Having established ourselves here on the Kona side of Hawaii, we figured it is time to actually show you around!
We are staying at a local hostel, smack dab in the middle of the town of Kailua-Kona. In exchange for work on property improvement projects, we are given a room and a place amongst the staff of the hostel.
(Note: interested in learning how to get free accommodation gigs like this? Check this out: How to Get Free Accommodation Around the World).
This post was originally published in 2008. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.
The perks are many: we have unlimited high-speed internet and wireless access, flexible hours, the amenities of the hostel at our fingertips (including free laundry, BBQ, and housekeeping services) and amazing camaraderie and generosity of fellow house-mates.
There are four other staff members, and we share a bathroom and kitchen with them. It can get pretty crowded at times, but it is surprisingly workable so far.
The property is environmentally friendly, as they truly adhere to the principals of reusing and recycling. Guests are strongly encouraged to comply as well, and it is made easy for them to do so.
Our “work” projects to date have been varied. Our recently acquired green thumbs and Hawaii-horticultural knowledge is being put to use with lots of gardening and large-scale landscaping chores on Kelly’s part. The property has fruit trees, wildflower patches, ginger seedlings, herb gardens, and Koa trees, all of which need some TLC being provided by Kelly. His handy skills have also been put to use with speaker repairs, plumbing jobs, and carpentry tasks.
I on the other hand, am not so much a handy person, and my skills acquired on the other side of Hawaii were more around milking goats than fostering agriculture. Since there aren’t any goats around for me to tend to, my existing creative and administrative skills are being put to use.
I started by painting signs and stencils (as well as doing some small patch work and appliance touch-ups), where I got used to the feel of acrylic paints. Somehow the projects escalated to the point where I found myself painting full-on Hawaiian landscape scenes on large palm tree planters located at the front of the property. I figured I was okay with a paintbrush, but I truly surprised myself with the results. And to be playing with paints a few hours a day in return for a place to stay – what a gig!
Beyond that, my administrative and business analysis muscles will soon be flexed by helping the manager with some “big picture” projects.
When we’re not working (and we don’t work much!), we are enjoying the sunny side of Hawaii. We haven’t seen a drop of rain yet, which suits our water-logged Hawaiian history just fine. Trips to the beach to go boogie boarding, snorkelling, fishing and spearfishing have been plentiful. We also enjoy the local farmer’s market (open 5 days/week), walks in the area (which has about everything we need), and relaxing in some of the many quiet oases on the property.
Between the hammocks, fish pond, artificial black sand beach, rocking chairs, and inside office, we have many places to carve out a niche and settle in with a good book or work on laptops. There is always some gentle reggae playing, which although I wasn’t previously a huge fan of reggae, has grown on me quite nicely.
Nora’s Note: Many years later, after living on the Caribbean island of Grenada for two years, I most certainly developed a taste for reggae!
Welcome to our Hawaiian paradise!
Hey love the clock wicket on the side. were only an hour behind you:)
Oh wow!!!! Those paintings are fantastic!!! I’m so envious (still can’t draw a straight line with a ruler!). We’re loving reading your blogs and living vicariously thru you and Kelly!! luv chris & andrew
Hmm I was very intrigued by your story and read almost your whole blog quickly, like a book.
I thought that you were going to stay in the remote location for at least 6 months? You do not say much why you left. Did you get cabin sick? It was too extreme for you? – you said you prefer some balance. Would you do it again? Maybe at a different place? Ok. enough questions for now 🙂
Hi Martin – great questions!
We were indeed going to stay in the other location for 6 months, but a number of factors resulted in our decision to leave, not the least of which was the weather – it rained every single day for a month straight (no exaggeration: it made the newspapers)! The problem with all that rain meant no power either, and no internet – which I need to make my meager living. Trips 11 miles by hiking/hitch hiking into the nearest town became expensive and prohibitive.
And yes – a bit of cabin fever, and a feeling of being very remote also hit home, but were by no means our ultimate reasons for leaving. In fact – we miss many things about that place, and will certainly seek out further permaculture or agricultural positions in the future. Being so incredibly in touch with nature was wonderful, we learned so much, and became considerably healthier and environmentally conscious in the process.
I would still go back to Hawaii next year. It’s a great experience to travel around Hawaii!
Nora, even though this is an old post, I read it again through a new link and when I first read this post I was living in Hawi, two hours north of Kona. Next time I was in Kona, I stopped by this hostel (early 2013) and your art works were still there looking as good as they did when they were first painted in 2008! What a great location this little hostel is in – near town, and its public market and the ocean, hotels and small beaches. The famous Kona Inn is still there, too, where actors Lee Marvin and Richard Boone hung out in the bar, and fished in the local marlin tournaments. I am now living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, right on the beach and a wonderful time, after spending two months in Hollywood. Been here two months, but plan to stay for a year, with this spot as my base. Hope you are recovered well, now from your accident in Grenada, and your partner doing well, too. Best always … d~
Hi David – thanks!
Glad to know my works of art(?) are still alive and well. Hopefully the hostel still has the cool vibe – which made it what it was.
I hope Myrtle Beach is nice and warm and that you’re enjoying the Atlantic breezes instead of the Pacific ones.
Cheers!
Nora,
I am planning my round the world trip the summer of 2015. I will be 60 and retired. Do you have any advice or information for someone my age for volunteer and get accomodations for “free” type of situation?
Hi Kathy,
Awesome! Volunteer and various free accommodation options vary dramatically, depending on what you want to do and where you are traveling. My suggestion would be to look around for an opportunity that you like the look of, and as with any volunteer position, be sure to ask lots of questions before you go.
Here are some resources to find volunteer accommodation, as well as links to other forms of free accommodation (like house-sitting) as well:
https://www.theprofessionalhobo.com/2013/05/financial-travel-tip-80-free-accommodation-with-volunteering/
Happy travel planning!
Hi there,
I would love to volunteer (helping to run hotel, hostel, F&B. Or do marketing/sales or business related jobs) in return for free accommodation. Currently I’m on my sabbatical and working on my business plan..so I could help out around 20 to 30 hours a week, and in the spare time to work on my business plan and explore a new place! Let me know if there is something available in Kona, Hawaii!
THANKS!
Hi Pauline,
I’m not a resource for gigs in Kona per se, having only volunteered at KOA Wood Hale. (You can always contact them directly to see if they still operate that way).
The two gigs I found in Hawaii were from the Caretaker Gazette (www.caretaker.org) – which tends to have a fair few Hawaiian gigs in their listings, and Grow Food (www.growfood.org).
Here are some more resources to find volunteer gigs: https://www.theprofessionalhobo.com/2013/05/financial-travel-tip-80-free-accommodation-with-volunteering/
G’day Nora
Ahh Pateys Place was my home for 2 weeks in 2000 it certainly has a soul and spectacular Sunsets especially around Ironman triathlon time in October, thanks for the memories I might get back in 2015 to watch the race rather than racing in it hahaha it’s only hot in Hawaii hooroo
Hey Milt,
Glad this brought back some happy memories for you! Sounds like a pretty good idea to return there, and on a more relaxing note this time… 🙂
Thanks Nora thankyou and for the reply safe travells