We are definitely in for some surprises here on the Big Island of Hawaii. Most notably, there are friendly people, easy commutes, little traffic, and lots of rain compared to what we got in Scottsdale, AZ. We were indeed ready to get out of the 115-degree heat there, and now we are cruising around in our friend Rob’s car.

He’s on the mainland at Casino Arizona, our old workplace, but he’s got a home in Ocean View on the Southern part of the island. We drove a couple hours from Hilo, stole his car, and then hit Coffee Barney’s place for fresh coffee beans, locally made dark chocolate, and a stop at:

Yes, it is the Southernmost bar in the USA!

It’s about an hour from there to Costco in Kona, the only one on the island. We aren’t stocking up yet because we’re staying in an Air BNB in Hawaiian Paradise Park, a three-hour ride from our lunch stop.

Home Prices in Hawaii

I don’t have to tell you that house prices in Hawaii are high. However, there’s a vast difference between homes on Oahu near Waikiki Beach or on the island of Maui and the Big Island, where Dad is now comfortably residing and where we are looking at houses.

We spent the last dozen years in Scottsdale, Arizona—hardly a cheap place to live. So, prices on the Big Island are comparable, if not reasonable. There are many fixer-uppers in the $200,000 range and small, new homes that run about 1,200 square feet with three bedrooms that cost about $300,000. The last home we owned was 3200 square feet for five of us—more than we needed. Shannon’s mom is staying in Phoenix, and there are just the four of us.

Ungraded, rolling lots in the subdivision are anywhere from $22,000 an acre to $125,000 for a half-acre right on the coastline. There are some caveats. It would be best to have a large dozer to grade your lot (about six grand) and a well or a catchment system to get water on all but the last couple of numbered streets (Beach Road and then First through 30th).

We’ve found a neglected acre about two miles from the ocean with two yurts and a fenced orchard with lychee and Macadamia nut trees. We’re looking at a lot of sweat equity, but there’s already a water catchment system and electricity.

Are we crazy? Yeah, probably, but everyone needs a challenge in life. I mean, Ahab had his whale, and we have a whale of a job to do clearing this lot. But we’ll get there!

The first thing we did was repair the paloma – automatic how water system – using propane. Hot showers! Second thing? Upgrading the catchment to include two filters (30 micron and 5 micron) plus an ultraviolet light. And now?