KA'U - Big Island (Hilo, Hawaiian Ocean View: house, neighborhood, to buy)

[Tiger Beer]

Anyone have much experience with Ka'u on the Big Island?

I've driven all around the Big Island, and I do believe that Ka'u was the most interesting to me by far. Something very beautiful about it.

Does anyone have experience living or getting to know Ka'u, and what could you tell me about it?

[cynmkolohe]

Hi Tiger Beer,

Try the search function for this one...there are a lot of threads with multiple perspectives. Use key words: Kau, Pahala, Discovery Harbor, HOVE (that is Hawaiian Ocean View Estates)

I have never lived in Kau, but have spent a good bit of time there. It is remote, a bit "rough around the edges" in some ways, but also beautiful. The Vog is a real concern right now.

Once you've searched through some of the past threads, I'll be happy to help answer any questions I can if things aren't covered there for you...

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Tiger Beer, we have a house in Discovery Harbour and have spent many vacations there. We love the remoteness and rural feel of the area, and plan to retire there next year. I'd be happy to answer any questions if you would like to email me through the forum.

Babette

[mogon]

While a fascinating area, the vog is horrific.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Actually that's not true for all of Ka'u. We get a steady tradewind in Discovery Harbour and most days the vog blows on by. It is worse in Pahala and Wood Valley, though.

[kahikidave]

Discovery Harbour, Kau I have retired to DH, Kau for over 3 years. The pros and cons as I see them. This is based on coming from living in San Francisco for 30 years.
The pros; The views are beautiful. The weather is nice, not too hot or humid. The remote location
is a plus for a change of pace after city living. No Coquie frogs, that are on most of island. NOISEY
The cons; The vog is bad. The winds blow all the time. If you live here you have to be retired. Their are NO JOBS. And to stay sane you have to drive to Hilo or Kona, an hour and half drive.

[kahikidave]

Aloha, I retired to Discovery Harbour over 3 years ago. I bought my
Home at the peak of the market for 400k, it is now worth about 240K.
The big Island and Kau have seen the biggest drop in property values.
Here are the pros and cons of Discovery Harbour and Kau.
PROS; DH has city water, cable, high speed internet. You do not
want to live in Ocean View, Hove, or any areas with Catchment water
If u do not know what catchment is, it relies on rain, collected from
the home gutters, stored in this big ugly tank and pumped to the
the home for use. It has been dry in Kau and people with catchment
have had to buy water alot to fill their water tanks. Pro; the weather
is cooler that Kona, The views of country are beautiful and the the
distant views of the ocean are nice. In DH, the people have a good
neighborhood watch and active HOA. Dues are only $85 a year.
My home is on the golf course, lucky on a hole that is mowed by
a neighbor. The golf course will be on cons. no noisey COQUES.
CONS; You have to be retired to live here, there are NO JOBS>
WINDS blow alot, and are fierce. There and only a few little stores
within 10 miles. To stay sane u have to drive 1 and 1/2 hours to
either Hilo or Kona. The golf coure have become a overgrown fire
Hazard. The Oweners who bought for pennies on $. Wanted the
prop. owners of DH, to pay big monthly dues. We could not and now
the course is a field of shame. mowed maybe 2x a year.
In conclusion: I am happy here, because my house is paid off, I
like the peace and quiet and being between Hilo and Kona is nice.
3 hour drive from Kona to Hilo, just half that being in the middle. The
VOG from the volcano is bad, blows right over KAU alot. But Have
that in LA or NY. KAU not 4 YOU??? Aloha

[Vaedrem]

I think catchment is great; instead of a monthly water bill up here in HOVE, we have a free, green source of water right here on our property, having to order water is a rare thing. The tanks are not overly large and ugly; some people even paint on them, but if you have a big lot, it's no big deal. I'm very glad I don't live next to a golf course, especially if it is being treated regularly with chemicals. I'm also very happy not to have an HOA, and for me, leaving the homestead and driving all the way to Kona or Hilo causes insanity, as opposed to curing it. A trip to Manuka Park is much more satisfying.

[lippylaroux]

I have been here in Discovery harbor since last August and honestly can't say I have experienced alot of vog... I live across the street from the golf course and the only draw back is the speeding of vehicles on Wakea ave. With gas so expensive drives to Kona and Hilo become twice a month journey is a drag. But it is nice here. No jobs unless you bring your own like I did.