Along the western side of the Big island sits the South Kona district. Probably the most historic district in all of Hawaii, South Kona has several small towns and villages scattered around upland ranches and coffee farms. With a population of about 10,000, the activities and scenery loved by tourists are loved as much by the locals. There are several small “towns” scattered throughout South Kona. Each has something different to offer its residents from small little havens of seclusion to famous landmarks and more popular tourist destinations.
Captain Cook is the last of the actual “towns” as you head south through South Kona. From there, you go tiny villages and pass homes scattered throughout the rest of the district. It is a very sleepy town with lots of history and is well known for being the place where Captain James Cook discovered the Big Island.
Another area is South Kona is Honaunau. This historical town is south of Captain Cook and is home to the historical site of Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Park. This area is a favorite among artists, writers and other creative minds, and features homes that are scattered throughout the area.
Kealakekua is a gorgeous area surrounded by the Pali Kapu o Keona which rises 600 feet high and drops down to Kealakekua Bay. This area is home to Marine Life Conservation District and is a great area for snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking. Many residents in Kealakekua are part time residents and own homes in this area because of the ideal conditions for water activities.
Just below Kealakekua Bay is a small beach called Keei Beach. Keei Beach is, for the most part, unknown to most visitors unless they happen by it. Locals in resort destinations always try to find secret spots with which tourists are unfamiliar. Keei Beach is that spot. It is truly a hidden gem.
Real estate in these areas varies in each area. While there are mostly single family homes throughout South Kona, because tourists do venture here, there are a handful of condominiums mostly in Kealakekua. For homes that start in the low to mid $100s, neighborhoods like Milolii Beach Lots, Honaunau Coffee Lots and the Honaunau Subdivision and go up to about to the mid $400s. For homes that have list prices starting in the upper $300s to mid $400s, Kealakekua Village, and Keei 1st are excellent neighborhoods. There are more exclusive neighborhoods in South Kona, Keei 1st and 2nd, McCoy Plantation and Kaoha Ranch Estates offer homes that start in the upper $600s and climb to over $1 million. Opportunities to buy land in all of these neighborhoods are abundant with land starting under $20K and climbing to well over $2 million depending on the size of the lot and the location. Many of the parcels are set up to run a coffee or produce farm.
As for condominium properties, there are a handful of properties in the area that star in the mid to upper $100s at Captain Cook Village; Doseo Estate starting in the mid to upper $300s; and, the Kealia Plantation Estates and Kalamakumu-Kahauloaiki at over $1 million.
Recent statistics show that single family homes had a median sale price of about $480K and were on the market for 163 days; for land, the median sale price was around $100K and had a median number of days on the market of 269 days; and, although no condominiums have sold in a couple of months, the median number of days on the market are 467 days.
From the quiet environment of Captain Cook and Honaunau to the more tourists driven Kealakekua, South Kona real estate has a little bit for everyone. Make sure you take time to explore the area before deciding where you want to settle. This is a beautiful area to behold.