The Resort Lifestyle

Fifth in a series

Located on the northwest coast of the Big Island, Waikoloa is one of the largest and most diverse of Hawaii’s Neighbor Island resort/ residential communities. The development consists of two distinct components – 15.63-square-mile Waikoloa Village mauka of the coastal highway and the two-square-mile resort destination on the shores of Anaehoomalu Bay.

Within the resort area are two luxury hotel properties, the Hilton Waikoloa Beach Resort and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, commercial centers with shops and restaurants, numerous historic sites, and virtually every type of real estate. The 18-hole Kings’ Course extends along the coast and borders the resort properties; the 18-hole Waikoloa Village Golf Club course is at a 1,000-foot elevation above the resort. Residential properties include condominium homes, many available as short and long term vacation rentals and time-shares, single family homes, large private estates, and buildable vacant lots.

The most desirable of the residences are generally those closest to the golf courses and the sandy beach that rims Anaehoomalu Bay. Kolea, a subdivision consisting of both condominiums and single family homes, is a gated complex, with direct shoreline access.

Within Kolea, and just steps from the beach, is a luxury home recently listed by Johnny McElree, Principal Broker of Hawaii Luxury Listings and a long-time Kolea resident.

“This was the first home completed in the development, and it was built by one of the most prominent homebuilders on the Big Island, Maryl Construction,” McElree said. “The lot itself, which is over 30,000 square feet, was chosen by Maryl because of its proximity to the Kolea amenities, its unsurpassed view of the bay, and the incredible sunsets which are viewable 365 days a year. Of the 30 single-family lots at the resort, this is one of only 21 with ocean frontage.”

With 3,677 square feet of interior living space augmented by outdoor lanais, the home was designed by Big Island architect Roger Lundstrom. It includes three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths with both indoor and outdoor showers, a media room, a grand entry pavilion with a waterfall and koi pond, and a twocar garage. Every room features vaulted or coffered ceilings with soffited edge details, recessed lighting, wood inlays, and ceiling fans. One bedroom suite has a separate entry and a view of a private garden, while two others have ocean views. All the bedroom suites, as well as the great room, bring the outside in with glass pocket doors and mahogany shutters which disappear into wall recesses.

“I was initially attracted to Kolea by the beauty of Anaehoomalu Bay, and the relaxed luxury lifestyle which Kolea exemplifies,” McElree said. “Since I moved here in 2005, I have also found that I am surrounded by people who enjoy the same things…the ocean with all the recreational opportunities it offers and living an active lifestyle.

“Many of the people who own homes here could afford to live anywhere, but have chosen Kolea because of its privacy, security, and convenience to all the amenities of a world-class resort. Additionally, Waikoloa is set in one of the most dramatically beautiful landscapes in the islands…with vast expanses of pristine open space that make it distinctive among Hawaii’s resort destinations.”

McElree is offering the Kolea property for $5.65 million and showing it by appointment.