North Kohala (Hawi to Kapaau) Home Sales 2025

I begin each year with a review of the real estate markets in the key neighborhoods in which I am active. I have shared these on the Hawaii Life website for 16 years! This report covers home sales in the portion of North Kohala with Hawi and Kapaʻau zip codes, and a separate report will cover the Kohala gated communities near Kawaihae. For reference here are links to the 2024 North Kohala residential market report and the 2023 North Kohala residential market report. 

Letʻs go directly to the statistics on Kohala (Hawi to Kapaau) home sales in 2025.

Kohala Residential Real Estate – High Demand and High Prices Continue in 2025

The real estate market continues to show the effects of the post-pandemic relocation boom that brought more buyers and home sales to Kohala, resulting in a rapid increase in prices. Prices for residential Kohala real estate in 2025 did not appear to increase further, but were stable at the new high water mark.

In 2023 and 2024 fewer homes were left for sale after the post-pandemic buying spree, resulting in lower sales numbers and short days on market for those listings. There was a bit more inventory from Hawi to Kapaʻau (homes for sale) in 2025, and 55 homes sold, just about the same as the 54 homes in 2022.

• The median (average) home price rose again, from $850,000 in 2024 to $970,000.
• Twenty-six properties – almost 1/2 of all sales – were $1 million and over (counting two at $999,999). These are mostly homes on small acreage, like the two I sold in Maliu Ridge, a subdivision of homes on 1-3 acres near Hawi.
• The highest price sale was $5,750,000 for a home on 21 acres in the gated oceanfront subdivision Ranch at Puakea.
• Median “days on market” rose slightly to 47 days (62 days for the mean).
• The rental market market continues to be tight and rents high.

Whatʻs Ahead for 2026 in the Hawi and Kapaʻau Home Market

There are currently only 16 homes for sale in Kohala, about the same as this time last year. The least expensive is asking $524,999 for home in need of renovation in the modest Ainakea subdivision. The most expensive listing is for an ocean view home on 20 acres in Puuepa Ranch (asking $3,995,000). There is also a great ocean view listing in west-facing Puakea Bay Ranch listed for $3,595,000.

Trends of the past two years seem likely to persist into 2026:

• Newer and renovated homes sell faster than fixers. Although contractors have largely finished the builds they began post-pandemic, prices of materials continue to skyrocket and availability can be a challenge.

• Ocean view and small acreage are still in demand. Buyers are largely coming from other markets and looking for at least some ocean view from their home. Most parcels in the Hawi and Kapaʻau area are zoned agricultural and small acreage creates privacy from neighbors, room for a garden or a few animals.

There are several bright spots for local residents to get into the housing market, with interest rates remaining stable. Two small scale affordable housing developments continue to work their way slowly through obtaining necessary infrastructure and permitting. The Kohala Community Land Trust is a non-profit formed to help residents keep a portion of the housing stock in permanent affordability, along with supporting commercial and agricultural enterprises. Click here for more information on supporting Kohala Community Land Trust or to become a member.