Locations

Kohala is located in the northwest section of Hawaii and is named after Kohala Mountain which stands prominently within the region. In ancient Hawaii, the region was often ruled by an independent High Chief called the Ali’i Nui and includes some of the most historically significant sites on Hawaii island. For example, King Kamehameha I, the first king of the unified Hawaiian Islands, was born in North Kohala at the ancient site called the Mo’okini Heiau, built in 480 A.D.

Today, the region is divided into two districts – North Kohala and South Kohala. North Kohala includes the residential communities and vast agricultural lands of Hawi, Kapa’au, and Halaula. South Kohala, the dry western shore, comprises world-renowned resorts, beaches, and golf courses. Traveling north along the Kohala Coast, one notices a dramatic change in surroundings. Beyond the exclusive resorts, championship golf courses and breathtaking lava landscapes, the lush, undeveloped pastoral lands of North Kohala await.

Pololu Valley, a valley forming a deep cut in the side of Kohala Mountain, is the northernmost of a series of seven erosional valleys forming the east coast of Kohala Mountain. Accessed from a lookout at the end of Highway 270, Polulu Valley is fronted on the ocean side by a world-famous beautiful black sand beach. The charming town of Hawi, around the bend from Polulu Valley, is perhaps best known now as the bicycle turnaround for the annual Ironman World Championship held each October. Set in the northern tip of the island, Hawi was once the busy hub of North Kohala’s now defunct sugar industry. Today, Hawi is also known for its quaint art galleries, boutiques and restaurants housed in colorful plantation buildings.

Home to approximately 6,000 residents, North Kohala provides multiple climate zones and areas of interest. Along this expansive area, you will find everything from world-class beaches, historic Hawaiian towns and breathtaking vistas.

Connect​ with our team of experts at Luxury Big Island to learn more about the North Kohala area today. With years of experience and a deep knowledge of all things Big Island properties and homes, they will happily answer any questions you have and provide you with as much information as possible to make an informed decision.

North Kohala coast properties consist of several small villages including Makapala, Niuli’i and Halawa, but the main towns are Hawi and Kapa’au. Hawi is perhaps best known now as the bicycle turnaround for the annual Ironman World Championship held each October and Kapa’au is famous for the annual King Kamehameha parade. Held every year on King Kamehameha’s birthday, parade participants adorn the original King Kamehameha statue with giant lei.

North Kohala also includes several upscale subdivisions including Puakea Bay Ranch, The Ranch at Puakea, and Maliu Ridge. Here homebuyers will find acres of wide open spaces when looking at Kohala coast properties as well as, cool breezes, and panoramic ocean views across the Alenuihaha Channel to Maui, just 30 nautical miles away. Rural gated communities consist of large, custom homes and include land with fertile, deep, rich soil; riding trails; and the opportunity for cattle and horses to graze on vacant parcels. Lots range in size from several acres to 20+ acres, depending on the community. Land is still available for under $1M while some exquisite or sizable lots are asking several million. Homes, including vast equestrian estates, may be found for upwards of $4M. Plantation era homes are prevalent within villages and town centers while contemporary homes can be found throughout North Kohala.

Residents of North Kohala find a strong sense of community and “ohana”, or family, in the area. North Kohala has its own radio station, there are no traffic lights, and principles of sustainability and self-reliance permeate their way into the community at large as evidenced by the area’s new LEED-certified public library. It is not uncommon to see children riding horseback as they go to and from town.

If you’d like to learn more about North Kohala or any of its residential subdivisions, please do not hesitate to ​connect​ with the local luxury real estate agent specialists at Luxury Big Island. Please also feel free to use the MLS Search function of this website to browse the properties that are currently active in the market. Should you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a tour of the area, our team is always just a phone call away. Connect today to get started!