Buyer Heidi Dollinger February 8, 2026
Yet not all beachfront properties offer the same equation of value.
From Maui’s resort corridors to Kauai’s dramatic coastlines and Oahu’s prestige neighborhoods, buyers face a key decision:
Are you buying proximity and prestige — or land, privacy, and long-term scarcity?
This comparative analysis examines some notable beachfront and oceanfront estates currently for sale across the Hawaiian Islands and explains why 3036 Kalua Koi Rd. on Molokai stands apart as one of the most compelling luxury value opportunities in Hawaii today.
Each Hawaiian island offers a distinct beachfront ownership experience:
Maui: Resort-centric luxury with global recognition
Oahu: High demand, extreme scarcity, urban convenience
Big Island: Newer construction and resort beachfront enclaves
Kauai: Low density, dramatic beauty, limited inventory
Molokai: Old Hawaii privacy, expansive acreage, minimal development
For buyers prioritizing space, control, and authentic island living, West Molokai increasingly emerges as a strategic alternative to more saturated luxury markets.
Price: ~$4.35M
Interior: ~4,754 sq ft
Land: ~5.95 acres
Direct beachfront
Main residence + guest house + garage and rec room
Pool, pool cabana, orchard, solar, 3-car garage
Situated along Papōhaku Beach — one of Hawaii’s longest uninterrupted white sand beaches — this private estate delivers something increasingly difficult to find anywhere in the state: true beachfront acreage measured in acres, not fractions.
Unlike resort markets, West Molokai remains intentionally underdeveloped. No large hotels. No commercial beachfront zones. Just open shoreline, sunset views toward Oahu, and an experience defined by quiet luxury and scale.
3002 S Kihei Rd — $15,500,000
3 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms
5,468 sq ft
0.59 acres
Keawakapu Beach is among Maui’s most coveted beachfront addresses, prized for walkability and proximity to Wailea’s resort amenities.
Luxury perspective:
At over $15M, buyers are paying a significant premium for location — while land size remains under one acre.
33 Hana Hwy — $7,900,000
4 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms
3,220 sq ft
0.64 acres
Maui’s North Shore offers raw beauty and historic charm close to Paia town, yet oceanfront parcels remain modest in size and increasingly scarce.
Comparison insight:
Despite a price nearly double Molokaʻi’s, acreage remains a fraction of what Kalua Koi offers.
68-1029 Pauoa Way — $12,900,000
5 bedrooms | 6 bathrooms
7,128 sq ft
1.32 acres
Located within a premier resort setting, this oceanfront estate benefits from calm swimming beaches, manicured surroundings, and beach club access.
Value takeaway:
Exceptional lifestyle amenities — but land size remains limited compared to estate-scale properties elsewhere.
59-355 Ke Nui Rd, Haleiwa — $6,350,000
5 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms
3,721 sq ft
0.17 acres
Oahu’s North Shore delivers cultural cachet and accessibility, but beachfront ownership here often means trading acreage for location.
469 Portlock Rd — $7,500,000
3 bedrooms | 3.5 bathrooms
3,362 sq ft
0.36 acres
Portlock remains one of Honolulu’s most established oceanfront neighborhoods, valued for privacy within city limits.
Market reality:
On Oahu, scarcity drives pricing — not land size.
5-7062 Kūhiō Hwy — $3,995,000
1 bedroom | 1 bathroom
0.46 acres
Hanalei represents iconic Hawaiian beachfront living, but homes here often emphasize setting over scale.
5350 Kalalea View Dr, Unit 8D — $6,895,000
5 bedrooms | 7 bathrooms
~4,506 sq ft
4.58 acres
Ocean bluff estate with panoramic views
This extensively remodeled estate is one of the few Kauai properties approaching true compound-level acreage. Elevated above the coastline, it offers sweeping ocean and mountain views, resort-style amenities, and a strong sense of privacy.
Important distinction:
While the Kalalea View property delivers impressive acreage, it is ocean-view / ocean-bluff, not direct sandy beachfront — a key differentiation for buyers prioritizing shoreline access.
Savvy luxury buyers increasingly evaluate price per acre when comparing Hawaii beachfront properties.
|
Property |
Price |
Acres |
Approx. Price/Acre |
|
Molokai – 3036 Kalua Koi Rd |
~$4.35M |
5.95 |
~$730K |
|
Kauai – Kalalea View Dr |
$6.895M |
4.58 |
~$1.5M |
|
South Maui – Keawakapu |
$15.5M |
0.59 |
~$26M |
|
Big Island – South Kohala |
$12.9M |
1.32 |
~$9.7M |
|
Oahu – North Shore |
$6.35M |
0.17 |
~$37M |
The contrast is not subtle.
Molokai occupies a category of its own when comparing direct beachfront land value across the islands.
Several macro trends favor Molokai beachfront real estate:
Nearly six acres of sandy beachfront is exceptionally rare statewide.
As luxury buyers shift away from density, Molokai’s low-impact development model becomes a competitive advantage.
Properties like Kalua Koi function as generational assets, not seasonal vacation rental homes.
Recreating a comparable beachfront compound today would significantly exceed current pricing once land, permitting, and construction are considered.
This is not a resort-centric purchase.
It is ideal for buyers seeking:
Legacy or generational ownership
Multi-acre beachfront with utilities and infrastructure already in place
Privacy without compromise
Long-term land scarcity plays
Authentic Hawaii rural lifestyle where nature takes center stage
For these buyers, Molokai’s quieter profile is precisely the appeal.
Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island will always command global attention — and premium pricing. Molokai, by contrast, is an outlier.
For buyers who understand that land is the ultimate luxury, 3036 Kalua Koi Rd. represents one of the most compelling beachfront value propositions in Hawaii today: more shoreline, more acreage, more privacy — at a price point increasingly difficult to replicate anywhere in the islands.
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
Buyer
A Luxury Comparison of Value, Acreage, and Lifestyle
Seller
Prices, Sales, & Trends
A well-designed corporate retreat is a strategic investment in company culture
Buyer
Maximize Your Property Tax Savings as a Maui Homeowner or Investor in Long Term Rentals
What’s Next for Apartment-Zoned Vacation Rentals (October 2025)
Buyer
Discover how West Maui’s water history, sources, and systems shape real estate today.
Buyer
Discover the latest West Maui real estate trends going into October 2025
Seller
A historical look at the Maui Real Estate Market and where are we now in 2025
Buyer
Perched above the world-famous Kaanapali Beach on Maui’s west side, Kaanapali Golf Estates is one of the island’s most coveted residential communities
Get assistance in determining current property value, crafting a competitive offer, writing and negotiating a contract, and much more. Contact me today.