Business Monday: Take a walk au Naturel at Hawaiian Naturism Park

Like everyone on earth, Joe Clingman said he was born a nudist, adding it’s not until people are taught to stay covered – in most situations – that they do.

It wasn’t until his late 30s that Clingman explored naturism – non-sexual public nudity in a social environment.

“My only regret is not trying it sooner,” he said.

Clingman now brings the naturism experience to the Big Island through Hawaiian Naturist Park, a nude bed and breakfast located in Fern Forest, just outside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. He said his resort has welcomed the naturalist community to Hawai‘i Island since 2021, including families, couples and singles from all walks of life, ethnicities and sexual orientation.

“For nudists, our norm might seem extreme to some, but once you experience it, you will find we are actually pretty modest folks,” said Clingman who owns the resort with his wife. “This is because we detach nudity from sexuality.”

Driving up to the naturalist retreat the long, unpaved, gravel windy road leads to locked gates. There, the caretakers greet guests, show them around the grounds and escort them to their lodgings.

Comprised of three 100-square-foot bungalows – made from locally harvested bamboo that was weathered, burned and blessed by the builders – the secluded property boasts of peaceful, quiet and serene days for floating in the pool, hot tub or lounging by the fireplace.

Nightly rates range from $100 to $115 or all three can be rented for $350 per night. The resort does offer day passes for $18 per adult.

Clothing is optional throughout the resort except the pool, where a sign declares the rule: “Nude only. No swimsuits allowed!”

The nudist resort also features lava rock showers, a hot tub, a sauna, grills and a sundeck for nude tanning.

At nighttime, guests can hear the coqui frogs and look up to see the stars.

“We really want to promote the idea that nudism can be a wholesome experience,” Clingman said. “We’re gonna take a different approach to nudism. Let’s remove the taboo around nudity. Let’s remove the curiosity. That feeling makes nudist life so enjoyable. And feeling the sun and the outdoors.”

One couple who stayed at the resort described their visit as “heaven on earth.”

“My husband and I didn’t want to leave,” Mary wrote in a review online. “It was the perfect slice of heaven. Our kids loved the pool, volleyball and enjoyed the bamboo bungalows they called treehouses.”

Clingman and his wife, who own two other treehouse style B&Bs in Miami and Washington, had always wanted to start a nudist resort, but it wasn’t until COVID-19, when having a conversation with another nudist at Kehena Beach, that he decided to start one on Big Island.

“We thought Hawai‘i needs a naturist place,” Clingman said, adding he wanted to create a traditional, old-school nudist community.

So far, Hawaiian Naturist Park is the only naturalist B&B on the Big Island certified by the American Association for Nude Recreation. More, several of the nudist B&Bs on the island closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Hangin’ Loose, a clothing-optional retreat in Pāhoa.

Other clothing-optional retreats include The Banana Patch, in Kealakekua, and Kehena Mauka Nui Club, a clothing-optional, gay/LGBTQIA Airbnb right across from Kehena Beach.

Clingman said his resort promotes a safe space where families can recreate in the buff.

The nudist resort doesn’t allow lingerie, excessive touching and kissing in public, and prohibits photos (unless all parties are consenting) to maintain a “family” environment.

“We don’t want people dressing provocatively. We had a young guy show up here with a girl. She was in high heels. We’re trying to get away from people coming here for an Instagram moment,” Clingman said.

The nudist resort has played host to thousands of guests from all over the world.

“We’ve had some high profile guests, people that have made us sign non-disclosures. People in high level of politics and CEOs of major companies. We’re seeing everyone giving it a try and we want their experience to be positive,” Clingman said.

Clingman said they have had families book a room not knowing it was a naturism resort.

One family was from Venezuela. They didn’t speak English so when caretakers translated the “nude only” sign at the pool, the two kids and their mother and grandmother laughed.

“They had no idea,” said Clingman. “They booked for a couple days not knowing. But they decided to give it a try. Everyone got in the pool and had the time of their lives.”

In a review posted on the B&B’s website, Maria wrote it the best mistake her and her family made, adding it wasn’t till the second day into their stay they talked it over and decided to give it a try.

“We started out in the pool, and wow! Now I know why nude recreation is a thing,” Maria said. “It wasn’t a problem at all for any of us and we are hooked.”

Another family visiting from China had a different reaction after booking their stay at the Naturist Park unaware of its unique experience.

After reading through the pamphlets and figuring out the signs, the family decided to escape to their room. When they came out the next morning, and everyone dropped their robes to get into the pool, the mother stood in disbelief, before ushering her family into the car as soon as possible.

“The mother was so frazzled. I kept apologizing to her. She said it was no problem, but she brought her husband out to the car and banished him there. Then, they hightailed it out of there,” Clingman recalled.

As of today, Clingman said he is approaching $400,000 in the opening and running of his business, adding they are always reinvesting into the facility so this number will always increase.

Guests can find the resort on Vrbo, Airbnb, and hawaiiannaturistpark.com.