North Kohala Communities

Welcome to North Kohala, birthplace of King Kamehameha I. 

For general information about the community, its businesses and activities, a good place to start is this Kohala community website. You can also subscribe to the Kohala News e-newsletter or check out the many community organizations sponsored by the North Kohala Community Resource Center.

People tend to be drawn to North Kohala because it has a very distinct character.  The Community Development Plan describes it well as "a rural community with a strong cultural heritage, an agricultural base, and a small town feel."

There are a wide variety of real estate options in North Kohala.  There are ocean view homesites, beautiful verdant gulches, acreages suitable for organic farming, and a stock of moderately priced plantation-era and newer homes.

The question to ask yourself is what kind of lifestyle you are seeking!

> Neighborly Living

Most residential zoning, generally on lots of 15000 sq ft (approximately one-third acre) , is found around the town centers of Hawi and Kapaau, the area beyond Kapaau known as Halaula, and the newer subdivisions of Ainakea and Hanaula. 

Most of North Kohala's land is designated as Important Agricultural Lands or Extensive Agriculture, with almost 85% zoned for agriculture.  Most is zoned AG-20 (minimum 20 acres) although there are areas zoned for as little as 5 acre minimum and as high as 600 acres.  That means there is still an opportunity in Kohala to live a true rural lifestyle without another house in sight, to raise horses or goats in your backyard, grow produce for your own consumption or as a business, or to restore a gulch or historic property into a showplace.

Although you won't find large subdivisions in the northern part of North Kohala, there are a few small gated communities or non-gated subdivisions where you could buy a home or homesite:  Puakea Bay Ranch and the Ranches at Puakea, for example. Maliu Ridge above Hawi town is a planned "subdivision" that offers custom homes on 1 to 6 acre parcels, but has no homeowner association dues and reasonable CC&Rs.

PS--Land Use Designations and Zoning are a complex topic, so feel free to contact us with your questions if you are considering a larger property or have agricultural interests!

>  Communities bordering South Kohala

Our Big Island Map shows a number of newer communities at the lower end of North Kohala, just past Kawaihae Harbor:  Kohala By The Sea, Kohala Estates, Kohala Ranch and Kohala Waterfront on the makai side of the highway.  All but Kohala Estates are gated communities with CC&Rs related to what may be built, and a homeowners association.  Most homes and lots in these subdivisions have outstanding ocean and mountain views.  Lot sizes generally range from 1 acre up to 10 or more acres at the summit of Kohala Ranch.  This area shares the climate of the Kohala Coast Resorts, with 10-15 inches of annual rainfall and an abundance of sunny days to enjoy the views.  It also is a great choices if you want to be close to the golf courses, beaches, shops and restaurants at the resorts.

The Future of North Kohala

If you are considering the district of North Kohala as a place to live, have a second home, or invest, we recommend you spend some time learning about the future direction set out in the new Community Development Plan. 

There are four areas of focus of the plan, each of which should be of interest to someone wanting to make their home here.  Several of the areas are also of particular interest to landowners hoping to sell, subdivide and/or develop their North Kohala property.

GROWTH MANAGEMENT:  to manage the future growth of the district in a manner that is consistent with the Kohala ideals of being a rural community with a strong cultural heritage, an agricultural base, and a small town feel.

ACCESS: to allow residents access to mauka and makai resources.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING: to provide affordable housing to the district’s residents and children.

INFRASTRUCTURE:  to provide infrastructure, community facilities and services that adequately serve the community on an ongoing basis and especially in terms of emergency.

For a copy of the plan, please contact us.