Hawi Homes For Sale – $500,000 Budget

Real estate buyers who have looked elsewhere on the Big Island—Kailua Kona or Waikoloa Village for example—often get sticker shock when they fall in love with Hawi-Kapaau in North Kohala.

Dreaming of real estate over “Tropical Dreams” ice cream at the Kohala Coffee Mill in Hawi…

According to the 2010 census, the population of the entire district of North Kohala—including the gated communities just above the Kohala Coast resorts (Kohala Ranch, Kohala By the Sea, Kohala Waterfront) and non-gated Kohala Estates—grew by only 284 people in the past 10 years, to a current total of 6,322 residents.

With the district being still predominantly agricultural, and future growth limited to the existing subdivisions and within a one-mile radius of the towns of Hawi and Kapa’au, there just isn’t a huge inventory of homes for sale at any given time.

For example, if your budget for a home in North Kohala is $500,000 or so, there are currently only 9 homes for sale (in the $400,000 to $600,000 range). If you are interested in a home on acreage, there are three choices on lots ranging from 1.25 acres to 9.94 acres.

Two of these homes are small houses, but with potential for expansion, in the same neighborhood above Hawi heading towards the Kohala Mountain Road. One home (MLS# 242618) is a one-bedroom on 2 acres offered for $580,000…which seems a bit high compared with the other home (MLS# 247033) offering a cute two-bedroom on almost 10 acres.

Cute 2 bed/1 bath on acreage with an ocean view!

If you can handle a fixer, want to be close to town (walking distance from the hardware store!), and want acreage mostly for privacy, the bargain is this home (MLS# 247975) with 1,980 sq. ft. on 7.36 acres (below).

Potential if you have the skills or budget to handle a fixer on 7 acres in Kapaau town

The two choices that have 1.25 acres and a three bedroom home both have ocean views. This home (MLS# 240131), offered for $575,000, is the lowest priced home for sale in the Maliu Ridge subdivision at around 1,300′ elevation, a friendly neighborhood with big ocean views, underground utilities, and CC&Rs, but no association dues.

Three bedroom home on 1.25 acres with lawn and fruit trees near Hawi priced at $500,000

The home above (MLS# 245402), asking price $500,000, is just off the lower road as you drive towards Hawi from the Kohala Coast Resorts, at that point where after miles of dry but scenic road, you are taking in rural beauty of dairy cows and horses grazing in green pastures with ocean and Maui views.

Newer home with remodeled ohana dwelling in back, across from a plantation manager’s house!

If you have an extended family looking to purchase together, here’s a two-for-one deal (pictured above)! Two homes (one nearly new) on a single lot, midway between Hawi and Kapaau, offered for $550,000 (MLS# 245223).

Former model home for Hanaula Village subdivision near Kapaau town

A model home was built by the developer of a tiny subdivision where the decision was made to put lot sales on hold when the economy faltered three years ago. The model home has been rented and is now for sale at $549,000 for three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 1,723 sq. feet of living space on a 10,000 sq. ft lot. (MLS# 246594).

In other words, there may not be many homes for sale in Hawi and Kapaau for half a million dollars, but there is a wide variety in the choices. Most of these are easy to see, but some require 24 hours notice to the owners or renters. If you’re reading this on your smart phone or tablet at the Coffee Mill and want to take a look, just give me a call!