Ninole offers acreage on the Big Island’s Hamakua Coast
Ninole is a rural area on Hawai’i’s lush windward side, where the slopes of Mauna Kea are rich with volcanic soil and scenic waterfalls that feed the dense tropical rainforests. This specific section of the windward side is called the Hamakua Coast. There’s no real city or town center, just endless nature. “The Hamakua Coast is super desirable,” says Realtor Nichole Ehrbar with ZT Hawaii, who specializes in selling on the Big Island, and sells on the other islands too. “People there want lots of space and privacy,” Ehrbar says. “Instead of big resort communities, there are nice houses on big properties.” Ninole’s available acreage brings many buyers from Hawaii’s more populated islands. “I get a lot of people retiring here from other islands,” Ehrbar says. “They might have raised their kids on Oahu, but now they want to move here to get space for themselves.”
Oceanfront lots and off-grid rainforest properties
On islands like Oahu and Maui, most of the buildable land is bought up, but there are still huge parcels of pristine land for sale in Ninole. These include one-acre oceanfront lots and 50-acre rainforest properties with waterfalls, ranging from $300,000 to $1.3 million. There aren’t many homes in Ninole, or on the Hamakua Coast in general, because of the rural location. Plus, much of the land is protected rainforest. For single-family homes that have been on the market, the median single-family sale price is just over $1.6 million. These include multistory Hawaiian plantation-style homes and off-grid, ranch-style residences. Above the median, there are luxurious single-level oceanfront homes with breezy lanais and homes with expansive rainforest estates encompassing up to 100 acres. Despite being far from more populated areas, properties in Ninole are valuable because it’s in a low lava flow zone. “Ninole is in a Lava Zone 8,” says Ehrbar. “It increases the property value because there isn’t as much risk.”
Scenic waterfalls in Hilo Forest Reserve
There aren’t sandy beaches or traditional surf breaks on the rocky Hamakua Coast, but there’s plenty of hiking in the mountains above. The slopes of Mauna Kea are covered in dense tropical rainforest that’s protected as part of the Hilo Forest Reserve. This jungle landscape is home to a remarkable collection of flora and fauna, including Hawaii’s famous banyan trees. Trails lead throughout the forest, taking hikers to waterfalls and lush valleys. The information station at the peak of Mauna Kea is just over a 50-mile drive southeast of Ninole. The crater valley at the top is above the clouds and is a hot spot for scientific research. It’s home to multiple observatories, including the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility.
One school for kindergarten through 12th grade
There isn’t a school in Ninole, so students attend Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School, just over 5 miles up the road. It earns a C-plus from Niche and educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade. It also provides prekindergarten. The charter school is under the Hawaii Department of Education, which serves all the Hawaiian Islands and receives an A-minus from Niche.
Supermarkets and restaurants require a drive along the coast
Aside from the post office, there’s pretty much no commercial activity in Ninole. The closest place to get a few necessities is Papa’aloa Country Store & Café, about 6 miles north. There are some restaurants in Honomu, which is 6 miles south. This includes The Hive, a tropical coffee shop serving healthy breakfast items, and Big Island Birria Boss, a local taco spot.
Hilo is less than 20 miles south
Hawaii Route 19 is part of the Hawaii Belt Road that loops around the Big Island’s coastline. Commuters from Ninole follow Route 19 down to Hilo, a less than 20-mile drive south. Hilo is the Big Island’s biggest city, home to Hilo International Airport and Hilo Benioff Medical Center, the closest airport and hospital. Honolulu is a 50-minute flight from the airport. If residents don’t work in Hilo, they’re probably in hospitality. The windward side doesn’t have as many resorts as the leeward side’s Kona Coast, but there are still small resorts between Ninole and Hilo.
