Big Island Horse Property – Puakea Bay Ranch

If you are looking for Big Island horse-friendly property and the lots at Puu Lani Ranch seem too small and the elevation at Waikii Ranch seems too high, perhaps Puakea Bay Ranch near Hawi is your spot.

Puakea Bay Ranch – ocean view

Once a working ranch owned by Parker Ranch, the subdivision known as Puakea Bay Ranch is makai (ocean side) of the “highway” just before the turn that brings you into the town of Hawi. That location means you enjoy the dry, sunny climate and perfect sunsets of the Kohala Coast, while being minutes away from the restaurants, shops and community of Hawi. The horse person can ride on their own 10-acre parcel, or take advantage of 50-foot wide equestrian easements accessible directly from all the lots.

There are two orientations of 10-acre lots at Puakea Bay Ranch. Those nearest the oceanfront park are oriented with their longest side at a right angle to the ocean. That orientation means no one can build below you, possibly obstructing a whale breach from view! These rarely come on the market, so it was news when one was listed a few weeks ago for $1,249,000.

Between the ‘vertical’ lots and the entrance, lots run with their long sides parallel to the ocean. That orientation allows for homes to be staggered along adjacent sites, again insuring those huge ocean and Maui views. With prices on these lots having dropped significantly, buyers are seeing value! I have personally represented the buyers on three of the four sales in 2008-09…and with only two lots on the market and prices at $475-499,000, I’ll continue to recommend looking here if you are a “future retirement” buyer who wants a horse-friendly lot in a gated community with underground utilities that will have reasonable holding costs until you are ready to build.

The other real value at Puakea Bay Ranch is in the beautiful, newly constructed homes. Prices have dropped from the $3 million range to the low $2 millions. If you want an estate-size home with nearly 7,000 sq. ft.t under roof, where else on the Big Island will you find a home of this quality on 10 acres for $2.2 million? The photos on the MLS (and therefore on our Hawaii Life website) do not do this property justice, so let me know if you want to see more views like this:

Puakea Bay Ranch Estate

There is also a Polynesian pod-style home on the market at Puakea Bay Ranch that has some deferred maintenance, but is only priced at $1,665,000. The original owners (not the current sellers) built a barn for their horses that is still on the lot. At a therapeutic riding fundraiser the other day they were sharing their fond memories of riding along the coast…

A hui hou and happy trails!

Beth Thoma Robinson, R(S)
Direct: 808.443.4588
Email: beth@hawaiilife.com