Welcome to Kaloko Mauka
Upcountry Big Island Oasis
If you drive up … and up … from Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawai’i, you’ll soon reach the Kaloko Mauka neighborhood. Kaloko Drive takes you from 1,600 feet to 3,000 feet, to incredible views and a peaceful, private residential area - just 10 minutes from town. This is where homeowners come for more acreage, room to spread out, and scenic views of the lush tropical rainforest.
Just below the cooler rain forest at the highest elevation, there’s a sweet spot, where the climate is drier and homes have sweeping ocean views. Temperatures are generally moderate and while homes are unlikely to have (or need) air conditioning, they may have a fireplace for cooler evenings. Love to garden or keep horses? This is the place, with lots ranging from 1 to 20 acres and agricultural zoning. There’s even room for multi-car garages on many of the private, gated estates.
This oasis in the trees is just minutes from Keahole Kona International Airport, Kohanaiki, Pine Trees Beaches, and Kua Bay. Plus, as the residents know, the sunsets here are some of the most spectacular around.
What to Love
- Private, upcountry living with room to spread out
- Convenient to Kailua-Kona and beaches
- Comfortable climate - not too hot, hot too cold
Local Lifestyle
Those who seek out homes in the Kaloka Mauka neighborhood dream of large parcels of land in an optimum climate – just high enough to be cooler than the lower elevations, and with plenty of Ohia trees, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and beautiful ocean views. And this is where that dream comes true.
Residents of Kaloka Mauka enjoy the agricultural vibe of upcountry living. On these larger plots of land, they can raise horses, sheep, or other barnyard animals in a quiet, verdant setting with comfortably warm days and refreshingly cool nights. Expansive, single-family homes sit on several acres, surveying the land around them and making for a ranch-style feel. When they’re up for dining, entertainment, or shopping, the conveniences and amenities of Kailua-Kona are just a short drive away.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
While much of Kaloka Mauka’s appeal lies in its removed setting - though never too far - from the hustle and bustle of life in Kona, it’s easy to find dining, entertainment, and shopping venues in nearby Kailua-Kona.
For poke, a local specialty of ceviche and sushi, soy sauce, sesame oil, chilies, seaweed, and more, there’s Da Poke Shack, where you can dive into your lunch at a picnic table or head to the beach. If you’re craving traditional Hawaiian cuisine, follow the locals to Broke Da Mouth for generous helpings of garlic furikake chicken and lechon kawali (Filipino-style, crispy pork belly). There’s live music some evenings. Ultimate Burger is a perennial favorite for Big Island beef - the burgers are sourced from local, organic meat, and topped with, well, whatever you’re craving. Don’t forget the homemade lemonade.
For all the necessities, plus a few indulgences, head to Kona Inn Shopping Village on the oceanfront. Browse numerous shops, galleries, boutiques, Hawaiian gift shops, and restaurants. Nearby, the Kona Coast Shopping Center has been a community mainstay for more than 30 years, with outdoor dining, free Wifi, and fun events throughout the year.
Looking for something fun to do with your neighbors? Take a stargazing tour on the Mauna Kea summit, or go for the traditional luau at the Royal Kona. And don’t miss the Kona Farmers Market, where everyone gathers to shop for fresh local produce, flowers, arts and crafts, and, of course, Kona coffee.
Things to Do
There are countless fun ways to fill a day in the Kaloko Mauka neighborhood, thanks to its proximity to Kailua-Kona. Even the local residents like to visit, and revisit, the Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, purveyor of Private Reserve 100% Kona coffee, known for its excellent balance of smooth flavor, aroma, and acidity. Guests are directed to the maze of trails that lead through a pristine cloud-forest ecosystem toward unexplored lava tubes, native Hawaiian plants, and an expansive observation deck over the organic coffee fields and Kona coastline. There’s usually a Jackson’s chameleon or flock or wild parrots or cockatoos waiting to say hi.
Take a quick hike on the Makaula O’omo trails at the Honua’ula Forest Reserve, which protects a large tract of cloud forest. Hikers make their way through a refreshingly cool, lush Ohia and Hapu’u tree fern forest on the slopes of the Hualalai volcano, watching for endemic bird species along the way.
Can’t get enough cloud forest? Head to the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, also on the slopes of the Hualalai volcano, passing by lava fields, scrubland, and pastures on your way there. Within this magical forest environment, guests are privy to native plants, over 100 varieties of bamboo, tree ferns 30 or more feet high, rare and endangered species - all just 15 minutes from the airport, making it the most accessible cloud forest in Hawaii. All this is in your backyard when you choose upcountry living in Kaloka Mauka.