Waikoloa offers peaceful living near Hawaii's Kohala Coast
Waikoloa is a small village on the western slopes of the Big Island, offering views of the Pacific Ocean. Just inland from the Kohala Coast, the residential community is minutes from pristine beaches, volcanic mountains and nature reserves, making outdoor recreation an essential part of daily life. Within the village, locals enjoy a peaceful, residential setting, with restaurants and markets conveniently located in the village's shopping centers. “Waikoloa is 10 minutes away from some of the nicest beaches on the island,” says Kurtis Becker, Realtor at Coldwell Banker Island Properties with nearly a decade of experience. “You also get a lot of sun in that area; it can get a bit windy, but good weather for most of the year.”
Waikoloa homes range from single-family to condos and townhouses
The village is set in the hills, with many homes overlooking the Pacific coast. Houses are often close together and perched on elevated terrain, nestled among neighborhood pockets or subdivisions. Architectural styles include New Traditional and ranch-style designs, with most properties built between the 1980s and the early 2000s. "Newer builds are higher priced, and lots of homes have nice ocean views," Becker says. Single-family residences typically start around $600,000 and can reach $1.2 million, though properties that require remodeling may sell for as low as $500,000. Newer homes built in the 2020s generally go from $1.3 million to $2 million. Condos are between $350,000 and $800,000, and townhouses are in the $600,000 range. Properties in subdivisions usually have monthly HOA dues, and those in flood zones may require flood insurance. Becker notes that there are a few county-built workforce housing units with buyer and income restrictions, and these properties are typically priced below $500,000.
Beaches, parks and trails offer outdoor recreation on the Big Island
Even though Waikoloa isn't directly on the coast, water activities remain central to its outdoor lifestyle. Residents are just 10 miles from Waikoloa Beach, a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling. A few miles north, Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area is known for its white sandy beaches and clear, turquoise waters, making it an ideal place for snorkeling, body surfing and sunbathing. "Many people also go to Hapuna Beach or Mauna Kea Beach," Becker says. "The village is about a 20-minute drive to Waimea, where the Kohala mountains have many waterfall trails." Closer to home, Waikoloa Community Park and Hooko Park offer sports fields, playgrounds and picnic areas. The Waikoloa Dry Forest Preserve has guided hikes through native wiliwili trees. The 18-hole Village Course at Waikoloa is open to the public.
Private and public school options around Waikoloa and Waimea
The Hawaii Department of Education serves the community. Students may start at Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School, which covers kindergarten through eighth grade and has a B-minus grade from Niche. Kealakehe High School earns a B, offering several career and technical education pathways in communications, business, engineering, health and natural resources. "Some people also move here because the village is a short, 20-minute drive to the private schools in Waimea," Becker says. These include Parker School and Hawaii Preparatory Academy, both of which serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade and get A-plus grades from Niche.
Shopping and dining options are centered in village plazas
Local businesses are concentrated in the village's shopping centers, including Waikoloa Highlands Center and Waikoloa Plaza. Popular eateries are Los Tres Mex, a casual Mexican spot, and Pueo's Osteria, known for classic Italian cuisine. KTA Super Stores is nearby for grocery needs. Down by the beach, CanoeHouse serves elevated Japanese cuisine with ocean views. Located about 20 miles north, Waimea offers more dining and shopping options. There's a Walmart about 30 miles south in Kailua-Kona.
Annual Waikoloa festivals celebrate nature, holidays and community
The village hosts several events throughout the year. The Wiliwili Festival, held each February at the Waikoloa Dry Forest Preserve, celebrates the community and local preservation efforts with guided hikes, educational workshops and a pop-up thrift store. In December, the annual Waikoloa Christmas Parade and Keiki Fest bring cheer to the village with a parade, games, food and local vendors.
The village has easy access to coastal roads, airport and hospital
Hawaii state Route 19 is located near the west side of the village and connects the community to nearby coastal communities and beachside attractions. Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is about 25 miles away, and Queen's North Hawaii Community Hospital is in Waimea.
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Photography Contributed By
Paul Peck
