Along the shores of Big Island’s Kohala Coast, it’s no secret that private club community Kohanaiki is changing the face of luxury of the Hawaiian Islands and beyond — and they’ve got the sales to prove it.
By Samantha Myers
“I guess you can say we’ve had a great first half of the year. We surpassed $100 million in sales since January,” says Nicole L. K. Vincent, principal broker for Kohanaiki. “We have more than tripled the sales from the first half of last year.” Attributed to the surge in demand for the 450-acre residential development was the debut of its 67,000-square-foot clubhouse at the beginning of the year, which has quickly become a lifestyle meeting place for its residents.
“I think it’s important to recognize that our members are a unique set of individuals,” says George Punoose, general manager. “They are well-traveled, sophisticated and they’ve seen a lot of special places over the world.” Kohanaiki offers members two home options: buildable home sites and turnkey properties, from $1 million for custom home sites to over $16 million for turnkey properties. But with property, also comes private club membership — with a $150,000 entrance fee and a $25,000 annual fee, Kohanaiki is at the forefront of full-service luxurious living.
“What I find really special is the vertical membership,” says Vincent of the program that enables siblings, children and grandparents to be members. “You get families and generations coming together for holidays. Everyone’s so happy to spend time together, golfing, going out on the ocean on the boat… creating these magical memories in Hawaii.”
Recent to the luxury development is a new director of its world-class spa offering an extensive menu of wellness and relaxation treatments. “Our focus on the spa has always been to use ingredients that are local, whether that’s the coffee, the sand, mud or lava soil,” says Punoose. Other additions include the opening of an on-site brewery, providing residents a choice alternative to the otherwise wine-centric property.
Despite the abundance of amenities, a Rees Jones golf course, and ideal coastal surfing and snorkeling spots, when it comes down to it, the essence of Kohanaiki is actually in the intangible. “Time and time again, we constantly hear that what is special at Kohanaiki is not only the product and the service,” says Punoose. “But our biggest factor is the quality of people we hire — their attitude and friendliness.”
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