperative, ever-evolving environment or who are not sure if it is the right experience for them, we recommend starting out with a brief stay. As noted on our "Visitors" page, extending one's stay is sometimes (though not always) possible. In any case, all are welcome to stay as long as, in the opinion of Management, "it's working!" For the safety and peace-of-mind of all concerned, Management retains the right to offer or decline accommodations to anyone.

•  CHILDREN: We have welcomed a number of well-behaved, quiet, respectful, and artistic children of various ages over the years and are happy to continue doing so! However, parents please note: Kulana is creative retreat space intended for adults focussed on the pursuit of artistic/spiritual/rejuvenating paths, and therefore a quiet, contemplative environment is maintained here. We are not by any means a "kid-proof" place, though we do have a playpen for infants in our community library now. For the safety of all, we expect parents to keep an eye on their children at all times. Reimbursement for any damaged work tools, musical instruments, furniture, flooring, electronics, etc. is expected (though we would rather not have any of our belongings--many of which have significant sentimental value to us--damaged!) Though other tourist accommodations may be fine with noisy, rambunctious, unsupervised children, it is not something we enjoy or allow. Therefore it is important for parents wishing to stay with us to know the kind of behavior typical to their children and whether or not a stay at an artist sanctuary is actually appropriate.

•  NO DROP-INS PLEASE!   As there is no "front desk" and Management/Residents are pursuing creative/spiritual goals while also intending to maintain healthy, balanced schedules, we do not accept drop-in guests, including returnees. Please call regarding space availability, and to set up a Check-In Time so someone will be here ready to welcome you. (Advance reservations preferred, but happy to welcome last minute visitors when we can. Leave a message--we're often home, but we're hardly ever sitting right by the phone!)   Here's the general order of how things happen when making a reservation to visit Kulana: First you contact us regarding your desired dates and our availability, letting us know how many folks are in your party, whether you want the "with a Care Project per week" or "without Care Project" rate, and whether you'll be bringing your own set of sheets & towel or renting a set from us...then we calculate your reservation's total to send including tax, and once you tell us you've mailed it, we pencil you onto our calendar pending its receipt....Once we receive your (nonrefundable/nontransferable) reservation, you go on our calendar in pen and we set up a mutually agreeable check-in time so your check-in person will be on-site to have the gate open, welcome you, give the grand tour, and check you in...then we get a cell phone number from you and provide driving directions to us from wherever you're arriving! That's it! Looking forward to welcoming you here! :)

•  NON-REFUNDABLE/NON-TRANSFERABLE RESERVATIONS POLICY: All Kulana fees for Visitors and Residents are prepaid and non-refundable/non-transferable. As we are a small community endeavor in a private home (NOT a hotel, motel, resort, B&B, commune, ashram, nor youth hostel) with a modest amount of cabins and rooms and no official "front desk," paid staff, or accounting department, we DO NOT CREDIT OR REFUND FOR DATE CHANGES OR CANCELLATIONS. In order to hold a space for you for specific dates, we require prepaid, non-refundable/non-transferable payment. If you must cancel or alter prearranged dates with us, please consider fees paid for nights you don't use a donation to the continued existence of this special place. No exceptions. We thank you for your support! Also, all length-of-stay discounted rates are applied at the time of each payment/reservation; if subsequent "extending" of a reservation is desired & can be accommodated, it will be at the rate applicable to the number of nights for the second set of dates desired.

•  NO EXCEPTIONS:  As experience has taught us, these Guidelines help us create our sustainable health on all levels, thus fee structure and our set-up as this unique, creative sanctuary--which is also a "business"--are non-negotiable. To be fair and consistent with all, no exceptions are made. Even for friends. (So, please don't ask!)

•  UPDATES: Kulana fees, accommodations, and guidelines subject to change. Acquire most recent information when planning your next visit!

When the island of Pele calls you to replenish...

to focus on artistic or spiritual journeys...

to harmoniously transform...