Luxury.
It’s a word we use often, especially in real estate. But what does it actually mean?
Is it about price? Square footage? The number of infinity pools?
Sure, those are easy to measure. But real luxury, true luxury, is harder to define. It’s not just about what a home has. It’s about what it gives us. Some say luxury is “uniqueness”, “time”, “quality”, or “freedom”. What do you think?
Over the years, working with clients from around the world, we’ve come to see that luxury is deeply personal. On the Big Island of Hawai‘i, we have the rare privilege of helping clients find homes that elevate entire lifestyles.
So… what is luxury? Let us try to elaborate from the Big Island perspective.
Beyond the Price Tag: Defining True Luxury
Luxury is often described in numbers. “$5 million and up,” “ultra-luxury” at $10M-plus. Compass, for example, classifies luxury pricing in Hawaii as:
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Big Island: Over $3.2M
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Oʻahu: Over $3.0M
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Maui: Over $3.0M
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Kaua‘i: Over $4.8M
Nationally, USA Today reports that the threshold for a luxury home has jumped more than 60% over the past decade. The top 10% of homes now start at $1.3M, and the top 5% begins at $2M.
Here on the Big Island in 2025, MLS data shows:
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Top 5% of homes: $2.4M and up
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Top 10% of homes: $1.75M and up
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In Kona, that number rises to $7.2M and $3.2M, respectively
These benchmarks help organize data, but they don’t tell the whole story.
True luxury is less about price and more about feeling. It’s how a space fits your life. The salty breeze on your lanai. A view that never gets old. A morning coffee that tastes better with a Kona sunset.
Luxury is when everything just fits, when nothing else compares.
Six Pillars of Big Island Luxury
Here in West Hawai‘i, Kailua-Kona and the Kohala Coast especially, luxury takes many forms. But the most meaningful properties share these qualities.
1. Location: Where You Are Changes Everything
We’ve all heard it. Location, location, location.
Here, it’s about more than geography. It’s about microclimates, elevation, and a deep connection to the land.
Look for:
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West-facing orientation for consistent ocean sunsets and breeze. Cross ventilation is critical.
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Ideal elevation for cooler evenings with beach access just minutes away
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Mountain protection from storms and weather extremes
The best homes feel in rhythm with the island.
2. Indoor Outdoor Design Uniqueness
Here in West Hawai‘i, the climate is a gift. Mild temperatures, gentle trade winds, and comfortable humidity mean you can keep your doors wide open, day and night. No need for air conditioning. No need for bug spray.
For many clients, this is the part of island living they fall in love with after the purchase. Realizing their lanai becomes their main living room, naturally cooled and completely comfortable, all year long.
It’s not just a design feature. It’s a way of life:
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Indoor and outdoor spaces that flow together effortlessly
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Dining under the stars, as casually as dining indoors
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Pools that stay inviting in every season
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Breezes that do the work of climate control
The ability to live this way — with comfort, ease, and openness, is one of the quietest, most powerful luxuries West Hawai‘i has to offer.
3. Privacy, Security & Exclusivity
Luxury means being able to disappear when you want to.
The Big Island offers space that’s hard to find elsewhere in Hawaii. Low crime rates bring peace of mind. And if added privacy is a priority, many properties sit inside private communities with double gates, security, or private roads.
Some of the most exclusive enclaves include Kohanaiki, Kukio, and Four Seasons Hualalai. These neighborhoods offer both elegance and discretion.
4. Lifestyle Amenities: Golf, Wellness, and the Ocean
Luxury here is an active year-round lifestyle. Not just a house.
You can start your day on a world-class golf course, take a beach walk after lunch, or enjoy a quiet evening soaking in your lanai view.
Imagine:
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Golf steps from home
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Spa treatments in your neighborhood
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Snorkeling or kayaking from your backyard
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Sunset wine, barefoot and relaxed
Everything you want. Nothing you don’t.
5. Legacy
Some homes are one-of-a-kind. Built by visionary architects. Designed with intention. Made from rare, locally sourced materials.
And many are designed for legacy.
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Multigenerational homes that welcome the whole family.
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Properties that appreciate in value as inventory tightens
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Heirlooms that preserve not just wealth, but memory
Luxury isn’t just what you enjoy now. It’s something you can pass on.
6. Rarity and Irreplaceability
On an island, land is limited. And that’s exactly what makes it valuable.
Oceanfront property in Kailua-Kona is nearly gone. Resort lots in Kukio or Hualalai? Few and far between.
We’ve seen homes come to market once in a generation. Some may never return.
When a truly rare opportunity appears, it’s not about the cost. It’s about timing. About being ready.
Quiet Luxury: The Soul of the Big Island
The most powerful luxury here isn’t loud.
It’s a quiet kind of refinement. A barefoot elegance.
This is a place where a billionaire and a surfer can sip coffee at the same beachside café. Where a home might have $10 million in finishes, but the thing you love most is the breeze through the palms.
What Does Luxury Mean to You?
Maybe it’s a family retreat. A lock-and-leave condo. A beachfront estate that becomes your legacy.
Luxury doesn’t have to be flashy or perfect. It just has to fit.
When a home aligns with your lifestyle and values, it becomes irreplaceable.
If you’re ready to explore your version of luxury on the Big Island, let’s talk.
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We specialize in West Hawaii’s finest homes – across Kukio, Four Seasons Hualalai, Kohanaiki, Mauna Kea Resort, Mauna Lani, Waikoloa Beach Resort, and beyond.
Let us help you find the one that speaks to you.
