Ocean View allows for an off-grid lifestyle on the Big Island
Ocean View has a unique reputation on the island of Hawai'i. This rural community overlooks the Pacific Ocean on the southern slopes of Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth, which comprises over half of the Big Island's land mass. The island's south shore is sparsely developed because of Mauna Loa's episodic lava flow. Still, Ocean View residents have made a home here because of the almost unrivaled privacy. "Ocean View is a really interesting area because it's a community, but it's very rural, which allows for a lot of different lifestyles," says Realtor Nichole Ehrbar with ZT Hawaii, who specializes in Big Island real estate and sells on the other islands as well. Ocean View is a large tract of land with a grid of paved streets like a subdivision. Yet, its remote location and large hillside lots reinforce the rural setting. "You have people living on grid and off grid," Ehrbar says. "They can do what they want."
On-grid and off-grid homes with ocean views and jungle privacy
Ocean View properties are divided into an acre or more. Some are on arid volcanic land, while others lie within dense jungle. The homes on these lots reflect the community's variety of lifestyles. "You've got off-grid jungle yurts with people living off the land and new on-grid homes with ocean views," Ehrbar says. At the beginning of the price range, between $65,000 and $250,000, options range from unfinished jungle cottages and cabins to more spacious ranch-style homes with ocean views. Larger, newer open-air Hawaiian ranch-style homes range from $250,000 to $500,000. Spacious midcentury modern-inspired homes and rainforest retreats can reach $620,000 to $850,000.
Hiking up Mauna Loa and down to Green Sand Beach
Mauna Loa is a cornerstone of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Trails for the park begin at Kahuku Unit, which is on Ocean View's west side. These lead across rolling pastures on the slopes of Mauna Loa, past the jungles of Ku'a Forest reserve. The Island's volcanic foundation has also created sites like the Kula Kai Caverns in Ocean View. The coastline below Ocean View is formed by jagged, volcanic rock, so there aren't white-sand beaches. However, the famous Green Sand Beach is just over 10 miles south at South Point Park, Hawaii's southernmost peninsula and the southernmost point of the U.S.
Na'alehu Elementary School is about 10 miles west
The closest public school to Ocean View is Na'alehu Elementary, just over 10 miles west. Naalehu receives a C grade from Niche. Na’alehu embraces the cultural bond of Ohana and Haumana, family and students, through community events like the May Day celebration. May Day, also called Lei Day, is Hawaiian national holiday that celebrated the aloha spirit of love and giving through the exchange of flower lei. Students continue at Ka'u High and Pahala Elementary School, a joint elementary and high school, which is 25 miles west and earns a C. These two schools serve the entire Ka'u District, and buses cover the long routes.
Local markets and farm restaurants overlooking the Pacific
Ocean View Market is the area's only standard supermarket, located in a small plaza on Hawai'i Route 11. Coffee Grinds is a popular café next door, specializing in Kona coffee grown on the Big Island. Malama Market is a small supermarket across the road that's known for its food and drink bar serving Hawaiian staples like poke. There are a few restaurants in the area, like Tiki Mama's, an outdoor live music bar. Tai Shan Farms is a hilltop farm-to-table restaurant within Ocean View's rural grid. Its dining room is an open porch overlooking the Pacific and the small farm where the kitchen sources its ingredients.
Commute to resorts nearby and on the Kona Coast
Hawai'i Route 11 runs through Ocean View. It's part of the belt road that leads around the Big Island. Kailua Kona, the nearest downtown area, is less than 50 miles north. Kailua Kona is the largest city on the Kona Coast, with lots of shopping and dining. Kona International Airport is just north of Kailua Kona, offering a 45-minute flight to Honolulu. Ka’u Hospital is the nearest healthcare facility, 25 miles northeast in Pahala. Hospitality is the Island's biggest business. There are nearby resorts like the Kalaekilohana Inn on the Ku'a Coast. However, many residents commute farther north to any of the many resorts along the Kona Coast. This includes the five-star Holualoa Inn, 45 miles north.
Ocean View is in a Lava Zone 2
This drier Leeward side of the Big Island can experience wildfires, but Ocean View has a bigger concern with lava flow. "Ocean View is in a Lava Zone 2, which is really high," Ehrbar says. "Buyers have to use a Hawaiian mortgage lender, because most mainland lenders won't work in high lava zones." The lava zone scale goes from 1 to 9, with 1 being the highest. Ocean View is built on Mauna Loa's largest flow zone. Eruptions have occurred about every five years, each involving days of active lava flow from its crater to the ocean.
