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Printable Copy of Kulana Guidelines
Welcome to...
KULANA:
The Big Island of Hawaii's Affordable Artist Sanctuary!
Creative community!
Alcohol, smoke, drug & drama-FREE sacred retreat!
A cooperative work-in-progress!
Sanctuary & home for artists, visionaries, general good folk!
Our environment: Located in tropical, volcanic rainforest, Kulana is a peaceful, quirky, rustic, women-centric, cooperative work-in-progress sanctuary of rooms, cabins & camping within a private home that welcomes the artistic and spiritually minded for short and longer-term stays. Kulana is, and is intended to be, a unique experience in intimate creative community conveniently located near many of the top attractions and sacred sites Hawaii has to offer: Volcanoes National Park hiking trails, black sand sea turtle and snorkeling beaches, local farmer's markets, waterfalls, art galleries/workshops, Wood Valley temple, snow-topped Mauna Kea, Hilo's 50 cent theater, the University of Hawaii, the annual Merrie Monarch hula festival, etc. Kulana is maintained as a smoke-alcohol-drugs-&-drama-FREE ZONE.
Folks who have preconceived notions of what Pele's Big Island and creative community living will or should be like are often gifted with surprises; over the years we've found it is best to be open to experiencing each moment as it actually "is!" But for those of you who would still like to be able to imagine where you'll be landing: Kulana is not a pricey resort where everything is done for the guests, nor a loud or crowded youth hostel; it's not a bedroom-only bed & breakfast or a free love commune, and though sacred and rustic, Kulana is also not as intense as an ashram...yet, if one lets themselves fully embrace the experience, it is quite deeply real.
Those who enjoy a balance between simple country living and having access to amenities like electric lights and flush toilets will like it here, because both of these things are what we have to offer! This Hilo-side of the Big Island (-vs- the more developed Kona-side with its traffic and resorts) is a place where nature is louder than people...and it is a place where the spirit of laid-back, friendly aloha is prevalent while city conveniences such as frequent busses, cable TV, high-speed internet, etc. are not. (Note: we have cats on the property but, for those who are allergic, they generally don't go indoors unless you let them!)
Do you wish there was an inexpensive ($15 - 40/night/per Visitor plus tax...$450/month for Residents) retreat where you could enjoy making art and the growth of your soul? (There is! It's called Kulana!)
Do you believe in diverse environments (racially, by age, sexual orientation, food choice, spiritual preference...) that are harmoniously substance-use-and-drama FREE , reflecting the Hawaiian pricipal of kulana : "an attitude of joy from within"? (Guess what we are?!)
Would you like to spend time in a simple cabin, room or campsite amidst sunny/stormy natural landscape, with access to a fully equipped main house (kitchen, library, bathrooms), having your dreams supported by this sanctuary-in-progress whose grounds and structures become more beautiful and user-friendly with your financial support and meditative care ?
Are you ready to join interesting individuals on a brave, fun, sacred, inter-dependent frontier ? (If so, welcome to KULANA !!)
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"Intense desire not only creates its own possibilities, but its own talents.
Don't be afraid to do something just because it's impossible!"
Kobi Yamada (from the book Live Good.)
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Our Guidelines:
Updated April 2008
VISITORS!
One-Nighters:
Short-Term Reservations of 2 to 10 nights:
Medium-Length Reservations of 11 - 31 nights:
Longer-Stay Res. of 32 nights & beyond: $18/person/per night, regardless of how many share space.
Campers/Children : $15/per camper, & per child (up to 12 years old)/per night, regardless of length of stay.
Optional: Though we prefer all participants share in the care of our facilities, short-term visitors can add an additional fee of $10 per day into their reservation and have their Care Project obligations hired out, while medium-length and longer-stay reservations can pay an additional $14.28 per day and have both their Care Project and Household Purchase obligations hired out. (See below.)
Note: Visitors add 7.25% TA tax plus 4.166% GE tax into reservations.
CHECKS MADE PAYABLE TO: CRISTINA SALAT
Visitors, please note our "Non-refundable Reservations Policy": As we are a small community endeavor in a private home with modest amount of cabins and rooms (and no official "front desk," paid staff, or accounting department!), we DO NOT CREDIT OR REFUND FOR DATE CHANGES OR CANCELLATIONS. In order to reserve a space for you, we require prepaid, non-refundable/non-transferable payment for your visit in full. And all length-of-stay discounted rates are applied at the time of each reservation. If you must cancel or alter prearranged dates with us, please consider fees paid for nights you don't use a donation to the continued existence of this special place. We thank you for your support!
DAY-USE RENTAL OF KULANA CABIN OR ROOM FOR OFFICE/WORK/MEDITATION/ART SPACE!
Plus $100 No-Damage Deposit. • CONTACT: CRISTINA & request WORK SPACE INFO SHEET for further details! 808-985-9055 or discoverkulana@yahoo.com |
RESIDENTS!
• $450/month including electricity--single adult; cabin/room/camper.
• $275/month/per person--2 or more adults choosing to share cabin/room/campsite.
• $100/month/per child--up to 12 years of age; adult rate applies to 13 and over.
Plus $600 refundable Security Deposit per single adult (or adult with child);
$700 refundable Security Deposit adult couple sharing space.
Visitors applying for residency enjoy 6 consecutive, well-working weeks under the consideration of Management and current Residents directly prior to a desired residency, and intend to reside at Kulana for a minimum of 6 additional months.
As a balance of racial and other types of diversity are valued, we take this into account when selecting new Residents .
Resident responsibility at Kulana increases to two Care Projects a week, plus general upkeep, and weekly meetings with Management (along with other Kulana participants, as necessary).
Residents continue to contribute to Household Purchases as their turn comes up. (NOTE: as we value a hands-on community spirit in those who live here full-time, there is no "hire out" option regarding Care Projects or Household Purchases for Residents.)
Approved Residents are welcome to live at Kulana on a month-to-month basis as long Guidelines are adhered to and, in the opinion of Management, a good, harmonious community "fit" is maintained.
See "What To Know & Bring" below for more info!
Please note: as the size of our spaces are modest and our atmosphere is intended to be of a quiet and contemplative nature, we are not set up to welcome large families as Residents at Kulana.
GROUPS!
Groups welcome to Kulana by advance reservation and agreement of current Management/ Residents.
For overnight groups, all guidelines, Visitor fees, shared use/care of community space apply.
20% discount for large groups (10 or more) staying at Kulana.
Day-use of facilities for yoga, art, spiritual or other classes also possible at 80-20% split of group fees plus tax, with scheduling priority given to offerings hosted by current Kulana Residents; contact Cristina for details (808-985-9055 or discoverkulana@yahoo.com )
WHAT TO KNOW & BRING!
• WEATHER: 21 of the world's 22 temperature zones are on this island, from humid sea level to snow-topped mountains. Kulana is located at 2800 feet where night air can be mild or cold. Bring slip-on plus closed-toed shoes, as well as warm clothes for the evening, especially if you plan to visit the Mauna Kea star-gazing observatories (13,000 feet elevation), Volcanoes National Park (4000 feet), or the live lava at night. And yes it rains in the rainforest, that's why everything is so green even in times of drought! Lucky for us, our slight elevation makes mosquitoes rare. (The weather patterns also seem to be changing here in Hawaii...It is too soon to tell what the new patterns will be, but those who have spent significant time here over the years feel like it is getting chillier at lower elevations than it used to be, while at the same time less snowy up high where traditionally the mountains have been mostly snow capped.)
• RESPONSIBILITY: Kulana is a rustic co-creation located in the tropical rainforest of an active volcano. All participants who visit and live here agree to be 100% responsible for their own safety and the safety of their belongings.
• ENVIRONMENT: Those who enjoy a balance between rustic country living and having access to amenities like electric lights and flush toilets will like it here, because both of these things are what we have to offer! This Hilo-side of the Big Island (-vs- the more developed Kona-side with its traffic and resorts) is a place where nature is louder than people...a place where the spirit of laid-back, friendly aloha is prevalent while city conveniences such as frequent busses, cable TV, high-speed internet, etc. are not. (Note: there are cats on the property but, for those who are allergic, they generally don't come indoors unless you let them!)
• INDIVIDUAL SPACES: Upon arrival you will find that our basic indoor spaces have windows, beds, pillows, comforters, lamps, flowers, and individual perks from private deck to phone jack. Visitors are assigned a modest-sized private cabin or room from what is unoccupied when they arrive. Bring bedding, towels, toiletries, flashlights, etc. (A set of sheets and towel can be rented for $5 plus tax for the duration of your stay.)
• COMMUNITY SPACE: Shared kitchen is equipped with pots, pans, dishwear, refrigeration, individual and community food shelves. Our growing library includes an eclectic collection of reading material, our history of Guest Photo Albums, art & music supplies, plus an Art Wall in progress. Bathrooms offer shower and tub. Shared main house is for meals, discussion, reading, and bathroom use, mainly during daylight hours; please be considerate of those sleeping and working below! Visitors and Residents clean up after themselves promptly; we have no huge tropical roaches here, and would like to keep it that way.
• SHARED HOUSEHOLD PURCHASES: Management, Residents and Medium/Longer-Term Visitors take turns purchasing shared community items like: toilet paper, cleansers, propane, Envirobio, water filters, etc. at the beginning of their third week. These costs range from approximately $35 drinking water filters (purchased every six months) to sets of 3 scrubby sponges approximately $1.50, which are purchased more frequently. When you're a newcomer, those that have been here longer carry your share...and later, you get to help carry the newcomers who make up our ever-evolving creative community. Thus far, all reasonable electricity bills are paid for by Founder, whether or not she is on-site. Optional: Though we prefer all participants share in the care of our facilities, "medium-length" & "longer-stay" visitors can add an additional fee of $14.28 per day into their reservation and have their Care Project and Household Purchase obligations "hired out". (In the spirit of hands-on community, this option is not available for Residents.)
• MONEY: Visiting/living on the Big Island of Hawaii can be done on a budget...or extravagantly. There are $1 movies...and $25 plays. There are pricey health food stores...and inexpensive Farmer's Markets. There is free hiking and ocean adventures...and there are far-from-free helicopter rides and tour boats. Gas is expensive... and the (infrequent) busses are cheap. Come prepared to enjoy the experiences you wish to have and are able to afford. Neither Kulana nor other Kulana participants can be expected to pick up the slack if you incorrectly budget or overspend.
• CARE PROJECTS: Co-creating and maintaining even a small, affordable retreat in the tropics is no small feat! Kulana is meant to embody balance, equality & health on many levels by providing a cooperative environment where all who visit & live here are considered her part-time "caregivers". In the spirit of the Hawaiian principal of ukupau, one-a-week Care Projects for Visitors and two-a-week Care Projects for Residents enable the sanctuary to thrive and grow. No experience necessary.
• Our general Care Projects alternate between care of the structures, inside & out, and care of the land...with a bit of organizational paperwork or outreach PR from time to time. And we try to rotate everything, whenever possible, so no one does one particular thing too often. For those who prefer to think in terms of "hours", a weekly Care Project can take up to one hour per day of one's stay. Though some folks request additional projects which we can happily supply, this is not expected; it is expected however that each participant will give good energy to completing each Care Project as assigned. Weekly projects range from meditation trail shaping with pruners/weednetting/red gravel to cabin painting (including artistic designs as appropriate!), mailing list updating to posting Kulana brochures in nearby towns, cleaning community spaces to land TLC which includes weedwacking and planting/tending new flowers/bushes/palm trees, taking visitor bedding and community items to the local laundrymat, etc.
• Care Projects are tailored to current Kulana priorities, individual abilities/talents, length of stay, and to the weather. Optional: Though we prefer all participants share in the care of our facilities, "short-term" Visitors can add an additional $10/day into their reservation to have their Care Project "hired out," and "medium-length" & "longer-stay" visitors can pay an additional $14.28 per day to have both their Care Projects and Household Purchase obligations taken care of by others. (In the spirit of enjoying a hands-on community that we all co-create, this option is not available for Residents.)
• MEETINGS: All Visitors and Residents participate in generally brief weekly meetings with Management, usually on the day their next Care Project is assigned. Participants may also meet with Management plus other Residents and Visitors, as needed.
• TRANSPORTATION: They don't call this the "Big" Island for nothing! Neighborhood & trail walking/biking is enjoyable, and limited bus service to Hilo and around the island is available (808-961-8744), but specific near & far sacred sites, local farmer's markets, stores, social events and the multi-colored beaches are reached most easily, most conveniently, by car. Longer-staying Kulana participants have shipped their vehicles over &/or purchased new ones here. Rental cars are also available at the Hilo and Kona airports. For those not wishing the expense of their own personal vehicles, transportation to and from Hilo Airport with one stop at the grocery store of choice upon arrival is available for $45 plus tax per person each way, schedule permitting; best to reserve in advance. (NOTE: We do not do airport pick-ups/drop-offs to Kona Airport, the airport on the other side of this island, which is about 3 hours away.) For a single traveler, our Hilo Airport service is about half of what a taxi costs, and we can transport 2 guests (if they don't have much luggage!) in our passenger vehicle; large parties are better served by taxi vans or renting a car.
• Additionally, sightseeing &/or errand trips with Kulana Management are sometimes possible, $12 plus tax per hour and gas, schedule permitting; best to request in advance.
• Cristina also has a second "loaner" car that she is sometimes willing and able to allow Kulana visitors/residents/managers to use for $20/day plus tax if they are agreeable to its 100% driver responsibility terms; loaner car is a stickshift and a legally binding contract is signed. [UPDATE 4/08: CRISTINA JUST SOLD THIS CAR AND THUS ISN'T LOANING OUT ANY VEHICLES AT THIS TIME!]
• Lastly, carpooling with other Visitors or Residents is sometimes possible by invitation, but please note: ALL KULANA PARTICIPANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MEETING THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION NEEDS THROUGHOUT THEIR STAY. (We have found over the years that folks who tend to lean too heavily on the generosity of others in order to get their daily needs met do not tend to work out as well here!)
• SETTING UP SERVICES: Mail can be received for your name, c/o General Delivery, Volcano, HI 96785, or via an individually rented post office box. Payphones and low cost internet access located in Volcano Village, 5 miles away, as well as in Hilo and elsewhere. Several Kulana spaces have phone hook-up for longer staying guests who wish to have these turned on via the local phone company for land line and internet use. Internet access is also free via the Hawaiian library system. Past Visitors/Residents have also enjoyed the ease of cell phones, high-speed internet "air cards", and inexpensive answering services . Please note: There is no community access to these services at Kulana. As we value a healthy balance between community sharing and privacy, please do not ask to use phone, internet, post office box addresses, etc. of other Visitors/Residents/Management. (See note re: responsibly meeting one's own needs in preceeding paragraph!)
• WHAT DO WE MEAN BY "WOMEN-CENTRIC" AND "DIVERSE"? Kulana is a woman-centric (though not women-only) space that values diversity (age diversity, racial diversity, diversity by spiritual and affectional preference, artistic medium, etc). Here women and people of color are prioritized. Many artistic retreats seem to select more talented men than women, many creative communities seem to assign men the interesting and valued work, and women the stereotypical chores of cleaning up. Many resorts to "get away" from daily life and focus on art or spirituality often cost more than many women and people of color can afford. Gay/bi/transgender folk often feel invisible or unwelcome in predominately heterosexual environments....Here we turn those imbalances around. Men cannot take up more space (physically, emotionally, or psychically) than women at Kulana. Male opinions are not valued over those of women's. We practice gender neutrality when assigning Care Projects, i.e. a man is just as likely to be assigned a cleaning project, and a woman is just as likely to be asked to help build or move something (bodily abilities taken into consideration of course.) In general we have welcomed wonderful women and men over the years, though overall Kulana has been about 80-90% female. Men and women with gentle and feminist sensibilities tend to fit in well here. Here at Kulana, we enthusiastically welcome gay people, people of color, those who are younger or older, etc!
• CHECK OUT: individual spaces should be left clean and welcoming for the next Kulana participant. We are happy to welcome back folks who leave premises as nice--or better--than they found them! Visitors/Residents welcome to donate belongings for us to use or pass on at our discretion. As we have very limited storage space, we cannot hold individual possessions until your next stay.
• GUESTS OF GUESTS: Kulana was created to be a sacred retreat environment conducive to on-going creative/spiritual work; therefore we keep the number of participants utilizing our shared grounds and main house intimate. Friends/partners are always welcome to schedule visits with Kulana Visitors/Residents during daylight hours; and welcome to spend the night by reservation, same fees and guidelines apply.
• OUR ATMOSPHERE: Kulana is a quiet, nature-based, nurturing, growth-full sanctuary, generally housing 2 - 7 people at any one time. Participant "energy" fluctuates depending on who is currently here. Sometimes many interactions are shared; other times are more focused on solitary growth and expression. Meals and adventures are shared as mutually desired. All who visit and live here are responsible for co-creating a relaxed and considerate "community" atmosphere (no matter what Pele might be bringing up for them!). Consideration re: noise, privacy, use of shared space, behavior, etc. is required. All are welcome to stay as long as, in the opinion of Management, "it's working!" Management retains the right to offer or decline accommodations to anyone.
• CHILDREN: We have welcomed a number of well-behaved, quiet, respectful, and artistic children of various ages over the years and are happy to continue doing so! However, parents please note: Kulana is creative retreat space intended for adults focused on the pursuit of artistic/spiritual/rejuvenating paths, and therefore a quiet, contemplative environment is maintained. We are not by any means a "kid-proof" place, though we do have a playpen for infants in our community library now. For the safety of all, we expect parents to keep an eye on their children at all times. Reimbursement for any damaged work tools, musical instruments, furniture, flooring, electronics, etc. is expected (though we would rather not have any of our belongings--many of which have significant sentimental value to us--damaged!) Though other tourist accommodations may be fine with noisy, rambunctious, unsupervised children, it is not something we enjoy or allow. Therefore it is important for parents wishing to stay with us to know the kind of behavior typical to their children and whether or not a stay at an artist sanctuary is actually appropriate.
• NO DROP-INS PLEASE! As there is no "front desk" and Management/Residents are pursuing creative/spiritual goals while also intending to maintain healthy, balanced schedules, we do not accept drop-in guests. Please call regarding space and airport pick-up availability, and to set up a Check-In Time so someone will be here to welcome you and give the grand tour! (Advance reservations preferred, but happy to welcome last minute visitors when we can. Leave a message--we're often home, but we're hardly ever sitting right by the phone!)
• NON-REFUNDABLE RESERVATIONS POLICY: All Kulana fees for Visitors and Residents are prepaid and non-refundable/non-transferable.
• NO EXCEPTIONS: As experience has taught us, these Guidelines help us create our sustainable health on all levels, thus fee structure and our set-up as this unique, creative sanctuary--which is also a "business"--are non-negotiable. No exceptions are made. Even for friends. (So, please don't ask!)
• UPDATES: Kulana fees, accommodations, and guidelines subject to change. Acquire most recent information when planning your next visit!
Kulana The Affordable Artist Sanctuary
POB 190
Volcano, HI 96785
808-985-9055
checks made payable to Founder: "Cristina Salat"
website: www.discoverkulana.com
Email (checked at least 2x/week): discoverkulana@yahoo.com
Thanks SO MUCH to everyone who has donated towards the continued existence and sustainable health of this unique place! WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!!! Our Current Wish List: artistically: art supplies! music recording & video/filmmaking equipment including digital video and still cameras, & multiple DVD/CD duplicator! laptop &/or desktop computer (preferably Macs, but PCs okay too)! sound recording equipment! blank CD's & DVD's & cases in bulk! wheelchair! digital projector & big screen! outdoors: rubber wheelbarrow, pond supplies (pumps, bio filter, koi food, UV grade pond liner), corrugated roofing (metal or fiberglass), garden statuary , gardening tools, weedeatter-on-wheels or lightweight electric weedeatter (our favorite one just died!), potting soil, decorative gravel & stones, plywood or hardyplank substitute, 2 x 4's, 2 x 6's (actually any good wood!), portable generator, solar-powered things & recharger, flashlights, tarps indoors: coin-operated commercial washing machine(s) & dryer(s), doors (indoor & outdoor), towels, queen-sized tropical sheets, nightstands, dressers or chests of drawers, bookshelves expansion: small truck/camper van misc: Perhaps you have something we don't even know we need! Feel free to ask us! J And...$$ monetary donations $$: always appreciated to help us maintain/improve Kulana, offer Native Hawaiian retreat scholarships, spay/neuter wild kitties...and to help us continue to keep our prices so reasonable!
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discover "kulana"...
DISCOVER YOUR BEST SELF!
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES: 1) Part-time Manager Position: Free rent in Hawaii + other perks! Study website www.discoverkulana.com (especially "newsletter" page), request Job Description, come spend some time, apply! 2) Independent Filmmaker Bootcamps: 2-3x/week, monthly! www.sharkproductions.biz!
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updated 03/08
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