Blog

This is the perfect weekend with Christmas, Boxing Day and more celebrations coming. Many Americans are not familiar with the history of Boxing Day, but it is perhaps second only in importance to celebrating the birth of Jesus. The tradition of Boxing Day may be traced back to the early Christian era when the rich…

By Norman Bezona All kinds of nuts and dried fruit are popular at Christmas, but no nut is so popular as the Macadamia. Some folks on the mainland think Macadamia nut trees are native to Hawaii, but here we know it is an Australian tree that we adopted as our own. We use the nut…

At Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, our sound baths weave together nature and vibration — using carefully chosen instruments that invite deep relaxation, restoration, and connection with the land. Below are some of the key instruments our sound bath practitioners use, along with their origins, traditional uses, and what they bring to a forest-immersed sound healing…

Gift-giving can be an act of love—for both the receiver and the planet. This season, instead of buying items destined for drawers or landfills, choose gifts with intention, longevity, and impact. At Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, we believe that the most powerful gifts are the ones that support wellbeing, connection, and earth-care. Here are five…

The holidays don’t need to mean plastic garlands, glitter, or waste. This season, let your home reflect the beauty of the natural world—simple, sustainable, and deeply intentional. At Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, we believe the most meaningful decorations are the ones made by hand, sourced from nature, and returned gently to the earth when the…

By Norman Bezona Poinsettias with bracts of red, yellow, white and more are available at nurseries and garden centers now.Photo courtesy of Voltaire Moise Although we have been seeing Christmas decorations in some stores, the Christmas Holidays don’t seem real until our Thanksgiving leftovers are thoroughly digested. The Poinsettia and its close relative, Euphorbia leucocephala…

High above the beaches of Kailua-Kona is a place where the ocean breeze turns to mist. One of Hawai‘i’s most quietly extraordinary places lies on the slopes of Mount Hualalai: the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary. While most visitors to Kona head straight for the water, few realize that the lush canopy rising above the town…

Most of us breathe around 20,000 times a day — yet rarely pause to notice how each inhale and exhale shapes our inner state. Breath is more than oxygen exchange; it’s a dial that tunes your brain chemistry and nervous system in real time. In this blog, we’ll explore three different ways of breathing —…

By Norman Bezona Living Norfolk pines for Christmas may be found at some nurseries now. It seems too early to think about Christmas, but since living trees are in short supply, grab one while you can.Photo courtesy of Voltaire Moise Halloween, All Saints Day and Day of the Dead are over for this year, but…

Every inch of Hawai‘i began as liquid fire — molten rock rising from deep within the Earth’s mantle, spilling into the sea, and hardening into land. The Big Island is still alive in this process — constantly reshaping itself through eruptions that birth two primary types of lava: pāhoehoe and ‘a‘ā. Though both come from…

Why Morning Sunlight Is Nature’s Most Powerful Reset Before caffeine, screens, or supplements — there was the SUN. Stepping outside in the first hour after sunrise does more for your mood, metabolism, and hormonal balance than most wellness hacks combined. Morning sunlight is the original biohack — syncing your circadian rhythm, boosting your happy hormones,…

As the air cools and the rhythms of the earth begin to slow, autumn invites us inward — a season for reflection, grounding, and warmth. At Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, this transition is celebrated through mindful connection to nature’s cycles. One of the simplest yet most profound ways to honor the season is through an…

For centuries, indigenous cultures have spoken of water as a living being, a carrier of memory, emotion, and prayer. Today, that ancient knowing is being revisited through the pioneering work of researchers like Dr. Masaru Emoto and Veda Austin, who invite us to revolutionize our understanding of water, seeing it as a form of consciousness…

When we walk through the Kona Cloud Forest, it’s easy to notice the towering trees, vibrant orchids, and the cool mist that softens the air. But beneath our feet lies the true foundation of this thriving ecosystem: the soil. Often overlooked, soil is not just dirt — it’s a living network that nourishes plants, animals,…

Nestled in the heart of the enchanted Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, Hale Punana—“The Nest” in Hawaiian—is an elevated jungle haven designed for groups ready to drop in, reconnect, and transform. This private 5-bedroom retreat sleeps and seats 10, making it the perfect size for gatherings, retreats, creative celebrations, or families seeking a unique forest escape….

Kona is more than a travel destination — it’s a living, breathing library of natural healing. With its rare cloud forests, volcanic soils, and ocean ecosystems, Kona offers a diversity of environments that restore balance, reduce stress, and inspire wellness. The Healing Power of Cloud Forests Kona’s cloud forests are biodiversity hotspots. Breathing in their…

Why do we feel calmer by the ocean, restored in the forest, and inspired under the stars? The answer lies in biophilia — our innate, evolutionary bond with the natural world. Understanding this connection can transform not only how we travel and design our spaces but also how we heal. What is Biophilia? Coined by…

In today’s fast-paced, screen-filled world, our bodies are craving a reset. Brains designed to eat berries in a cave are being bombarded with thousands of new stimuli and information every single day. One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to strengthen your immune system isn’t found in a supplement bottle — it’s in nature…

We all know the feeling when lunch is over: your energy dips, and your body is begging for a nap. Instead of reaching for another coffee, try just ten minutes of mindful movement to refresh your mind, boost circulation, and help you feel awake again! Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana) What it does: Brings fresh blood…

A few weeks ago, we did a blog post on dreamy date night ideas. Now, we want to hone in on the quintessential sunset picnic date and share our favorite peaceful sunset picnic spots! Ample parking, relaxing vibes, and perfect for solo dates or picnics with the family. Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area Parking:…