The small town of Honoka'a is less than 200 miles from Honolulu on the big island of Hawaii, and very different in flavor. An old sugar plantation town with wooden storefronts and 2,200 residents, Honoka'a is known for its small-town hospitality. The gorgeous black sand beach in Waipio Valley is only a few minutes away by car. The town has only one hotel and a small selection of bed and breakfast accommodations.
The town's sole hotel is a rambling "old Hawaii" building originally built as the social club for sugar plantation bigwigs. It offers 18 rooms that vary greatly in size and price. Guests select between hostel-type accommodations, economy rooms, ocean-view rooms and two-bedroom suites. The Club is not a typical Hawaiian resort, but it does provide the only budget accommodations in the area.
Best book this bed and breakfast early since it has only one room. Waipio Rim offers a private, upstairs guestroom with a queen bed, mini-kitchen, Internet access and a covered deck. At an elevation of 900 feet, it provides views of the black sand beach at Waipio Valley and, on clear days, guests can see all the way to Maui. The property is surrounded by forest on three sides. Guests receive a welcome bottle of wine, and breakfast is served on the deck.
The Waianuhea is perched at a 2,500-foot elevation above the rural Hamakua coast. Although remote, Waianuhea offers modern conveniences; each room has a private bath, phone, satellite TV and CD/DVD. Travelers select from five rooms -- two with queen beds, two with king beds, and one full suite. The larger rooms include soaking tubs, and gas and wood-burning stoves, while guests share the hot tub, massage room and DVD library. The Waianuhea uses only rain water and solar-generated electricity.
The Wapio Wayside is a restored sugar plantation house that sits among fruit trees and blooming birds-of-paradise. The Wapio offers five guestrooms, each with private bathroom and distinctive decor. Choose the Library Room with over 400 books, the budget Moon Room, or the very private Bird's Eye Room. Televisions, DVD and Internet access are available only in the common areas. Tea and cookies are served at an open bar.
