Red Cinder is located at the end of rural Lorenzo Road, about 1 mile north of Highway 11 (the Big Island "loop road"), just a few hundred yards west of the turnoff to South Point (Ka Lae).

The ten-acre property lies at 2,200 feet elevation on the gentle southerly slope of Mauna Loa (one of the island´s three volcanoes). Directions in Hawai´i are often indicated by where something is in relation to the mountain (inland) or the sea. Toward the mountain is mauka. Toward the ocean is makai. Thus, we´d say, "Red Cinder is about a mile mauka of the loop road." Or, "To get to South Point, turn makai off Highway 11."

The land here is a mixture of woodlands and open meadows. Tall, graceful ohia trees (native to Hawai´i) line the driveway and grow profusely nearby. Our neighbors grow coffee, island fruits, and macadamia nuts; some have horses or goats grazing in their pastures. Just mauka of Red Cinder is the Ka´u Forest Reserve, a wilderness area with diverse wildlife. It´s common to see wild turkeys or peacocks stalking through a pasture or crossing the road; you may also spot native songbirds. The seacoast at South Point is 13 miles away.

Climate Because of Red Cinder´s elevation, temperatures are generally cooler than on the coast, averaging between 60° and 80° F (15­25° C). Gentle northeasterly trade winds prevail most of the year. Clouds often gather in the afternoon, as warm air moves upslope and cools; afternoon showers are common, especially in the summer months.

More