In the northwest portion of the Big Island lies the Kohala Coast district. Its name is derived from Kohala Mountain which is the oldest of the five major volcanic mountains on the Island. Although the locals refer to the district as Kohala, it is divided into two areas – North and South Kohala – that are very different in terms of landscape and real estate offerings. While the northern end of Kohala is filled with lush green agricultural land and single family homes, South Kohala is a very resort oriented part of the district with the world famous Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea and Waikoloa Beach Resorts located here.
Along with different terrain comes a different climate in each area of the Kohala Coast. The north side has much more rainfall making it ideal for a more agriculturally rich area and why it is known as a popular area for paniolos (cowboys). In the south, the near-perfect year round temperatures bring life to the popularity of the resorts.
South Kohala Coast
Because the south part of the Kohala Coast is such a resort destination, there are a lot of vacation and investment properties available. Several condominium communities offer turnkey furnished homes and units with successful rental histories making them excellent investment properties. Mauna Lani Resort has two and three-bedroom units in communities like Golf Villas, Palm Villas and the Islands at Mauna Lani priced from the mid-$300s to the upper-$600s. For single family homes in the resort communities like The Cape, Mauna Lani Terrace and Champions Ridge, list prices start at just over $600K for lots and climb into the multi-million dollar ranges for beautiful estate-style homes with magnificent views.
The Mauna Kea Resort features condominium communities like Wai ula ula at Mauna Kea with units starting in the mid-$700s and climbing to well over $1.5 million. Estate style single family homes are abundant at the Mauna Kea Resort with homes in the Fairways and Moani Heights starting at just over $1 million and climbing from there. The Bluffs and High Bluffs offer high acreage parcels starting in the mid-$600s.
The third major resort in the southern section of Kohala is Waikoloa Beach Resort where there are homes to fit every budget from one- and two-bedroom condominium units starting in the mid-$200s to luxury two-and three-bedroom townhomes topping $500K to $1 million plus homes with amazing views.
There are several condominium communities and single family home neighborhoods outside the resort areas that offer properties listed in all price ranges. Waikoloa is a great area for investment property and second homes as there is something for everyone.
North Kohala Coast
In the north section of the Kohala Coast district, you will find a more eclectic and diverse group of residents including artists, paniolos, professionals and, of course, locals (kama’aina). The main communities in Kohala include Kapa’au and Hawi. As with most every part of this district, there are properties to fit every price range. Mostly single family homes and vacant land, real estate starts in the low to mid-$200s for homes in Kynnersly Road Tract (Kapa’au) and Kaauhuhu Homesteads in Hawi up to multi-million dollar homes and land at Hawi Plantation and Makapala-Makanikahio (Kapa’au).
Waimea is another well-known area of Kohala and is claimed by both sections because of its central location in the Kohala district. Also referred to as Kamuela, Waimea has several options for real estate. Kohala Estates and Kohala Sea View offer properties starting in the upper-$400s to homes surrounded by tons of land that start just over $1 million. Waimea is a thriving agricultural area and is very popular with the local paniolos (cowboys).
Buying and Selling Here
To break it down, the median sales price for homes in North Kohala is about $550K and $290K for land while in the South part of the district are $430K and $570K respectively. Because North Kohala is a favorite with full time residents, the median number of days on the market (DOM) is just over 180 days for home and 310 days for land. In South Kohala, the DOM is around 230 days for homes and just over 100 days for land.
So Many Choices
With so many options in the Kohala Coast real estate, it is no wonder that this is such a popular area to live. Whether you want the luxurious resort style life in the southern portion of Kohala or the more agricultural and natural life in North Kohala, this area has something for everyone. Visit the Kohala Coast and see just what it is that draws so many to live here.