We would prefer the Waimea/kona/kohala coast area...right now we are reserved for 9 nights at the orchid at mauna lani.. but, it is just way too expensive! so, we want to find a b and b for 4 nights.. any ideas would be appreciated!

Last October my wife and I stayed 2 nights at Hale Maluhia Country Inn in Kailua-Kona. It was nice, comfortable and nicly located for that side of the island. A good blend of informality, comfort and hospitality. I would be happy to stay there again.
http://www.hawaii-inns.com/hi/kna/hmh/index.html

The only reason our stay there was so short is that the Big Island is so big we wanted to spend some time closer to Volcano NP so we moved to an inn in Volcano Village for the rest of the visit. We are glad we did... driving to VNP from the Kona area takes two hours or so and is kinda far for a day trip.

Do I have a place for you! JUST came back last week from a trip to Oahu and Big Island. Stayed at SILVER OAKS RANCH in the "Plantation House" and it was wonderful!!!! Email me for me questions/help on it...I can give you their website or phonenumber. How many in your party? It's a extra-ordinarily spotless, clean house. VERY pleasant people too...on a farm.

Houlaloha Inn in the Coffee Country above Kona is very nice.

Darn! Darn! I was hoping we could keep Holulaloa Inn a secret! It is a really marvelous place -- although cooler and cloudier than if you're down by the beach.

Gail which room did you stay at in the Holualoa? It is a great place. I can't remember the name of the room but it was not the Balinese.

We stayed in South Point at the South Point Banyan Tree House (http://www.ifb.com/hawaii-banyan/). It is only one room, but is built into a banyan tree. Has a kitchen, no breakfast included, but is the most unique place I have ever been.

I also just got back from a stay at the halualoa. It really was great. I had the Orchid isle room (big benefit: view of the coast).

Lindafrom NJ, we stayed in the Orchid Isle room too. Loved those wooden floors! I remember we could hear the donkeys (and sometimes cows) at night. One night we could hear local Hawaiian music. It wasn't noisy though. I think the reason we didn't opt for a cheaper room was that it was already booked. One thing that made the place so memorable was that their staff was so polished, professional and unobtrusive. Has anyone here stayed at the Jacaranda up near Waimea? I'm considering trying it sometime.