Jeanne Dunn
Responds Quickly
Corcoran Pacific Properties
(808) 758-2062
36 Total Sales
3 in Kaunakakai
$555K - $1.5M Price Range
Kaunakakai
Located in Maui County
For a lifestyle of outdoor recreation and vintage Hawaiian charm, Kaunakakai is a wilderness-lover’s dream. Only around 3,000 people call Kaunakakai their home on Molokai, considered the least touristy island in Hawaii. Long ago, when pineapple and sugar exports were booming, Kaunakakai was a fairly bustling port town. Today, it’s a quiet waterside community where you can charter a fishing boat at the end of the Kaunakakai Harbor pier — the longest pier in Hawaii. This 1,900-foot link to deeper waters extends well past Hawaii’s longest coral reef.
Old-fashioned storefronts maintain the bygone charisma of a town embracing its native roots. In fact, you’ll find that the highest population of native Hawaiians choose to live here. Its storied past includes serving as an ancient canoe landing and the site of King Kamehameha V’s royal summer home.
You can find a range of modest homes in Kaunakakai for under $500,000 including 1950s cottages on the water, 1970s ranch-style homes on a residential loop, and slightly larger 1980s two-story homes further inland on cul-de-sacs. Two-story plantation-style homes larger than 2,300 square feet, and nicely renovated single-story homes, can ask closer to $750,000. Smaller homes right off Kamehameha Highway are often under $400,000.
Public elementary-school students head to Kaunakakai Elementary School and move on to Molokai Middle School and Molokai High School. Students at all three of these schools enjoy small class sizes and student-teacher ratios of 14-to-1 or less.
You can walk or bike to Duke Maliu Regional Park for ball games at the sports fields or play on the playground surrounded by a scenic backdrop of sparse undulating hills. Kaunakakai is also a great choice for divers and anglers who want to the freedom to savor the underwater paradise off Molakai’s pristine shores within a short trek from home. Living here, you can snorkel the longest continuous fringing reef statewide. Within this 28-mile natural wonder you can swim with Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles and a kaleidoscope or reef fish.
Because Kaunakakai is the largest town on Molokai, it’s the centerpoint for shopping across the island. Built in the 1930s, and retaining much of its original architecture, Kauankakai Town makes even daily errands feel like you’re on a distant vacation, away from all the world’s hustle. As a Kaunakakai resident you’re the closest of all the islanders to this delightful three-block district.
In town, residents line up in the alley well into the night to indulge in fresh-baked loaves served at the back door of the famous Kanemitsu's Bakery. In the morning, Kanemistu is the place for taro hotcakes and French toast. You can also enjoy family dinners or date-nights at Paddlers Restaurant and Bar, voted best restaurant on Molokai by Maui News. Paddlers serves up steak and seafood specialties, along with live music and dancing most nights.
Locals shop for a variety of sundries and foods at several markets including the Friendly Market Center, Molokai Mini Mart and The Planter Box, a cozy organic and natural food store. The Molokai General Hospital is also right within your community, as is the Kaunakakai Fire Station and the Molokai Public Library.
When you come home to Kaunakakai, you find serenity, while still being in the central hub on one of Hawaii’s least inhabited islands.
Written By
Lia Girard
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Jeanne Dunn
-
Gary Mooers
Gary Mooers
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Island Prop(S)
(808) 468-5012
212 Total Sales
3 in Kaunakakai
$175K - $750K Price Range
-
Dayna Harris
Dayna Harris
Molokai Vacation Properties
(808) 646-2136
163 Total Sales
77 in Kaunakakai
$35K - $1.5M Price Range
-
Robert Onofrio
Robert Onofrio
Molokai Realty LLC
(808) 774-3330
66 Total Sales
42 in Kaunakakai
$70K - $1M Price Range
-
Carol Gartland
Carol Gartland
Molokai Island Realty
(808) 646-3821
51 Total Sales
30 in Kaunakakai
$79K - $1.1M Price Range
-
Tracy Norling-Babbitt
Tracy Norling-Babbitt
Molokai Island Properties
(808) 646-2771
71 Total Sales
27 in Kaunakakai
$113K - $1.5M Price Range
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Parks in this Area
One Alii Beach Park II
Kakahaia Beach Park
Malama Cultural Park
Kaunakakai Housing Trends
On average, homes in Kaunakakai, HI sell after 155 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Kaunakakai, HI over the last 12 months is $305,600, down 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$324,500
Median Sale Price
$305,600
Median Single Family Sale Price
$520,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$419,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$363,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
9%
Last 12 months Home Sales
37
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-19%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$403
Area Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
342
Number of Homes for Sale
24
Median Year Built
1978
Months of Supply
7.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,528
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
985
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
879
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
606
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,454
Homes for Sale
Distribution of Home Values
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
Kaunakakai Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,855
Median Age
44
Population under 18
25.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
28%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$37,857
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$66,267
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.7%
College Graduates
16.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.1%
% Population in Labor Force
46.4%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
25''
Average Winter Low Temperature
63°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
3
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
3
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.