Kukio vs Pauoa Beach: Exclusive Gated Waterfront Communities on the Kohala Coast

I spent yesterday afternoon touring Pauoa Beach at Mauna Lani with clients who were comparing it to Kukio. You would think that would be easier than it is for many people. Without knocking either of these two gorgeous waterfront communities, let me compare the two in my humble opinion:

The Exclusive Gated Community of Kukio

Kukio is an exclusive gated community 10 minutes north of the Kona Airport and adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort/Hualalai. They have their own private golf course, beach clubhouse, and some of the properties are oceanfront, with most having ocean views of varying degrees due to proximity.

You would likely drive to the adjacent Hualalai resort, or take your golf cart when going to dinner or taking in a sunset at Beach Trees; shopping is limited to a small general store and hotel boutiques

Active Kukio Real Estate

Kukio has building lots available ranging from $995,000 (MLS# 254472) for 25,000 sq. ft. backing to the highway (with very distant sliver of ocean views) to $5.5M (MLS# 256151) for 1.74 acres for “almost oceanfront.” 

Kukio lot view back row

Kukio Golf & Beach Club Membership

The price of the lots does not include a Kukio Golf and Beach Club Membership, which can be purchased for an additional equity purchase buy in of $275,000 plus approx. $80,000 annual fees.

There are homes available in Kukio ranging from $3.395M to $25M (not including the equity membership buy in)

Pauoa Beach: An Exclusive Gated Waterfront Community

Pauoa Beach is also an exclusive gated waterfront community, but a much smaller community and all homes are within steps to the beach, Fairmont Orchid, and Mauna Lani Hotels. It is 30 minutes north of the Kona Airport and adjacent to the Mauna Lani North Golf Course; one of two in the resort.

Pauoa pool

Pauoa has a beautiful club house, infinity pool, workout hale with a full time concierge on staff, and is directly fronting the white sandy beach between the two hotels with private gated entrances to the beach for sunset strolls.

Fairmont Beach

Active Pauoa Beach Real Estate

Pauoa Beach has two lots available:

1. Lot #10 is on a somewhat elevated platform with the golf course on the southern boundary and nice ocean views to the south and west, consisting of 1 acre priced at $1.95M.

68-1004 Pauoa Wy (MLS# 250938)

2. Lot #9, which is oceanfront and also shares its southern boundary with the north golf course and Mauna Lani Bay Hotel across the course. This lot consists of 1.6 acres priced at $5.9M. Lot #9 is directly makai (ocean side) of Lot 10 and offers unobstructed ocean and sunset views and direct beach front access.

68-1005 Pauoa Wy (MLS# 259851)

Pauoa Beach HOA Fees

Pauoa’s HOA fees are $2,400/mo. with no equity memberships required. However, there is an additional $400 monthly fee for the Na Hale Cottages as a separate HOA is in effect for those 9 properties within the subdivision. There is one 3 bedroom Na Hale Cottage currently for sale in Pauoa Beach priced at $2.550M.

Na Hale At Pauoa Beach, #7 (MLS# 261120)

Mauna Lani Resort Amenities & Membership

Mauna Lani has a shopping center with Tommy Bahamas retail and restaurant, a 4d movie theatre, art galleries, a salon, Ruths Criss steak house, Monstera, Just Tacos, Henderson Design Studio, a Foodland grocery store, and several smaller boutiques and restaurants, and juice/coffee shops.

Mauna Lani Beach Club

As with all Mauna Lani properties, membership to the Mauna Lani Beach Club is included at no additional cost to owners and The Advantage Club Membership is included upon application providing discounts to the hotel dining, spas, golf and preferred tee times.

Pauoa Beach or Kukio?

Wherever you choose to spend your time and money, make sure your Hawaii Life is all you ever dreamed of! Call us, we live and love our Hawaii Life.

A hui hou! Living and loving my resort life.