What are the BEST Neighborhoods on the Kona Side of the Island...and Why? (Hilo: 2013, hotels)

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by Ford Beebe

Actually, OpenD, there is a range of rainfall within Kona itself, and is based on rainfall totals that I have studied in the past.

Yes, there is, and if you look at the rainfall maps I posted previously, you'll see that even the places that get the most rain are in the dry range. And in comparison to historical averages the last few years have been drier than normal. It's caused quite a problem for coffee growers and other agriculture. They're having to irrigate heavily in order to harvest even sub-par crops, and all that watering is very expensive. And in forums devoted to gardening and lawns, Kona homeowners are always bitching about how much they have to water everything to try to keep it looking nice.

Originally Posted by Ford Beebe

It;s a bit absurd to suggest ALL the green is a result of artificial watering.

There's a difference between "green" and "lush," and if you check on what's lush in Kona, chances are very good it's artificially watered. Even the lowliest hotels and restaurants do a lot of watering. You may not be aware of it because they tend to do it late at night.

[hotzcatz]

And the "soil" in the Kona district has excellent drainage since it's mostly lava rock.

We were over there yesterday and it was hot and dry. The vog wasn't too bad but we were glad to get back to our own side of the island afterwards.

[cynmkolohe]

I am not that familiar with specific neighborhoods in Kona, but I know about 50 people who could give you more information than you could possibly need...

Let's start with Keauhou Estates, one of the communities where a few of my Kona coworkers have chosen to live... It's gated. Kona Country Club Golf Course is one draw. I can't post links, but a Google Search or VRBO check should give you some idea of what the homes are like. If you can give some feedback about that (what appeals, what doesn't), then maybe we can make some additional suggestions?

[Jonah K]

I like Kūkʻio -- it's an oceanfront private club and residential community that has some of the most expensive houses in the entire state of Hawaiʻi. If itʻs good enough for tech company CEOs (such as Michael Dell and Carol Ann Bartz), venture capitalists (such as David L. Anderson, Paul Stephens, Ellis Short, and Bandel Carano), and their ilk -- it's good enough for me...

[hotzcatz]

Those are some nice houses in Kūkʻio, but when do you suppose the last lava flow through that area was? It looks like they are building on a fairly recent lava flow.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

Those are some nice houses in Kūkʻio, but when do you suppose the last lava flow through that area was? It looks like they are building on a fairly recent lava flow.

Well, recent in geological terms, anyway.

http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/HCV/hualalai.gif

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

Those are some nice houses in Kūkʻio, but when do you suppose the last lava flow through that area was? It looks like they are building on a fairly recent lava flow.

Kūkiʻo is located near the "Huehue flow" of 1801. Officially, everything in that area is considered to be in "lava zone 4", which means that it has a lower probability of being inundated by lava than other parts of Kona as well as Hilo.
Volcanic and Seismic Hazards on the Island of Hawaii: Lava Flow Hazard Zone Maps

Unfortunately, there is some controversy surrounding the "predictive" quality of the "lava flow hazard zone maps" and their use by insurers.
Lava Maps Cause Angst on Hawaiian Island | Fox News
Local News | Lava maps causing angst in Puna area of Big Island | Seattle Times Newspaper

Generally, if one can afford to spend more than $1 million for a residence on the Big Island, they can usually afford to maintain at least one other residence elsewhere.

[Ford Beebe]

Originally Posted by OpenD

Yes, there is, and if you look at the rainfall maps I posted previously, you'll see that even the places that get the most rain are in the dry range. And in comparison to historical averages the last few years have been drier than normal. It's caused quite a problem for coffee growers and other agriculture. They're having to irrigate heavily in order to harvest even sub-par crops, and all that watering is very expensive. And in forums devoted to gardening and lawns, Kona homeowners are always bitching about how much they have to water everything to try to keep it looking nice.



There's a difference between "green" and "lush," and if you check on what's lush in Kona, chances are very good it's artificially watered. Even the lowliest hotels and restaurants do a lot of watering. You may not be aware of it because they tend to do it late at night.

Sorry, I disagree. It's nit-picky semantics to say "green" and "lush" are different; most people (as it pertains to Hawaii) equate the two terms. Second, I don't hang around the resorts. I find most of Kona, south of Makala and all the way through the South Kona district, to be green and lush, especially when compared to places north like Waikoloa. The topography differs significantly as you move further south within Kona; the impression that all of Kona is like the airport is a mistaken one.

I chalk it up to drought-resistant foliage and the fact that afternoon mountain rains tend to keep a lot of Kona reasonably green most of the time.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by Ford Beebe

Sorry, I disagree. It's nit-picky semantics to say "green" and "lush" are different; most people (as it pertains to Hawaii) equate the two terms.

Not at all. When people compare Kona with Hilo, for instance, even the most casual observer can easily tell the difference between the dripping rich lushness of Hilo with the greenness of Kona. But why wouldn't they, when Hilo gets over 10 times as much rain?

Originally Posted by Ford Beebe

the impression that all of Kona is like the airport is a mistaken one.

I agree, and I didn't say that.

Originally Posted by Ford Beebe

I chalk it up to drought-resistant foliage and the fact that afternoon mountain rains tend to keep a lot of Kona reasonably green most of the time.

Fine, but "reasonably green" is not at all the same as "lush, " which connotes luxuriance, abundance, exceptional growth. The simple, inescapable fact is that by official weather records Kona is drier than the average for all American locations. Hilo, by comparison, is the wettest city in the country.

[CyberCity]

Originally Posted by kaileio

Any price range can be explored.

Do I recall that you have also asked about bringing your (was it) $100,000 jewelry? I'd offer that with your resources, you will be able to EASILY find a realtor that will dedicate countless hours to helping answer your realty questions and even taking you to various locations. You'd be way ahead to use them as a guide rather than a public anonymous forum (which as you know includes those who have never been to Kona or have only been here a short time).

Good luck, you are arriving very soon, the weather has been nice.