Tag: Waimea

The Market Right Now (4/24)

Posted on by admin
Home interior

The photo is of a listing I had several years ago, when interest rates were low and the market was red hot. There was far more inventory, but property was selling very quickly.

At the moment, inventory is extremely low. If you take a glance at what’s on the market at the moment, you can see that while there are a number of luxury properties available, there is almost nothing under $1 million, and there is very little in the town of Waimea.

Waimea is a perfect example of the problem so many places are facing: our housing stock does not meet the needs of the population. In our case, the available properties tend to be too expensive and many are located in resort areas and used as second homes and vacation rentals. The unmet demand for housing in Waimea itself has driven prices up and kept them so high as to make home ownership unattainable for most residents.

Unfortunately, this has led to many locals giving up and moving to the mainland, where they have some chance of homeownership. But that’s a very tough decision for them to make – to give up family, friends, and this place that they love.

Since there is less profit to be made building a simple and affordable house (if it is even possible with the materials costs these days), we are unlikely to see a shift toward construction of affordable housing without some serious government subsidies. The Governor is talking the talk, but he relies upon the legislature to appropriate the funds, and the legislature doesn’t seem to be able to accomplish much.

Waimea is Delightfully Cool and Green

Posted on by JUDY HOWARD
Mauna Kea views this morning

Imagine waking up to cool, crisp air and Mauna Kea views. Waimea is delightfully cool and green. The temperatures at my place range between the low 50’s (on some nights) and the high 70’s at this time of year. They will rise a bit as the summer progresses, but I don’t expect to see highs above 85, and the nights should remain cool. There are cooler places on the Big Island, but none as conveniently located, with schools, a hospital, a theater, and two observatory headquarters in town, not to mention the amazing beaches along the Kohala Coast.

We’re getting a bit more rain at my place than last month-2” so far this month-but when it gets drizzly my daughter, who is not a fan, just heads for the beach-about a half hour away. I’m happy to have the rain. The plants and the ducks love it. The altitude (about 2800’) and rain are what keep Waimea delightfully cool and green!

Here’s a 40 acre listing in West Waikoekoe, which is very close to where I live and should have the same weather:


Here’s a lovely home, on 1.5+ acres, about 5 minutes from town, but with similar weather:

Nohomalu Place, Waimea Home Just Listed- Big Island, Hawaii

This place has a whole house dehumidifier, which keeps it warm and dry even during extended rainy periods.

Generally, our weather changes pretty frequently. Sometimes we’ll have sunny skies, interrupted by brief downpours, and then more sun. Some days will be overcast and cool. Others sunny and much warmer. But you can count on change, and if it isn’t coming fast enough, you don’t have to travel far to find completely different weather!

For more about living in Waimea, please visit my blog: http://www.livinginwaimea.com

Cherry Blossom Festival

Posted on by JUDY HOWARD

A friend who recently moved here asked me earlier this week about the Cherry Blossom Festival taking place in Waimea today.

My reaction was that of someone who uses Saturday morning to run errands in town: it’s a nuisance because it snarls traffic and makes finding a convenient parking place nearly impossible.

I realized later that that was a bit too narrow a view and emailed her a link to an article in the West Hawaii News: https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/02/04/hawaii-news/cherry-blossom-festival-puts-nature-heritage-on-display/

The cherry blossoms are beautiful, and there are many cultural activities on offer as well as opportunties to purchase items from street vendors. You can easily make a full day of it, by visiting the Parker School farmers market, where Elite Pacific Properties hosts a tent, as well as the Pukalani Stables market and the one at the charter school.

The Waimea Cherry Blossom Festival is well organized, with plenty of parking and crossing guards where needed. I can just about guarantee everyone will find something delicious to eat and learn something new about the history of Waimea.

So, by all means, take a day and come to Waimea! Discover a little of what this wonderful place has to offer.

A hui hou!


Where can I park when going to the Cherry Festival?

It can get very crowded, and some parking areas are converted to retail stalls for the festival, so parking is at a premium. There is a soccer field just East of the North Hawaii Community Hospital that is dedicated to parking for the event. There are traffic guards in attendance. That’s probably your best bet.

What sort of weather should I dress for?

Bring layers, including something rain proof! It can vary from hot and sunny to cold and rainy from one hour to the next. Bring comfortable shoes, too, since the festival is spread out over a large area.

What else is nearby?

The Festival dominates the town of Waimea, but coming or going, you can stop at one of the many beautiful beaches along the Kohala Coast.

Big Island Weather

Posted on by JUDY HOWARD

Two of my rescue pups. One snaps with joy, the other tends to piddle. But you can see how green the grass is

It changes from minute to minute, and is different from place to place! I live on the “wet” side of Waimea, also euphemistically referred to as the “lush side”, “emerald side”, “green side” etc.  We tend to have wetter weather from January through September, but there have been many summers when we have suffered from drought. On any day of the year, it may sprinkle for a bit, and then the sun will come out.  At other times, such as last night, we can have torrential rain and wind.

We are on the windward side of the Island, while parts of Waimea are on the leeward side.  Those areas are much drier, but tend to have much more wind.  And not 20 miles from here, in Waikoloa, the County has been battling a brush fire for a couple of days. They had enough rain earlier in the year to promote growth of grass and brush, and now that is has dried, it has become fodder for fires.  The fire department has that one under control now, but they’ve closed a road connecting Waimea and Kona, leading to some serious traffic delays.

Recently I was driving up the Hamakua Coast from Hilo, and encountered blinding rains along the way.  When I got home, less than 15 miles from the area where it was pouring, everything was dry. Whether on the windward or leeward side, it varies from spot to spot, season to season, and day to day!