Ten miles south of Kailua-Kona is Kealakekua, one of several small & historic towns located in South Kona and home to approximately 2,000 residents. Up until a few decades ago, this area served as Kona’s main “hub” when agriculture drove the Big Island’s economy. While visiting or searching for Kealakekua real estate for sale, it is always a fun and refreshing glimpse into Hawaii’s pre-statehood days.
Along with next-door neighbor, Kainaliu, the area features a variety of enjoyable local-style restaurants. Additionally, you will find numerous boutique shops, several galleries, cafes, banks, and a grocery store. Also of note, Kealakekua is home to some of the best vintage Hawaii antique shops on the island.
Up until the early ’70s, the majority of Kona’s population lived in Kealakekua where agriculture flourished due to the higher elevation, cooler temperatures, and a bit more rainfall. At an elevation of 1,400-ft above sea level, the resulting climate in Kealakekua is ideal for growing coffee & fruit. And as such, Kealakekua real estate provides for a comfortable climate to reside in as well.
Today, Kealakekua remains a vital part of the Kona community, home to West Hawaii’s only major hospital. And up until 2020, West Hawaii’s courthouse was located here as well.
Kealakekua Real Estate for Sale
Explore current properties for sale in Kealakekua, including homes, condos, and land. Additional Kealakekua listings may be available or are coming soon to the market (Penn has access to further resources with this information)
Contact Penn for more details and for any questions you may have.
One of the most iconic Kona buildings you will see along Kainaliu’s main street (Mamalahoa Highway) is the revered Aloha Theatre which opened in 1932 by the Tanimoto family (it originally opened as the “Tanimoto Theatre”).
Tidbit: Penn’s father-in-law, grew up in the Theatre with his parents and siblings back in the 1930s. Today, they both continue to thrive in Kealakekua.
The 325-seat venue featured Japanese and American films for the Kona Coffee farm workers up until the 1970s when the theatre eventually shut down. It later reopened after being renovated and restored, with a focus on live music and various theatre productions. The Aloha Theatre serves as Kona’s oldest theatre and is the current home of the Aloha Performing Arts Company. If you’re in the area and have a chance to attend a show, it’s a genuine must-do experience.
Just south of Kealakekua, the road splits into three directions. Turn right, and the new Ali’I Bypass road takes you down to historic Keauhou, the birthplace of King Kamehameha III. Go left, and in a few minutes, you will find yourself in another wonderful South Kona town, Captain Cook. Continue straight for 10-minutes and descend the winding road of Napoopoo and you will end up at historic Kealakekua Bay, where Captain James Cook first landed in Hawaii – and where he would later lose his life in a skirmish with native Hawaiians in 1779.
