Big Island ranch and equestrian properties are mostly “upcountry.”
Enjoy ranch living with Kohala Coast Views at this Puakea Ranch residence (MLS# 235911)
Most of the working ranches and equestrian properties for sale on the Big Island are at higher elevations: Waimea/Kamuela (for example MLS# 233688); Waikii Ranch (MLS# 235515); the area along the Kohala Mountain Road between Waimea and Hawi (MLS# 224465), or even the hills above Kona (MLS# 231820).
These areas are more comfortable for livestock, and less valuable for both the sugar cane plantations of years past and modern day resorts. When famed Parker Ranch sold off lands for development, Kohala Ranch was created in a strip that has lots and homes from 300′ above sea level to 3,000′ high. The properties with barns and horse paddocks are up at the summit. (MLS# 232550) is an REO.
It isn’t surprising that many owners of these properties have raised horses and maybe cattle on a ranch in the Rocky Mountains. They figure winter in Waikii Ranch is kind of like summer temperatures in high country Colorado, or Montana. But higher elevations don’t fit everyone. I worked with one couple who had two different criteria. Her passion is horses. His passions are diving and palms. They both loved the ambiance and views at Waikii Ranch, but he literally worried whether he’d be able to dive during the day and still sleep in his own bed at home at night. They ended up buying an acreage at a lower elevation in North Kohala, where one day her ponies will graze beneath his palm trees.
Puakea Bay Ranch, The Ranch at Puakea, and Puakea Ranch on the Kohala Coast
The North Kohala area known as Puakea near Hawi also has a long history of ranching, and in fact was for some decades part of Parker Ranch, but stretches downward from around 500′ to the oceanfront. Three separate small subdivisions with similar “Puakea” names, but distinct in character, are options for the buyer who wants suitable acreage for their ranch animals or equestrian pursuits, with views the equal of any Kohala Coast resort.
One of the three, Ranch at Puakea, has no homes built yet, but does have 20-acre ocean view and oceanfront lots are for sale. The largest of the three, Puakea Bay Ranch, has homes built on almost half its lots, but aside from the two in escrow, not a single residence is currently for sale. There are great ready-to-build lots, such as (MLS# 234304).
The third subdivision is the smallest, with only 9 acreages, although these are generous in size. Three parcels have new residences on them, and for the first time one of them has come on the market, 3,700 sq. ft. of home built to Texas standards, with 1,600 sq. ft. of covered lanai looking out over the lower expanse of the 25 acres (MLS# 235911), including a panorama of ocean views. A lot of properties advertise their “Maui views” but how many see the summer sun set behind Kahoolawe and Lanai?
Competitively priced at $2,200,000, cattle are currently grazing the property, but the lower 20 acres would also be ideal for equestrian facilities.
A hui hou,
Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B)
Direct: 808.443.4588
Email: beth@hawaiilife.com
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