The Hawai’i Island real estate market continued its dynamic pace in May 2025, with both sellers and buyers navigating shifting conditions across single-family homes and condominiums. While sales volume dipped slightly in several areas compared to last year, opportunities remain strong for well-positioned sellers — especially in highly sought-after locations such as Kona, Kohala, and Kailua-Kona. Below, we break down the latest market data to help buyers, sellers, and investors better understand current trends.
May 2025 reflected both resilience and recalibration across the island:
The market is witnessing an increase in lower price point single-family home sales while luxury condo transactions continue to elevate condo median pricing to record levels. Properties that are priced correctly and marketed professionally continue to go into escrow quickly, with many listings seeing short days on market.
Despite a dip in sales volume, North Kona home values remain strong with continued demand for premium properties. The consistent increase in median pricing suggests that well-presented listings continue to attract serious buyers, even with slightly fewer transactions overall.
South Kona experienced notable growth both in sales volume and pricing, making it one of the few regions to show positive YoY gains on both metrics. The area remains attractive for buyers looking for more private, expansive properties while still benefiting from proximity to the greater Kona area.
The market is adjusting rather than slowing. While overall sales volumes are down slightly YoY, median prices remain stable or growing in several key submarkets like Kona and South Kohala. Demand for properly priced, well-presented homes remains high.
Luxury condos have shown strong price growth in 2025, setting new median records. However, single-family homes in Kona and South Kona continue to see healthy price appreciation and steady demand, offering long-term investment potential.
Yes — particularly for sellers with well-maintained, appropriately priced homes. With inventory tight in desirable areas, sellers can still command strong prices, especially in Kona and South Kohala.
Final Thoughts
The May 2025 Hawai’i Island market data underscores the importance of hyper-local expertise when navigating Big Island real estate. While headline numbers suggest minor contractions, submarket nuances show ongoing strength — especially for those targeting Kona’s highly desirable neighborhoods.
If you're considering buying or selling real estate in Kona or anywhere on Hawai’i Island, partnering with a local expert is key. As always, I’m here to help you navigate this evolving market with tailored advice, deep market knowledge, and data-backed strategies.