The Freedom of Puako: A Community Where Common Sense Still Prevails

If you’ve ever longed for the days when neighborhoods felt like real communities—where people knew one another, helped each other, and cared about the place they lived—then Puako will feel like coming home. This small oceanfront neighborhood on the Kohala Coast has always been special, but in a world where rules, regulations, and HOA mandates seem to govern every detail of daily life, Puako stands out as the last bastion of freedom between Kona and Kawaihae.

As someone who has lived, loved, and worked in Puako for decades, I’ve watched how this community has remained true to its roots. Here, common sense rules. Neighbors are friends. Creativity thrives. And the landscape—both natural and cultural—reminds us of what Hawaii used to be: simple, gracious, beautiful, and free.

Think back to a time when people built homes to suit their style, their needs, and their personalities—not to please a board of directors or conform to a long list of restrictions. Remember when you could leave your garage door open without getting a warning notice, or when landscaping your yard was a matter of taste, not regulation? Many communities across the country have slowly slipped into what you might call “HOA overregulation,” where every color, plant, step, or sound seems monitored.

The stories are everywhere—homeowners written up because a trash bin was visible, fined for minor paint discrepancies, or notified that their garden wasn’t HOA-approved. HOA fees have climbed dramatically over the years, and with them, the level of oversight. Everything from the height of your hedges to how many minutes your garage door stays open feels controlled.

But Puako is different.

Here, people still trust each other. They value individuality. And they take pride in the neighborhood not because they’re required to—but because they genuinely love it.

A Village With No Mandatory HOA—Just Community Heart

One of Puako’s most defining characteristics is its freedom from a mandatory homeowners’ association. There are no enforced HOA fees, no rulebook telling you how to live your daily life, and no fines waiting for you in the mail. Instead, the community operates under simple county guidelines, giving homeowners far more autonomy than most beachside neighborhoods on the island.

This alone makes Puako unique on the Kohala Coast.

You get resort-style living—ocean access, quiet street, palm-fringed sunsets, and a true sense of place—without resort-style restrictions.

And that freedom means something. It means you can design your home to reflect your vision. It means you can enjoy your property without constant monitoring. And it means that daily living feels lighter, easier, and more peaceful.

But perhaps the most beautiful part? Even without a mandatory HOA, the neighborhood looks incredible.

A Voluntary HOA for the Love of Puako

While Puako doesn’t require an HOA, it does have a voluntary one – Puako Community Association – and that alone speaks volumes about the values of this community. The voluntary membership is just $25 per year, though many residents happily donate more because they care deeply about keeping Puako as pristine and healthy as possible.

This voluntary HOA focuses not on enforcing rules, but on supporting projects that benefit the neighborhood:

• Improving the sewer and water system
• Protecting the health of Puako’s coral reef
• Supporting beach and coastline preservation
• Maintaining the overall beauty and safety of the neighborhood

There are no “stupid rules,” as many might put it. No lists of petty regulations. No micromanagement. Only shared priorities—clean water, healthy reefs, safe roads, and a place we all feel proud to call home.

In Puako, neighbors join together not because they must, but because they want to. That is true community.

Life in Puako: Freedom, Safety, and a Sense of Belonging

Walking or driving through this 3.5-mile stretch of coastal paradise, you’ll instantly feel the energy. It’s relaxed yet vibrant. Private yet connected. Puako has become a refuge for people who want to manage their own lives—people who love the ocean, the land, and a lifestyle rooted in respect and aloha.

Here’s what makes living here so special:

You manage your home, your way

No one dictates your paint colors, landscaping choices, or the style of your home. You have the freedom to express yourself and design the life you want.

No unnecessary tickets or micromanaging

You don’t have to worry about being cited for trivial issues. Life isn’t policed here—it’s lived.

Genuine safety and good neighbors

Puako’s sense of community naturally leads to a safer neighborhood. People know each other, look out for one another, and care about their surroundings.

A vibrant, engaged community

From reef protection efforts to neighborhood gatherings, Puako is rich with people who actively work to make their home better.

Resort-style living without resort restrictions

You get oceanfront views, year-round sunshine, calm streets perfect for biking or walking, and immediate beach access—just without the rules and fees that often come with resort communities.

Puako truly is the place where freedom and beauty meet.

A Last Bastion of Freedom on the Kohala Coast

Between Kona and Kawaihae, nearly every coastal community has some form of HOA—many with high monthly dues and a long list of regulations. Puako stands alone as a reminder of what island living used to be, and what it can still be today.

This freedom has attracted a diverse, creative, and thoughtful group of residents, from multi-generational local families to ocean-loving newcomers seeking a simpler, more meaningful lifestyle.

There’s a reason so many people describe Puako as a “place of refuge.” When life gets noisy, crowded, or complicated, Puako offers peace. When overregulation becomes overwhelming, Puako offers autonomy. And when you want to feel part of a true community, Puako welcomes you with open arms.

Giving Back to the Community That Gives So Much

One of the most rewarding aspects of life in Puako is the opportunity to contribute directly to the community. Without a mandatory HOA, residents can choose where to put their time, energy, and resources. Whether it’s volunteering for reef cleanups, supporting the voluntary HOA, participating in neighborhood events, or simply taking care of your own little piece of paradise, every effort matters.

This self-guided care is what keeps Puako beautiful. It’s what preserves the charm of the village atmosphere. And it’s what allows the neighborhood to remain so free—because people here understand that freedom comes with responsibility, and they embrace it wholeheartedly.

E Komo Mai: Experience the Freedom of Puako

If your ideal lifestyle includes ocean breezes, unmatched sunsets, friendly neighbors, and the freedom to truly live the way you want, then Puako may be the perfect place for you.

Whether you’re dreaming of a full-time home, a second residence, or simply a slower, more intentional way of life, I would love to show you what makes this community so extraordinary.

After all these years, I still believe there is nowhere quite like Puako. And once you experience its charm, I think you’ll feel the same.

E komo mai—come and see for yourself. And please, always come back.

Want to experience Puako living? Check out my Puako listings here!