Mauna Kea Resort December Market Update: The Big Island’s Kohala Coast Resorts Are Open for Business

Today marks one and a half months since the reopening of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Guests are back and hotel occupancy hovered around 50% during Thanksgiving. Resort restaurants are open for dining in and the beach, golf and tennis are all operating. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, the Mauna Lani Hotel – Auberge Resorts Collection, the Four Seasons Hualālai and other resorts along the Kohala Coast have followed suit and are fully operational, all with numerous safety protocols in place.

It appears the State of Hawai‘i Safe Travels Program has proved effective thus far. Hawaii has the third-lowest rate of infection from COVID-19 of any state in the country. The Big Island case count has remained relatively flat since the pre-travel testing program was implemented on October 15th. According to Lieutenant Governor Dr. Josh Green, “Our preliminary numbers are 247,000 travelers in the month of November, without any increase in our active case count or hospitalizations. Though we wouldn’t see all of those numbers reflected in the hospital yet. We are nine days into December. But it’s a pretty good sign, given what we’ve seen. We have not seen severe COVID statewide.”

The overall safety and low COVID-19 case count on the Big Island continues to drive the Kohala Coast real estate market. The second wave of “shutdowns” and stay at home orders in certain states across the US mainland are fueling a substantial increase in the desire for real estate in less-dense, clean, and environmentally healthy locations (like Hawaii) with more overall space and year-round outdoor living to enjoy with loved ones.

Kohala Coast, Big Island Sales

The unprecedented 2020 sales outputs below prove worthy of this trend. 

Mauna Kea Resort Sales    

• 2020 YTD: 54 Sales       
• 2019 Total: 31 Sales
• 2018 Total: 31 Sales
• 2017 Total: 33 Sales

Kohala Coast Sales Above $1M (District of South Kohala)

• 2020 YTD: 134 Sales
• 2019 Total: 109 Sales
• 2018 Total: 118 Sales
• 2017 Total: 103 Sales

Kohala Coast Sales Above $3M (District of South Kohala)

• 2020 YTD: 40 Sales
• 2019 Total: 8 Sales
• 2018 Total: 25 Sales
• 2017 Total: 26 Sales

Find below the Mauna Kea Resort’s December Real Estate Market Update highlighting last month’s (November) sales, new resort offerings, and market trends. I hope you find this information interesting and helpful.

November Sales

There were 10 sales within Mauna Kea Resort in the month of November. Six of the November recordings were sales contributed to the completion of the Hapuna Beach Residences. The Hapuna Beach Residences at Mauna Kea Resort are 68 whole-ownership condominiums ranging from one to four bedrooms in a variety of floor plans — some with pools, all with incredible ocean and coastline views located within a stone’s throw to one of the most beautiful crescent white sand beaches in Hawai’i. Please feel free to contact me for additional information regarding available units and/or to tour the Hapuna Beach Residences.

As for the other 4 November sales, Jake Chancer and Mauna Kea Realty successfully represented the Seller and Buyer of a brand new never lived in home within the gated community of Kauna’oa. Kauna’oa #10 sold for $7.6M in early November. The builder, Brown Development, specializes in the custom design, construction, and sale of exquisitely crafted luxury homes on the islands of Maui and Big Island Hawaii. Feel free to contact me for similar new and “turnkey” construction opportunities within Mauna Kea Resort and/or along the Kohala Coast.

Mauna Kea Realty also represented the Seller of a duplex townhome within Kauna’oa at Mauna Kea Resort. Hali’a Hale #6B which sold for $4.125M lives like a private home, with a 2 car garage, plus golf cart parking, large yard with free form pool/spa.

Furthermore, there were two sales in the Uplands at Mauna Kea Resort. A 1,400 square foot 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condominium within Kumulani sold for $905K, and a 3,000 square foot 4 bedroom 4 bathroom single-family home on a 1/2 acre lot in Moani Heights sold for $2.375M.

(Click Here) to view the detailed list of November sales within Mauna Kea Resort.

Newly Listed Property of the Month

Mauna Kea Realty just listed Fairways South #16 for $8.395M. FWS #16 is a totally renovated large single-family home with expansive ocean and coastline views. The property overlooks the 8th green of the Mauna Kea Golf Course and enjoys a secluded location, accessed by a long private driveway, surrounded by acres of common area and elevated to take advantage of the beautiful views. Over 7,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor living. Upstairs contains the main living area, 3 bedroom suites with outdoor showers, kitchen and powder room. Downstairs offers one ocean view bedroom suite, a large game/tv room, spacious office with ocean views and full bath, plus outdoor bar, lanai and lap pool. Ideal for large multi-generational family, vacation rental, etc. The office can easily be converted into another bedroom. (Click Here) to view the property details of this new listing.

• For a Complete List of Condominiums and Residential Properties Currently Available at the Mauna Kea Resort (Click Here).
• For a Complete List of Vacant Land Properties Currently Available at the Mauna Kea Resort (Click Here).

Market Trends

2020 IS THE YEAR OF THE SECOND HOME

In the early days of the pandemic, droves of affluent homeowners escaped to secluded secondary homes as the hustle-and-bustle of urban life came to a halt. As the nation prepares for a new lockdown in the face of soaring infection rates, another wave of homeowners are accelerating their search for a wintertime haven. The demand for second homes has risen 100 percent year over year — the fourth consecutive month of such gains, according to a new Redfin report. Meanwhile, the annual demand for primary homes has risen by an equally impressive, yet lesser, 50 percent. With mortgage rates at all-time lows and offices shut down across the country, the dream of having a second home outside of the city is becoming a reality for many wealthy Americans. Unfortunately, at the same time, millions of less-fortunate families are behind on their mortgage or rent payments due to financial hardship brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. (www.inman.com)