Wailea Village is a tiny former plantation community near Hakalau on the Hamakua Coast, home to about 12 families including #1 Akiko’s Buddhist Bed & Breakfast. It is 15 miles north of Hilo. It was once the main thorough fare, a half-day buggy ride from Hilo. Wailea Village has a few remaining elders in their 80‘ & 90‘s, many of them with stories of what it was like to grow up in a sugar plantation village. . A few storefronts remain with their old signs, but Wailea Village has seen very little change, a respite and soulful, humane comfort from the busy world. The Fujii Bakery recently re-opened and offers pastries, snacks and drinks. The rusty tin-roofed houses, and home style, hand hewn gardens harkens back to a former time. Akiko’s B&B is home to the Motonaga Garage Gallery which was once a Shell Service Station. It is now a “human service station” where guests come for “tune-ups” in the welcoming and peaceful setting of Wailea Village. Kole Kole Beach Park is a 20 minute walk through lush rain forests and streams. There are nice places to picnic and a place to swim in the river with a waterfall. Bogey boarders and body surfers frequent the rocky beach., a great place to cool off and sit on the edge near the spectacular crashing surf and deeply inhale the beauty and wildness of our precious Hawaii.