Waikoloa offers peaceful living by Hawaii's Kohala Coast
Waikoloa is a coastal community on the western slopes of the Big Island, offering sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. The Waikoloa Beach Resort area is home to world-class luxury hotels, offering an array of dining, entertainment and recreational experiences. Residents enjoy easy access to pristine beaches, and are minutes from volcanic mountains and nature reserves, making outdoor recreation an integral part of daily life. Residential living is comprised of subdivisions and resort-style gated communities, offering privacy, beach or golf club access and an island lifestyle. “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
Waterfront properties by the Waikoloa Beach Resort area sit alongside luxury hotels, offering oceanfront living along the Pacific Coast. Single-family homes in gated coastal communities start at $2 million, and expansive estates with panoramic beach views can exceed $8.5 million. Many of these mansions were built in the 2000s, showcasing styles ranging from midcentury modern to custom contemporary designs. Lots are typically around half an acre to 1 acre, and many feature resort-style amenities, including pools, spas and outdoor kitchens. Townhouses near the shoreline are between $1.3 million and $1.7 million, while condos in resort or golf communities start at approximately $700,000 and can reach $1.5 million. Premium condos with ocean views range from $1.6 million to $4.6 million. Monthly HOA fees generally fall between $1,000 and $5,000, and amenities may include access to golf or beach clubs, infinity pools and restaurants. Inland properties are set in the hills, with many homes overlooking the coast. Houses are often close together and perched on elevated lots, 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
With so many beaches along the coastline, water activities are a central part of the local outdoor lifestyle. Anaeho'omalu Beach is a hotspot for windsurfing, swimming and scuba diving. Waialea Bay, locally known as Beach 69, is a great place to see marine life like sea turtles, eels and Humpback whales in winter. A few miles north, Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area is renowned for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear, turquoise waters, making it an ideal place for snorkeling, body surfing and sunbathing. Luxury resorts also dot the Kohala Coast, offering golf and coastal adventures. Mauna Lani has two championship 18-hole golf courses and a nine-hole junior course open to the public. The resort also provides instructions for water sports, including underwater rock running and surfing. People can book private excursions for whale watching, sailing and offshore fishing.The Malama Petroglyph Trail leads to Puako Petroglyph Park, which has the largest petroglyph collection in Hawaii. Farther inland, Waikoloa Community Park and Hooko Park offer sports fields, playgrounds and picnic areas. "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."
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 shopping plazas
Many popular eateries and businesses are by Waikoloa Beach. Located in Waikoloa Beach Resort, Lava Lava Beach Club overlooks Anaeho’omalu Bay and offers island-inspired cuisine with live music. Nearby, Kings’ Shops mall has a weekly farmers market, local boutiques and restaurants, including A-Bay's Island Grill, which serves tapas and fusion fare inspired by the tropics. For groceries, Island Gourmet Markets is in Queens’ Marketplace. Farther inland, the village has KTA Super Stores and several shopping centers, including Waikoloa Highlands Center and Waikoloa Plaza. There's a Walmart about 30 miles south in Kailua-Kona.
Annual Waikoloa festivals celebrate nature, holidays and community
Popular gatherings include the Lunar New Year Celebration at Queens’ Marketplace, featuring traditional lion dances and taiko performances, and the Lavaman Triathlon, a race that includes swim at Anaeho?omalu Bay, ride across the lava fields on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway and run through the Waikoloa Beach Resort. In December, the annual Waikoloa Christmas Parade and Keiki Fest bring cheer with a parade, games, food and local vendors.
The area has easy access to coastal roads, airport and hospital
Hawaii state Route 19 passes through the community and connects to nearby coastal areas and beachside attractions. Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is about 25 miles away, and Queen's North Hawaii Community Hospital is 20 miles northeast in Waimea.
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Photography Contributed By
Paul Peck
