Kirpal Meditation and Ecological Center

This is the real Hawaii! The property is located in a relatively remote area about 30 minutes south of Pahoa. Beautiful setting in the middle of a forest not too far from the beach. Isaac Hale Park is within walking distance and although the beach isn’t very safe for swimming there is a pond there that you can swim in. The accommodations are primitive and like camping but Mango Cabin was very spacious and the beds were VERY comfy. It is off-grid but there is electricity to the cabins. The cabins are screened and ours had a ceiling fan that kept us cool at night. There are community bathrooms and a kitchen but we never had any issues and I get up multiple times in the night.i would highly recommend, at a minimum, to eat breakfast at the community kitchen before heading out for the day. Very healthy with most ingredients grown on-site. We had a great time and staff (and other vacationers) are very friendly and helpful. Great place to disconnect and discover what “Island Time” really is. Highly recommend!

A great escape, off the grid hidden gem

This place is amazing and off-grid. If you want to experience the real Hawaii vacation this is the place! It is remote and rustic but the cabins are spacious and the beds are amazing - much better than my bed at home. There is no air conditioning but the cabins are screened with a ceiling fan and we stayed very comfortable at night. There are shared bathrooms and a community kitchen. The bathrooms open to the forest but no worries - it was a great experience! I would highly recommend eating breakfast at the center - I think most of the food is grown on-site and is vegetarian but was delicious - going to start cooking more like that at home. It is a great place to disconnect from all the gadgets that we have (the internet connection is spotty in this region of Hawaii). The sounds of nature are all around and it was a beautiful experience. The Center is located about 30 minutes southwest of Pahoa, which is also definitely worth a visit. The Isaac Hale Park is located within walking distance and although I would not recommend swimming in the ocean here - there is a pond that is accessible for swimming. There is also a forest reserve not too far down the road for hiking. If you are looking for a peaceful and restful vacation - this is the place!

Claire our guide was extremely personable and accomodating and went above and beyond our expectations. The retreat is very clean and staffed with caring people. Our stay was better than we thought and the only bad part was having to leave. Until next time!!

Would highly recommend for those seeking relaxation and seclusion off the beaten path. My husband and I stayed at KMEC as an ending to our Hawaiian vacation and we both thought it was amazing. Beautiful grounds, sweet little cabins, excellent food, serene yoga hall, and extremely kind staff. We spent the days eating meals and talking with others, taking the daily yoga class, meditating, walking the grounds, exploring the nearby beach, and stargazing at night. The flora and fauna were astonishing - beautiful birds, butterflies, and the occasional wild pig all set in a lush rainforest (as for the rainforest, there are lots of quick rain showers so maybe pack a rain jacket, although they provided an umbrella). We were able to drive in with a 2WD convertible with no problem. We stayed in the Butterfly cabin. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided - you can include this as a package with your booking or pay at the end of your stay for however much you ate. This is definitely not a ritzy place, but to those who enjoy camping and being in quiet nature I would highly recommend.

I stayed at the Kirpal Center for 3 days in April 2023 and absolutely loved it! I stayed in the "Cacao" cabin and it was cozy, clean & comfortable. The vegan food was outstanding!! And I'm not vegan :) The morning yoga class was excellent, as was the evening meditation session. The natural surroundings were stunning & the staff were kind, helpful & welcoming. The Kirpal Center is a very special & sacred place...I left feeling very relaxed & peaceful. I highly recommend a visit!