Pāhoa, Hawaii
Kehena Mauka Nui Club LGBTQIA+ Clothing Optional
Kehena Mauka Nui Club is a small clothing-optional guest house on the Big Island's Puna coast, about 20 minutes south of Hilo.
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About this place
Kehena Mauka Nui Club is a small clothing-optional guest house on the Big Island's Puna coast, about 20 minutes south of Hilo. This is explicitly LGBTQIA+-focused lodging — a rarity in the US naturist landscape, which tends to skew heteronormative at traditional resorts and clubs. The property offers a handful of rooms in a residential neighborhood thick with tropical jungle: papaya, ti plants, ohia, and the omnipresent green tangle that defines Puna. This isn't a resort. There's no restaurant, no pool complex, no AANR affiliation. It's a gay-friendly bed-and-breakfast where nudity is the norm in outdoor common areas and the vibe is low-key social rather than programmed activities. You're here to relax, meet other queer travelers, and enjoy the rare combination of body freedom and intentional LGBTQIA+ space. Kehena Black Sand Beach — a well-known clothing-optional beach popular with locals and visitors alike — is a short drive away, and many guests use the club as a base for beach days. The 4.9 rating across 42 reviews suggests the hosts are doing something right: warm hospitality, clean accommodations, and a welcoming atmosphere for queer and allied naturists. If you're looking for mainstream amenities or family-friendly programming, this isn't it. If you want a place where you can be naked, gay, and among friends in the most remote corner of the Hawaiian archipelago, Kehena Mauka Nui delivers.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
Primarily LGBTQIA+ travelers — solo guests, couples, and small friend groups looking for queer-affirming naturist lodging. The Big Island's Puna coast attracts an eclectic mix of alternative-lifestyle residents and visitors, and this property serves that niche. Age range and family presence not well-documented, but the LGBTQIA+ focus and intimate scale suggest adult-oriented social dynamic rather than family crowds.
How to find it
The property is on Mauka Nui Street in a residential area inland from the coast, roughly 20 minutes south of Hilo via Highway 130 through Pāhoa. You're driving through lava-zone subdivisions with unpaved or rough-paved roads, typical for lower Puna. GPS coordinates will get you close; contact the hosts in advance for exact directions and gate codes if applicable. Parking on-site.
Things to watch out for
Lower Puna is lava zone 1 and 2 — the 2018 Kilauea eruption reshaped the area and severed some roads. Highway 130 is the main artery and can be slow. Tropical rain is frequent; bring layers and expect mud. The property is small, so book ahead. Cell service can be spotty. Respect the LGBTQIA+ focus — this is intentional safer space for queer naturists.
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Etiquette & ground rules
This is a guest house, so treat it like someone's home. Carry a towel for sitting on shared furniture. Photography is only okay with explicit consent — always ask first in social spaces. The LGBTQIA+ focus means the space is intentionally inclusive, but be respectful of other guests' privacy and boundaries. Nudity is allowed in common areas, but check with hosts about any specific house rules when you arrive.
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Kehena Black Sand Beach (Dolphin Beach)
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