Meet Bob Chancer and Steve Hurwitz, Principals of Mauna Kea Realty – A Hawai‘i Life Company

With decades of Hawai‘i Island real estate experience behind them, Bob Chancer and Steve Hurwitz took over the operations of Mauna Kea Realty in 2013. Mauna Kea Realty is the exclusive real estate brokerage firm at the legendary Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. The company’s offices are located in the heart of the legendary, mid-century modern hotel on Hawai‘i Island’s Kohala Coast. The hotel was the first development of its kind along this stretch of coastline, built against the backdrop and raw beauty of the snow-capped Mauna Kea volcano and surrounding black lava fields.

Robert Chancer, Principal and Principal Broker

Steve Hurwtiz, Principal and Broker-In-Charge

    For more than 30 years, Bob and Steve been buying and selling real estate on behalf of their clients along this ruggedly beautiful coastline, from Kailua-Kona to Hamakua and beyond. They began their real estate careers at a time when the Kona Village Resort and the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel were the only accommodations north of Kailua-Kona.

A recent listing at Kuki‘o Golf & Beach Club. Listed by Steve Hurwitz & Frank Schenk of Mauna Kea Realty. Sold by Carrie Hawai‘i Life One Director Carrie Nicholson. 

For decades since then, the Kohala Coast has been leading the luxury real estate market in Hawai‘i in annual sales volume, as new resorts and accompanying residential developments have followed Mauna Kea’s lead. They watched as the burgeoning residential resort blossomed into one of the world’s most sought-after destinations, becoming the leading the luxury real estate market in Hawai‘i. 

A view of Kauna‘oa Bay from a suite at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Photo Courtesy of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

“We have been part of the evolution of what has become one of the premier real estate markets in the world. We have participated in numerous transactions in all of the resorts and communities along the coast. We have a long-term perspective and the local knowledge that helps us to provide the appropriate context for our clients,” says Chancer.

Kauna‘oa Bay on the Kohala Coast, as seen from a luxury suite at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Photo:Winston Welborn.

With plenty of business savvy earned while running their own boutique firms, Bob and Steve have increased the sales volume of Mauna Kea Realty tenfold since taking the helm in 2013. They credit this, in part, to the fact that they arrived with business already in hand up and down the coastline. It’s their deep roots in the community and their area knowledge that make Hurwitz and Chancer uniquely qualified to assist clients in finding the perfect fit for their lifestyle. 

Assuming responsibility for the renowned Mauna Kea brand allowed them to enhance their already considerable offerings, reputation, and deeply entrenched relationships with clients – built over several decades. While they brought their own healthy client list with them, they also developed a new website, deployed integrated marketing programs that included direct mail and email blasts.

The Mauna Kea Realty brand will retain the signature orange plumeria logo of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

Most importantly, they made good old-fashioned direct contact with the many homeowners along the coast with whom they had long-established relationships. Today, they tell us, they are doing business with the grandchildren of the first homeowners at Mauna Kea Beach Resort. Their opinions about the best surf breaks and best dining options and dishes are as sought after as their real estate expertise, and several generations of homeowners and hotel guests pop by their offices to seek them out. 

A recent Mauna Kea Realty listing.

In addition to serving the needs of the property owners at Mauna Kea Resort, Mauna Kea Realty – A Hawai‘i Life Company also provides insight and services for the surrounding areas and resorts on the Kona-Kohala Coast, including Kukio, Hualalai, Mauna Lani, Waikoloa, Kohanaiki, Puako, Kohala Waterfront, Kohala Ranch, Waimea and North Kohala. To read more about this advantageous collaboration, please read our recent post We Are Proud to Introduce Mauna Kea Realty – A Hawai’i Life Company. 

A canoe at Mauna Kea Beach Resort. Photo Courtesy of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.