Hale Makawao

The garden is the standout, with lots of plants that are lovely to look at and, naturally, draw insects. We did have bugs at night, and the location didn’t show up on our car GPS, only on other maps. Phone reception wasn’t great either, so getting there took a while. Still, it’s a cozy place, and the owners are very friendly and happy to chat and share stories. The house feels comfortable, with carpet throughout and sofas, chairs, and tables. You can choose a tatami room or a Western-style room, which suits Japanese and foreign guests alike. They have local guide pamphlets, towels, toothbrushes and toothpaste, plus mountain water. Breakfast was especially good, with fruit from their garden.