Maui Eco Retreat — Local services in Maui

It is hard to believe a place like this exists on earth. The beauty of the property and surrounding (hike-able) land is breath-taking and magical. There is a clear intention of connecting self to earth, from the zero-waste guides posted in the kitchens and bathrooms to the breathtaking hikes and swims available all around. The spaces, both indoors and outdoors, lend themselves to independent and adventurous exploration. While staff and volunteers are available and easily accessible, it is quite possible to spend an afternoon without seeing another living soul amidst great expanses of volcanic rocks, tropical flora, and waterfalls. The area is also known the world over (and chosen by international scientists as a building site for high-powered telescopes and observatories) for the view of the stars at night, unobscured by light pollution or humid haze.

If you are expecting a full-service hotel or guided tours or lots of tourist attractions, maybe head elsewhere. This is a space for connecting deep and being aware and responsible for your own impact and existence. Around the property, hikes are steep, but ropes are tied through trees and shrubs to provide extra support and traction. If you are willing to venture off-trail, you can encounter a totally secluded freshwater waterfall over 100 feet in height that might be the actual Garden of Eden. Life-changing experience. Shorter hikes to the upper part of the falls allow for some fun rock climbs and refreshing swims in freshwater pools. The ocean mostly encounters cliffs on this side of the island, but a hike down to water level allows for a plunge into the salt sea from volcanic rocks (ropes provided to get back out).

The sunrise was so stunning from our bedroom window and front lawn that we didn't follow through with our plans to reserve space at Haleakala. The waterfall was likewise so unimaginably perfect and free of all other human traffic that we didn't bother with the Road to Hana. If you wish to venture off the property (although you may not find it necessary), snorkeling, sandy beaches, kite & wind surfing, shopping, restaurants, and swimming with sea turtles are all available within a 30-min drive. If you're willing to travel a little farther (the whole island is accessible in 2-3 hours) you can watch the sunset from the top of a volcano, swim at any number of publicly available beaches, and experience local foods and customs with food trucks and roadside stands available everywhere you go. The kitchen is well-stocked with high quality cookware, and coffee supplies. (There is no microwave, and signs guide guests toward a zero-waste goal with compost instructions and the like.) It was a pleasure sharing that space with other guests. Pillows, bedding, and towels are provided. Cell reception is spotty, but wifi is reliable and accessible from most places on the property. Volunteers caring for the grounds and living on the property are kindred spirits and beautiful souls - full of knowledge about the space and the islands.

Things we recommend bringing: water shoes, hiking clothes, mineral-only sunscreen or protective sun wear (signs everywhere remind you of the damage conventional sunscreens can cause the coral reefs), water bottles, a 4-wheel drive or high-clearance vehicle to get up and down the gravel drive that leads to the property, a bag/backpack for hiking, cash (some local vendors of fresh fruits, smoothies, etc. only accept cash for goods or tips), and an adventurous spirit. 10/10. Highly recommend. Probably leave your life and move to Maui by the end...

If you’re looking for a standard tourist air-conned and neat kinda resort or hotel with restaurants and pools galore - this is NOT for you. However, if you want a calm, serene and different accommodation in the most beautiful nature surroundings, look no further.

We were purposely trying to find an off-the-grid and eco-focused retreat away from the masses and Disney-like tourism on our ‘Babymoon’ and anniversary trip, and 3 days here was just what the doctor ordered.

We stayed in the Bamboo Temple, which could maybe need a little upgrade in the indoor furniture/furnishings, but this is a minor detail - the outdoor shower, the privacy and most of all the intense view overlooking both plantation, the sky, the ocean and the mountains is beyond compare. In the morning the sun rises right outside the huge panorama window and during the night we could see the stars, the moonlit ocean and one night we even got the show of a lifetime with stars and lightening. Besides the chirping geckos - we felt like we were the only people on the grounds, since we rarely saw any other people - big score and much appreciated, when you choose a place to be secluded 👌🏾

The Bamboo Temple doesn’t have WiFi, which is ok, since you can get a signal at the main house (accessed in 1-2mins on foot through a private trail only used by the people Staying in the Bamboo Temple). It was actually kinda nice to not have a signal at all - we didn’t miss it. Instead we read, enjoyed the views and listened to music (it would be nice to have an outlet for our own music though on the iPhone, little side note). The temple has its own little rough but functioning kitchen where you’ll find everything you need to make most things. We shopped our groceries in Mana Foods in Paia, which is around 20-25mins by car - Haiku is a bit closer though, and has a little cute collection of restaurants, coffee shops and a super market. This was maybe around 15mins by car. Even though, Rafael and Kutira (owners) live close by - we didn’t see them at all from the temple, and the angle to their house is set up in a way - so they can’t look up to the Bamboo Temple. Outside the Bamboo Temple is also outdoor furniture where we enjoyed breakfast and lunch with the magnificent view every day.

On to the grounds itself: The surroundings are gorgeous! Really. Loads of plantation everywhere and a serene mood (could do with less statues indoor though, side note). There are beautiful trails on the ground - leading to the ocean, rivers and waterfalls and pools to swim in.

Completely off the grid. Make sure to check these out! They also have yoga every morning - we didn’t go though.

Besides a few minor details, which we didn’t really think about a lot, this place is a gem! Not to forget the fact that it is eco-conscious and is entirely of the grid when it comes to both electricity (solar panels) and water.

If you want something outside of the norm - and calm, gorgeous nature settings, this is your place.

Mahalo for having us 🌈

PS: The road getting there is patchy and in the jungle - so Jeep is recommended! But well...

Seriously do not stay at the Bamboo Temple!!!! Huge warning!!!! The view is absolutely beautiful but every where you go in Maui has amazing views. This so called Eco Retreat uses the view and the fact it’s the first permitted bamboo structure in the U.S. to con people into staying here. It was absolutely disgusting! Full of mold, mildew, algae, dead bugs and feces. The bed is not a queen it is definitely a double although it sits upon a weird shaped structure that may be the size of a queen. The bedding is not at all what is seen in the picture and is much like your great grandmother’s bedding. Smells like it and feels like it. The shower is disgusting, so unkept, filthy, and covered with trees so there is no sunlight. So unless you like showering in the cold and dirt you won’t like this. There is a shed right next door and on the side of it is old tires, cans, junk, and debris...not too eco friendly! They say you have your own private lot and driveway...LIE! There is another house right in front of you to the right, which also shares the driveway. When we first decided to stay there we had read the reviews, and being to some nice resorts in Maui, we were really excited to get away from all the tourists and we honestly thought people were just being picky and harsh on their reviews. We quickly found out they were telling the truth! We are in our early 40’s and more like kids than adults. What I mean is we don’t usually fuss over much, we love nature, love camping, my husband once lived in the jungle of Guatemala and he said that was even cleaner!!!! We now live in Florida so mosquitoes and lizards don’t bother us at all, but this place was awful! The skylight they say you can gaze upon the stars literally looks like it has never once been clean and you cannot see anything out of it but dirt and mildew. They also wanted to charge us a fee upon arrival if we came in after 6 and then a 20 more dollar fee coming in after 10. Our plane was delayed so they waived the fee however knowing we were arriving at night the porch light was not on, why, oh because he said it was broken. Also you have to trek up large uneven rocks to get up to the place and our luck it was pouring rain and guess what those lights didn’t work either! Finally he was able to get those lights on but they constantly flickered on and off. We went through Airbnb and thank god we did because we were able to be completely refunded and didn’t stay there but a few hours until the morning. Also Airbnb let us know that no host should require a cash transaction for taxes. We did not know that so we gave them $377.00 that night. We ended up getting our money back because I had taped our phone conversation. They are extremely friendly when booking and not so friendly if there is a problem. There are so many more beautiful, off the beaten track, clean, better customer service than this place!!! DO NOT STAY THERE AND ESPECIALLY DO NOT PAY THEM...go through someone else and take lots of...