“I believe in the power of place and I believe in the power of the written word and the stories we tell. Those are good reasons I found my ‘place’ on the Island of Hawaii, and they are also reasons why I blog,” says Beth Thoma Robinson R(B). Why Hawaii? Why the Big Island? Which lifestyle and location? Which is the best way to buy or sell my Hawaii home? How do I bring over my horse? Being a real estate specialist in the districts of North and South Kohala on the Big Island is a wonderful challenge for someone with an analytical mind and a love of the outdoors. Beth might be found sitting open house and watching whales frolic from an oceanfront resort listing one day, and driving prospective buyers off-road across a large ranch acreage with views of snow-capped Mauna Kea the next. A prolific writer, Beth also shares her manao on Twitter, ActiveRain, Trulia, and Zillow.
Oceanfront parcel at One Puako Bay (MLS 215500) is 6.76 acres of quiet black sand
A year ago I wrote a primer on the topic of what someone buying oceanfront property in Hawai’i needs to know. In it I explained that “conservation” is the land use designation generally applied to coastal lands. Now, for the first time in 16 years, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is reviewing the rules pertaining to areas zoned conservation. The most significant proposal would specify the shoreline building setback to be 40 feet from the certified shoreline PLUS 70 times the average annual coastal erosion rate. (The public comment period lasts until September 7th if you have an interest and want to register your opinion).
These North Kohala coastal luxury “best buys” share sun-setting-into-ocean views (MLS# 235911)
What makes a $2.2 million home a “best buy”? Last night at dusk I was standing on a near-oceanfront lot with the developer of Ranch at Puakea who is about to break ground on his own home there. Referring to a listing I have at Puakea Ranch (MLS #235911) across the road, we mused that right now in North Kohala you can buy a luxury home on acreage for less than it will cost him to build, not even factoring in the cost of his 20-acre lot. Of course he’s besotted with his special spot and so building is the right choice for him. But looking at the four homes currently listed between Kohala Ranch and Hawi at around the $2.2 million price point, there is something to be said for being able to move right in!
Prospective buyers looking in the Hawi and Kapa’au area we call “Kohala” are often puzzled by the jump in prices from the little plantation-era cottages that today sell for $300,000 or less, to the $1 million and up range in communities like Maliu Ridge. There doesn’t seem to be much listed in the middle. That’s why I was so excited to see two great deals last week, one a price reduced short sale (MLS 235163) and one a new REO –the technical term for “foreclosure” (MLS 237400) – for under $500,000 !
View of the Kona Coast from Huehue Ranch; its name refers to the “bumps” of cinder cone on the flanks of Hualalai volcano
Huehue Ranch at its peak covered an estimated 8,000 acres to the north of what is now the town of Kailua Kona. Today the remaining 170 acres at the core of the historic ranch, including 3 recently restored ranch homes (the main house, “kid’s house”, and the manager’s house) and a caretaker cottage, is listed for only $3,695,000 (MLS# 231821). Divided into several parcels of record, the new buyer could add a home or two on the upper parcels where views are even bigger…or, as the listing suggests, return the property to its ranching roots by adding to the small herd of cattle still grazing the ranch under the jacaranda and silver oak. If you want to plant crops rather than ranch, that is also an option: the property bordering this one to the north is a successful coffee farm, as the elevation, rainfall and soil make this location part of the Kona coffee belt.
Big Island ranch and equestrian properties are mostly “upcountry.”
Enjoy ranch living with Kohala Coast Views at this Puakea Ranch Residence (MLS #235911)
Most of the working ranches and equestrian properties for sale on the Big Island are at higher elevations: Waimea/Kamuela (for example MLS# 233688); Waikii Ranch (MLS# 235515); the area along the Kohala Mountain Road between Waimea and Hawi (MLS# 224465), or even the hills above Kona (MLS# 231820). These areas are more comfortable for livestock, and less valuable for both the sugar cane plantations of years past and modern day resorts. When famed Parker Ranch sold off lands for development, Kohala Ranch was created in a strip that has lots and homes from 300′ above sea level to 3,000′ high. The properties with barns and horse paddocks are up at the Summit (MLS# 232550 is an REO). More »
Halii Kai, the oceanfront condominium enclave at the Waikoloa Beach Resort is a specialty of mine.Since I worked for the developer Centex selling pre-construction, I know first-hand the quality of construction. And I know the quality of the community, since so many of the owners are clients and friends. There’s something about having an oceanfront owner’s club, with its own chef and celebrity bartender, that makes this condo project a “community” in more than just developer-speak.
Hali’i Kai’s Ocean Club Bar & Grill creates a sense of community
Values at Halii Kai Enhanced by Oceanfront Row
A little bit of Halii Kai history. The project broke ground in 2005 at the height of the real estate market. The developer very wisely chose to start construction and sales from the oceanfront back. Perhaps this was a matter of sheer luck more than foresight, but what it means is that they were able to pay off their bank loan by selling the most valuable units at peak prices, and now can afford to be competitive with current market conditions on their remaining inventory More »
The Big Island—where you can still watch volcanic action creating land—has a topography defined by its five volcanoes. What that means for Big Island real estate is that wherever you look from wherever you are, you are likely to have spectacular ocean and/or mountain views. The “major highways” parallel the coast, and outside of the oceanside resorts, a typical luxury residential area is by definition located on a hillside, which means careful building and CC&Rs give everyone unobstructed ocean views!
Yesterday I visited my friends at Vitorino Ranch (Hawaii Paso Finos) in Niulii at the end of the road, almost to Pololu Valley, in North Kohala on the Big Island. The day was crystal clear after a night of gentle trade winds. Their ranch is just below one of the three amazing listings at the top of the market in Kohala (when I say “Kohala” I mean the portion of North Kohala that encompasses Hawi, Kapa’au and all the neighborhoods from there to the end of the road). Looking up at the valleys and green mountains, down at the oceans and cliffs, and across the channel to Maui, I thought “today this is the most beautiful spot on Earth.”
Ohana House
That helps explain why the “Ohana House” (MLS# 229636) is listed at $9.65 million. More »
If you are moving to the Big Island with horses and need a real horse property—8-stall barn, arena and turnout paddocks, there really is only one ready-made solution—a two-year old custom-built home and equestrian center (MLS# 233688) in Waimea, South Kohala.
Custom Barn on Waimea Horse Property
Price: $1,275,000 ($-210,000)
Although Waimea (Kamuela) upcountry on the Big Island is known for Parker Ranch and rodeo, the segment of the horse community who prefer English riding disciplines and dressage in particular were thrilled when a local riding instructor built a European-inspired equestrian facility at her home. The 80′ X 200′ steel structure covers a riding arena with soft footing, eight stalls, tack room, wash room, and even a bathroom for humans with showers if you need to go directly to work or perhaps a performance at the nearby Kahilu Theatre or dinner at Merriman’s after riding. But plans change, the owner is relocating, and the property is on the market and priced to sell. More »
The “Old Hawaii” feel of Kohala is a 30 minute drive or less from the Kohala Coast resorts and beaches, but is a genuine and cherished characteristic that makes this area so appealing.
Tourists (prospective real estate buyers!) venturing to the charming North Kohala towns of Hawi and Kapaau for last week’s Kamehameha Day parade and ceremonies at the statue learned that each of the place names we use to describe neighborhoods refers to an event in the journey a young ali’i (chief) made on his way to uniting the Hawai’ian islands.
Royal Views
Views fit for royalty from this 10 acre lot under $500K
The birthplace of Kamehameha the Great is at Kokoiki, more or less where Highway 270 turns the corner between the small, exclusive Puakea subdivisions (Ranch at Puakea, Puakea Bay Ranch and Puakea Ranch) and the town of Hawi. Build your home enjoying the same views as the newborn from a lot at Puakea Bay Ranch (MLS# 234304) where 10-acre lots are available under $500,000. More »
