Leilani Estates and area

[exdep425]

We are thinking about moving to Leilani Estates, in mid-2008. I have been to the Pahoa area once but did not spend much time there. Presently I am looking into the job market, property taxes, real estate listings and more. What we really need, is input from locals that live in Leilani, or the Pahoa area that can help us learn more about the area. Thanks...L and J

[Andrew]

My wife and I have lived in Leilani for nearly 3 years and have lived on the Big Island for 12 years.

Some Pros (In no particular order):

1) Paved roads
2) 1 acre lots with lush tropical vegetation
3) Cable TV & Cable Internet available in parts
4) DSL Internet available
5) Close to Pahoa town
6) Strong Neighborhood Watch program
7) Friendly neighbors
8) Close to Pohiki
9) Great community park
10) CC&Rs

Some Cons (In no particular order):

1) Lots of mosquitoes
2) Lots of Coqui frogs (not a problem for me)
3) Pretty long commute to Hilo if you work there
4) It rains a lot for many people
4) Lava zone 1
5) It is directly in the path of the newest lava flow which is about 6 or 7 miles from the edge of Leilani at this time

Hope this helps. Do you have any specific questions?

Andrew

______________________________
DiveHilo Dive Club Website:
http://www.divehilo.com/

Edited by - Andrew on 09/30/2007 06:03:14

[mella l]

Just a few comments. We too loved Leilani and it was our first choice. Unfortunately the lots we did bid on in 2004 were in a hot market and we were out bid on all. Luckily for us as one of the lots was full of Albezia trees and we had no idea the headache of logging we would have been in for if we had purchased that lot. I suggest you spend at least a week or two touring around all subdivisions, familiarize yourself with them and then solicit a local Realtor to keep your eye out. We spent two weeks traveling around then 4 months on web site looking at property then returned with maps and real estate listings and made our pick, which was Eden Roc, for elevation and cooler temps, pretty square 1 acre lots. No county water some paved roads. It suits our tastes and needs well. Thank goodness we don't all need beach front, no! Good luck on your hunt!

mella l

[Kahunascott]

Hey Mella if you don't live here how can you be sure that Eden Roc "suits our tastes and needs well"? I think you really need to live here a while before you can make that claim.

[Genxor]

Exdep,

Andrew summed things up nicely ,all I would add is that you have standard mail delivery in Leilani ( meaning no trips to the post office for your mail via a po box or general delivery ).
Plus your dues in Leilani - $65 yr - are a bargain.
We were warned away from many developments by our first realtor and even local's. So in your search, do drive through, spend some time.

Greg H.

[wjbillock]

quote:

---

Hey Mella if you don't live here how can you be sure that Eden Roc "suits our tastes and needs well"? I think you really need to live here a while before you can make that claim.

---

Aloha Mella -

Scott's got a point! Here's my two cents.

When my wife and I moved to Hawaii, we bought a permitted but un-finaled house on Road 23 in Eden Roc. We moved here in 2002 and while I did the Sales Executive gig, my wife did a wonderful job, finaling it with the county and getting power. She, almost single handedly, put in a beautiful kitchen with maple cabinets, granite countertops and tile floors. She also tiled, dry-walled, and completely remodeled the rest of the house. We loved our house in the woods!

We've since sold, moved and made a healthy profit.

Although we made it our home and enjoyed our time there, it really wasn't our Hawaii.

Some Pros -
1) Great rainforest hiking.
2) Close to volcano.
3) Seclusion galore. Couldn't see a neighbor.
4) Few Coqui frogs in the back...although we noticed a few in the neighborhood a few months before we sold.
5) Great neighbors (the ones we could see while driving down the road)
6) Lava Zone 3
7) Great "Volcano Glow" and knowing you were protected, because the current flows can't flow up hill!
8) Lots of native Ohia, Hapu'u and Bamboo Fern

Some Cons -
1) Alot of roaming dogs made it difficult to ride our bikes in the neighborhood.
2) A weak HOA and neighborhood watch program. (Have you met Unicorn?)
3) ALOT of rain...our mantra..."if it's raining in Hawaii, it's raining at Eden Roc."
4) No Broadband Internet access.
5) Too far to go to "quickly run to the market."
6) Most paved roads are one lane, not very smooth, and cold patched to the max.
7) No CC&Rs = Buses, tarps and tents
8) Not all roads have power. BEWARE!

The average high in August is 73.3 degrees and average low in January is 50.9 degrees.
If you are building, don't forget the fireplace! It's nice to have during those cold rainy SUMMER days.

In summary, Eden Roc is not for everyone; some will call it home, but some will run like hell, stating "what were we thinking?"

Speaking from experience...




"What? Me Worry?" - Alfred E. Nueman

[loffelkopffl]

yeah eden roc sucks

[mella l]

Well all I can say is that I left the city life in 1980 to up here in the boon docks living the rural life has made me a boon dock kind. We will have a wood stove!

I agree it isn't for everyone, but my message was primarily look around. I've looked a plenty and am happy with our choice!

Thanks for the warnings and NO I haven't met unicorn yet! So it will be a surprise??

Keep up the good work L! How are those flying dragon flies doing now?

mella l

[emorata]

I have a leilani parcel that i may be putting in the market soon, it borders a beautiful heliconia farm next door with wonderful views......please email me if anyone is interested.

Very quiet neighborhood, lush plants and beautiful trees, bananas, coconuts and serveral tropical fruits...will price it below market.

noel

noel

[exdep425]

Thanks for all the quick info about Leilani and the area. We will be there in mid-Oct and meet with our real estate agent. We plan on a lot of touring of the area and hope to meet with locals and get to talk. My AOL is acting up, but please feel free to email me direct at: exdep425@aol.com Larry in Oregon