Does “living off the grid” include all the amenities I’m used to?

Yes! Living off the grid is absolutely wonderful. You will benefit from a setting that is free of electromagnetic fields or lines, yet we have plenty of electricity to serve all of your needs. This includes wireless internet in some areas and a fully equipped kitchen with amenities such as a blender, coffee maker, toaster, etc. Although we are off the grid, our place is very elegant and nurturing. We create our own electricity from the sun via solar panels, pump our own water from our volcanic aquifer well, and live sustainably and self-sufficiently off the land through organic farming. Welcome to the new Eco-Conscious way of living and traveling elegantly green!

 When staying in Opua House, what areas are communal?

The elegant Opua House has a shared and spacious kitchen, a stunning indoor dining area in the sun parlor, and several comfortable couches and seating areas. While your room is your private temple, the large and well-kept kitchen, with two sinks and ample storage space in both fridge and cupboards, is shared., We also have outdoor seating areas in our Five Elements Garden, Bamboo Grove, and on the lawn in front of Opua House.

Are there laundry facilities on-site?

We are unable to provide personal laundry services to our guests, as our energy consumption requires a delicate balance with Mother Nature. However, there are laundromats close by in Haiku, where you can visit some lovely restaurants like the Kombucha bar, Veg Out, and the famous Nuka Japanese restaurant.  

Are there any office services available?

Our office is open from 10am to 2pm, Monday through Friday. We do not offer office services, but you can easily find other options in town, such as OfficeMax and FedexOffice for all of your office needs.

Is there free parking?

Yes, our guests park for free.

Is there Wi-Fi and phones available for use?

Our fiber optic Wi-Fi is complementary and available. Depending on your cell phone carrier, you may find good reception here too.

Am I able to receive mail and/or packages at the retreat?

FedEx and UPS can be sent to your name c/o  Maui Eco Retreat, 610 Huelo Rd, Haiku, HI 96708. Postal Service goes to: P.O Box 80080, Haiku, HI 96708.  

Please keep in mind that all mail to Maui takes longer than expected! Let our office know what you are expecting and when as soon as possible. That way, we can keep our eyes open for your delivery and pick it up for you if it is delivered off-site.

Are there Yoga mats?

We do have some yoga mats but you are welcome to bring your own. Yoga classes are usually offered from Monday to Friday, 8am to 9am.

We provide both cotton and microfiber sheets for our guests. 80% of our linens are cotton, but we also use microfiber because it is a truly green material. Microfiber linens are made primarily from petroleum waste products that would otherwise sit in landfills. Even more materials are being used to make them nowadays, including one of our favorites – bamboo. Their production does not use water resources the same way that cotton does, and the thickness of their thread count makes them feel just as, or even more luxurious, than cotton sheets. They are perfect for people with allergies as they deter dust and pollen, and are so lightweight that they can be washed and dried more efficiently (about 50% faster) and using fewer resources. Of course, if you have any special requests, please do let us know before your arrival and we will meet whatever needs you have.

How often will my towels and bedding be changed during my stay?

As we are conscious of our water and electric resources, we will change towels and bedding mid-week for guests who stay for a week. For guests who stay longer than a week, we will change towels and bedding at the beginning of the second week of their stay. If you have any special needs, we are always open to finding a solution. We only provide towels for in-house use for showers and personal care. 

Can I rent beach towels?

We rent 1 beach towel for $3 and 2 for $5. Our laundry facility is unfortunately not able to handle high volumes of sand, so if you take our in-house towel to the beach, we will have to charge you an additional $15 surcharge per towel.

Do you provide any shampoos or soaps?

We provide hand soap, dish soaps, shampoo, and hair dryers in all of our facilities. We do not provide house shoes or slippers, but you are most welcome to bring your own.

Cleaning Materials

We use environmentally friendly products, such as microfiber towels, biodegradable laundry detergent, and many other products. We believe that we can make a powerful and positive difference in our homes and the environment by reducing the use of chemicals in our cleaners, such as ammonia, which has been linked to several health issues including eye, skin, and throat irritation and even kidney and liver damage.

We take safety and cleanliness extremely seriously. On top of traditional cleaning procedures, we also use commercialized ozonators and Young Living essential oils to regularly deep clean our places. Please check our COVID-19 Safety page for more details! (Covid link)

Is there an additional clean-up fee?

In order to maintain harmony and balance with our solar energy supply, we require a one-time cleaning fee, as mentioned in our advertising. Fees change depending on the season.

Shopping Service

We offer a shopping service for very late arrivals. Please contact us in advance with a detailed shopping list and we will have your groceries waiting for you when you arrive. The cost for this service is $30 + 10% of the cost of goods.

Can I purchase any organic food from the land?

When available, we provide produce for our guests to enjoy.

Coconuts: 1 for $5, 2 for $8, 3 for $10

Coconuts need to be pre-ordered a day ahead.  We have special tools for climbing our trees and only professional coconut climbers can do that for us.

Organic Eggs: 1 for $1 or 6 for $5

To get eggs from the famous “Eleven Chicken” coop, please submit a request while booking so that we can confirm availability, as our flock isn’t always producing throughout all seasons. 

Water: We provide the best drinking water from our well for free!

What can I eat fresh from the land?

All of our fruits are seasonal, but we do harvest year round. When you hike over the land you will come across lilikoi, also known as passion fruit, strawberry guavas, bananas, papayas, guavas, and other exotic fruits.

We normally harvest our fruits and share them in a big bowl in the kitchen. The fruits on the ground are also free for you to take. Thank you for not harvesting yourself, as you may end up with unripe fruit!

We also have a garden and sell vegetables for your additional greens.

What kind of spices are you providing?

We provide salt, pepper and some spices. Please bring your own coffee, tea, oil etc. Our kitchen is fully equipped.

Guest Services: (808) – 280 – 4524 and (808)280 6601 for Late Arrivals

We have an office manager who is available during business hours. Your hosts live on-site, as well as our excellent team staffed by our community. We are happy to answer any questions that you might have during your stay! 

Upon arrival, we give each guest a map and an overview of the many magical places on our land. Our check-in process also covers our ecological way of living and how you can navigate a totally sustainable land. 

Late Arrival Fee

 Check-in is between 3pm - 6pm. While we prefer that guests check in before 6 pm, we can make an exception if you have a late flight. There is an additional $45 charge for late arrivals between 6pm - 8pm and $65 charge from 8pm to 10pm. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate check-ins after 10pm. Because we are a small, family-owned business, we have to hire an after-hour guest-services person to welcome late-night arrivals. Thank you for understanding!

For very late arrivals, we suggest that you book a night at the Maui Beach Hotel or Nalu Kai Lodge.

What kind of car should I rent?

We recommend the earth-friendly Bio Beetle, which is powered by Biodiesel, a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement. To rent and support a local business, you can reach out to our neighbor Nicolas Kern at carrentalhawaii.com. Please keep in mind that the rates and demand for rental cars are higher during the high season (December through March), so early reservation is advised. 

The majority of our guests rent compact cars. However, the last 0.5 miles to our property is an unpaved road, so if you are not familiar with backcountry roads, you may be more comfortable with a car that provides higher clearance from the ground. Regardless, everyone has always arrived safely on our land—just drive slowly!

Where can I get more information about what to do on Maui?

Please visit our Play page for a guide on both local and popular activities around Maui.

I hear there are geckos in Hawaii?

Geckos – These cute little guardians are fun to watch, especially at night when they stalk the bugs outside your window. They help with taking care of the insects, so please leave them to do their job. You’ll often hear them making a noise that sounds like laughing: this is the gecko chuckle!

Can I Leave a Review?

Yes, we would deeply appreciate it if you could share any of the blessings that you have received on our land. If there is anything we can improve, please share your feedback with your hosts Kutira and Raphael.

Where Can I Leave a Review?

We ask that you help us out by writing your great reviews on the web, as most people don’t take the time to read the wonderful comments that guests have written in the room guest books over the years. You can leave a review on Google and TripAdvisor. 

We sincerely appreciate it!