Big Island Jungle Tour with Guava Green Tea

The most unusual part of this Big Island tour is that you are not just looking at rainforest plants. Jason and Nicki invite you into their working home, where banana cultivation, tiki carving, lava-rock sculpture, composting toilets, and water catchment all fit into one creative off-grid life.

I like the hands-on format, especially the chance to try carving a tiki instead of only watching a demonstration. I also like the small group size, capped at 10 people, which should give you time to ask questions and talk with your hosts.

The main consideration is physical comfort. This is an outdoor property with hands-on work, and some activities may involve walking, sawing, chiseling, or using an axe. Most people can participate, but it is not the best pick if you want a polished, easy-access sightseeing stop.

Key points to know before booking

• More than 150 apple banana plants: Learn how bananas are grown and harvested in a tropical rainforest setting.
• A large tiki and lava-rock collection: See hand-carved tikis and Mount Rastamore, a striking lava-rock sculpture.
• A real off-grid home: Water catchment, recycled pallets, and composting toilets are part of the visit.
• Hands-on creative work: You may use a hammer and chisel to begin your own tiki carving.
• Two unusual tea samples: The visit ends at the Tiki Tea Bar with banana green tea and guava green tea.
• Small, local format: Jason and Nicki lead the experience for no more than 10 people.

A rainforest tour built around real daily life

This is a different sort of Big Island outing. You are not riding through a commercial plantation or following a scripted cultural show. You visit Paradise Unplugged, a private rainforest property in Fern Forest, and see how Jason and Nicki have shaped their surroundings through art, gardening, reuse, and practical living.

That personal setting is the heart of the tour. The property works as a home, garden, outdoor gallery, sculpture area, and teaching space. You get a look at projects that are still part of everyday life, not displays made only for a ticket-paying audience.

The tour lasts about two hours. That is enough time to cover the main areas without turning the visit into an all-day commitment. At $75 per person, the value comes from the small group, personal attention, access to a private creative space, tea samples, and the chance to take part in some of the work.

If you are hoping for a conventional rainforest hike, this may not fit. The emphasis is on the property and its projects rather than a long trail through untouched forest. If you want to understand how one couple uses local materials and tropical plants, it offers something far more personal.

Start with tikis and Mount Rastamore

The visit begins with the hand-carved tiki collection. Paradise Unplugged presents this as the largest collection of rainforest tikis in Hawaii, so you can expect the art to be a major part of the visit rather than a quick introduction.

The tikis give the tour a strong sense of place. They are not separate souvenirs in a shop. They are part of the setting, surrounded by the rainforest and connected to the hosts’ own creative work. Jason is an artist, and the property includes carved wood, lava stone, and painted pallet pieces.

Next comes the lava-rock sculpture collection. The most memorable named piece is Mount Rastamore, a play on the famous American mountain carving. Seeing sculpture made from local lava rock helps explain how the volcanic character of the Big Island can become part of personal art.

You should come ready to look closely. This is less about a single grand attraction and more about seeing how many works fit together across the property. The art may appeal most to people who enjoy handmade objects, unusual materials, and the stories behind them.

A garden filled with Hawaiian hapuu ferns

The tropical garden includes more than 300 Hawaiian hapuu ferns. That number gives you a sense of the scale, but the useful part is hearing how these plants fit into a rainforest home and garden system.

The tour connects the plants to the local habitat. You can learn to identify some of the plant life and hear about edible plants, fruit, and vegetables grown on the property. The setting also helps explain why tropical gardening in Hawaii is different from tending a typical backyard garden on the mainland.

The rainforest can make plant growth look effortless. It is not. Jason and Nicki explain the work involved in planting where there is limited topsoil and how they make use of the materials around them. That practical angle makes the garden more interesting than a simple list of plant names.

Bring curiosity rather than an expectation of formal botany instruction. The available information points to a personal, working tour led by the people who live there. You will likely get the most from it by asking about the plants you see and how they are used.

Learning the work behind 150 apple banana plants

Bananas are another major feature. The property has more than 150 apple banana plants, and the tour includes a demonstration of cultivation methods used to harvest them.

This part gives the visit real value for anyone interested in food production. You see that banana growing is not just about planting a tree and waiting for fruit. The hosts explain the methods they use to manage such a large collection in a rainforest setting.

Apple bananas are smaller and sweeter than the standard supermarket banana many people know. The tour information does not promise a fruit tasting, so do not book expecting a large food sampler. The main point is learning how the plants are grown and harvested.

I especially like this section because it ties the property’s beauty to useful work. The garden is not just decorative. It helps support the hosts’ way of life and shows how tropical land can be used with care and planning.

Art you can try, not just admire

One of the most engaging parts is the chance to use a hammer and chisel to carve a tiki. That changes the tone of the visit. You are no longer only walking around and listening. You get a small taste of the patience and effort behind the finished pieces.

Hands-on activities can be a good test of your expectations. You will not become a master carver in one short session, and you should not expect to complete a major sculpture. The point is to feel the tools, work the material, and understand that these objects take time.

A detailed account of the visit also describes opportunities for sawing, planting, and some axe work. The exact activity may depend on conditions and what is suitable that day, so treat this as a chance to participate rather than a fixed workshop menu.

Wear clothes you can move in and do not mind getting dirty. The provided information does not specify protective equipment or a dress code, so use sensible outdoor clothing and closed shoes if you plan to take part in manual work.

The Okina and a practical off-grid lesson

The Okina is an off-grid structure made from recycled pallets. Here, Jason and Nicki explain parts of their lifestyle, including water catchment and composting toilets.

This is one of the more useful sections for anyone curious about sustainable living. The message is practical rather than abstract: reuse what you have, collect water, reduce waste, and design a home around the resources available.

The recycled pallet construction also links the building to the art on the property. Materials can serve a structural purpose and still become part of a creative environment. You get to see how the hosts combine function with personal expression.

Some people will find this the most memorable part of the tour. Others may prefer the plants or carving. Either way, it adds substance and shows that the visit is not only about decoration. You are learning how a household operates with fewer standard utilities and more direct involvement in daily tasks.

Finishing at the Tiki Tea Bar

The final stop is the Tiki Tea Bar, where you sample banana green tea and guava green tea. Coffee and tea are included in the $75 price.

The teas offer a pleasant way to end the visit, but they are also part of the tour’s larger theme: using tropical plants in unexpected ways. Banana leaf tea has been described as smooth and lighter than regular green tea, while guava leaf tea has a flavor closer to green tea.

Do not expect a large meal. The included item is tea, and the information does not list lunch, snacks, or a full tasting menu. If you need food before or after the two-hour visit, plan for that separately.

The tea stop also gives you time to talk with Jason and Nicki. Their warm, conversational approach is a major part of the experience. People who enjoy meeting local hosts and asking about daily life will get more from this than anyone who simply wants a fast photo stop.

What the $75 price buys you

At $75 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see tropical plants on the Big Island. You are paying for access to a private property, a small group of no more than 10 people, guided demonstrations, hands-on participation, and personal conversation with Jason and Nicki.

The value is strongest if you care about several parts of the visit: art, gardening, environmental practices, and local life. A person interested only in a short rainforest walk may find the price harder to justify. Someone who wants a close look at a creative off-grid home may find it fair.

The tour is offered in English, and mobile tickets are available. Private transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Jungle King Avenue in Fern Forest. The tour returns to the same meeting point at the end.

It is often booked about 16 days ahead. That is a useful planning clue, especially if you have fixed dates on the Big Island. Booking early also matters here because the group limit is small.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this tour to you if you enjoy personal stories, working gardens, handmade art, and practical environmental ideas. It is a good match for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, artists, gardeners, and anyone curious about off-grid living.

Families may appreciate the chance to see and try different activities, though the available information does not specify a minimum age. Keep in mind that carving and other manual tasks require attention and care.

You should think twice if you want air-conditioned comfort, a formal museum-style presentation, or a long, easy trail. The setting is active and hands-on. Some parts may be messy or physically demanding, and the property’s appeal depends on your interest in the hosts’ projects.

Most people can participate, but the tour does involve an outdoor property and possible manual work. If you have mobility concerns, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming every area or activity will suit you.

Cancellation and planning details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Hawaii time.

The meeting point is Jungle King Avenue in Fern Forest, Hawaii. The experience ends at that same point. Since private transportation is not provided, confirm your route before leaving for the tour.

A booking confirmation is sent at the time of booking. The tour is conducted in English, lasts about two hours, and accepts a maximum of 10 people.

Should you book the Big Island Jungle Tour?

Book it if you want a close, personal look at a rainforest home shaped by art, food growing, and off-grid ideas. The tiki collection, Mount Rastamore, 300 Hawaiian hapuu ferns, 150-plus apple banana plants, and tea tasting give the visit plenty of variety.

Skip it if your priority is a standard hike, a large commercial attraction, or a carefully staged cultural show. This is best approached as time spent with Jason and Nicki, learning how they work with their land and materials.

For the right person, the $75 fee buys more than sightseeing. It buys a small-group conversation, a chance to make something with your hands, and a look at a way of life that is both creative and practical.

FAQ

Where does the Big Island Jungle Tour meet?

It meets on Jungle King Avenue in Fern Forest, Hawaii, at the Paradise Unplugged property.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point on Jungle King Avenue.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $75 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 10 people.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting point.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is included in the price?

Coffee and tea are included. The visit ends with samples of banana green tea and guava green tea.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.