Hawaii (Big Island) Property Market and Real Estate Guide

(Hawaii Big Island, Hawaii - HI, USA)

Hawaii is popular with holiday makers and many people who own property on the 'Big Island' do so as a second home for vacations, with some choosing to rent them out during the rest of the year. Kona, Kau, Kohala, Hamakua, Hilo, Puako and Puna are the main districts and much of the island's appeal stems from its beautiful coastline.

Hawaii is a volcanic island some 93 miles / 150 km across, with Mauna Kea laying claim to being the world's tallest mountain when measured from its sea base to the top. Property investment here is popular with overseas investors and holiday rentals are a big business providing great returns.


The surf is a major draw for visitors, and the friendly locals and pleasant atmosphere make this island a great place to invest. The local market has a varied choice of properties, with Kona real estate being especially popular around the Lokahi Makai community, Kuakini Heights and the scenic Kona Palisades area, where the most expensive come with ocean and mountain views. For Puako real estate, the proximity to the Puako Beach and the availability of oceanfront land is the main reason to look here.

Renting Serviced Apartments

Rentals are easy to find, with many available in the towns, as well as the coastal regions, for both long- and short-terms lets. Cheaper rentals in the town centers often have only basic furnishings, as some parts of the island are fairly poor, while plusher options with security and swimming pools as standard are usually rented out on short-term lets to holiday makers.

Buying Apartments and Houses

Hawaii is a great place to invest in property and many foreigners own property here. Stringent background checks on criminal convictions are intense and a criminal record could prove problematic. Paying for a solicitor to work alongside your agent is the best way to ensure that the paperwork is correct before you make a purchase. Work permits do not automatically make one eligible for buying property on the island.

Real Estate Agents

Spanish and English are widely spoken on Hawaii, while some French is also available. Agents offer websites that have online portfolios, which is usually the best way to find a suitable agency.

Check out the following Hawaii Big Island realtors and real estate agents:

Hawaii Life Real Estate Services
Address: 5-4280 Kuhio Highway, Suite G203, Princeville, Hawaii HI, 96722, USA
Tel: +1 800 667 5028
Email: re@hawaiilife.com
Website: www.hawaiilife.com
Hawaii Life is a large company spread across all of Hawaii. Their office in Puako offers all kinds of services from property management to finding the ideal home for first-time buyers.

Island Trust Properties
Address: 14 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, Hawaii HI, 96720, USA
Tel: +1 808 969 3939
Email: info@island-trust.com
Website: www.island-trust.com
The team at Island Trust has been carefully selected for their experience on the Big Island and for their quality of work.

Prudential Big Island Hawaii Realty
Address: 75-5870 Walua Road, Suite 201, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii HI, 96740, USA
Tel: +1 808 329 4700
Email: joe@prudentialbigisland.com
Website: www.prudentialbigisland.com
Prudential is independently owned and operated by Joseph Pedeferri and this firm offers a wide range of properties for sale and rent, as well as vacation rentals. They also have a portfolio of commercial properties available on the island.