Big Island Agents: Michael K. Bates, R(S) GRI

Born in Paia, Maui, when Hawaii was known as The Territory of Hawaii, Michael grew up as a keiki o ka aina, a child of the land, growing up on the largest sugar plantation in the USA. After graduating from University of Washington, he worked and lived in Australia and traveled extensively in the Pacific, Asia, Africa and Europe, eventually returning home to Hawaii after a 3-1/2 year trip around the world.   

 He and his wife, Gale, raised their 3 daughters on the Big Island, all of whom attended Hawaii Preparatory Academy from K-12 grade.  As a member of the Waimea community, they have been involved in many fundraising and community projects.

 Michael has held his Real Estate License since 1979 and has witnessed the many changes to the Big Island over the last 37 years. Primarily, the demise of King Sugar and the closing of the vast sugar plantations of North Kohala, Kau, Puna and the Hamakua Coast. These changes have dramatically altered the individual communities and land holding patterns in all these areas.

 For the past 37 years he has sold Building Materials to contractors on the Big Island. The combination of selling construction materials, working with architects, contractors and selling real estate gives him vast knowledge and experience as a Real Estate Entrepreneur.  His experience provides buyers with viable choices in building homes on unimproved land and his construction know-how assists buyers in buying existing residences. 

Michael is the Managing partner of a 38 acre oceanfront subdivision in North Kohala and specializes in land development.  He has sold property all over the Big Island, but specializes primarily in Waimea, North and South Kohala and the Hamakua coast. 

 Combined with his 37 years of supplying construction materials to contractors and 31 years of real estate knowledge, Michael’s expertise will assist you in creating your dream of owning property on what he calls THE BEST island in Hawaii, THE BIG ISLAND!