Hawaii: Where to really get away from it all on the Big Island

If you want to stay way off the grid, check out this remote lodging on the Big Island. Kipuka, a collection of just four cottages, is tucked away in the village of Kapoho, near the island’s eastern tip.

Owner Mark Frost built the eco-friendly cottages in 2014 and 2015. They’re made of bamboo, a wood so sustainable that a new crop is ready for cutting every three years.

Power at the cottages is provided by the sun, water is collected when it’s raining, and waste is processed right on the property.

The two, one-bedroom cottages rent for $195 a night for two people. Two three-bedroom units cost $245 a night and can sleep up to four people.

Though they’re remote, the cottages have hotel-quality beds, walk-in showers and refrigerators.

That’s as far as room amenities go -- sort of. There are no electric or gas ovens but each cottage has a kettle-type grill for barbecuing. Crock pots, hot plates and rice cookers are available in a shared gazebo.

Really adventurous visitors can try their hand at cooking in a solar oven.

There’s also a saltwater swimming pool, and Frost gladly conducts tours of the lush gardens at the site. Gardens contain a collection of endangered palm trees from around the world, all planted in volcanic cinders.

Kipuka is less than an hour from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and 40 minutes from Hilo International Airport.

Info: Kipuka, (808) 339-3027

Power at the cottages is provided by the sun, water is collected when it’s raining, and waste is processed right on the property.

The two, one-bedroom cottages rent for $195 a night for two people. Two three-bedroom units cost $245 a night and can sleep up to four people.

Though they’re remote, the cottages have hotel-quality beds, walk-in showers and refrigerators.

That’s as far as room amenities go -- sort of. There are no electric or gas ovens but each cottage has a kettle-type grill for barbecuing. Crock pots, hot plates and rice cookers are available in a shared gazebo.

Really adventurous visitors can try their hand at cooking in a solar oven.

There’s also a saltwater swimming pool, and Frost gladly conducts tours of the lush gardens at the site. Gardens contain a collection of endangered palm trees from around the world, all planted in volcanic cinders.

Kipuka is less than an hour from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and 40 minutes from Hilo International Airport.

Info: Kipuka, (808) 339-3027

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