Buying a home in Hawaii is just a little bit different than buying on the mainland. You might find yourself asking what’s an ohana, how to get your stuff across the ocean, or how to buy sight unseen (Hawaii is pretty far away). But there are some other aspects that make Big Island homes a bit different than their mainland counterparts. Here are a few things you might take for granted on the mainland but definitely need to consider when buying a Hawaiian home.
1. Distance to Amenities
The Big Island is a tropical paradise. Paradise usually means lots of pretty landscapes and plants with not many people. A more scattered population means fewer amenities. On the mainland, you just assume there’ll be a gas station nearby, and most people don’t even think about it when buying a house. In Hawaii, it should be an initial consideration.
Unless you live directly in Kona, your nearest grocery store could be up to a half hour away—if not more. Before you buy a Hawaiian house, make sure it’s within an acceptable distance to essential amenities like groceries, gas, and restaurants (and bars).
2. Road to the House
Paved roads aren’t a given on the Big Island, and many houses—and sometimes even neighborhoods—have gravel roads that lead the way to the front door. If you don’t want to get your fancy car dusty, be sure to check how the roads are paved (or not).
And even if the roads are paved, check out their altitude. The Big Island is basically made of two massive mountains, and many of the roads are steep and windy. Even in high-end neighborhoods like Kohala Ranch, some people might be turned off by the steep ascent necessary to reach their house (and the extra wear on the brakes coming down). Remember, mountain views mean mountain roads!
3. Water System
Before you buy, make sure you ask if the water is public or private. If it’s private, ask if it’s a well or a catchment system. On the Big Island, the dense lava rock makes it difficult to drill a well. That’s why many Hawaiian houses rely on water catchment systems for their fresh water.
Water catchment systems collect rainwater off the roof of your house and hold it in a tank. When you turn on a faucet in your house, the water is pumped through a few water filters and out the tap. They’re resourceful and environmentally friendly, but they also rely on getting enough rain.
On the Big Island’s West Coast, rain isn’t always a guarantee. If your catchment tank runs out, it might cost you between $125-$200 to truck in fresh water. If a home does use a catchment tank, ask the sellers how much it costs per month to keep it running. You don’t want any surprises once you move in.
4. Waste System
There are public sewers in Hawaii, but much like the water systems, they don’t reach every house. For houses outside of public utilities, they either have a cesspool (most common) or a septic system.
While cesspools are the most common waste system for Big Island homes, they’re not necessarily the favorite option. According to the EPA, there are about 90,000 cesspools in Hawaii, and most don’t meet federal regulations. The Hawaii State Department of Health is requiring all cesspools to be updated or connected to a sewer system by 2050. Of course, that’s a long way away, but if you’re looking at your forever home, it’s something to consider. Plus, it’s always a good idea to keep something as environmentally significant as your waste system up to code. Be sure to ask which system a house uses before purchasing.
5. Landscaping
People love living in Hawaii because it’s warm and sunny year-round. Well, so do plants. Landscaping on the Big Island is typically more than just mowing the grass every week. Plants grow quickly on the Big Island, and if you’re not prepared to manage them, it could quickly overwhelm your weekends.
If you’re looking at a house with a lot of landscaping, include the cost of a landscaper in your budget planning—or have plenty of free time.
Find Your Perfect Hawaiian Home
Buying a house in Hawaii is different than anywhere else in the country. It’s a unique place, so its homes need some unique features. If you need help navigating the seas of Big Island homebuying, there’s no one better to ask than a local real estate agent.
Ready to start the search for your tropical dream home? To get started, send an email to RandyRipley808@gmail.com or call me at 808-209-6244 to get started. Let’s make your dreams a reality!
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.