Situated on 1,260 acres along Hawai‘i Island's Kona Coast, Hōkūli‘a is a private, low-density residential community in Kealakekua.
"Development began in the late 1990s with a vision to create a private residential club centered on open space, wellness and connection to the land — without hotels or commercial districts," Leslie Oxley-Friedrich, director of sales and marketing for the Hawai‘i Life Hōkūli‘a sales team, told Aloha State Daily in an emailed response to questions.
Amenities at Hōkūli‘a include a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course; a private clubhouse with open-air dining, bar and lounges; a fitness center, lap pool, tennis and pickleball courts; a 140-acre shoreline park that offers trails and water access; as well as wellness programs, concierge services and other recreational events. (Hōkūli‘a) 
This property in Hōkūli‘a, lot 116, is on the market for $9.6 million. (Hōkūli‘a) 
An aerial view of Hōkūli‘a (Hōkūli‘a)
There are plenty of amenities here, Oxley-Friedrich notes: a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course; a private clubhouse with open-air dining, bar and lounges; a fitness center, lap pool, tennis and pickleball courts; a 140-acre shoreline park that offers trails and water access; as well as wellness programs, concierge services and other recreational events.
You'll also find three miles of coastline; homesites that span an acre or more, with the potential to custom-build your home; and the development is "surrounded by natural and historic landmarks," Oxley-Friedrich says.
And for those with a green thumb, Hōkūli‘a is an "agrihood," zoned for agricultural and residential use. Each homesite includes an agricultural easement.
"Residents can grow fruits, vegetables, herbs or coffee on their land, supporting a farm-to-table lifestyle," she says. "Many also collaborate with local growers or partner with Adaptations — a Hawai‘i Island CSA (community supported agriculture) that delivers fresh produce weekly to over 600 households."
Who's buying
Last year, Oxley-Friedrich says there were 15 sales within Hōkūli‘a, including 12 vacant lots and three completed homes.
"Buyers are seeking move-in ready or near-complete homes, as well as pre-construction opportunities with shorter timelines and customization options," she noted, adding that roughly 30 homes are completed, with another 26 in progress.
Oxley-Friedrich says that Hōkūli‘a attracts a "mix of end users and developers," including sub-developers building high-end spec and investment homes; second- and third-home buyers on the hunt for "privacy, space and views;" and residents relocating from busier club communities across the state.
"Most buyers are from the West Coast, but we also have buyers from other areas, including Texas, the Midwest, Japan, and Canada — many of them long-time Hawai‘i visitors looking for a residential-only alternative with club-level amenities and a more tranquil setting," she told ASD.
On the market
There are a number of properties actively listed within the development.
In Phase 1 — Mahea Lani — Residence 116 is on the market for $9.6 million.
Situated on 1.15 acres, the 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath home has 4,800 square feet of living space — and a total 7,010 square feet under roof, including covered lānai space.
There's also a dedicated office, a great room, a private pool and spa tub, according to the listing. A Hōkūli‘a membership also is included in the purchase price.
"The home’s pod-style design features separate structures, or 'pods,' for different functions such as bedrooms, living spaces, and the kitchen, all connected by breezeways and outdoor paths," the listing notes.
In this first phase, you'll also find two adjacent parcels — the 1.4-acre lot 185 and 1.55-acre lot 186 — which are priced at $600,000 and $750,000, respectively. Find more information here.
Meanwhile, the 1.13-acre lot 26, a corner lot with ocean and coastline views, is listed for $1.6 million.
In the second phase — Nalu Kai — you'll find lot 78, a 1.49-acre front row parcel, for $7,515,000 and a 1.21-acre second-row parcel, lot 65, for $4.8 million. Oxley-Friedrich notes that there's a developer incentive available with the purchase the Nalu Kai lots.
More listings can be found here.
"It’s a community where people design their own homes, grow their own food and play golf at sunset," Oxley-Friedrich says. "That’s the everyday reality at Hōkūli‘a."
Hōkūli‘a is being developed by privately held investment company SunChase Holdings, Inc.
Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
