One beautiful morning in December of 2013 I was sitting at the breakfast table at Akiko's Buddhist Bed & Breakfast in Wailea Village on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii. Wailea is a small plantation village on the east side of the Big Island. The climate is mild and sunny there and the Bed and breakfast is surrounded by rainforest. Akiko's Bed and Breakfast is a magical place, not only because of its location in the old quiet village, but also because of the "spirit" of old Hawaii that is still alive there and is represented by its people, like Akiko herself. The owner of the simple kept, but beautiful bed and Breakfast has been living here for over 20 years, away from all the tourist areas and their modern hotels, keeping Hawaii as it was in its original ways alive. A visit to this place may change your life, or at least the way you think about your life, as it did for me. So we were sitting at the breakfast table enjoying Akiko's homemade banana bread, fresh papayas stuffed with yogurt and delicious self prepared oatmeal when a few other guests and I had a good conversation. We were talking about our lives at home and I mentioned to the round how unhappy I felt at my work place. Underappreciated and feeling stuck in a dead end position. Some of the others could relate and then the conversation turned to the subject of happiness and pursuing one's own dreams. Leisurely I threw in that I had been dreaming about doing a long distance hike for years. The Camino de Santiago in Spain or the Appalachian Trail in the Eastern United States had been on the top of my favorite's list. But I had no idea at the time how to make this dream reality, because I have a job and bills to pay and so on. After rambling on for a while about excuses why it would be impossible for me to pursue my dreams, Akiko finally put her hand softly on my arm to stop me. She told me: "Yvonne, if it'd your dream, you have to do it. Do it in the next 12 months and don't put it off." At the time I did not realize how deeply these words had sunk into my brain and subconscious mind. 7 months later in July 2014 my dream did become reality as a result of a row of random circumstances that occurred in my lucky favor. It just happened without me really doing any planning in particular. As I was sitting on the plane to France I remembered Akiko's words which she had spoken to me back in December. I am deeply grateful for my stay there at her Buddhist Bed and Breakfast, and hope to be able to go back again soon for some more inspiration. Walking the Camino de Santiago has lead me to writing my book "Go slow when you're in a hurry" which is anticipated to be published in the spring of 2015. Mahalo to Akiko, her incredible Bed and Breakfast and the "magic" of the old Hawaii! read more

Staying at Akiko's B&B is a truly memorable experience. The property consists of several historic houses, part of a very small, quaint rural village 11 miles north of Hilo. I stayed several nights in Hale Aloha, a stand-alone, spacious 3 bedroom house. I loved every minute of it. The house itself is airy and bright, freshly painted and surrounded by a beautiful garden, with a peekaboo view of the ocean, albeit distant. The house has simple woodwork and is sparsely but tastefully furnished. The sounds at night are amazing. Various tree frogs and insect sing in an undulating rhythm that soothes you to sleep. As elsewhere on Big Island, days are warm and nights are cool with a lovely breeze. Other houses on the property include several beautiful small cabins and the monastery house (where quiet is maintained from 6:30pm to 6:30am). There is a definite Japanese aesthetic at play. Simple, beautiful touches are everywhere, in carefully placed buddha statues, cut flowers, well-kept gardens. There is also a temple for meditation, an artist studio, and an art gallery in a converted garage. One does not need to be Buddhist, just respectful. Shoes must be removed before entering any space. Breakfast always includes amazing fresh fruit from the gardens, and vegetarian items like yogurt, French toast or oatmeal. It's a great opportunity to meet interesting people, whom, when I was there, included a marine biologist from India, oceanographers from France, a neuroscientist from Slovenia, and an American who worked for the CDC in Vietnam. Everyone feels grateful to be in this special place, and so there is a feeling of warm kinship. Akiko herself is a dynamo; a wonderful spirit and engages with her guests with care, clear presence, and a great sense of humor. A practicing Buddhist, she has created a lush, spiritual place that manages to feel cozy and open at the same time. As the space works on your spirit your heart opens, your mind is at peace. You feel transported to another place and time, and you don't want to leave. read more

My Time at Akiko's April 2013 I am shortly ending my 3rd stay at Akiko's B&B in sleepy little Wailea Village just north of Hilo. It has been a rest full and peace full time. I'm wondering when I will be back again to enjoy the special nature of this place. I have stayed mostly in the Pu'uhonua House. Freshly painted and decorated the house has an air of sunny optimism but retains the old bones and character of the previous owners and time gone by. The house exudes a feeling of family (Ohana), a sense of place and being that large resorts will never have. While you spend time at Akiko's make time to get a tour of her gardens. For dinner get some groceries at a local market and cook your own dinner in the Pu'uhonua house kitchen and share a meal with your fellow travelers. Not to be missed is the very large Japanese style shower where you can wash away the days worries and come out squeaky clean. Be careful in the evening not to lie down too early or the sounds of the night from the rain or birds and frogs will lull you to sleep before you know it. At night you will be lucky to hear one car go by every hour or so on the Old Malamalahoa byway, a part of Hawaii that time forgot. In the morning Akiko will greet you with fresh coffee or tea and a filling hot cereal and fresh fruit breakfast and maybe will share with you her wisdom. If you are on this part of the island Akiko's is a great place to tour the area being central to Hilo and the Hamakua Coast sites. If here on a retreat you will be refreshed and if needing helpful advice Akiko will be here to assist you, often to encourage you to explore on your own. A long walk down to nearby Kolokole Beach Park or Hakalau Landing will help clear you mind and spirit. If you are a musician or artist looking for a special small venue to exhibit your work Akiko's garage gallery might be a good place to consider as well. read more

You can travel to visit Kyoto Zen gardens in Japan, or you can seek to combine tropical lush and Zen atmosphere, in this case, it would be hard to find a better place than Akiko's. It's peaceful, it's meditative and it is so vibrant green. It was so hard to leave! We stayed in the Mango cottage, surrounded by ancient mango and avocado trees and beautiful flowers. The cottage was very comfortable and private with a shared kitchen and bathroom/shower just a few steps away. It had huge screened windows providing a gentle, pleasant breeze which was especially refreshing during the night. Akiko was a wonderful hostess and she was so helpful and full of suggestions in visiting local places and meeting interesting people, you could not get that in any travel book. Just tell her what you would like to see or experience and you would be surprised what opportunities might emerge for you. She helped us to meet a local artist Fred Soriano, a retired professor from University of Hawaii-Hilo, who makes his sculptures of lava rocks, they are really worthwhile to see (some of them are displayed around Akiko's place) and a lot of them are displayed around Hilo, including University of Hawaii Hilo campus. Fred gave us a tour around Hilo showing and explaining his work - it can't be better than that. And if you are lucky and it is mango season, you would get to taste the best mango you probably ever tasted - we never saw this variety on sale in the US and it was absolutely delicious. Also, visiting the temple (it's just perfect) and spending some time in it meditating- it made long lasting memories. As we said before, you can travel to visit Kyoto Zen gardens in Japan, or you can visit Akiko's place- truly magical and enchanting tropical Zen garden in the old Hawaii plantation village. Thank you, Akiko, for creating this place and sharing it with us! We look forward to coming back! read more

Staying at Akiko's was truly the highlight of our trip. We stayed for five nights - the full duration of our time on Big Island - and felt privileged to able to turn off the main highway and enter into the life of this small village. During our time there we embraced a different way of appreciating life. As artists, we were interested in spending time exploring the diverse landscapes of Hawaii - volcanoes, beaches, grasslands etc...We hiked through all of these places taking in the beautiful colours, lines and forms but it was our time with Akiko that heightened our senses to the special nature of the Island, it's diverse cultures and unique spiritual power. Over breakfast Akiko would "talk story" sharing everyday narratives that had us asking each other profound questions throughout the day. Her sense of humour, astute observations and generous spirit were an unexpected but gratefully accepted gift for us. Our time at Akiko's has us regularly thinking about how we can live differently - right here at home. We come from the pacific northwest, place of staggering beauty but perhaps we haven't taken the time necessary to come to know it more deeply in the way that indigenous peoples have since time in memoriam. read more

We are blessed to have found Akiko's Buddisht Bed and Breakfast. Our first stayed in December of 2012, was in the Mango Tree cottage and it was simply magical. We had never been to Hawaii and dreaded the idea of staying at a traditional hotel or resort, so we searched for something that would appeal to our sense of peace, tranquility, local and conscientious living. What we found was that and much more. After the first moment meeting Akiko and her enchanting corner in Wailea, we realized the blessing that was to unfold before us. With it's simple, zen like appreciation for nature and deeply rooted sense of respect and harmony with the local culture, Akiko weaves a magical spell that seeps into you like the rays of the sun. We are on our second stay (Jan, 2014), this time at the Hale Aloha house and it continues to amaze our senses and expectations. This house comfortably fits 5 adults and a child. It has been the perfect retreat, allowing us to recharge, rejuvenate and embrace a way of life that reminds you of what is important. Mahalo for the hospitality: delicious breakfast, delightful stories, excellent company and memories that travel with us wherever we go. read more

Be prepared to enter a place a little removed from time when you enter Akiko's. It is a great place to get a sense of the flavor of old Hawaii. From the weekly farmer's market down the road to the many friends and neighbors who visit Akiko, I have felt welcomed by everyone I've met. If you're looking for a typical tourist place to stay, this isn't it. Located in an old plantation village, about 10 miles north of Hilo, Akiko has created a place of simplicity, peace and beauty surrounded by rain forest. Accommodations are simple and basic. The spirit of Zen permeates the place and you can join Akiko in Zen meditation. This is my second visit to Akiko's. I stayed at Akiko's for over 2 months this winter and loved it. Akiko's laughter, wisdom, practical idealism, and presence has been a great teacher for me. If you are looking for more than a cookie-cutter vacation, this place will work its magic on you. Akiko serves healthy breakfasts featuring local in-season fruit, healthy grains, or eggs and terrific coffee and tea along with interesting conversation and lots of laughter. read more

My boyfriend and I stayed for a couple of nights with Akiko in May and it was absolutely fantastic. Our room was very comfortable and tidy, with the only noise we could hear being insects, birds and frogs. The view out of our window was of lush greenery and beautiful fruit trees and flowers. Akiko served delicious breakfasts with fresh fruit, and this was also an excellent opportunity to have a good natter with Akiko and other guests - there really is a wonderful communal spirit at Akiko's B&B! I spent lots of time wandering around her gardens, reading on the balcony of the cottage we were in, and playing with her numerous friendly cats! The secluded nature of the B&B is a brilliant change of scene from the more touristy beach regions of the islands, and Hilo is a short (~20 minute) drive away for shops and restaurants. Our one regret was that we couldn't stay with Akiko for longer! Oh, and that we should have used more bug repellant...! read more

The Big Island of Hawai'i is a magical place with such powerful primal, loving energy. From the volcano to the beaches and the ocean; every place is sacred in its own way. Akiko's Bed and Breakfast in Wailea breathes the energy of the ALOHA SPIRIT; a beautiful, peaceful and serene place with a kind and warm hostess. I spent my nights in the Banana Patch in Akiko's garden, where I could hear the enchanting calls of the coquí frogs, smell the sweet dampness of the garden and feel the island winds blowing softly through the hut. Every morning, Akiko made me a healthy and very tasty breakfast. From Wailea, you can travel easily to beautiful places like Akaka Falls and Laupahoehoe beach and 'big city' Hilo. Also, the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park isn't far away. When I return to the Big Island, I'll definitely stay at Akiko's again! read more

If you'd like to step away from the touristy side of Hawaii and step into a slower-paced, community-based pocket on the tropical side of the Big Island, this is your place. This B&B is rich with history and connections to community and mindful living. It's also energetic and fun, thanks to Miss Akiko, who is full of spunk and stories. There is a lovely sense of order and sharing here that will stay with me as I leave. I happened to arrive on the weekly FoodShare day when people from surrounding towns meet at the baseball field to sell their produce and creative food items, and it was a good opportunity to meet and mix with "real people" who make a life for themselves in these little towns. Miss Akiko's B&B was a perfect place for me to slow down, savor the forest, and get a taste for village life on the Big Island. read more

Akiko's place is a very special sacred sanctuary. I spent two Soul enriching weeks in Akiko's beautiful Aloha House, a house infused with Love and benevolent spirits. I felt so nurtured and enriched by staying at Akiko's. The spacious 3 bedroom Aloha house had large picture windows that looked out onto the beautiful gardens, yet it was private and serene. Akiko is an exquisite and beautiful soul and I felt so cared for in her presence. She made me a wonderful breakfast each morning as I shared that time with other guests. Akiko is an enriched, wise Soul who has the ability to make every guest feel special. I would recommend Akiko's Buddhist Bed and Breakfast to anyone who seeks a clean, comfortable and very unique, soul enriching experience. A very special place indeed. read more

Akiko's brought back memories of growing up in Hilo especially of staying at my grandparents' house where we had to walk downstairs to the bathhouse with a flashlight if we wanted to use the toilet at night. The more recent intrusion of coqui frogs was the only thing that detracted from my experience, but I brought earplugs. My stay coincided with Rohatsu, a period of intensive meditation and although it was voluntary, I chose to sit all four nights of my stay. I have since then been more disciplined about sitting at my home in Phoenix. Having an ample and delicious breakfast with fresh tropical fruit at a certain time brought all the guests together for stimulating conversation and was a great start to the day! read more

I stayed at Akiko's B&B for 6 nights at the beginning of 2015 and enjoyed every day. I hope that I have an opportunity to visit again. My personal highpoints were: 1. Kind and energetic owner, working to restore the community 2. Peaceful, natural environment for walking, meditating, and feeling a part of old Hawaii; 3. Very friendly fellow travelers and local community; 4. Very private, clean, screened-in Banana Patch cottage; 5. Very clean and private separate kitchen, bathroom, and shower area; 6. Coffee berry picking and senior-citizen luncheon experiences; 7. Fantastic waterfall, river, and ocean-side park a short walk away; 8. Excellent internet, if you need it. read more

Akiko's BB &B is a community gathering place for local events like poetry readings, art exhibits and a venue for performing arts. This is the site of an old temple. The area is full of soul, mossy boulders and gardens in the midst of plantation era houses. The place is wonderfully relaxing. This is Hawaii of yesteryear presented with gracious good food and energy. Akiko is a marvel and a treasure. As a dancer, she choreographed and performed pieces that were athletic and powerful based on cultural inspirations, As a community leader, she revived the practice of annual Japanese New Year mochi pounding. It is a unique and charming location. Akiko is a jewel. read more

We would recommend Akiko's place for those who wish to experience an authentic slice of Hawaii, present as well as past. You will stay in an area steeped in local Big Island history and aloha. Akiko has a wonderful place that is clean, bright and happy. While there, you may have the opportunity to participate in local gatherings and events which Akiko often hosts. If you are going to visit the Hilo and the Hamakua coast (the most beautiful area of the Big Island), please don't miss a chance to stay at Akiko's B&B. Mahalo and aloha. read more

Some friends and I stay at Akiko's several years ago. It was a wonderful experience! A real peaceful environment nested in the rolling hills of the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island. Lush vegetation surrounds this little retreat in a quaint little town that reminds one of old Hawaii with period plantation era buildings. Akiko is very in tune and involved with her environment which includes her warm relationship with her neighbors, and friends from near and far. Jon photographer and wood turner Honolulu read more

This B&B is a gem on the Big Island of Hawaii. Nestled in a tiny little village with beautiful tropical garden and lush fruit trees. Ms. Akiko makes a lovely breakfast with fresh fruit and local coffee. The atmosphere is calm and welcoming and the friendly cats on the property make it feel like home. This truly is a magical place to visit. I cannot wait to come and stay again. Aloha read more

I have never been to any of the islands of Hawaii before, and I wanted a meditative place outside the classical resorts. So Akiko's is a perfect combination of serenity and activity; one can attend zazen (zen meditation) some mornings and evenings, and then explore the Big Island. read more

I have stayed with Akiko twice, once in 1999 and once in 2011. Even though I had only stayed one night in 1999, I had not forgotten Akiko's face. These experiences I go back to, when my mind wanders, and a feeling of serenity washes over me. read more