One of the fun parts about being a real estate agent in North and South Kohala is the variety of homes I get to see, list, and sell. From luxurious new residences and condos in the resorts with all the currently fashionable design elements, to properties that come with documented history and send me back to my research library and dreams of the “old Hawaii” lifestyle.
I have been getting lots of requests to show a historic home located walking distance from the town of Hawi that I just listed…and on the Kohala Coast Broker Caravan last Friday I was captivated by a unique Puako oceanfront property. These homes are looking for a new owner who is turned on by that authentic taste of history, rather than a plantation-style or kamaaina beachfront-style home.
Do you too have the “historic home” bug? I am not sure how it started with me, since in my childhood I always lived in fresh from the developer, choose-your-options houses. Maybe when I met my best friend Elizabeth who at the time was running Historic Denver. She taught me how to look at architecture, and the shape of cities, and see history. After renovating an old Victorian while living in it, I swore “never again.” But I digress…
Historic Home in Hawi 1920's
Historic home in Hawi 2009
Just look at how faithfully this home has been renovated. The comfortable floor plan was retained along with the classic details of the era like extra-wide moldings and original fir floors. New fixtures and appliances were carefully chosen to preserve the house’s charm. Can you see yourself sitting out on that gorgeous wrap-around lanai? The list price on this home is only $1,095,000 for 4 bedroom/2.5 bathroom with over 2,000 sq. ft. of interior and just over an acre of land.
Down in Puako, one of the few places on the Big Island where there are historic homes right on the beach, there is an outstanding listing of 1.62 acres with 355 linear feet of oceanfront! This also features a home from another era, entirely livable but ready for some careful updating. The main home has 4 bedroom/2 bathroom and there is a 1-bedroom guest cottage. The grounds also have 4 anchialine ponds…which means that unlike a property you might buy at the resorts for a $6,485,000 price tag, this parcel will always have lush tropical landscaping without a huge water bill.
Historic Puako beachfront home
"Front yard" of oceanfront Puako home
Please don’t buy this property if you don’t have the historic home bug! There are lovely parcels of vacant land in Puako if what you want is a contemporary beachfront home, and we’d be happy to send you a list. Or if you want a brand-new oceanfront home near beach and anchialine ponds, there is one that fits the bill at nearby Kolea that the coconut wireless says is heading towards foreclosure…
A hui hou,
Beth Thoma Robinson, R(S)
Katie Minkus, R(BIC)
July 23, 2009
The Puako oceanfront property also has a very “colorful” local history “story.” Since it involves some kama’aina families that cherish their privacy, I won’t post it here… This was actually the first home I ever rented in Puako and was the inspiration for us to finally buy our own parcel and build our home down the street. (you may not be able to stop renovating homes, I have the “building” sickness!). This property has been the setting for many a wedding and family reunion – the grounds are incredible and it’s super rare to find such a large oceanfront parcel anymore – especially in this neighborhood. I live just down the street, am happy to show it anytime!!! 🙂
Katie Minkus, R(BIC)
July 23, 2009
The Puako oceanfront property also has a very “colorful” local history “story.” Since it involves some kama’aina families that cherish their privacy, I won’t post it here… This was actually the first home I ever rented in Puako and was the inspiration for us to finally buy our own parcel and build our home down the street. (you may not be able to stop renovating homes, I have the “building” sickness!). This property has been the setting for many a wedding and family reunion – the grounds are incredible and it’s super rare to find such a large oceanfront parcel anymore – especially in this neighborhood. I live just down the street, am happy to show it anytime!!! 🙂
Oceanfront choices: 49 Black Sands Beach or Dramatic Hawi Cliffs « Hawaii Real Estate Blog
October 1, 2009
[…] and only 17 of them (plus the Beach Club amenity area) are on the oceanfront. Much as at nearby Puako outside the resort, homes and lots on the ocean/beach side sell for a multiple of what asking […]
Oceanfront choices: 49 Black Sands Beach or Dramatic Hawi Cliffs « Hawaii Real Estate Blog
October 1, 2009
[…] and only 17 of them (plus the Beach Club amenity area) are on the oceanfront. Much as at nearby Puako outside the resort, homes and lots on the ocean/beach side sell for a multiple of what asking […]