Aloha, cyber`ohana!
First off, I've gotta admit that I've never once been to a B&B, much less ever stayed at one. But a friend <wave to Mike> who's coming to Oahu soon asked me if there were any B&B's in Waimanalo, and I found a real gem of a place...
For those who don't know, Waimanalo is the small laid-back community on Oahu's windward side and is about halfway between Kailua (at the foot of Pali Highway) and Makapu`u Point (the far northeastern corner of the island, where Sea Life Park is located).
Waimanalo is the home of Bellows Beach (great camping and beautiful beach!), and many of you have probably seen the polo field as you've done the round-the-island drive. Waimanalo is also"country" living at its finest, with many stables and nurseries and farms, plus the sheer brilliant-green cliffs of the Ko`olau mountains... warm shallow waters in a shocking variety of blues and greens in the lagoons inside the reef (which is about 1/4 to 1/2 mile offshore)... lush tropical vegetation *everywhere*... and also a great little old country/family cafe named "Kimo'z" in the Waimanalo Town Center, with home-style cooking and live Hawaiian music Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
In short, Waimanalo is a step back in time, and a glimpse of old Hawaii. So it's no wonder that my friend asked if there were any B&B's here!
I'd stopped in to visit a little shop called "Naturally Hawaiian", which is located in an old converted gas station across the street from the polo field and is owned and operated by artist Patrick Ching -- be sure to stop in here to see an incredible selection of Hawaiiana, arts & crafts, books, etc.
Anyway, I saw a card on their bulletin board that said "Nalo Winds Bed & Breakfast", so I called the owner and just now went over to have a look-see.
"Nalo Winds" is located at the eastern end of Bellows Beach, and the house is in a charming older neighborhood and is only 5 houses away from the sand (the beach was totally deserted, looking for miles in either direction!). The house and yard are both in terrific condition, and the single-story house is beautifully decorated with natural oak floors, plenty of rattan and bamboo furniture, and lots of Hawaiian art.
There are two "suites" here, each with a private entrance from the outside. The Aloha Suite is a nice room with a queen-sized bed, private bath, kitchenette, and lanai, though my personal favorite was the "Three Room Suite", with a terrific view of the Ko`olau mountains from the room and also from the private covered and screened lanai, which looks out over the back yard area with a hammock.
The screened in lanai has the kitchenette (fridge(2), microwave, toaster oven, 2-burner hot plate, blender, rice cooker, toaster, and coffeemaker) and also a wood-framed futon couch that folds out into a double bed, and I imagine it would be just as pleasant to sleep there as in the queen bed in the bedroom!
There's also a full collection of bicycles, boogie boards, snorkel gear, bbq, etc., that are free for the guests.
As I said, I've never been to or stayed at a B&B before, but after seeing "Nalo Winds" I can understand the attraction. (And no, I'm not affiliated with it in any way, shape or form. As mentioned, I just went to check it out for a friend.)
I plan on telling *lots* of my mainland friends about it -- it's less than two miles from my house!!! <g>
Ahhhhhhhhh, Hawaii...
Rick
(Hawaii message board Community Leader & resident of Oahu)

Links

On the Beach Suite      Beach House Hawaii     Fun things to do     Sailing Bad Ass Coffee Co