Mika Taki Magical Waterfall Estate

Our family’s first trip to Hawaii had our group of eight (seven adults and one 22 month old) on the «older» Hilo side of the big island.
Looking back on our trip, I am really glad this was the case. Hilo resonated with me personally, having spent much of my formative years in the warmer climes of Africa. The «perfume of green,» the subtle sweet aroma of tropical flowers, and the cleanly saline breeze of the ocean are all welcome olfactory recollections.
Tucked near the end of a serpentine (and at times single lane) road, one is presented with two gates. Mika Taki is behind the left gate.
Fair warning: parking is PRECIOUSLY lean and narrow.
(Seriously; pray your neighbor is a better driver than the visiting Canadian Of Counsel that side swiped our parked rental.)
Anyway… Back to this awesome vintage Japanese-​inspired estate.
Basics:
4 bedroom
4 bathroom
Sleeps 8
$ 214 /​day
$ 1,393 /​week
There is a large kitchen good for meal prep (though, if you miss out on the amazing rustic local eateries… you are robbing yourself of a not-​to-​miss experience).
There is comfortable though limited seating to be found in the formal living room, but there is an additional sun room porch good for a lazy mid-​day nap. We spent the bulk of our in residence time seated around the large glass dining table.
There is also a glorious wrap around covered deck that I strongly recommend in the cooler air of an early dawn’s light. The grounds and the exterior of the residence are well worth taking in. The lush green grotto is capped in a Nature’s Solarium of varied palm and deciduous species and the steep drop off the back of the house makes for a glorious symphony of birds during the day and loquacious tree frogs at night.
Wear your insect repellent religiously unless you do not value your hide.
The fairly treacherous descent down the left side of the property does reward you with a bona fide WATERFALL.
Vacation well, my friends!

Definitely a place you would want to consider when visiting the Hilo side of the Big Island. It’s an immense luxury Japanese themed four bedroom /​four and a half bath home available for rental on Reeds Island, which is approximately one mile from the historic downtown Hilo.
The gorgeous Japanese motif home is surrounded by a thick, lush rainforest, swimmable ponds and waterfalls. Staying at one of Hilo’s few ancient hotels or motels or older homes with bed and breakfast options considerably pales in comparison.
Of course choose to be lulled to sleep at nights by the thousands chirps from the coqui frogs (and the deep voice of a bull frog or two!) or be prepared and bring along some ear plugs. And don’t forget to bring along a can of bug spray repellant. There are tons of mosquitoes outdoors!
Take a look at some of the pictures they post on their website. True lush beauty!