Hawaii - Big Island Real Estate - You Can Pick Your Climate! 10-22-08
Aloha from the Big Island! The Hawaiians called this island "Hawaii". Why? Because it is 7 times larger than the next closest in size, Maui; and twice the size of ALL the other islands combined!! More than just an island, it is a mini-continent, having 11 of the earth's 13 climate zones (missing Arctic perma-frost and Sub-saharan desert). The Hawaiians first landed at Ka Lae (South Point) on the Big Island, having migrated by double-hulled canoe 1,000 miles across open ocean from the South Pacific. They discovered what we now commonly know---that the Big Island has some of unique aspects of each of the other islands---all on one especially blessed land mass. From lush valleys with waterfalls everywhere, to open ranchland, to sun-drenched dessert...and everything in between. The Big Island has it all. (Not to mention the world's most active volcano...with exciting rivers of orange molten lava flowing down the mountain side delighting visitors and residents alike).
People shopping for a property on the Big Island are delighted to find that they can "dial in" their perferred year-round weather! Yes, one can choose from endless summer with 360 days minimum sunshine and temps in the 80-90's year in and year out, or cooler, wetter areas upslope, where fireplaces and parkas are the norm. Or, as most do, live somewhere in between! How is this possible?
This is due to the fact that the Big Island's four volcanoes comprise a land mass that ranges from sea level to just under 14,000 ft. elevation! It is sunniest and warmest at the shoreline, and gets progressively cooler and wetter as one goes up the mountain, at the rate of about 1 degree cooler per 100 feet of elevation! Just looking at the main city of Kailua-Kona on the west side of the island, one can choose to live in an always warm shoreline neighborhood, or within a 15 minute drive, be up on lush acreage at the 5,000 ft. elevation, where you MUST have a fireplace or heating system to keep your home warm! Yes, it even snows in January/February at the 10,000 ft. and above levels...and lots of that cold air drops down the mountain at night to cool down even the lower elevations. There is skiing and snowboarding on Mauna Kea at the 12-13,000 ft. elev. level during those winter snowfalls! Yet, later that day, after a freezing day of winter sports on the mountain, one can drive down to the shoreline and snorkel and sunbathe until sunset...then head out to a luau by torchlight. So, when somebody mentions buying property in Hawaii...tell them about the extraordinary benefits of picking their own climate on The Big Island - Hawaii!
For more information, Please contact your Big Island property specialist: Stathie J. Prattas (R) PB, Coast properties Ltd. cell: 808.895.4187, stathie@CoastPropertiesHawaii.com or visit us on the web at www.CoastPropertiesHawaii.com , where you can do a live search of all listed property on the Big Island. Aloha!
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