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Hawaii Workshops & Retreat


 

Come to Paradise where you will be far from the crowds,

in your own quiet retreat.

Papa’aloa is a sleepy little town along the beautiful Hamakua Coast, just 24 miles north of Hilo and about 10 miles from KoleKole Beach State Park, Akaka Falls and the world famous Arboretum. This is one of the most beautiful spots on the Big Island.

Papaaloa has a perfectly sunny climate with refreshing trade winds and just enough rain; usually between 68-72 degrees. The house is in a friendly Filipino neighborhood, high on the hill above the ocean. You will be surrounded by a tropical garden on a quarter acre of land rich in banana trees, mangos, lychee, figs, avocados, oranges, lemons, tangerines and limes. You can wander around the yard, lounge under the majestic lychee tree, enjoy the tropical fruit trees, the aroma of orange blossoms, and the orchestra of birds.

 

Message from Joy (August, 2011)

 

Touring the Island

This is an excellent central location, just 15 minutes from dramatic Laupahoehoe Point where you can watch the ocean waves crashing against the rocks. It’s a half hour drive south to Hilo along the coast, past the lush valleys and waterfalls. There are lots of fun restaurants and places to shop in Hilo, with much less vog (smog from the volcano) than in Kona. From the studio, you can drive north a half hour to historic Honokaa with its restored old-fashioned movie theatre, and a little further North to the lush Waipeo Valley. Or turn west from Honokaa and another half hour will take you to the town of Waimea with a brewery and more restaurants and galleries. Or go up Saddle Road to the world class observatory on Mauna Kea (bring a set of warm clothes for that trip.You will have two days off, to tour the island or just rest and relax, or go to the beach. You're welcome to come a day or two earlier or stay a day or two later—just make arrangements in advance.

 

Accommodations

There are two separate bedrooms that offer privacy or that can be shared with one or two other people. One of these is part of a whole separate studio, with its own kitchen and bathroom. In addition, people who live locally may choose to bring their own mat and bedding and sleep on the couch or the floor on the lanai or in the living room.

Want to Bring Your Partner, or Your Whole Family?

Sometimes participants like to bring their friends or families. No problem. Depending on the number of participants, the Studio may be available for you. Otherwise I can help you find lodging nearby. They are welcome to come along with the group on the days of rest (or you can go off in your own direction), and they're welcome to join us for some of our group dinners, and some evenings.

Food

We keep the cost of meals to a minimum ($20 per day), including 3 meals with abundant snacks and beverages, with high quality organic food. We meet special requests for dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, non-dairy, non-wheat and non-gluten. Joy normally eats a non-wheat, non-dairy diet, so that's fairly easy to do. We provide plenty of protein, and there are poultry or fish options at almost every meal. We can keep the food costs relatively low because participants do the cooking and cleaning. Breakfast is on a serve-yourself basis, with plenty of options to choose from, including Joy's favorite smoothies. Joy provides the recipes, supplies the food, and supervises the kitchen.

For lunch, we usually make a huge salad (we have excellent salad recipes) and then provide leftovers and materials for sandwiches.

Dinners are extraordinary. Fish, chicken or turkey are generally available for all meals, and vegetarian options are always provided.

"The food recipes were very nice. I felt blessed that you really were conscious about my vegan diet and accomodated that so easily."

"I love the food, it is exactly what and how we eat--whole food with wonderful spices and condiments."

"Chores were handled well by all. Nice give-and-take there. Fun to be exposed to new recipes, and still have permission to decline."

"Enjoyed tasting new recipes. Thankful for between meal snacks. Liked the fair price of meals. Loved arrangements and how well everyone worked together."

Practical Realities

Transportation

Participants usually share a rental car (4 or 5 people per car), which helps keep expenses down. We can help you to make those connections. You can fly into Kona or Hilo, but Hilo is a little closer and it will be easier to coordinate a rental car if you all come into Hilo. There is a bus that runs from either airport and stops near here and I could arrange to pick you up at the bus (we can discuss this).

Massage

We have superb in-house masseuses, who will come to the workshop location. They do various forms of massage, including the well-loved lomi-lomi Hawaiian massage, for about $60 hr.

Cindy at the Waipeo Overlook, about 45 minutes from here.

Reviews

We had a wonderful time, and Joy went well beyond what we had expected in terms of being a terrific host. She provided us with information, suggestions of things to do, and offered fantastic fruit from her garden. Joy was so good to make sure we had our privacy, yet was there anytime we needed her. I would not hesitate to stay with her again.  -- Steve from Kansas

staying at joy's place was a real pleasure. this place is a hawaiian paradise - u smell the big island air - u hear the big island nature - and u taste the best hawaiian papayas, bananas, avocados... fresh from joy's garden. nothing for bourgeois-hotel-people, but for relaxed-snugness-holiday-people. joy is a lovely, kind, interesting woman, who takes exellent care of you. we would love to come back once in a while to get some more relaxed-paradise days. thank you for everthing joy - we wish you just the best.  -- Topias from Germany

It was a delight to stay with Joy's. The location was easy to find in a quiet residential neighborhood. Joy was a kind host. The place was clean and very functional. Even in late July I didn't need an air conditioner. The view from her Lanai was magnificent. Joy was also very generous with her fruit. What a joy to have fresh smoothies with organic fruit in the mornings.  -- Kim from CA

 

The stay was great - everything was clean, had all appliances, sunny, fresh papayas, internet, and cable. What a great deal.  -- Mike from CA

 

 

 

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