The Falls at Reed's Island, Big Island, Hawaii

The Falls at Reed's Island is a vacation rental located five minutes from historic, old Hilo town on the east side of the Big Island. The House is positioned on top of a large volcanic flow. Two hundred truck loads of lava rock were taken away to create the house pad. The house is painted black to appear as if it emerged from the Lava rocks below and is surrounded by richly colored, sunlit vegetation. Below is the ancient river bed.

The view of the Falls changes daily depending on the rainfall on the mountain. Here it is shown on a very light day. Natural vegetation is combined with expansive lawn and lava rock wall. The house has 750 feet of frontage on the Wailuku River, the largest river in the state.

Whether a party contains one guest or 6, they have the 2 1/4 acre gated and landscaped paradise all to themselves. While the house is close to everything, the property is surrounded by State land and Conservation land with the end result being a feeling that you are on a "Private Island". The house is located on Reed's Island, an enclave of upscale homes located on what was once an island in the Wailuku River, the largest river in Hawaii.

One of three bedrooms at The Falls at Reed's Island, each has it's own private bath. Port Oreford Cedar from Oregon, with its pleasant aroma, was used for the interiors. Large windows look out on the spacious gardens and untouched land that adjoin the 2 1/4 acre property. Architects and original owners Tom Cordell, who designed the gardens and David Morton, who designed the house called it A House in the Rain Forest.

A screened lanai connects the three pavilions. It is anchored by Ohia posts which are abundant in the area, and indigenous to Hawaii. The Ohia tree blossom is called Lehua, Hawaiian legend has it that Lehua and Ohia were lovers, when a blossom is picked and Lehua and Ohia are separated, you can expect rain, the tears of Lehua. From the lanai, the view is of the Conservation land bordering the property across the Wailuku River.

Kitchen, dining and living are combined into the main pavilion. The room has large windows on all sides with beautiful views allowing one to survey, as from a crow¿s nest, the two gorges and the waterfall below. No other structure is seen from the house. It is surrounded by gardens made by man and nature. The Architect, David Morton, says that the house was designed to look out of it.

Another view of the screened lanai. A large punee with cushions is a great place to just relax, read a book and listen to the sounds of the Wailuku River the largest river in Hawaii. It flows from the slopes of Mauna Kea down to Hilo Bay.

Alexander Palms, sometimes called gully palms or Hilo palms, flourish in the Hilo area more than any area of Hawaii. Here, three stand with other palms and a large Heleconia growth.

On the opposite side of the house from the River, there was an ancient river bed where manicured grass now grows. This property was the point of land between the two rivers and the area was named Koloiki and later Reed's Island. It was an Island in the Wailuku River. With cliffs flanking both sides, this dry cannel is an ideal site for a garden. It undulates the length of the property, culminating beyond the tip of the old island at a cliff overlooking the active North gorge and a grand waterfall directly below.

Architectural plantings and natural foliage combine to make a magical setting. Alexander palms, gargantuan old growth Mango trees, tree ferns and monstera are shown.

The 45-foot driveway from the gate of the property to the house has lava rock walls, lawai fern, blue and white ginger and huge 100-plus year-old Mango trees. It gently winds up to the top of the lava flow where the house was built.

Natural lava rock is combined with man made lava rock wall. Shown is a path on the lower level of the house that leads from a small office to the screened hot and cold soaking tubs. To soak in the hot tub, turning off the pump and listening to the sounds of the Wailuku River and birds singing in the late afternoon is a special treat.

A private stairway goes 85 feet from the house to the Wailuku River below. Old Mango trees, lawai ferns, monstera and tree ferns surround you on the walk to the river.

A large planting of variegated red Heleconia is located just off the screened lanai.

View from the house of the double waterfall 85 feet below. Shown here on a very dry day. When the snow on Mauna Kea is melting or there is heavy rainfall, the actual drop in the waterfall is hardly noticeable, no time to drop, it is more just a large freeway cascading down the river bed.

View across the Wailuku River from the house. Conservation land protected by environmental laws mean the view will remain natural and untouched. A large cave in the lava rock topped by natural growth is sometimes obscured when the River rises from melting snow or heavy rainfall.