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| Baby | Ironman | Kamakahonu | Thurston Estate |
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Aloha Friends and Family,
October has been full of energy here on the Big Island.
Kona coffee harvest season is in full swing, and we’ve started enjoying the fresh new crop. Nothing beats that first sip of just-roasted Kona coffee. If you're on the island in early November, don’t miss the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival - Hawaii's oldest food festival and a true celebration of our community and heritage.
On the real estate front, the national picture is mixed. While the Midwest and Northeast continue to feel the pinch from low inventory, parts of the Sun Belt are seeing more homes linger on the market. Here in Kona, however, things are tightening again. Both single-family homes and condos have fewer active listings than just a few weeks ago. With another Fed rate cut expected this month, we’ll be watching closely to see how Hawaii’s market reacts.
The latest Big Island lifestyle video is linked above, and as always, I’ve got plenty to share - market updates, insights, and local highlights. So, let’s dive in! |
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We had a great visit from our Compass and REALM friend, Dawn Thomas, who came in from Silicon Valley. It’s always fun to share stories and realize how much we have in common. Dawn’s energy and work ethic really stood out. I learned a lot during these two days with her. If you ever need a solid real estate connection in Silicon Valley, let me know. You can check out her website here. |
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| | The 2025 Ironman World Championship is officially in the books. Top finishers included: Solveig Løvseth (NOR) 8:28:27 Kat Matthews (GBR) 8:29:02 Laura Philipp (GER) 8:37:28 Hannah Berry (NZL) 8:46:25 Lisa Perterer (AUT) 8:48:08
Surprisingly, just one U.S. athlete made the women’s top 10. In 2026, both races will happen on the same day in KONA. Already counting down. |
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| My clients welcomed their daughter through a beautiful home birth, assisted by the very same wonderful midwife who helped deliver my older daughter. I am deeply grateful that both mom and baby are healthy and happy. Let’s not forget - we all started as this beautiful, miraculous being. My warmest wishes to the newborn and her family. Welcome to the world! So cute. |
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| | | Mahalo to everyone who came to Hilo for the Big Island Taiko Festival to support Kona Daifukuji Taiko—it was a full house, and the kids performed beautifully! [YouTube link] Next up: the Kona Coffee Festival kicks off Nov 7th. It’s more than coffee; it’s a celebration of history, community, and passion. The 10-day festival is packed with events. I’ve shared a bit about my experience on the blog—take a look! |
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If you’re planning a visit to the Big Island, let’s connect—we’d love to catch up. Thank you, as always, for your trust, support, and referrals.
Mahalo,
Kai |
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Each month we share our Market Update — insights carefully gathered and analyzed to help you stay on top of what really matters. If you’d like to receive these updates directly, let us know and we’ll be happy to add you to our mailing list. |
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| | | Oahu : $1,138,163 | $520,990 Maui: $1,300,000 | $700,000 Kauai: $1,200,000 | $877,000 Hawaii(Kona):$1,260,000|$620,000
source: Title Guaranty Escrow |
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Where the Past and the Future Meet: Kamakahonu, a Living Legacy |
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The IRONMAN World Championship once again brought global attention to Kailua-Kona this month. But just steps from the finish line lies Kamakahonu, a sacred Royal Compound where King Kamehameha I lived, ruled, and passed away in 1819. Home to the Ahuʻena Heiau, this bay was the political and spiritual heart of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Today, the adjacent Thurston Estate—formerly owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and now by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman—is listed at $49 million. This unique property sits on the very ground where Hawaii’s greatest king once stood.
In this blog, we explore how this corner of Kailua Bay quietly connects Hawaii’s past and present, offering not just luxury living but a chance to own part of the island’s living history. |
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| | | 10 BD 13 BA 12528 SF $49,000,000 |
| The Thurston Estate in Kailua-Kona, known as Laniākea, is one of Hawaii's most historically and culturally layered properties. Founded in 1820 by missionaries Asa and Lucy Thurston, it became a cornerstone of early Christian life in the islands and the birthplace of Mokuʻaikaua Church. Remarkably, the estate overlaps with Kamakahonu, the royal compound of Kamehameha the Great, where the Hawaiian Kingdom was unified. Two sacred pōhaku (stones), once favored by the King and Queen, still sit quietly on the land. It is especially ironic that Asa’s grandson, Lorrin A. Thurston, later played a central role in the overthrow of that very Kingdom. Today, the 21-acre estate, which includes a private lagoon and has been owned by notable figures like Paul Allen and Sam Altman, is listed at $49 million. Yet its true value lies in the legacy it holds—a rare and complex window into Hawaii's spiritual, royal, and political transformation. |
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Big Island: Still #1 in Hawaii’s Luxury Market |
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For over 15 years, the Big Island has quietly led Hawaii’s luxury real estate market, and the latest data proves that leadership isn’t slowing down. Since 2021, Kailua-Kona has doubled the number of $10M+ sales compared to Maui’s top markets, and South Kohala remains a close second. Why the Big Island? It’s more than just privacy and sunshine. With exclusive club communities like Kukio and Hualālai, world-class amenities, and spacious estates that redefine oceanfront living, the Big Island offers a lifestyle unmatched anywhere else in the state.
📌 Quick Facts (2021–2025) $3M–$10M Sales: Kailua-Kona (329) and South Kohala (242) outpaced Maui’s Wailea (187) and Oahu’s Kahala (161). $10M+ Sales: Kailua-Kona (82) nearly doubled Maui’s Wailea (47). Ultra-Luxury Growth: This market surged 130% post-pandemic.
Even amid market shifts, demand from West Coast buyers remains strong. |
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| Compass Hawaii Celebrates 5 Years
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| It’s hard to believe how fast time flies. It feels like just yesterday I made the leap from Sotheby’s to Compass, and now we’re celebrating Compass Hawaii’s 5-year anniversary. What a journey it’s been.
When Compass first opened its doors in Hawaii, it had a lot of ground to cover. Fast forward five years, and we now have thriving offices on all four major islands: Big Island, Oʻahu, Maui, and Kauaʻi. It's a true statewide presence, and I'm incredibly proud to be part of it.
Here on the Big Island, our Compass ‘ohana has really carved out something special. For the fifth year in a row, we’ve been voted the #1 real estate brokerage in West Hawaii. That’s not just a number, it’s a reflection of the trust.
Even more humbling? We’ve also remained the top-producing brokerage on the island. That means more homes sold, more dreams realized, and more connections made. |
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| Families, dancers, and musicians celebrate Kona’s coffee heritage with handcrafted lanterns, rhythmic beats, and plenty of aloha along the waterfront. Join the walk, cheer from the sidelines, and soak in an evening of light, culture, and island spirit. |
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| | Stroll the quaint village streets lined with talented local artists, unique crafts, and island-inspired masterpieces. Savor fresh-brewed Kona coffee, mingle with the growers, and soak in the lively rhythm of music and aloha all around. Where art meets aroma! |
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| | Celebrate the finest flavors of Kona, where the region’s top growers are honored for their exceptional brews. Experience the excitement as judges reveal the best of the best, recognizing craftsmanship, dedication, and the unique taste of Kona’s prized beans. . |
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KE TEAM Featured Listings and their Distinctive Lifestyles |
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| | | 72-4027 Ke Ana Wai Street |
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| | | | 7 BD 6 BA 4,399 SF $3,200,000
The serene Holualoa estate |
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| | | 68-1304 Lot 15 Akea Place |
| 0 BD 0 BA 0 SF $1,275,000
Opportunity to develop |
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| | NEW PRICE
Mauna Lani Resort |
| | 0 BD 0 BA 0 SF $599,000 (-$76,000)
Opportunity to develop |
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| We enthusiastically recommend KE Team to anyone looking for a property on the Big Island. We moved over here from Washington State. We have worked with many Realtors®️, both buying and selling over the years, and we can say without reservation that Emil and Kai by far the most thorough, responsive, and professional one we have ever worked with. No detail was too small for them to attend to. And in the final weeks before closing, he handled so many small details that made the process much less stressful. We would not hesitate to recommend him!
Sarah & Randy G.
By the way, We never too busy for any of your referrals. |
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Fresh on the Market: Latest Listings from the Past 30 Days |
| Ready to explore your next dream property? Here are the newest listings in Kona and across the Big Island Resorts, each offering its own slice of paradise. |
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Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. |
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