Big Island

Real Estate Market Report – Kauna'oa at Mauna Kea Resort

Last week, I picked the price reduction to $1,900,000 on a developer town home at Kauna’oa as one of my current best buys in Mauna Kea Resort real estate. The point of a loss-leader is often more to get publicity and increase traffic than to sell that particular property. That turned out to be the case at Kauna’oa, where the highest priced of the six paired homes for sale (1A, offered for $3,300,000) went into escrow today.

The Hali’a Hale town homes perch well above lots where single family estate homes are taking shape

In fact, the clients I took to see developer inventory last week did not even go to the “best buy” Kauna’oa 10A (MLS# 221622). After viewing the sales office model in Building 8, we went straight to Buildings 1 and 2, which have a bit bigger views. I stand by my best buy pick, however, the advantage of the two homes in Building 10 would be their proximity to the “Country Club” amenity area.

The extensive amenities at Kauna’oa encourage gathering, so that owners feel a sense of community. Although each residence has its own dipping pool, there is a gorgeous community pool overlooking a private par 3 golf course. The workout room in the Clubhouse is beautifully equipped as are the men’s and women’s dressing rooms. There are even massage treatment rooms and wine lockers, so owners don’t have to drag bottles back and forth from their homes if they want to relax with friends at the Country Club.

All this luxury comes with a price tag. There are two Kauna’oa homeowners associations dues for the one to which lot/single family homeowners, as well as condo owners belong, are currently $2,250/month. The Halia Hale owners pay an additional fee for maintaining their landscaping, common areas, and exteriors which is in the range of $3,000/mo. (the two floor plans having slightly different square footage pay slightly different dues).

Speaking of building lots, I was thrilled to see the progress on a Kauna’oa home under construction that was designed by my friend and client, Eric Henderson, whose design business is based in San Francisco, but sought after by clients at Hualalai and Kukio as well as Mauna Kea. Expect more owners to be in residence soon…and with two lot sales already closed this year, and two more in escrow, the four ocean view building lots on the market (all of which are near or over an acre in size) could easily disappear in the course of 2011.

Kauna’oa is not the choice for bottom-fishers even if there are “best buy” properties for sale. It is a super choice for a buyer who is in the $2-$3 million price point for a built home—or who desires a vacant lot to build a distinctive resort estate—close to the beach, tennis courts, and golf course of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, a short ride by golf cart or walk down the path from Kauna’oa.

Unlike the rest of the Mauna Kea Resort properties for sale makai of the highway, Kauna’oa is actually entered via the road to the Hapuna Prince…which means it occupies a sweet location between the two hotels.

Kauna’oa Halii Hale town homes and lots are ideally located between the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and the Hapuna Prince Hotel

One final tip: Most of the Kauna’oa properties for sale are listed by the developer. If you are tempted to stop by the sales office, keep in mind their sales agents work for the seller, and you are entitled to outside buyer’s representation! We’ll work with you to make sure it is the right fit for your lifestyle, and to get the best price for your Kauna’oa property, if it is.

Comments (10) Show CommentsHide Comments (Remember)

Cool. Add your comment...

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Leave your opinion here. Please be nice. Your Email address will be kept private, this form is secure and we never spam you.

Pam Deery, R(B)

April 9, 2011

Great information Beth. With the monthly dues still considerably less than a property in Kukio or Hualalai, the benefits with the exclusive club house and golf course far outweigh those of their neighbors to the south.

The Mauna Kea Resort strives to provide activities for their owners; concerts, special dinners and cocktail parties monthly and of course lots of golf get togethers to maintain the neighborly feel of the “community”. I attended the annual “fur ball” this year myself with client/friends.

Pam Deery, R(B)

April 9, 2011

Great information Beth. With the monthly dues still considerably less than a property in Kukio or Hualalai, the benefits with the exclusive club house and golf course far outweigh those of their neighbors to the south.

The Mauna Kea Resort strives to provide activities for their owners; concerts, special dinners and cocktail parties monthly and of course lots of golf get togethers to maintain the neighborly feel of the “community”. I attended the annual “fur ball” this year myself with client/friends.

Tango Extravaganza at the Hapuna Prince Hotel on the Kohala Coast « Hawaii Real Estate Market

April 19, 2011

[…] to be at the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort, Tango Extravaganza was forced to move locations to the Hapuna Beach Hotel due to the Four Season’s tsunami […]

Tango Extravaganza at the Hapuna Prince Hotel on the Kohala Coast « Hawaii Real Estate Market

April 19, 2011

[…] to be at the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort, Tango Extravaganza was forced to move locations to the Hapuna Beach Hotel due to the Four Season’s tsunami […]

Developer Price Reductions – Kauna’oa at Mauna Kea Resort « Hawaii Real Estate Market

May 20, 2011

[…] been waiting for this release…thank you for your patience.” Following up on the “loss leader” price reduction I wrote about six weeks ago, Kauna’oa has finally reduced prices on all remaining inventory […]

Developer Price Reductions – Kauna’oa at Mauna Kea Resort « Hawaii Real Estate Market

May 20, 2011

[…] been waiting for this release…thank you for your patience.” Following up on the “loss leader” price reduction I wrote about six weeks ago, Kauna’oa has finally reduced prices on all remaining inventory […]

Les Melburg

June 3, 2011

Very informative article….I was a bit unclear on the HOA dues situation, however. Are the Halia Hale unit monthly fees an EXTRA $3000, in addition to the $2250 monthly dues everyone else pays, for a total of $5250 per month? Or is the total Halia Hale monthly fee $3000?

Thanks for your clarification….

Les Melburg

June 3, 2011

Very informative article….I was a bit unclear on the HOA dues situation, however. Are the Halia Hale unit monthly fees an EXTRA $3000, in addition to the $2250 monthly dues everyone else pays, for a total of $5250 per month? Or is the total Halia Hale monthly fee $3000?

Thanks for your clarification….

Beth Thoma Robinson R(B)

June 3, 2011

@ Les. The Halia Hale monthly fees are an EXTRA $3000 in addition to the $2250 dues paid by a lot owner. That is of course subject to review and agreement by the homeowners association members on what services they wish to pay for collectively versus individually, so could be subject to change. Think of it this way. When someone builds a single family home on their lot, they pay for maintaining the landscaping and exterior of their own residence. In the case of the condo units, that is hired and paid for collectively, along with insurance and taxes on the commonly owned area.

Beth Thoma Robinson R(B)

June 3, 2011

@ Les. The Halia Hale monthly fees are an EXTRA $3000 in addition to the $2250 dues paid by a lot owner. That is of course subject to review and agreement by the homeowners association members on what services they wish to pay for collectively versus individually, so could be subject to change. Think of it this way. When someone builds a single family home on their lot, they pay for maintaining the landscaping and exterior of their own residence. In the case of the condo units, that is hired and paid for collectively, along with insurance and taxes on the commonly owned area.

More Articles from Hawaii Life