Yoga and Meditation Retreat Centre in the Cloud Forest of Hawaii Island

Ahu Lani sits at the top of the Hamakua Coast on Hawaii Island, at the base of Mauna Kea, in what the owners call the cloud forest. The elevation keeps the weather cooler and damper than the dry heat of the Kona coast, and the property is surrounded by pastures and a young native forest that has been planted and fenced over the last two decades. It is remote: the nearest utility pole is about a mile away, and the dirt access road requires a 4x4 or all-wheel-drive vehicle.

The building was constructed in 1995 by Bob Mackura and his son, who used the house as a storm break and created a sheltered courtyard in the lee of the prevailing weather. Every part of the house has a wrap-around lanai deck, so you can sit outside in comfort whatever the weather is doing. There are 11 bedrooms with 16 beds in total, five full bathrooms, a Great Hall with ocean views and a fireplace, a wet bar, a koi pond, and a courtyard lanai with rocking chairs that looks out over the changing weather.

The 30-foot cedar round room is the reason most groups come. It is heated, has surround sound, and holds 16 people comfortably for yoga or more for meditation and dance. Yoga mats and blocks are provided. There is also plenty of space on the lanai for group yoga or workshops, and the Great Hall seats 20 for talks or meals.

The land itself is part of the experience. Ahu Lani is a participant in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the State of Hawaii's Forest Stewardship Program. More than 4,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted here, and the 24 acres are fully fenced so the Koa saplings can grow. Native forest walking trails wind through the property. Below the centre are horse and goat pastures, and there is a hammock zone down by the pastures. The farm dogs, including Jazzy, keep the chickens off the lanai.

This is a hosted facility rental, not a programmed retreat. The owners, Garrett and Kaia Kababik and Kaia's mother Patricia Zambryski, live on the property in separate housing tucked into the forest. They provide the facility and amenities; they do not organise or sell individual retreats or outings, and they do not provide meals or additional services unless you contract them to do so. That means you need to bring your own teacher, facilitator or group leader, and plan your own schedule. Catering is available for groups staying three days or longer, starting at $65 per person per day, and they can pack coolers for lunches if you are heading out to the beach, park or trail.

Communications are limited. Starlink high-speed internet was recently added and is provided free to all guests, with excellent WiFi calling. AT&T cellular is the only carrier that works in the area. If you need to work remotely, this is not a great option, as bandwidth is limited and signal is only available in certain areas. Laundry is available by request, but because the property is off-grid, use of the laundry can put strain on the power system, so the owners prefer to assist you with it.

What's included

- Use of the entire 9,000 sq ft facility for your group - 11 bedrooms with 16 beds (base rate covers 16 guests) - 5 full bathrooms - 30-foot cedar round room with heating and surround sound - Yoga mats and blocks - Great Hall with ocean views and seating for 20 - Recently remodelled spacious kitchen - Windward and leeward lanais - Native forest walking trails - Starlink satellite internet and AT&T LTE - 100% solar power and UV-sterilised rainwater - Laundry room available by request - Access to horse and goat pastures and hammock zone

What's not included

- Meals (catering available at $65/person/day for stays of 3+ days) - Cleaning fee ($600 per stay) - Additional guests beyond 16 ($50/person/night, up to 20 max) - Airport transfers - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - 4x4 or all-wheel-drive vehicle rental - Organised retreats, outings or activities (this is a facility rental)