More Horse Properties in North and South Kohala

Covered arena at Waikii Ranch Equestrian Estate

I got another call last week from a couple looking for a horse property on the west side of the Big Island—somewhere between Kailua-Kona and the Hawi area (North Kohala), close enough to a harbor where he can keep his boat. They knew that Puu Lani Ranch near Kona has horse facilities and a number of properties listed at short sale and foreclosure prices. The question was what other locations would allow the equestrian access to an arena, with trails for riding.

Of course the Waimea (Kamuela) area in South Kohala is home to Parker Ranch and has that paniolo cowboy flavor…many neighborhoods remind me of my childhood in Colorado. Without question the best equestrian facilities in a gated community belong to Waikii Ranch on the Saddle Road, and you will have a lot of company for trail riding. Lots at Waikii Ranch are 10 acres and more, and begin at $250,000. The lowest price home at Waikii Ranch is currently just over $1 million…and the highest is a breathtaking $18.5 million for a true equestrian estate which would be suitable for serious horse breeding and training.

Is this YOUR Hawaii Life?

Upcountry Hawaii locations have their advantages, and “winter” weather there is cool enough that you might need a jean jacket or windbreaker. While there is no other Big Island “ranch” gated community with established facilities to compare with the community arena and polo field at Waikii, there are other options. There are several privately owned boarding facilities I can recommend where my new client could keep her horses while they selected a home an ideal distance from his boat. For example, Waikoloa Village has stables and is about equidistant from the harbors at Honokohau and Kawaihae.

Another solution would be to buy in a neighborhood with riding trails, and build your own barn and arena. For the buyer who is interested in extensive facilities like the Waikii Ranch property, but wants what we all think of as a Hawai’ian climate rather than Rocky Mountain summer, my suggestion would be to buy a 20-acre lot in the Ranch at Puakea. Not to be confused with Puakea Bay Ranch immediately to the north, the Ranch at Puakea is an oceanfront community, where you could literally ride to the waterfront. The developers of exclusive Ranch at Puakea (only 3 oceanfront and 10 ocean view parcels) are themselves horse owners and are breaking ground on their home at the Ranch. Start with a $1.2 million lot, and for well under that $18 million price tag you can build a beautiful residence with horse facilities tailored to your needs.

A hui hou,

Beth Thoma Robinson, R(S)
Direct: 808.443.4588
Email: beth@hawaiilife.com

Note: Credit for the photo of riders on the oceanfront goes to Winston Welborn, Hawaii Life Marketing Dept. A big mahalo also to Hawaii Paso Finos who lived their dream of turning raw land in North Kohala into a super equestrian breeding and training facility.