There is no place like the Hamakua Coast on the Big Island

Located on the northeastern part of Hawaii Island (a.k.a. The Big Island) lays the Hamakua Coast district.  Stretching from Mauna Kea to the Pacific Ocean, this beautiful part of the Big Island offers some of the most luscious green land you will find in Hawaii making it ideal for growing crops of taro, produce, nuts, and coffee.

With a population of about 6,100 people, the residents are spread throughout the small towns in this district like Honoka’a, Honomu, Kukuihaele, Paauilo and Pepe’ekeo. The largest town, by far, is Honoka’a with just over 2,200 residents. This area, like most others in Hawaii, has a strong sense of family and of the community. 

In terms of climate, the temperatures seem to average between the 50s and 60s for lows to the high 70s, with an occasional 80 degrees, during the day.  Because of the location of the district, Hamakua receives about 84 inches of rainfall each year, this area’s landscape and terrain flourish with deep green color.  Additionally, a drive through the Hamakua Heritage Corridor provides the most panoramic drive through rainforests, waterfalls, and small towns. The drive from Hilo to the Waipio Valley Lookout is well worth the time to see these unbelievable views.

The median sale price for a single family home in the Hamakua District is about $300K with a median number of days on the market about 225 days. For land, the median sale price is about $250K while staying on the market for just a tad over 200 days. 

In Paauilo, there are usually several homes for sale that start at about $80K for those needing some work while most start in the low-$200s to upper-$300s. With only about 600 residents and the rich history in this quaint little town, it is easy to see why its residents feel a strong pull to be here.

The largest town in the Hamakua district is Honoka’a where a few homes start in the low-$100s but need some work.  Homes in the center of Honoka’a Town start in the mid to upper-$100s and climb to the upper-$500s.  Several properties in Honoka’a Town are designed and zoned for mixed use with businesses and living quarters situated in one building. Honoka’a is another town with lots of history.

For those looking for more land, Ahaualoa and Haina Pali Kai are areas in Hamakua that have homesteads available starting just under $300K and climbing into the multi-million dollar range for larger estate homes on enormous parcels. Other neighborhoods like Kaao Homestead and Kaao Houselots feature homes on larger parcels priced from the mid-$100s to the mid-$500s.

Lastly, high acreage parcels are very prevalent throughout Hamakua. These pieces of property are ideal for residents interested in growing produce or coffee, or simply living in a quiet setting with the most unbelievable views of mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Depending on the location, these properties can start as low as $70K.

There is no place like the Hamakua Coast on the Big Island. It has such a strong community with so much history and beautiful agricultural property. If this is the environment you crave, you must visit this area and see it for yourself.