How I Ended Up Buying a Home in Waikoloa Village

Before I moved, the idea of buying a home on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi wasn’t even on my radar. But then out of nowhere, it suddenly became the place I wanted to move to!

Where on the Big Island? Waikoloa Village. I’d like to share my personal experience about why I chose to buy a home in Waikoloa Village and how it all happened.

Why Waikoloa Village?

We were originally living on Maui when my husband was transferred to a hotel in South Kohala (that’s the west side of the Big Island, where the Kona Airport is located). At the time, our son was just 18 months old and I was pregnant with our second child, so making daily life as easy as possible was our top priority. The climate was also a big factor. I was leaning toward Waikoloa for its warm and dry weather, while my husband preferred Waimea for its cooler temperatures. In the end, Waikoloa won, but not because I insisted! (Just to be clear! haha)

One big reason was that Waikoloa made for a shorter commute to his workplace. Waikoloa had everything we could possibly need – preschools, public elementary and middle schools, a post office, bank, medical offices, a community pool, a golf course, tennis courts, and more. It was also close to the beach and about a 30-minute drive to the Kona Airport. For someone who was pregnant, it couldn’t have been a more ideal environment.

How It All Started

The whole journey started with an unexpected phone call from my father in Japan. He had seen an ad in a Japanese newspaper featuring a famous actor promoting a peaceful retirement life in paradise and told me, “We’re thinking about buying a house on the Big Island!”

The idea was that they could stay at their own place while visiting us here in Hawaiʻi, instead of always staying with us. But wait – hold on! Waikoloa Village and Pāhoa are about an hour and a half apart by car (approx. 78 miles). For my elderly parents, that kind of drive just didn’t seem realistic.

To make a long story short, it turned out the listing was pretty much a scam. The property didn’t exist, and even if it did, the location wasn’t practical. (I’ll share the details of this story another time!) That incident sparked a shift in thinking: “What if we bought a 3-bedroom home, so my parents could stay with us when they visit?” Thanks to their generous support, our home search officially began.

Enjoy peaceful mornings with panoramic golf course views at Paniolo Club in Waikoloa Village, where blooming jacarandas and wide open greens welcome you home.

A Smile in a Magazine

We had no idea which real estate company to contact. I happened to flip through a real estate magazine at the local supermarket, and one agent’s smile just jumped out at me. There was something genuine and warm about her expression. I took a leap and gave her a call—and it turned out to be the best decision ever! We instantly connected, and I felt completely comfortable trusting her.

✅ Our Must-Haves Were Simple:

• A large yard
• 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
• Not necessarily brand new, but clean and well-maintained

We fell in love with the very first house she showed us. Even after our offer was accepted, I couldn’t help but drive by the house over and over again—I was just that excited!

A breathtaking sunset view from the golf course in Waikoloa Village – just one of the many reasons residents love calling this place home.

Living in the Home

The preschool was a one-minute drive away, and the elementary school just two. The beach was only 20 minutes away, and if it was too windy for a beach day, the community pool was just three minutes away by car. We even had a home office custom built in one corner of the house, it was nearly perfect! (By the way, the house we live in now is a different one. I’ll save that story for another time. If you’re curious, I talk about it in my YouTube video below. 🎥)

Life in Waikoloa Village Now

These days, I hear my sons’ friends calling out, “Hi, Aunty Akemi!”—and it really makes me feel like I’m part of the community. I didn’t do anything special. I just tried to be respectful and appreciate the people and the place. And before I knew it, I had built warm relationships with those around me.

Brilliant hues of pink and gold fill the evening sky over Waikoloa Village – a serene reminder of the natural beauty that surrounds life on the Big Island.

If You’re Thinking About Buying a Home:

• Find a real estate agent you truly feel comfortable with and can trust.
• Ask any and all questions, even if they feel “too small” or “too basic.”
• I also recommend working with a local lender familiar with Big Island regulations.

Waikoloa Village was already an attractive community 25 years ago, and now it’s even more developed. We’ve got a second shopping center, a gym, and even a home improvement store. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family—and I genuinely think it just keeps getting better.

If you’d like to see what the journey looked like in real life, here’s the video version for you to watch!

If you ever lose my contact info, just search “myhawaiiagent akemi”  – you’ll find me in no time!

📩 If you’re dreaming of finding your perfect home in Waikoloa Village or anywhere on the Big Island, I’d love to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to guide you every step of the way.