Kalani Oceanside Retreat Center

This is a hard review to write because it's so subjective. But I'll try. This place is beautiful and fun, no doubt about it. The staff are kind and friendly. Our hut was a cute kitchy Chinese theme. It seemed clean enough, though there is rust and and aging issues here and there likely from the sea air. I can see if it didn't meet people's standards if you're used to 3 star hotels but it was good enough if you aren't too picky. It was quiet and peaceful and I could literally see and hear the ocean from my bed. The downsides are the vibe does feel like strong hippie pagan influence verging into drug culture. It definitely didn't feel comfortable for me and my husband because of it. But if that's what you're looking for, you'll love this place. I'm a fan of the idea of the retreat for finding peace and relaxing into nature. But I think I was naive about how far away it was from many things on the big island and we had to do a lot of driving to go see things. I didn't try any classes there but I have a feeling if you treated it like a destination rather than a hub, you would be happy. As long as you know what you're getting into, this is a nice place in my opinion.

My sister and I discovered the kalani retreat center on our visit to the big island. I loved the relaxed atmosphere. Our cabin had a beautiful patio where we relaxed in the morning with our cup of coffee and watched a multitude of little birds searching for food. We could hear the ocean waves, such a peaceful sound! Our cabin had everything we needed to make our stay truly enjoyable. It even had a lovely outdoor shower. I would definitely stay here again.

I had high hopes for Kalani Oceanside Retreat given its peaceful setting, but our room was not clean or properly prepared—and as a parent, the experience was downright unsettling. The most serious issue was finding a drawer full of marijuana, a knife, rolling papers, and a lighter—all accessible to my four-year-old, who discovered them while exploring. This alone is unacceptable in any setting, but especially in a property marketed as family-friendly. Unfortunately, the concerns didn’t stop there. We also found: • A drawer full of someone else’s clothes, as if the room was still being lived in • A towel placed as “clean” on the bed that smelled strongly of body odor • Cups that were sticky and visibly dirty • Personal items left behind from a prior guest (hair clips, charger) • Marijuana roaches on the windowsill and back patio, plus an apple used as a pipe left outside While I appreciate that the property refunded the cleaning fee and one night of our stay, the state of the room made us feel uncomfortable and unsafe. This place could be great with proper management, but our experience didn’t reflect what was advertised. Until there are clear improvements in cleaning and guest turnover protocols, I’d caution families—especially those with young children—from booking here.

Our cottage was very comfortable and had a unique look. I’m not sure if bamboo is the right term but that’s what the walls reminded me of. There was indoor plumbing, but there was also an outdoor shower that could be used. The scenery was beautiful. the people were all so very friendly and kind! A true Hawaiian experience. They were even some wild hogs that we could watch from our porch.

In room massage, delicious healthy food at the shop, WiFi is great at the shop - no consistent connection in the room meant a fully offgrid experience which was appreciated. Therapies offered were lovely and the space is beautiful and private. Staff was friendly, fast and courtesy. The perfect blend of being in nature with a sort of camp vibe along with amenities of luxury that made me feel spoiled and grateful.

Enjoyable time at kai #4. Extremely pleased that lily could check us in after dancing & swimming early before the rains came. Sad we could not look at old kalani resort area and understanding why now Mahalo

Read the cancellation policy before booking. The website says free cancellation, but it is not what we usually expect. To receive a full refund, guests must cancel at least 30 days before check-in. I had a feeling that something was not right, but it was too late to cancel. It turns out my instinct was correct. The staff were not really accommodating or friendly. I would not come back.

This is Part One of my review, only focusing on the yoga classes I've had so far: The yoga class listed on the Kalani Wellness Center’s calendar described it as a “donation-based yoga practice dedicated to giving back to the community.” Sounds good, I thought…until I read the following sentence: “This class is designed for intermediate practitioners, with options to explore advanced elements.” If I hadn’t mentioned it to Hailey, the BUDDHI YOGA practitioner whose class I’d taken the day before, I may have skipped it given my need for new knees and hips. (I’d even had my doubts about Hailey’s class once I saw her tiny butt covered by barely-there shorts with “TWERK” written over them. And yes, she did offer many bootie moves I’d never done before, but overall they were decidedly more yogi than stripper). “Yes, you should go to that class anyway! The instructor Reo is really great and he will meet you where you are in your practice.” So when I walked into the studio and saw tanned, muscled, and handsome Reo, I thought, “Hmmm…so THIS GUY is going to meet me at ‘old, arthritic and in pain?’ But guess what? Instead of being intimidating or annoyed that he couldn’t teach his regular class, he jumped into modification mode just for me. He turned the class into the most healing YIN session I’ve ever had. He was incredibly sweet and made sure that every pose made sense for my body. His music was divine. He’s a Renaissance guy, skilled in all kinds of fields, self-sufficient, and doesn’t even take payment for his yoga classes. I highly recommend both Reo and Hailey as yoga teachers at Kalani.

Sunday yoga and ecstatic dance is so fun! Live music/djs. Love the food vendors there as well. An oasis! $20 cash for both

This review is for the store at the opening of the property. I have up on these rest of it. In past years in was a great convenient place to grab a few things with an Aloha driven staff. These days it has become a hangout spot for locals with nothing better to do. The atmosphere is just icky. I've been there when even the staff sat outside smoking I won't say what . There is a better store at the end of the road in Kaimu you are better off at .

They have roaches. And those were the only ones I managed to take a picture of. I wouldn't recommend staying there. Their cleanliness standards are questionable, to say the least. And they won't refund your money.

my favorite place for ecstatic dance. they stay true to the original estatic dance rules which helps create a safe container for people to heal through authentic expression. it's truly beautiful seeing people open up and enjoy. the facilitators are professional and reliable :) the structures/bathrooms are clean and well maintained. everyone i've interacted with is kind. plenty of parking. options for buying snacks and beverages afterwards.

WHAT A MAGICAL INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE AT KALANI!!! Our experience at Kalani Oceanside Resort was like heaven on earth. The people there are the most beautiful community and are so warm and heart centered and welcoming. They make you feel so at home. The property is lush and gorgeous with spectacular gardens and it is in an absolutely premier location right on the ocean. So breathtaking. It is so nurturing to be there at Kalani and experience this tropical paradise. Our time there was truly like a dream and we could not have had a more wonderful experience staying at Kalani. I highly recommend this as the perfect place to rejuvenate and get away to connect with beautiful people and nature.

This spot is the best part of this side of the island that I've experienced yet. The vibe, the love, the music, the service, it was all so beautiful. To the core beautiful. I wish I discovered it sooner. i only got as far as seeing their little store, and I already want to go back. Can't thank their staff enough, they were wonderful.

I stayed at Kalani for 11 nights. I rented a cottage with meals and activities, aka the Kalani Experience. Then I participated in a Yoga is for Every Body retreat. I walked to the meals from my cottage, and up to the pool almost daily. It was a beautiful and peaceful walk. I was concerned at first but my body quickly adapted. The meals were amazing. I had never experienced such a healthy and delicious cuisine. Most of it was locally-sourced and organic. They had lots of vegetarian options as well as vegan. That's not to say they didn't have wonderful desserts every night with dinner. I participated in several yoga classes. They have all kinds; fast, slow, Vinyasa, Yin, you name it. But they also have cultural classes on Lei making, hula dancing, salsa dancing, permaculture hikes and more. I was not bored for even a moment. If anything I needed to take a nap a couple times during the day for having been so active and busy. The people were friendly and helpful with lots of information about the locals and the community of Pahoa. They took us to Uncles market a local market/party every Wednesday night. If you have the option to do so I would also highly recommend staying at kailani for the Open Mic at least once it's fabulous. The pool is lovely but be fore-warned its clothing optional and there's a lot of nudity. There are lounge chairs to sit in and there's even a sauna area and changing rooms. I enjoyed two massage sessions while I was there. One was an apprentice massage which was just fine and very relaxing, the other was a Lumi Lumi Hawaiian massage which was amazing and different and just... quiet an experience. I would recommend it to anyone. I hope to return next summer on a sabbatical which is 30 days of participating in the community and it includes all of my lodging and meals and some massage work as well. It was hard to leave.

I've traveled the world and Kalani is one of the most beautiful and serene retreat centers I've ever had the experience of staying in. The location of it being along the Red Road with the black sand beach just minutes away, across from the ocean, and hot springs close is ideal. I never fully understood or absorbed the beauty of Big Island until seeing what life can be like here. Kalani isn't just a retreat center but it is on the forefront of a new way of being and living. You have to come stay to understand. Recommend 100%!!!!

Kalani is absolutely wonderful. I confidently can say that at least 8/10 people who visit Kalani absolutely fall in love with the land, the people, and the infrastructure. Of course everything has it's pros and cons but the previous person is simply uneducated and simple minded. Ignoring the many beauties of Kalani. Also ignorant of many variables that have influenced Kalani to strap down and be efficient with time, energy, money. Kalani wants to get back to cultivating a broader culture but with the hits of the 2018 lava flow, COVID19, and a sadly absurd legal battle, Kalani is being strategic and efficient with their time, energy, and money. Oh no! they're profiting off of a badass event that they spend tons of time and money on?? That event is such a blessing for the surrounding community. Oh no! Kalani holds solid community members close, rather than constantly having an influx of strangers, until they have the infrastructure/systems to support a larger sum of people? The greater lower Puna community can be very ignorant and tends to spread uninformed rumors. Little brain action. They have no idea the inner workings. Don't believe everything you hear! Spread aloha, not icky negativity. This isn't the mainland U.S. This is Hawai'i. Go back to California if you're going to bring that energy to our home. Born and raised, and proud of the good energy that has been cultivated on this island. Don't spoil it. Aloha

The food was really disappointing. It was just rice and quinoa. There were no dessert options, and the salad bar was boring and I feared salmonella. The grounds are nice, but Kalani cannot take credit for the Island's beauty. They did not have any fruit on the buffet. It reminded me of a dinner I had once at the Salvation Army. Not a good food stop.

Today is my 3rd night here. The allure of this place is that you're literally in the middle of the jungle. Don't expect luxurious accommodations. Housekeeping isn't happening everyday (you have to call and request). Their service people are volunteers (so I wouldn't say professionally trained, but that's how you keep your costs low). I absolutely love their food. Everything is clean for your body (think salad bar, pesto mahi, mango tomato sauce, whole avocados, lychee, papaya, whole milk yogurt, made from scratch granola, mint lemonade, ginger iced tea, etc.) Their classes are good but honestly if you're not a yogi you're not going to take more than 1 class a day. I am very disappointed with their gym. Obviously very dirty, and guests don't use it. All their equipment is old, and over half broken (jump ropes with one handle, ab machines with tape strewn over them, yoga balls with crazy dust). While my friends and I were working out, a guy literally came in to shower (most likely a volunteer) and walked around naked. My friend and I had to turn away several times since he just didn't have a care in the world. For a resort, they need to straighten out their gym situation, otherwise I feel that them saying there is a gym is false advertisement.

Cafe has excellent vegan food options and tasty treats. Frozen pops are kinds gross bc the juice and ice separate. Located in a remote area but beautiful grounds. Good stop on the way to the black sand beach. Not open early. They have fixed dining hours for the seated restaurant.

Initially I was having a great time as a volunteer here. After a few weeks had some bad experiences with my manager Tom (IT Department). When I asked for some mediation because the work environment felt hostile I was abruptly asked to leave by John the Community Manager. A few friends had expressed vague warnings about this place to me, but all the positive reviews and slick marketing materials had me convinced it was a great. Underneath that slick exterior this retreat has issues, don't make the same mistake I did.

Ooh my gosh. I don't know if I've ever had a more satisfying meal. I waited for the Mexican food day, and oh man! You could taste the freshness and love in every bite. It was full of flavor, and came I'm huge portions. The spicy tomato soup is enough to fly back to Hawai'i for. The salad bar was beautiful. The staff were incredible and full of positive energy. The company was delightful, as well. I've heard that when you dine there, you are also welcome to use their pool and such, but I was so full... I had to go for a long walk and a nap after.

Nice place. Yes worth checking it out. Much more interesting than five store standardized hotels. Nice to really be in the natural jungle away from the five-star hotel rat race. LOL

Very disappointed. Took some guests with us to dinner there,cuz we thought it would be a cool place. We were given such a tiny amount of food it was embarrassing. They asked for just a little more and were given one more tablespoon. Then because they had already sat down, they weren't allowed to go to the salad bar. Paid $80 for about $12 worth of food, given begrudgingly. Then while we're all eating and chatting, a girl comes and takes our candle and whatever else was sitting on our table. Nice. What's the goal here? Did not feel welcome or cared about.

Many locals would be surprised to learn that one of the country's top yoga studios is right in their own neighborhood. I try to take as many classes at Kalani as I can during the week and every instructor that I've experienced so far has been exceptionally caring and qualified. What I appreciate about Kalani Yoga is that each class is all-levels-welcome - and yet each instructor provides a distinct emphasis. For example, Angela, Ellen, and Amma teach challenging classes that can help move a student's fitness up to the next level. Maxwell and Maura offer gentle and intuitive classes that restore and improve mobility. JaRed and Kimberly inspire a pure practice by encouraging proper form and instilling a fundamental understanding of the intention underlying each posture (and there are probably more great teachers that I haven't had a chance to try yet). Taken together, these classes provide a nearly perfect week of yoga (by taking several different instructors and styles each week, I believe I experience a fuller circle of wellness).

I have been to this resort 4 times and stayed in several different cabins. It has become over priced now and my last visit had many problems. The new age groups that book the place are really annoying..some are cults and scams and some just take up too much space and make too much sound in the public areas. The cost of the food and housing is no longer reasonable for what you get. And the mosquitos are a HUGE problem. I used to be a HUGE fan of this resort, but I will not be going there anymore. Now I will look for a house to rent and cook my own health food and have nicer accommodations and pay far less for the same quality of food. If you are a gay man and appeal to the gay male staff and owners you will have a great time... high paying individual singles or couple with women... not so much:( But they do have a nice pool!

I just come back from my 3rd vacation at Kalani, on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It was once again amazing. Kalani is both a community and a resort, with focus on yoga, wellness. Kalani is a different type of resort, but different in a great way! Whether you chose to stay in a studio with a shared bathroom, or in a beautiful bamboo cottage with your own x-large jacuzzi bathtub, this place is a haven for your senses, where everything and everyone around you seem to be there to let you relax and enjoy all that Kalani and Hawaiian nature have to offer: The setting: Kalani is an oasis nestled in the Hawaiian tropical rainforest, 45mn away from Hilo, and a walk away from black sand beaches. It's very beautiful and serene. There is a huge central lawn with oversized Buddha sculptures and gorgeous indigenous plants and flowers. Nature is everywhere around, it's beautiful, the air is clean, it smells good :) There is a very nice size swimming pool, a heated watsu pool (I treated myself to an aquatic bodywork with Maxwell , it was amazing) , a gym, a sauna, jaccuzzis, The food: Fresh, healthy, organic, made with incredible local ingredients. I never had a bad meal there. Ever. The food alone will make you want to come back! The service: Everyone was so nice and helpful. They all embrace the true Hawaiian spirit of Aloha and make you feel welcome and part of their community. Everyone dresses very casually and blend in with the guests. But don't let their laid-back appearance fool you!! There was always someone to help me when I needed them. The classes: This is Yoga heaven. There are yoga classes for everyone, whether you are a beginner, like me, or at an advanced level. Classes are held in beautiful large studios, open to nature. Yoga teachers are real pros, friendly, and very attentive. As a beginner in Yoga, I was made comfortable and never felt intimidated or embarrassed by my lack of experience. They also offer massages, Hula dance classes, lei making classes, etc... It's awesome. After my initial shock stemming from the lack of telephone or TV in the rooms, I quickly embraced the idea of being somewhat disconnected from the real world. It allowed me to reconnect with myself and with nature. That's what it took. I will go back to Kalani again. I feel like I found my paradise.

Our experience at Kalani was brief. Based on the recommendation of a business owner in Pahoa my wife and I stopped there for lunch. Lunch options were limited to pre made salads and sandwiches to be selected from a refrigerator. About an hour and a half after our tasty, organic and fresh chicken curry (mine) and tempeh (hers) sandwiches my wife became violently ill. Her symptoms of sudden food poisoning were classic, high fever and profuse sweating, intense cramping, and after a good hour of suffering, the relief of regurgitation of her lunch. We saw the volunteer labor force others have referred to at work with cleaning supplies in hand. I sure wish we hadn't experienced the lapse in food preparation hygiene Best to avoid this place!!!!

Kalani is a gay-friendly retreat/resort a few miles outside of the small, hippie town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. Kalani consists of a large Ocean-front piece of land (beautiful tropical, flower-filled property) with several cabins, treehouses, cottages, campsites, studios for art, yoga and conventions, a dining area with vegetarian/vegan foods, seafood and meals made from fresh, local ingredients (with a specialization in natural foods, Italian, Thai and Indian cuisines) and facilities such as swimming pools, etc. They have dance(hula, ecstatic, aquatic) art, yoga, pilates and tai chi instructors on the site, as well as experts on Hawaiian Culture. There is also a very spiritual aspect to this resort that is pretty isolated from society and frequented by spiritual, natural, open-minded, artistic people from all over the world. Peace and quiet are highly valued here in order to maintain a good atmosphere for meditation and relaxation. They also offer massages (all different techniques) to guests, as well as once-a-week sight-seeing trips to Hilo and activities around the island, including snorkeling, hiking, scuba diving, canoeing, etc. Kalani Honua also provides some great volunteering opportunities. In exchange for your volunteer time they provide you with room and board, 3 meals a day and access to ammenities. I've never stayed as a guest at Kalani Honua, but I attended events and parties there on several occasions since I was friends with many of the volunteers. I was really impressed with everything I saw there, and I fell in love with the concept. I highly recommend Kalani Honua as an alternative to all of the tourist-trap hotels on the Big Island. It's in an area of the island that tourists rarely see- one untouched by all the hotel giants and corporations in general and it's breath-takingly beautiful. They have a website with a lot of information about Kalani and volunteer applications, so check it out!

we loved the stay there, but just realize that it's rustic jungle cabanas and bungalos. You are in the jungle, for good or for bad. We loved it, and enjoyed walking and picking fruit from the trees. The staff was very nice and helpful to our 30+ group. The food was great, the place was clean, and the atmosphere was great to get away from it all (meaning wifi and wireless service were there, but hard to come by most times). We were 'off the grid,' but with a safety net! ;) If you are a fitness oriented person, you should appreciate the rustic, jungle, screen-enclosed gym, with weights, a power rack, dumbbells up to 75lbs, and a t-handle for swings. In addition, there's a nice pool and plenty of opportunities to walk and hike. The swimmable beach is a little far, but if you have a car or make a friend with one, you won't have far to drive.

Incredible experience. We stayed here for the 2017 Hawaii Yoga Festival. Everything was incredible. Friendly and helpful staff, delicious vegan/vegetarian food that was always labeled with allergen information/ingredients, a clothing optional pool/hot tub area that felt safe and comfortable, beautiful yoga studios, and gorgeous grounds. We stayed in a private room with a shared bathroom and everything was very clean and comfortable. No cell service and spotty wifi, but that was all part of the charm. Would recommend, will be back!

This is a very unique place that needs to be experienced. Part resort, part time share, part place to run away from the world. I was there recently on a hooping/yoga retreat and overall I found the experience to be pretty cool. There are about 130 volunteers who live on the grounds in exchange for work, so there's no real air of pretentiousness or salesmanship going on. It's just people hanging out in the jungle sharing stories about their travels (if you want to meet people who live there, it helps to be a smoker) the rooms were adequate, clean and a decent though bugs got in like crazy (since there are some windows that only have screens). this was an issue for me as fire ants got in and chomped on me one night which kind of sucked...though better them than a centipede! but yeah, you're not going to get an uber climate controlled room here, so if you want to be treated like a princess you might want to reconsider. the grounds are gorgeous, there is a great cliff you can watch the sunrise from that is across the street, and there are wild boars and chameleons hanging out. i really liked it here and i could understand why people keep coming back. HOWEVER i did not eat any of the prepared meals (food allergies) so I can't give a totally complete review. oh also this place has the best white chocolate macadamia nut cookies ever

This resort was a wonderful and relaxing experience with some notable quirks. The staff is primarily volunteers who are generally super nice if not always 100% in the know about everything guests need to know. This place markets itself as a yoga retreat- I was thinking there would more yoga options when there were really only 2-3 yoga classes per day- however every class I took was amazing- they really have a great staff of yogis! The food was healthy and delicious and the Kona Coffee they serve is a real treat! It used to be a gay retreat and although not exclusively one anymore, I wouldn't recommend this if you are not 100% okay will same-sex PDA. I would love to come back here!

Love this place!! My husband and I got the pool pass until our bathroom is complete and absolutely enjoy the hot tub and pool. The food is great and vegetarian friendly. Snacks and grab & go items are always a good option when we're in a rush

It's well worth a visit! This side of the Big Island has definitely caught my attention. The lush jungle, the access to healthy local grown fruits and veggies. The mission & vision of Kalani is quite inspiring. We came for ecstatic dance & enjoyed their dine in cuisine. I hope to come for a yoga session and learn more through their group classes. Next time we come, we may book a stay here and enjoy the entire Kalani experience.

I was trying to figure out where to live in the Bay Area and getting really confused with everything, looking from place to place every few days, until a friend suggested I spend some time in Hawaii instead. It felt like a good idea, but I had never been before and was looking for places to stay with great difficulty at such a short notice, nearly giving up, when I suddenly remembered a yoga teacher mentioning Kalani. I called Kalani without knowing where it was or even really what it was. As soon as the reservationist answered the phone, I could feel the vibrations coming through and instantly felt at peace, knowing that everything was going to be okay. I asked her if they had any rooms available, and she told me about the Kalani Experience Retreat Package and within minutes it was settled. What I thought was going to be four days of hanging out at the beach resulted in six days of being in Utopia in the jungle. The place emanates a natural beauty, ease, joy and positive energy where life abounds everywhere and things are growing in all directions. I felt truly free and encouraged to be who I am and let it all go in the most positive way. The environment at Kalani embraces the essence of life through dance, yoga, and connection to the natural abundance and sacredness of the land and humanity, all coming from the heart. Kalani is really a special place where people work together in a spirited way to create a community that is brimming over with aloha spirit and connected to life force. Kalani is really how the whole world should be. I am so grateful to have experienced it, and knowing it exists makes me feel so much more at home on this earth!

We went to Kalani for lunch. It's a great location, beautiful grounds, and nice outdoor seating. You pay at the front (lunch is $15/person) and get a ticket to use their buffet. The buffet starts with cafeteria style - chicken caesar salad and a ginger soup, and a dessert. Then there's a lot more salad bar and coffee, tea, water, fruits. There's plenty of outdoor seats that are covered (important for hawaii sun), eating lunch and enjoy the warmth and breeze was very enjoyable. There is pretty much no service there - it's more like a cafeteria. But it was lovely.

What a beautiful and healing experience. We stayed in the M11 cottage and did the all inclusive "kalani experience" which we highly recommend. The natural beauty and spiritual vibe of this place goes unmatched. The staff is so loving right e.g. Mama Dee who brought us to and from the airport with patience and sweetness and Tiki who got us sunscreen when we ran out at the pool and directed us to the best places. One of the *best* parts - 3 meals a day of complete organic and local foods- fruits, veggies, good vegan choices but fresh fish / meat too. Delicious!!! Yoga classes were amazing. We took a Yin Yoga with Maxwell - he's so soothing and spiritual. All the instructors are great. We also took a private lesson with Jar-ed who was able to teach both beginner and intermediate at the same time with clarity and ease. The yogapilates class kicked my butt! Also got an massage from Nile - also recommend him. I've had many massages and have sports related injuries. This guys knows what he's doing and he has big strong hands. Get him if you can! I heard the water massage is heavenly so when I come back I will be getting one for sure. Places to go off campus: Go to the black beach! It's a little walk or a very short drive. Clothing is optional. You haven't lived until you've gone to the beach naked! :) Also the volcano at night - pele is a powerful force and breathtaking to see. Local market where you can get some food and local artist pieces. We didn't rent a car but didn't have to due to everyone being so accommodating staff volunteers and other guests. My only "complaint" was one of the groups that was there - the "hoopers" as we called them were... a little high school. But it's not kalani's fault. If you want a place that's natural and healing, that gives you a real experience of Hawaii and not a commercialized version of the tropics - look no further!

had the most amazing time at kalani. in few words, it was a life changing experience and most certainly, i will go back. i was attended a yoga retreat and what was best, i learned so much about community work, the environment and in general, culture. wow !!! loved watsu and bodywork experiences. every meal was more than a treat... unbelievable !!! highly recommended.

My favorite place to stay in the entire state. Near the authentic Hawaiian sites: Lava, steam vents, hot springs, black sand beaches. Sweet guests and staff.

A Warning to Facilitators I first facilitated a retreat at Kalani in early 2014 and had a wonderful experience, much in alignment with many of the 4 and 5 star reviews here. Because of this, I booked and paid a deposit on a second retreat, which would have been held in February of 2015. In October 2014, Kalani underwent a reorganization. Several people were let go, including the woman with whom we had been working since the first retreat. Apparently, several more quit in protest of how the reorg was handled. Shortly thereafter, our new group coordinator left. From then on, it was a disaster. Contacting anyone was impossible. When contact was made, it was less than a month before the retreat. At this point, my co-facilitator and I no longer felt comfortable bringing people to Kalani. Tina was professional and understanding. She said that I was not the first facilitator who had called with concerns. She understood our canceling. I requested a full or partial refund of the deposit based on Kalani's lack of follow-through. She promised to talk to the manager and get back to me on a specific night. This did not happen. I have led many retreats at many locations. I own several businesses. I understand nonrefundable deposits, and normally consider it unethical to ask for a refund. But when the foundation of a center changes and the resulting communication failures are entirely on the part of the center, they have not honored their part of the contract. In our conversation, there was aggression on the part of Kalani, making it far more unpleasant than it needed to be. They refused to refund any part of the deposit or to take any responsibility for their lack of professionalism. Kalani is a beautiful place, with an amazing proclaimed belief system. I hope that their reorg lands them back in being an ethical leader in the community, as I believe they once were. It is highly likely, if Kalani responds to this, that they will bring up a trade agreement I had with them before the reorg, one for which I did not have a written contract and that they therefore did not want to honor. This is a separate issue from the retreat, although they somehow managed to get mangled together in miscommunications. Here is the log of our experience 10/3 - Emailed to ask if we could pay our second deposit on 11/10 rather than 11/3, since I was going to be on vacation. Same day, JaRed, our group leader, emailed back and said yes. 10/27 - email from Jared that he was leaving, and Tiffany would be handling all groups. 11/10 - Called and emailed Tiffany to talk to her about options of cancelling, and also voice concern over no one finding us through the Kalani website as we had expected. I did not detail this in my email or phone message. 11/11 - Return email from Tiffany, telling me they were busy with a yoga fest and she would call as soon as she could. 11/12 - Tiffany called; I wasn't available. I called back (got voice mail) and also emailed asking if we could schedule for the following Tuesday. 11/18 - Tiffany emailed to tell me there had been a lightning storm and only a few phones were working, and hers was not one of them. Asked to reschedule. 11/18 - I emailed her back with some times and dates that would work for me. 11/24 - Tiffany emailed to tell me the phones still weren't working, and could we play it by ear. 11/24 - I emailed back to say yes, but that I did need to talk to her. Between 11/24 and 1/3, when I finally got ahold of someone, I made at least 10 calls trying to reach someone. Either the internet was down, the phones were down, there was no way to transfer phone calls to specific people, or someone said they would take a message and pass it on. I found out Tiffany didn't work there anymore; Tina was the new group leader. Called Tina and left 2 or 3 different messages before: 1/3 - got ahold of Tina. Explained the situation. She was very kind and professional and did not promise anything, but committed to talking to LJ (the manager) and calling me back Monday night, 1/5. 1/7 - I emailed Tina after not hearing back 1/7 - Tina emailed to tell me there was a power outage so she couldn't call, and she had not had a chance to talk to LJ. 1/7 - I emailed to thank her for letting me know, and told her that two of our retreat participants were rolling over into my friend's retreat that was happening there at the same time, and that perhaps we could roll over our deposit to that retreat so no one had to refund anything 1/10 - Tina emailed to acknowledge receipt of my message and to tell me she hadn't been able to talk to LJ yet. 1/13 - Email from LJ saying we gave less than two weeks' notice to cancel and there was no way he would refund any money

My partner & I visited for a week to get away from the stresses of our urban lifestyle and it worked like a charm. The place really is beautiful and bucolic. As other reviewers have said, it's not a sterile luxury accommodation but a more rustic setting. Still, our cottage (M11) was clean, well appointed and very pleasant to stay in. Even the bed was good! We found the food excellent, abundant and satisfying. During our whole stay, there was only one meal that we would rate an mediocre. We appreciated the variety of food offered. it was easy to mingle with other guests and volunteers during meals if you feel so inclined but also possible to dine alone. The workshops we attended were a great way to connect with the other guests and volunteers. I suggest doing the Kalani Experience package which includes all classes, a massage and a half-day tour. Although it's a lovely place to just stay put in, we recommend having a rental car for at least part of your time there so you can see some of the local attractions such as the tidal pools, beaches, lava flows, and parks. With a car, everything is within a quick drive. It's relatively cheap to rent a car when you arrive in Hilo if you do so through one of the local discount brokers rather than directly through the car rental agency. We had really excellent massages from Nile and Maxwell while there. The massage rooms are open air verandas overlooking a pond. Couldn't be more relaxing. We also had watsu/waterdance sessions with Sarah but can't recommend them. We've had lots of experience with this modality at Harbin Hot Springs and were put off by Sarah's rather jarring and vigorous approach. It might be someone else's cup of tea but when we receive aquatic massage we really want a gentle, nurturing experience that brings us to deep place of relaxation.

I booked the "Kalani Experience" package, which was for a week's stay. Included lodging, delicious 3 meals a day, and any classes I chose to take. I took several yoga, meditation, dance, Qi Gong, and meditation classes. All were wonderful! Great staff, beautiful property, very relaxing and energizing at the same time. The volunteer culture is interesting..everyone was friendly and helpful. I enjoyed the transient nature of the place..having different company at meals to chat with. I would highly recommend a visit, and am sure I will return again!

Aloha, Just returned from my second stay with my wife at Kalani. My first time was in February 2012. Having lived in the islands for the better part of 20 years, I must honestly tell you the Kalani Oceanside Retreat is "the real Hawai'i" that very few people ever get to experience. They now have new accommodations that reflect the "green, sustainable, geothermal, solar powered'" vision of Richard (founder and visionary) and the local Hawaiian culture. Low impact growth done with humility, respect and "Aloha". This isn't the Hyatt, Marriott, Four Seasons, or any of the other resorts that reflect "a packaged presentation of Hawaii, of it's culture, and people". Kalani emphasizes "real community, and real Hawai'i". Yes it's not an upscale resort, however it has every feature of comfort one needs, and then some. Kalani is in the most pristine setting, close to the ocean, situated on over of 100 acres of lush land, incredible ecosystem, healthy and delicious food, a beautiful pool, with a variety of massage therapies, Kahena Black Sand Beach ( wild spinner dolphins frequent the waters there), a gym, saunas, a variety classes to choose from, local excursions, and with friendly, helpful and caring staff. All of these components are what make Kalani Oceanside Retreat a must visit! My wife and I will be going back In February 2013! Aloha Kou Kino

Today Annalisa interview me for the second time for a volunteer position. It was not an interview, it was a interrogation. It's incredible that in 2017 someone can be so ignorant about HIV. She question my ability to work 30 hours. She ask a lot of inappropriate questions that made me feel like I was back in the early stages of the epidemic. Yes Annalisa we can work 30 hours a week and we can do a lot of things for others people. You should get some education about HIV. Now the 50 dollars you say you will return to me please donated to and HIV organización in Hawaii. I'm so sorry that Kalani has gone so sour.

The grounds are lovely. The pool is nice. The food is a matter of taste, and not mine. But I felt like I was wearing a giant "S" armband the whole time, Sucker! Ended up moving down the road after a week to sublime little rental on the beach and paying 1/3 the cost per night. More so than feeling over charged at Kalani, I felt like a total outsider. There were 135 volunteers there during my stay and only a handful of guests. All the volunteers knew each other and were one big "ohana". Apparently the induction for a volunteer is much more thorough than for a guest because I was pretty much 'out of the know', a position I am not in very often. Look, I didn't go there to make new friends, but I was having high school flash backs, the ones when you have to change schools mid semester, and everyone has already got their cliques & routines. I went there for the convenience of the yoga classes, but alas, you can find LOTS of yoga classes here in Pahoa, and can even go to Kalani for classes without having to stay on the premises. Now, I am in the know! yeah. If you want to go to Kalani, I suggest doing the volunteer route, it's longer and cheaper and less exclusionary, but be a "guest" somewhere else.

Just finished my second trip to Kalani. This camp is in a beautiful location, a short walk from an amazing black sand beach. The camp formerly had a bohemian reputation for appealing to off-the-grid types and GLBT folk, but the focus seems to have shifted to designer yogis and nouveau hippies who preen their carefully manufactured appearances. The camp itself is run by an army of semi-permanent volunteers who compete with the guests for scant resources, which are clearly under stress due to the increased tourism. On this visit, the wifi was out, both hot tubs were broken, the front desk was out of towels, and the rooms hasn't been cleaned for check-in at 6p. Worse, we came back after dark to find that a family of three, misdirected by the staff, had climbed inside our tent and fallen fast asleep. Nevertheless, don't let me dissuade you from giving it a high-priced shot. Despite its growth, there are still elements of Kalani's woebegone charm: the bountiful meals, wild pigs, and humming frogs. Just check your bohemian expectations at the gate and bring your credit card.

I attended a Yoga Teacher Training at Kalani right after college. It's been three years and I can say it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Life changing experience, magical place.

Drove here for some yoga. Waited 20 min past the scheduled time. No instructor showed up. When asked at the front desk they acted ambivalent and dismissive. I will not trust in the yoga here

This was a great place to escape the mainland. Cell phones don't work here, yet they have wifi if you must connect to the outside world. What are you looking for on a vacation? Seclusion? An organic experience? To be around health-conscious individuals? Then this is the place for you. I would argue that for the same price, you could have 5-star luxury on one of the other islands, but you don't have options like that on this side of the Big Island. We opted for this experience our first time in Hawaii and do not regret it. Our treehouse room i was completely open to the outside, only screened in (which was a surprise- but ended up being quite awesome in some ways). The rooms do stay damp so your towels never fully dry and there aren't any extra luxuries like robes, door mats or extra towels... Those two things would have made our trip nearly perfect! If you can't sleep with the rolling ocean and loud frogs, I would NOT recommend staying here... they even provide ear plugs! The food is awesome- and be sure to pick your own avocado on your way to lunch or dinner! The yoga is a great experience. And my husband HIGHLY recommended the massages. You are in walking distance to a black sand beach- which is clothing optional- and the nearest town Pahoa, doesn't have too many things to do. Hilo, the closest big town is quite a trip- nearly 45 minutes! So be prepared to leave for a while when you go out adventuring. Next time, I would probably venture to stay on the Kona side, only because of the rain and it's proximity to getting out and about on the island. THis sideo f the island average 150 inches of rain per year while the Konda side averages about 10 inches per year! You have to drive a bit to go see the rest of the island but we got to see EVERYTHING. Be SURE to get a rental car! You will need it if you want to see anything other than this place.

I got scabies at Kalani. It may have been the old bed in my room, or the yoga mats or blankets in the yoga studios which, for how frequently they are used, they need to be disinfected/washed much more often. So no matter how beautiful the grounds are, or how many cool classes are offered etc. Scabies pretty much ruined my month-long experience at Kalani. Most frustrating was the denial and lack of support from the staff regarding this.

I went for a yoga retreat that my local studio was hosting. The grounds are beautiful and the food is quite good but the accommodations are very sparse and even upgrading my room didn't give me air conditioning which would have been nice due to the almost constant heat/humidity.

My fiancé and i got this deal on Living Social. We had an amazing experience. We stayed for 4 days. Yoga each day.. the grounds were so pretty. Hammocks everywhere. The rooms are super bare bones but definitely had their charm. Food was served at specific times of the day and made with fresh local ingredients. They have a lot of volunteer staff that trade their stay for work which was nice because it seemed like everyone wanted to be there. Everyone felt like family. This is NOT a place for you to drink margaritas on the beach! In fact, there wasn't any alcohol... fortunately i always travel with a few bottle for just an occasion. Very tranquil, very friendly. Highly recommend. :)

I've been visiting Kalani for almost 10 years, and it gets better every time. For being out in the middle of the jungle, this place is a rare oasis of comfort and aloha. The cafeteria style food is incredible ( even for vegetarians), the pool, jacuzzis, and sauna are delightful, but my favorite is the "watsu pool"- a form of aquatic therapy where the body is floated and moved in body temp warm water. Try the aquatic movement classes also in the watsu pool. The yoga program is varied- classes for the advanced and beginner yogi. The grounds are lush, but well kept, and have many fruiting trees, as well as an aquaponics array for growing vegetables and herbs. Try the nature tour on mondays to learn about the amazing flora of hawaii... Or hawaiian culture classes like weaving and hula. I try to stay in hale 4 if i'm with a group of friends, the cabanas if i'm watching my budget, and kalani kai - the oceanview cottages if i'm with my lover, or want total peace and quiet away from all the activity. My favorite modern oceanview cottage is K9 -3 which has a lovely jungly outdoor shower.

Fantastic one of a kind place. Dinner out on the lanai under the tiki torches feels like OLDTIME Hawaii. Great brunch buffet as well.

I love this place! I first stayed at Kalani in October 2011 and have been back twice since. The food is amazing and location is true paradise. You're in the middle of the jungle - so you have to be ok with a few bugs here and there - but the spot is overflowing with life and positive energy. The staff has become like an extended family. I've stayed at plenty of five star resorts, but there's nothing quite like hugging the front desk receptionist as you leave for the airport. It makes the whole experience so much more intimate and meaningful. There's an energy on the Big Island that promotes healing and growth and Kalani has found a way to harness and share it. Keep up the great work!!

I stayed here in December with my family. We stayed here to be a part of the artistic community and to try out some classes. I LOVED the dance classes. (I did hoop dancing, hula dance and belly dance with Delilah.) Some people tell you that it is a "gay" resort. I experienced a mixed community with the vast majority being straight singles (with a few couples and the odd family.) But gay or straight, everyone made me feel comfortable and welcome. And, more importantly, everyone was really really nice to my baby. The weather was perfect and the food was amazing. This is a great place to stay if you are looking to try new classes, meet new people or to get healthy.