Hedonisia Community FAQ

All volunteers, interns, and guests have an assigned a private space in the community refrigerator and a personal dry food space.

However, space is limited and we encourage you not to 'over buy' food.

To discourage ants or other critters, we encourage you to store your food in sealed containers.

We also usually have quite a lot of left behind by departing community members. This food is stored in our community storage areas and is freely available to other community members!

WiFi is not as fast as on the mainland but we have decent coverage in the community areas. We recommend that you use your cell phone data plan if you wish to enjoy internet when you are in your lodgings.

In the past, we had a TV. Unfortunately, it was not always the best experience because of these problems:

• Sports watching.
• Video Game Playing
• TV addiction non-stop!

These issues tended to occur more with guys whose continual playing created a disconnected atmosphere for others inside the community hang out areas.

As an eco-feminist community, we respect feminine input and feedback. And women have consistently been against sports, video games and endless TV watching!

Hedonisia Hawaii is a Community of Individuals. With that in mind, we try to balance the rights of smokers and non-smokers. There is a Smoking Temple near the common area.

We ask that smokers be respectful of non-smokers and to refrain in other areas of the property with the exception of the Smoking Temple due to fire hazards and the littering of cigarette butts in nature.

While the Community Directors are not smokers, we recognize that the second hand smoke from an SUV is much more deadly than second hand smoke from a smoker! The fact that only smokers receive social opprobrium suggests strongly there is a double standard and we ask everyone to respect the personal choices of all individuals in the community.

Hedonisia Community Pet Policy

We currently have chickens and cats on the property.

We do not accept any pets except for a single night on an emergency case-by-case basis or Certified Service Animals

We will accept Service Animals protected by the ADA with proper documentation.

“In Hawaii, a service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or tasks to benefit someone with a disability, including a intellectual, mental, sensory, or physical disability.

Under the ADA, the definition is roughly the same with a few twists. The tasks or work the service animal does must be directly related to the person’s disability. And in some cases, a miniature horse may also qualify as a service animal…

Neither the ADA nor Hawaii law covers what some people call “emotional support animals”: animals that provide a sense of safety, companionship, and comfort to those with psychiatric or emotional conditions. Although these animals often have therapeutic benefits, they are not individually trained to perform specific tasks for their handlers.”

Hawaii Laws on Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals

Finally, Hawaii has strict quarantine laws which make coming here with pets a bit more challenging than traveling around the mainland.

Many hostels and communities do not allow overnight guests. We do but with the following guidelines:

1. DAY VISITORS: If you invite someone on the property you are responsible for ensuring that they abide by ALL Visitor Regulations which are posted in The Barn. All Visitors must clean up after themselves. We hate cleaning up after a Visitor!
2. Do not bring Visitors here with the expectation that they have a place to stay as a Volunteer. Spontaneous visitors can only pay to stay as Nightly Guests. They must first complete the Community Participation Application Form before we will accept them as a volunteer or intern if space is available.
3. No Visitors after 9pm unless okayed by the Community Directors.
4. ALL Visitors must pay $5 for use of the internet.

Babies & Children in Community

Hedonisia Hawaii is not well suited for babies or children due to the volcanic crater on the property and the sensual 'Hedonisia' art murals that adorn many of our lodgings and facilities.

However, aside from the crater and sex-positive feminist art, there is another reason the parents of babies and children might not want to stay at Hedonisia for longer than 5 days. And that reason is fire ants!

While adults know not to eat in their bed spaces, Kids and babies will eat and make messes. This attracts ants which then can bite them causing pain and crying. This can be distressing for the community at large especially at night with a crying baby.

We, therefore, cannot host a family with children for more than 5 nights unless they are staying in the Jungle Cottage. This is our most private lodging.

Compassion for children is our first thought so we will not turn parents away who show up without a reservation if we have space available.

However, parents must understand and appreciate that this is primarily a community with an adult focus.

Parents with children can only stay for up to 5 nights as Nightly Guests with a Signed Parental Liability Release in addition to the usual Guest Registration Form.

Community Food Policies

Please be courteous of others by washing up as you go along, as Volunteers and guests need to cook too. That way, by the time your food is cooked, most of your dishes are done. This makes it much more efficient for the next person who is waiting to use the kitchen.

At high season it can be very frustrating if people can't eat until 10pm at night. Ideally, 2 people at a time, 30 minutes cook time, clean up before sitting to eat for the next 2 to come in and cook.

Peak cooking times are around 8-9:30 am -12-2pm and 6-8pm. If you are able to cook around those times you will often have the kitchen to yourself!

As a community of individuals, we respect everyone’s dietary choices as long as it does not overly impose on another! We have hosted many vegans and vegetarians but we also accept carnivores! While we respect different dietary choices, for practical reasons, we cannot separate utensils. However, it's never been much of an issue as most people just use the kitchen around each other by communicating their needs. Carnivores and vegetarians must learn to live together!

While we respect different dietary choices, for practical reasons, we cannot separate utensils. However, it's never been much of an issue as most people just use the kitchen around each other by communicating their needs. Carnivores and vegetarians must learn to live together!

As far as community food, sometimes we have a community meal or potluck. However, each community member is responsible for their own food and food preparation.

We do have a security camera system at strategic points on the property. And our Intern Manager program ensures that there is always someone present in the community.

As a result, of our security policies, we have not had any serious incidents of theft of personal belongings since our founding in 2004.

At present we have no private lockers. Guests may store valuables with the Manager in The Barn Fridge Safe or in the Private Office.

We do encourage guests to be responsible for their personal property and valuables.

The biggest problem is Guests or Volunteers leaving their possessions lying around in communal spaces such as The Barn. When someone is cleaning if they find a personal item then they will place it in the Lost & Found Zone which is also the Donation Zone! Please keep personal items with you or in your accommodation.

Hedonisia is a small community eco-hostel containing 12 rental spaces with a capacity of 18 persons. And we like it that way! We only have 12 rental spaces on the property and our maximum population is 18 persons. Thus, we recommend making your community reservations as soon as you know your flight dates because Hedonisia we can get booked rather quickly!

CHANGING RESERVATIONS.

It is okay for you to change your date of arrival or departure. First date change is free subject to availability. However, for subsequent Date-Changes we charge a Fee of $20 subject to availability.

For a full breakdown go to the Hedonisia Reservation Info & Cancelation Policies page.

Our website gives you a lot of information! If you have read enough feel free to Apply Now!

By car please try to arrive by or after 2PM. Please arrive by or after 2PM. We do prefer check-ins during daylight hours as the property is very beautiful. so it is nice to be able to see it! As well  Also, for some out-of-the-way lodgings such as like Ocean View or Puka Hale, it is easier to see it during the day than it is to so that it is easier to walk at night.

If you already have a reservation an Intern will be ready to greet you. If you are arriving past 10pm be sure to let us know so that an intern stays up to show you the bathroom facilities and your lodgings. Once rested we will give you a full tour of the community facilities the next morning.

Please note that we do have late arrival charges for those who arrive after 10:30pm. We also request that you try to NOT arrive after midnight!

• Hedonisia Community Facilities! Pics of our jungle designed community facilities.
• Jungle Practical. What to bring when staying in the Hawaii rainforest.

We do not have a curfew, guests and volunteers are free to come and go as they please. However we do have a Quiet Time that begins at 10:30PM on weekdays and 11PM on weekends. This does not mean guests have to go to bed by those times, it just means that the community should be quieter in the evenings and early morning out of respect for our neighbors and other guests.

Restroom and showers are open 24 hours. However please do not cook after 10:30PM on weekdays and 11:30PM on weekends. The barn is a communal space and we have neighbors so please try to be respectful of quiet times!

Hedonisia and Hedonism in Hawaii! 

Many people get confused because our name Hedonisia is very similar to Hedonism III, an Adult Resort located in Jamaica!

To clarify, while we are a community where adults meet and romances can start, we are NOT a sex resort!

To most visitors, Hawaii is a tropical paradise. Put on a bikini, sip on a Mai Tai and rub some lotion on. It is hard not to think of our lush rainforest location as a sensual paradise! However, on Sunday, you only have to peek in any of the hundreds of churches dotted all over this tiny state to discover that, under the swaying coconut trees, Hawaii is quite a conservative and Christian state.

Positive sex movements or communities are often seen by the local population as 'hippie' and frowned upon. So we are careful not to offend local sensibilities by being too provocative or sexy at our community!

We do want to be a different kind of eco-tourist establishment in Hawaii while at the same time being a community that welcomes 'normal' tourists looking for a nice eco-friendly place to stay.

It is a delicate balance to create a place where love can happen but also where personal boundaries and individual space is respected. But based on our testimonials and reviews, we think we have found that balance!

For example, we provide the ambience and backdrop for love to happen. All over the community, we have sensual murals and art. We created cozy eco-friendly 'love shacks' that are sturdy and secluded for our guests! Couples enjoy it here because we provide such a supportive environment for love!

Our sex positive feminist projects are web based, NOT on the property! Many Guests or Volunteers will stay at our community in the Hawaiian rain forest and have a wonderful vacation with no idea that we also manage a portfolio of web projects on reproductive rights and sex positive feminism that have a global reach!

Those who are interested in the work we do 'beneath the surface', are welcome to apply to be an Intern Community Manager where they can contribute to the websites in our community portfolio as part of their intern duties.

As a Sex Positive Hawaii community, we respect consenting adult relationships. Aside from being LGBTQ friendly, we also provide a holiday retreat for those who practice polyamory, ethically non-monogamous queer or other alternative relationship styles!

We understand that it is difficult for poly people to holiday with their partner(s)! Many places are highly judgmental of those who choose to live outside the confines of monogamy. We are not!

However, because Hedonisia is primarily an eco-tourist community with 'normal' volunteers and guests, we do not host any sex positive events or workshops at the community.

As Hawaii itself evolves into a more liberal state, our community will change and evolve too! In the meantime, the city or Portland OR has blossomed into one of the most sex positive cities in the world with a diverse range of events, communities, workshops and activities.

It is our long term goal to bring more of Portlandia's magic to Hedonisia! As part of that process, the Community Director, Mojo lives much of the year at our Micro-Community in Portland and is a volunteer and blogger at Sex Positive Portland.

Our commitment to Ecofeminism is evident in the Hedo Portfolio of Feminist Entrepreneur web projects dealing with the matters of reproductive rights and eco-friendly natural birth control.

In addition, we have adopted a number of ecofeminist principles we practice in the community.

For example, our popular Jungle Queen approach to work in our rainforest community has been very popular with women especially those from the city, who want to feel strong in nature.

As well as offering eco-friendly lodgings, Hedonisia is very active in socially progressive causes through our portfolio of eco-feminist web projects.

We love to host visitors from around the world. Many visitors over the years have become good friends. In fact, Mojo the Community Director, has met 'ex-Hedonisians' in Amsterdam, London, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Portland, New York, San Francisco, and Toronto!

Volunteers or Interns who have worked on and care deeply about these projects are considered Community Members and Friends who then have priority over other applicants if returning for another stint at our little jungle community!

Support Hedonisia Hawaii EcoFeminist Entrepreneur Community!

We may be a tiny community but our web projects have a global reach! Even if you are not coming to Hedonisia to stay as a Guest, Volunteer or Intern there are still ways you can help to support our community and the work we are doing.

1) Hedonisia Hawaii Eco-Community!

To support us with our local community activities and projects you can simply donate directly via Paypal or you can purchase our Hedonisia Handbook on Sustainable Community Management!

Donation Link

2) Visit our Feminist, Activist & Community Enterprise Web Projects

Whilst growing our eco-community in Hawaii we have simultaneously been engaged in building web-based socially progressive projects with a global reach.

With the assistance of over 30 Hedonisia 'eco-feminist' volunteers and interns, our web projects are slowly having an impact. For example, NaturalMiscarriage.org, a feminist enterprise pro-choice website we manage, has been visited by over 1 million women around the world.

We have received countless testimonials from women from around the world whose lives and reproductive choices were positively changed by the information we provided on this site.

4) Link to Hedonisia Hawaii

Or you can simply 'Like' any website with your Facebook account! Support could be as little as writing a little note about us on a blog or Reddit.

1. SITE NAME: Hedonisia Hawaii Sustainable Community & EcoHostel
   URL: hedonisia.com
   TEXT DESCRIPTION: A Sustainable Community on Big Island, Hawaii offering Volunteer and Intern programs for those who wish to enjoy a working holiday in Hawaii as well as affordable green Hawaiian Vacation Lodgings.

   Or you are welcome to use our banner:

   

The Hedonisia Community welcomes all genders and orientations! So as a male you are welcome to stay here as a Volunteer, Intern or Guest.

Many visitors will stay here without any idea of our other community operations and projects. They simply enjoy working on the land or enjoying the pleasures of Hawaii and that's it!

We manage an EcoFeminist Entrepreneur Portfolio of web projects that address issues surrounding gender inequality. Men with skills or experience are welcome to volunteer on these projects.

It is ironic that since we started using the word 'feminist' or 'ecofeminist' to describe our community, we received a reduction in traditional male visitors dropped! This occurred despite the fact that the Founder and Community Director of Hedonisia Hawaii, is a male.

We welcome feminist men but many masculine men do not seem as enthusiastic about our feminist foundation. However, that is slowly changing.

We are proudly a community with an ecofeminist foundation. Women, who come here are staying in a place where they can feel safe in a community based around a consent culture.

With our Jungle Queen program, we attempt to address issues of inequality when it comes to feelings of female empowerment while in the rainforest. Men have been taught to thrive in nature. This is not so with women.

Employment & other Practical Details in Moving to Hawaii

Most of our visitors are European, Canadian or American. For Americans who wish to drop out of the rat race, the joys and pleasures of having a piece of paradise are definitely worth moving to Hawaii! And for Euro-Canadians, the advantage of owning land in Hawaii is that it can make it easier to enter the US to visit their property.

Due to our location near the Kilauea volcano, the price of land in the Puna region of Hawaii is much lower than in many areas of America and Europe. Living near a volcano has its risks. However, our high lava zone location means that traditional developers, condominiums, five-star hotels and Walmarts that have destroyed the natural beauty of much of Hawaii are not able to build here because the volcano may take it away!

In this development vacuum, land prices are lower than elsewhere in Hawaii. This gives an opportunity for natural, eco-friendly communities to step in to create opportunities that would otherwise not exist in this area.

In a nutshell, if you have a special interest you can buy a piece of land in Hawaii, create your website and then start attracting like-minded people to come and live with you in your new 'community'!

Over the years Hedonisia Hawaii has acted as a landing point for many who wish to move to Hawaii island! We offer a number of options for people to stay cheaply, learn and work whilst settling down and finding their dream home in Hawaii:

1. Cheap Monthly Rates to stay at Hedonisia. Some people want to buy land and settle in a beautiful area of our Hawai'ian paradise. They often will stay with us at our cheap monthly rates which then gives them ample time to drive around and check out properties for sale.
2. Community, Feminist, & Activist Enterprise Business Coaching. Our area in Hawaii is beautiful and rural but it does not have many jobs! We teach a workshop on 'C.A.F.E. Enterprise' or, creating a business that does good in the world!
3. Fair-Trade Volunteer Program. Being a Fair-Trade volunteer allows you to stay longer while looking for property and in the meantime get an education in rainforest living in Hawaii and learning how to work the land!
4. Sustainable Community Manager Internship: Many people have a dream of buying land and creating a community in paradise! Of course, it's not that simple. There are all sorts of challenges that can bring your ideals down to earth very quickly. For example, government permits, screening potential community members, and finances. At Hedonisia, we have gone through most of the hurdles that a community will face and now we can offer that knowledge to others! Being an Intern Manager is a fantastic way to learn sustainable community management, hands-on, from an insider's perspective.

Employment in the Puna Area

There are not many jobs in the Puna area. With a lot of competition for the few there are, it is up to each visitor to find employment themselves. This is one reason why we encourage new residents to be C.A.F.E. Entrepreneurs!

We do not give advice or referrals until someone has proven themselves as a guest, volunteer or intern in our community. The Puna region is small and we have a good reputation in the local area.  We only refer people when we have had a working experience with them!

Post Volcano Update

One of the most exciting post-volcano projects that was born in our pre-volcano community has been our Diversity and Free Speech workshops:

Pre-Volcano Hedonisia Hawaii Eco-Feminist Community Mission Statement

We work to maintain an environment of safety and security on the property. Our community is a home and should be a comfortable, harmonious place to live and work. With this in mind we have created community guidelines for living in relative harmony.

i) A Community of Individuals

We do not infringe upon or discriminate against the lifestyle, characteristics, or choices of anyone who is a respectful member of the community. Hedonisia welcomes people to enjoy our unique community, as long as they do not make others uncomfortable. 

Everyone is free to do their own thing as long as they respect each other'ss personal space and boundaries. As a community of individuals, we don't schedule 'community events'. Socialization happens spontaneously with different individuals doing things together when they feel like it as opposed to feeling like they 'have to' participate.

Each intern, volunteer or guest can choose what kind of brain work they work like to do from our EcoFeminist Entrepreneur Web Portfolio based on their own interests. This has proven to be very popular especially for those in the intern program.

ii) An EcoFeminist Community 

Our work supporting gender equality has led to Hedonisia being recognized as a destination where women from around the world feel comfortable traveling alone. This is a global issue of its own right. Our community provides a philosophical and practical foundation for interns to learn successful entrepreneur principles to start an EcoFeminist or Activist business of their own.

iii) Intern Community Management

The day to day operational tasks are handled by Intern Managers as the Community Director deliberately lives off-site. This system encourages good communication about issues that arise, changes, and progress that is being made. Since the property and its policies are constantly evolving, the director welcomes and encourages new ideas and innovation, allowing each intern the power to make lasting contributions to the community. This management style also encourages self-sufficiency and a willingness to initiate and lead new projects since the director is not there to micro-manage every project. Interns 'graduate' with a unique work and learning experience.

iv) Free Speech Community

Hedonisia draws in a diverse crowd from around the world. We strive to create an environment that is safe and secure for everyone to stay and enjoy! As an eco-feminist community, we attract feminist and environmental activists as well as guests that are passionate about a wide range of social causes as portrayed in the Hedonisia EcoFeminist Entrepreneur Portfolio.

When living in a social community such as ours, that is also working on Big Picture issues, it is wonderful to work with friends and yet feel comfortable enough to communicate about any issue at all. It is not uncommon to find yourself with people of differing political views, religious beliefs and sexual orientations. 

Anyone on the property is free to say what makes them feel personally uncomfortable. As a polite community of individuals, we would expect residents to respect that sensitivity.

However, just because a word or expression is offensive to one person does NOT mean that others will take offense. In fact, they may find it very funny. So we try to adopt a policy of personal politeness with an understanding that offensive words to one person may not be to another. We apologize for giving personal offense BUT NOT for the words we say.

This subtle distinction between politeness and free speech communication allows our diverse set of guests to feel comfortable expressing themselves and sharing their views. Guests often engage in meaningful conversations that challenge their personal beliefs, and in many cases, personal growth and development emerge from these free-flowing uncensored conversations.

v) Transparency & Privacy

With volunteers and interns, we are respectful of different community members’ sensitivities with regards to working on certain projects and would not ask anyone to work on a project they don't feel comfortable with especially in the Hedonisia Portfolio of Eco-Feminist Web Projects. We simply find areas where our interests overlap and work on those.

When an intern chooses to work on one of our more provocative projects they can also choose whether or not they wish to talk about their project. If they do not want to share the details of that project with anyone that is their prerogative.

vi) Pleasurable Activism

We have divided our web focus projects to respect the different intern sensibilities, boundaries and comfort levels of all applicants. An intern's focus project is their individual contribution to the community. Communication about these subjects is private and with the director to respect the sensibilities of other community members.

For example, one female intern described how excited she was to work on the Hedo Feminista Pleasurable Activism Portfolio. and she did a fantastic job. However, she would be shy if anyone asked her what her focus was. This encourages a culture of 'pleasurable activism'. Interns get to work on projects with a bigger impact and yet get to have fun doing so.

Post Volcano Update

Social Identity Play Communication Workshops

Designed for individuals, small groups, companies or organizations, it teaches simple tools for communication that allow people of different races, cultures, genders, identities and ages to communicate with the maximum of free speech combined with personal politeness for individual sensitivities.

Our zoom communication workshop offers an alternative way of reaching out to each other that is sorely needed in these divided times when everyone is so sensitive about being offended.

Though the workshops are held in Portland, we will always be hosting them via Zoom. That way, you can be part of these fun and entertaining workshops no matter where you live in the world. We invite you to join us.

A tropical paradise community in Puna Hawaii!

We welcome visitors during Hawaii business hours. We are located at 13-657 Hinalo Street, Pahoa, HI 96778.

Hedonisia Hawaii is in lower Puna, the eastern rainforest region Big Island, Hawaii. We are about 5 miles from Pahoa, 28 miles from Hilo and 100 miles from Kona.

The town of Pahoa is well stocked with markets and restaurants. The Island Naturals Supermarket is an especially good source of healthy food with an excellent organic hot food bar!

On our green vacation rental website we have a list of Local Hawaii Attractions which we invite you to visit so that you can see some of the wonderful natural attractions of our paradise island!

If you wish to visit, before you drop by, please call the Intern Manager on Duty at 808-430-9903.

We are 14 miles away from the Kehena Black Sands clothing optional beach. Other beaches are located in Hilo.

We also have Champagne Ponds, Ahalanui Warm Ponds and Kapoho Tidepools which are perfect for snorkelers. Isaac Hale Beach Park has surfing, snorkeling and swimming and is only 4 miles away!

Other Nearby Attractions to Hedonisia are located on our the Hedonisia Hawaii Green Vacation Rental website!

Transportation in Hawaii is a little different! Here are some transportation options:

1) Car Rentals. We recommend that you book your car rental before you arrive. Most of the traditional car rental agencies operate out of Hilo or Kona Airports.

2) Hitchhiking. Due to our island location, hitch hiking is a popular way to get around! It is relatively safe and easy but there are unsavory characters on the island. Make sure that you take a look at the driver and trust your intuition. In Hawaii, it is legal to ride in the back of a pickup and many guests have enjoyed that open-air driving experience!

3) Sharing Gas: Sometimes Interns, Volunteers and Guests own or rent their own cars and may offer a free lift. However, please understand that anyone who gives you a lift is doing so because they feel like it. Be appreciative; you may ask but do not expect people to give you rides. And if they do it is often a courtesy to at least offer them something for gas expenses.

4) Airport Pickup Service. If you are arriving and not planning to rent a car we recommend you use our donation based Airport Pickup Service to get to the community.

5) Public Transportation in Hawaii: There is a skeletal bus service on the island for $2 a ride. This erratic but cute and very island style service is called Hele-on Bus.

6) Bikes & Scooters. They are used by many but we must warn that it is a little dangerous to ride bikes in the rainforest. The idea that Puna is safe for cyclists is false. Many local drivers don’t like bikes. And the roads are treacherous, curvy, covered in leaves and often very wet. We have written twice to the government to ask for road dividers to separate cyclists to no avail.

7) Car-in-Hawaii Rental. Tel: 808-936-6347. This is a local rental company that will often offer rentals to under-25s, foreign nationals and those who wish to have a long-term cheaper rental. Please let them know we referred you. You can also arrange a long-term rental with them for a cheaper price. We get a small referral fee for this service. However, please note that we are NOT responsible for rentals that result from this referral!

No Dangerous Animals. A common concern we hear is whether or not there are any dangerous animals our guests should be aware of. The Hawaiian rainforest is unique in the fact that it is the safest jungle in the world! There are no animals here that can really cause you harm.

However, there are a few things you should be aware of and expect:

• Mosquitoes, Fire Ants & Centipede. Though it continues to surprise visitors, please note that there are insects in the jungle! However, all of the insects here are harmless. The main ones to watch out for are the Little Fire Ants and a centipede that gives a painful sting. Though we usually have some on supply, if you are sensitive bring a strong, eco-friendly insect repellant.
• Wild Pigs. You can expect to see wild pigs at Hedonisia. The cruise around the property at night and you might hear them snorting around the outside of your lodging space. However, they are easily scared off and startled by making a loud noise!

Note: Ocean Currents. Perhaps the most dangerous natural phenomenon in Hawai'i is the ocean itself. Hawaiian surf and ocean currents can be strong so be fully aware of your limitations when swimming in the open Hawaiian ocean!

With the Hawaii rainforest weather, the days are warm but usually not too hot and the nights are cooler. This makes it ideal for sleeping!

There is a small decrease in temperature from September to March but it is mainly noticeable at night. In the daytime it is warm year round but never too hot! Nor too humid.

We live in a rain forest so our rainy season is all year long! However, December – March is traditionally the Wetter season. For people coming in from the cold remember it is warmer rain!

Make friends with the rain and you will enjoy it here! If you don't, you won't!

When we see the leathered and sun wrinkled people who live in Kona which is the sunny side of the island, we know we are living in the right place in our lush tropical home!

However, some volunteers, interns or guests, cannot stand being in wet weather! Many seem unhappy, surprised and depressed that it actually rains in the rainforest!

If you are sad that it rains in our rainforest home that is your right! But please try to limit your misery when in community spaces as it brings down everyone’s energy.

Rain averse people have a number of options:

1. Leave for a dry place! We want happy Hedonisians! If the weather is making you depressed then go to Kona! It is unfair to you and to us if you are unhappy with our weather and it affects the way you conduct yourself in the community.
2. Take a Dry Out! As long as you depart in good standing and there is availability, you can leave and enjoy the sunshine on the Kona side. You must vacate your space and reserve your return to ensure availability.
3. Adapt! This is a rainforest. Not everyone feels miserable when it’s raining. Some people find rainy day things to do!

Finally, we end with ere is a quote from John Lennon that shows the attitude many people have about rain!

When the rain comes
They run and hide their heads
They might as well be dead
Rain, I don't mind
Shine, the weather's fine
I can show you
That when it starts to rain
Everything's the same
Can you hear me
That when it rains and shines
It's just a state of mind
John Lennon - The Beatles

Hawaii Tropical Diseases

Hawaii is the most isolated group of islands in the world with over 2000 miles of ocean to the nearest mainland. We have little heavy industry in our state. As a result, Hawaii has the cleanest tropical equatorial air in the world!

Nevertheless, we do have some Hawaii tropical diseases and health issues which visitors should be aware of so they can take any necessary personal precautions.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by a particular bacteria called Leptospira. 7-10 million people in the world contract Leptospirosis a year, with symptoms ranging from that of a light flu, to the more severe symptoms that can negatively affect the liver, kidney, and lungs. However, studies have shown that over 90% of all Leptospirosis cases are so mild that they are commonly mistaken for the flu or a bad cold. But because of the more serious symptoms, and a death rate of 0.1%, we remain vigilant to prevent this disease.

Leptospirosis is spread via infected animals, usually rodents, and the soil/material they urinate on. Infected materials that come into contact with your eyes, nose, mouth or open wounds can spread bacteria. This means that you should be aware of any wounds, and be sure to keep them covered during any muddy adventures, as well as staying out of still freshwater, and washing all fruit you eat. With these easy preventative measures, any fear towards Leptospirosis can be a thing of the past!

Click here for more information about Leptospirosis, symptoms, and treatment.

Dengue Fever on The Big Island

The Hawaii State Department of Health has recently confirmed the presence of Dengue Fever on The Big Island. At Hedonisia Hawaii we work very hard in taking the proper measures to minimize the mosquito population on a regular basis, especially now. Please refer to the links below for additional precautions you can take and current information about the outbreak.

• Hawaii State Department of Health
• Dengue Precautions
• Fight the Bite Flyer

Generally, Hawaii doesn’t have the kinds of diseases that are prevalent in many tropical areas. However, we recommend that you wash fruits and vegetables that you harvest from the land as there have been isolated cases of Rat Lung Disease. We also suggest disinfecting all scratches to prevent Staph infections.

Mold & Damp

In the desert, the air is dry and dusty which brings its own set of problems. Hedonisia is a community located in the rainforest. In other words, it rains!  At our jungle location, there is naturally occurring mold on most plants on the property and on any surface that is left alone for a couple of weeks. That is what happens in a rainforest; things can smell slightly damp and musty.

Many volunteers and guests are used to the over-sanitized life on the mainland. As a result, they have wanted us to bleach, scrub and scour our jungle kitchen, lodgings, and community facilities to a level more suitable for a hospital than an eco-friendly community. In ‘normal’ households,  cleaning agents used liberally despite being full of unhealthy chemicals.

In fact, some bacteria and germs are good for humans as they build up our immune systems. In the Daily Telegraph, Dr. Molly Fox of Cambridge University describes the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ whereby an overly clean environment has been linked to higher risk of certain allergies and auto-immune diseases.

Our response to ‘germophobia’ is to be pragmatic and eco-friendly. We use more muscle power to scrub and a minimum of chemical cleaning agents.

This is a tropical rainforest and we are an eco-community that does not employ energy using climate control to regulate nature (heating or air conditioning). We only use heavy cleaning chemicals when absolutely necessary! This means a healthier vacation in nature for you!

However, our lodgings are open air so most tourists are not affected as they would be if they were sleeping in a close confined space. If you have any acute sensitivities to mold then please take the necessary precautions or medications.

The vast majority of our Eco-tourists understand that and enjoy the beautiful aspects of living in green, lush nature. They appreciate that as a ‘green’ community we do NOT want to continually use bleach in a futile attempt to sanitize nature. It tends to be the “normal” tourists who are used to climate controlled environments who we have the most difficulties with.