Hawaiian Tikis and Guava Tea

The jungle has a story to tell. Hawaiian Tikis and Guava Tea offers a close look at a private creative homestead in Fern Forest, where Jason and Nikki have cleared the property, built recycled-pallet structures, carved tikis, and developed a life shaped by plants, art, and off-grid living. I like the personal scale and the chance to see work made by the people leading the tour. I also like that children may get hands-on with wood carving and rock chiseling, when offered by Jason.

The main consideration is that this is not a polished attraction with broad paths and a big visitor center. You will follow an uneven lava-flow trail, and the two-hour visit focuses on one property rather than several Big Island sights. That intimate setting is the point, but it may not suit you if you want a fast-moving sightseeing tour.

Key points to know before you go

• Seven life-sized chess tikis greet you at the entrance, each hand-carved and arranged along a fence made from recycled pallets.
• More than 300 Hapu’u ferns grow along a naturally uneven lava path in their native setting.
• The Okina is a small recycled-pallet structure with solar power, water catchment, artwork, a hallway, and sleeping space.
• Jason and Nikki lead a personal visit centered on their own art, property, and off-grid lifestyle.
• Families have a real hands-on option, with one child receiving a chance to try wood carving and chisel lava rock.
• The tour costs $75 per person and runs about two hours, with a maximum of 10 people.

Entering Fern Forest beside the seven chess tikis

The visit begins at Jungle King Avenue in Fern Forest at 2:30 p.m. The first sight is not a standard welcome desk or gift shop. Instead, seven life-sized tiki statues sit along a fence built from 100 percent recycled pallets. The tikis represent the pieces of a chess game, giving the entrance both a playful theme and a clear sense of the maker’s imagination.

I like this opening because it tells you what kind of experience you have chosen. You are here to see original work, recycled construction, tropical plants, and a private approach to living. The tikis are not simply decorative objects placed for a photo. They are part of Jason’s larger body of carving and sculpture, and they set up the creative tone for the rest of the visit.

The recycled-pallet fence also matters. It gives you an early look at how materials are reused across the property. Instead of treating sustainability as a slogan, the tour lets you see it in fences, structures, art, water systems, and electricity.

The group size is limited to 10 people. That makes a difference here. The property contains small structures and narrow, uneven sections of trail, so a small group should make it easier to hear the explanation and see the details without the crowd-control feel of a large tour.

Following the uneven lava path through Hapu’u ferns

The natural part of the visit follows an uneven path formed by lava flow. Along it, you will see more than 300 Hapu’u ferns growing in their natural environment. These are not arranged in a formal botanical garden with neat labels and level walkways. The plants are part of the setting, growing among lava rock, tropical trees, and other vegetation.

That distinction is useful when deciding if this tour fits you. The appeal is seeing the ferns where they grow, not simply passing a row of landscaped plants. You may find the route more interesting because it feels tied to the land, but you should also expect uneven footing. The supplied information says most people can participate, yet the trail description makes clear that this is not a completely smooth walk.

The property also includes tropical plants, trees, and wildlife. The information does not promise a specific animal sighting, so I would treat wildlife as part of the setting rather than a scheduled feature. Bring your attention, though. A slow walk through a plant-filled property gives you more to notice than a quick stop for photographs.

The fern collection is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour over a standard art visit. You get both sides of the place: hand-built human creations and a living setting that the owners have worked around rather than simply replacing.

Lava-rock sculpture and the in-situ Rasta stone

As you continue, the property’s lava rock sculptures add another layer to the visit. The material is local to the setting, and the carvings show how the owners have used what was already present. One highlighted piece is a Rasta stone sculpture that remains in situ, meaning it sits in its original location rather than being moved into a gallery.

That detail changes how you look at the work. A sculpture in a studio can be judged as a separate object. A sculpture left in place becomes part of the ground, plants, and path around it. You are seeing the work as part of an ongoing home and creative site.

Jason’s work is especially important here. His carving impressed a parent and child enough that Jason allowed the 11-year-old to try carving wood and chiseling rock. That opportunity may depend on the conditions and the guide’s judgment, so I would not treat it as a guaranteed workshop. Still, it shows the generous, personal style of the visit.

For families, this can be the moment that turns a walk into an activity. Children do not just look at finished art. They may get a basic feel for the effort behind it. Parents should still expect the tour to be educational and property-focused, not a formal craft class with a set lesson plan.

Inside The Okina, a 100-square-foot recycled-pallet house

The Okina is the most unusual structure on the property. Built entirely from recycled pallets, this art installation includes a hallway and sleeping area totaling about 100 square feet. It also contains original mixed-media artwork, a water-catchment system, and solar electricity.

The size is part of the story. About 100 square feet is compact, so do not picture a roomy cabin or a full vacation home. The point is to show what can be built with limited space and reused materials. You will see a working idea rather than a conventional house designed for comfort and storage.

The water catchment and solar electricity give the structure practical purpose. They show how design choices connect to off-grid living. You are not just looking at a sculpture made from pallets. You are looking at a small shelter that includes systems for water and power.

A family can make this stop especially meaningful by using it as a conversation about resource use. The property offers a direct example of how someone can think about shelter, electricity, and water outside the usual city setup. One family even booked The Okina through Airbnb for an overnight experience, hearing the jungle sounds after dark. That separate stay is not part of the two-hour tour, but it shows that the structure can serve as more than a daytime display.

Do not book the tour expecting overnight access. The supplied details only confirm that The Okina is part of the visit and that a separate Airbnb booking has been possible.

What the hosts add to the visit

Jason and Nikki are central to the experience. The property reflects their labor, so the explanation is personal in a way you will not get at a large commercial attraction. You hear about the structures, art, plants, recycled materials, and off-grid choices from the people who cleared and built the place.

I value that kind of access because it puts the objects in context. A tiki is more interesting when you understand who carved it and how it fits into the property. A pallet wall means more when you can connect it to the owners’ building methods. The same is true of the solar power and water catchment at The Okina.

The tone also appears well suited to families. Jason and Nikki’s enthusiasm about their lifestyle gives the visit energy, while the setting offers enough variety to keep it from becoming a talk about one subject only. You move among tikis, ferns, lava sculpture, buildings, plants, and wildlife.

At the same time, this is a personal homestead visit, not a museum tour with a fixed script. If you prefer formal interpretation, extensive signs, or a carefully staged presentation, you may find the approach less structured. If you enjoy meeting creative people and seeing how they have shaped a property, that informality is a strength.

Is $75 a fair price for two hours?

At $75 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity on the Big Island. The value depends on what you want your admission to include. You are paying for access to a private creative property, a small group capped at 10, direct time with the hosts, the fern collection, original sculpture, and a look at a functioning off-grid concept.

The price makes more sense if you take your time and ask questions. A quick walk past the tikis would not justify the cost by itself. The experience earns its value through the stories behind the recycled structures, the plants, Jason’s carving, and the practical details of The Okina.

It is also a more distinctive choice than a generic sightseeing stop. You will not see every major Big Island attraction here, and you should not expect that. Instead, you receive a focused visit centered on one family’s work and way of life.

For a family, the price may be easier to justify if the child takes an active interest in the carving or off-grid systems. For a couple or solo visitor, the value rests more on your interest in art, plants, recycled construction, and personal storytelling.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 2:30 p.m. start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Who will enjoy this Fern Forest experience?

I would choose this tour if you like seeing how people make a place with their own hands. It suits you especially well if you enjoy:

• Handmade art rather than mass-produced attractions
• Tropical plants in a natural setting
• Sustainable building and off-grid systems
• Small groups and direct conversation
• Family activities with an educational angle
• Unusual Big Island stops beyond the usual scenic viewpoints

Families with children may find the mix of plants, tikis, buildings, and possible hands-on carving more engaging than a quiet garden visit. One 11-year-old enjoyed learning about off-grid living and trying the carving tools, which gives you a useful sense of the experience’s family appeal.

You should think twice if you need fully even paths, a tightly timed schedule, or a long list of major sights. The property includes an uneven lava-flow path, and the visit stays in one place for about two hours. Service animals are allowed, and the information says most people can participate, but anyone concerned about walking on uneven ground should consider that feature before booking.

The meeting point is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not specify routes, frequency, or parking details. Plan around the stated start time rather than assuming the visit can begin late.

How to make the most of your two hours

Arrive ready to pay attention to small details. The art is spread through the property, and the best parts are likely to be the connections between objects: recycled pallets becoming a fence, lava rock becoming sculpture, and a small structure combining art with solar power and water collection.

Ask about the process behind the tikis and stone carvings. Ask how The Okina uses its limited space. If you are with children, encourage them to listen for practical details about off-grid life instead of treating the visit as only a photo stop.

Wear what you would normally choose for an uneven outdoor path, though the supplied information does not give a specific clothing list. Stay aware of the natural ground and take the walk at a comfortable pace.

The tour begins at 2:30 p.m. and returns to the same meeting point. Since the duration is about two hours, you can plan the rest of your day around an afternoon visit, but allow enough time for the experience to run its full length.

The title includes Guava Tea, yet the available details do not explain when the tea is served, what it includes, or whether it is a tasting feature. If that part matters to your decision, ask Paradise Unplugged about it before booking.

Should you book Hawaiian Tikis and Guava Tea?

Book it if you want a personal, small-group look at handmade Hawaiian-inspired art, tropical plants, and practical off-grid building. The strongest reasons are Jason and Nikki’s direct involvement, the 300-plus Hapu’u ferns, the seven chess tikis, the lava sculptures, and The Okina’s recycled construction.

Skip it if you want a broad Big Island sightseeing tour, a polished museum setting, or smooth paths throughout. At $75, the experience asks you to value the story of one creative property rather than a long list of attractions.

For families, curious makers, plant lovers, and anyone interested in sustainable living, this is a thoughtful choice. Go with time to listen, expect uneven ground, and treat the visit as a conversation with an inventive couple rather than a standard tourist stop.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins on Jungle King Avenue in Fern Forest, Hawaii, at Jungle King Avenue, Fern Forest, HI 96778, USA.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 2:30 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $75 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Can most people participate?

The supplied information says most people can participate. The route includes a naturally uneven lava-flow path, so you should consider that terrain when deciding if it suits you.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.