The geographical area where I do most of my real estate business runs from the resorts of the Kohala "Gold" Coast up to the rural northern tip of the Big Island of Hawai'i, past the towns of Hawi and Kapa'au. The two-lane highway parallels very close to the oceanfront during the stretch from the Kohala Waterfront subdivision past Kohala Ranch on the mauka side, until about the park at Mahukona. That makes it one of my favorite places to spot whales as I drive by in the winter season...and of course the buyers of properties for sale along this stretch will get to watch whales all day long!
Oceanfront public access at Kaiholena is walking distance from the highway for up-close whale watching.
During the past year large chunks of the coast were acquired for conservation purposes, extending Lapakahi State Park and preserving oceanfront stretches some estimate may have the largest concentration of historic sites in the Hawai'ian islands. Hawaii's State Legacy Land Preservation Commission has just designated as its top priority for 2011 the purchase of two of the three remaining parcels at Kaiholena (listed for $6.5 million on the open market). These oceanfront parcels command premium prices despite being completely "off-grid"...HELCO electric lines stop at Kohala Ranch, and there is no county water, telephone or cable service.
It was exactly along this stretch that I saw the first giant splash of a humpback breaching this season.
Surprisingly, two parcels in the small, 11-lot Kaiholena Mauka subdivision just the other side of the highway are listed for bargain basement prices compared with the ocean-side ($325,000 for 19.58 acres!), despite being only a short walk from the ocean along a dedicated public access trail.
Kaiholena REO is a Best Buy at $503,000 (MLS 240416)
The best buy however, is the one home already built in the subdivision. This home is now for sale as an REO (bank-owned) property at a listing price of only $503,000 for an 1884 sq ft residence on 7.6 acres PLUS the adjacent parcel for a total of 16 acres! Having two lots means the buyer could build a second residence for guests or extended family. The highway below is not visible from the house, which means you can watch those whales as if you were on the oceanfront.
The subdivision has a well in place that produces brackish water (the previous owners told me they used it for everything except drinking water, even brushing their teeth) and the home has a photovoltaic system. Cell phone reception is good and Internet available via verizon wireless card.
By the way, I have detailed information on the property including a survey map and lab results on the well water from when the property was for sale before the foreclosure at an asking price of $975,000. Move this home just south to Kohala Ranch, and that's what you'd expect to pay for it. Call me if you have questions!
Cattle graze on 1,000s of adjacent acres; this property would also be perfect for a horse or goats...or adopt some of the donkeys being relocated from the Waikoloa Village area!
Although the landscape in this dry, sunny Big Island location is not very green, the home certainly offers a "green" lifestyle! Living completely off-grid might not be everyone's dream, but it would make it an easy second or vacation home. Because of its proximity to "civilization", the previous owners found it simple to rent a back-up generator or drive to Waimea for bottled drinking water.
A hui hou,
Beth
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