Hanalei Real Estate - Hanalei is the quintessential island town

Hanalei is a small town on the North Shore of Kauai.  It is a quiet resort town with a population of only 480 making it definitely one of the smallest and most peaceful villages in all of Kauai.  The community is an eclectic mix of locals, tourists, surfers, artists and more.  Because it is situated directly on the Pacific coast, it is a very popular resort area and home to some of the world’s greatest champion surfers. 

Known for being the backdrop to several movies, Hanalei offers residents and tourists lots of history and culture in the way of historical sites and several art galleries.  The main street is dotted with colorful local shops featuring tropical fashions; hand carved wooden art objects; and, other local things.  Local outdoor eateries lining the streets include shaved ice flavored with some of the island’s favorite tastes as well as other island delicacies.  It is also home to some of the best beaches on the island of Kauai.  Locals are typically found at the westernmost corner of Hanalei Bay where the water is almost always much calmer than other areas of the North Shore.  

At sunset, it is common to see locals gather at the Hanalei Pier to fish, swim and play music into the evening.  Another favorite stop is the Hanalei Community Center where locals and visitors alike regularly enjoy ukulele concerts. 

Real estate in the North Shore area of Kauai varies greatly.  Hanalei’s properties typically have average list prices starting in the low to mid $500s.   They can climb to well over $4 million.  Condos at some of the area resorts like the Hanalei Colony Resort start in the upper $500s for a two-bedroom condo.  REOs, short sales and foreclosures are definitely on the market in Hanalei.  Some start as low as $200K but are sold “as is” and require a lot of work to bring the property back to life.  

Over the last three months, the median sales price for homes in Hanalei was $500,000.  Although that was a slight decrease over the last quarter, it was a tremendous increase compared to the same time last year – over 41%.  There are many opportunities to buy in the perfect little town of Hanalei as there is real estate to fit many budgets.  For sellers, there are buyers out there.  Selling a home in Hanalei, as well as most other areas of Kauai, requires patience and the expertise of qualified Hanalei real estate agents like ours to market real estate for sale. 

Hanalei is the quintessential island town for those who want to live the true Hawaiian island lifestyle.  Living in a small area on a tropical island is life altering.  Wants and needs change the minute you settle here.  With its small diverse population of people and the rich history that lies all around, it is a wonderful spot to call home or have a place to retreat for long vacations.