October 2026 on Hawaiʻi Island:
Homes, Real Estate & Events

October 2026 at a glance: According to Title Guaranty Hawaiʻi, 135 single-family homes sold across Hawaiʻi Island in September, with a median sale price of $499,000. South Kohala recorded 14 single-family sales and 10 condominium sales, illustrating the importance of examining local markets rather than relying on island-wide averages. October also brings the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival, Kōkua Kailua Village Stroll, and community celebrations in Waikoloa, Kona, and elsewhere on the island.

October is a wonderful time on Hawaiʻi Island. The summer crowds have thinned, the holiday season is still ahead, and there’s plenty happening in our communities — from culinary events on the Kohala Coast to art, music, and local celebrations.

This month, I’m sharing a look at our housing market, a few things worth considering when buying or owning a home here, and some events to enjoy during the rest of October.

Hawaiʻi Island Real Estate: A Market of Many Markets

The latest September sales figures illustrate why it’s important to look beyond island-wide averages when evaluating real estate on Hawaiʻi Island.

According to Title Guaranty’s September 2026 Hawaiʻi Island Residential Sales Report, 135 single-family homes sold island-wide, a decline of 21.5% from September 2025. The median sale price was $499,000, down 15% year over year.

But those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Puna accounted for 66 of those sales—nearly half of the island’s single-family transactions—with a median sale price of $392,000. By comparison, South Kohala recorded 14 single-family sales with a median of approximately $1.1 million, while North Kona recorded 20 sales with a median of approximately $1.4 million.

For buyers and sellers interested in resort properties, condominium statistics provide another useful perspective. South Kohala recorded 10 condominium sales in September, with a median sale price of approximately $1.1 million. North Kona recorded 18 condominium sales, with a median of $547,500.

These figures represent different property types, price ranges, and communities. A condominium at Mauna Lani or Waikoloa Beach Resort cannot be meaningfully evaluated against a district-wide median without examining comparable properties.

The differences are substantial, and they illustrate how the geographic mix of transactions can influence island-wide statistics. With relatively few sales in individual districts, monthly median prices can also fluctuate considerably.

The takeaway: Hawaiʻi Island isn’t one housing market. A resort condominium at Mauna Lani, a home in Waikoloa Village, and a residence in Waimea serve different buyers and have very different pricing dynamics. For anyone considering buying or selling, community-specific comparable sales are far more informative than island-wide medians.

Source: Title Guaranty Hawaiʻi — September 2026 Residential Sales Report . Statistics effective October 1, 2026.

On the Kohala Coast: What Buyers Should Be Watching

The Kohala Coast continues to offer an unusually diverse selection of residential opportunities, from luxury resort residences at Mauna Kea and Mauna Lani to condominiums at Waikoloa Beach Resort and homes in nearby communities.

One consideration that deserves particular attention is the total cost of ownership .

For condominium buyers, association fees, master association assessments, insurance, maintenance reserves, and potential special assessments can materially affect the economics of a purchase. In resort communities, those fees may also cover amenities and services that owners would otherwise pay for separately.

For buyers considering vacation rental income , rental authorization and operating expenses deserve the same scrutiny as purchase price. Gross rental revenue is only the starting point; management, maintenance, taxes, insurance, and occupancy all affect the financial outcome.

These aren’t necessarily reasons to avoid a particular property. They’re reasons to understand exactly what you’re buying.

Home Trends: Designing for Island Living

One of the pleasures of Hawaiʻi Island homes is the connection between indoor and outdoor living. Covered lanais, natural ventilation, thoughtful shade, and durable materials can make a substantial difference in daily comfort.

On the sunny Kohala Coast, a beautiful ocean view is only one part of good residential design. The direction of the afternoon sun, exposure to trade winds, salt air, and the practicality of outdoor spaces are equally important.

I’m particularly interested in how homes balance contemporary design with the realities of our climate. Materials that perform beautifully in a dry, sheltered setting may require considerably more maintenance in an exposed oceanfront location.

Whether you’re renovating, building, or purchasing an existing home, good design in Hawaiʻi should be about more than appearance. It should make living here easier and more enjoyable.

Coming Up on the West Side of Hawaiʻi Island

October 16–17: Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival — Kohala Coast

The festival returns to Hawaiʻi Island with special culinary experiences, including events at Mauna Kea Golf Course and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. A celebration of talented chefs, Hawaiʻi-grown ingredients, and island hospitality. Learn more about the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival .

October 17: Kanikapila Concert — Waikoloa Beach Resort

Enjoy an evening of Hawaiian music at Queens’ MarketPlace, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Coronation Pavilion.

October 18: Kōkua Kailua Village Stroll — Kailua-Kona

Aliʻi Drive becomes a pedestrian marketplace from 1 to 6 p.m., with local artists, craftspeople, food vendors, and live entertainment. It’s a lovely opportunity to enjoy Historic Kailua Village and support local businesses.

October 21 and 28: Hula and Fire Knife Performances — Waikoloa Beach Resort

Kings’ Shops hosts hula and cultural demonstrations on October 21 and an evening fire knife performance on October 28. These are enjoyable opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

October 31: Halloween Celebrations

Queens’ MarketPlace at Waikoloa Beach Resort hosts family-friendly trick-or-treating from 4 to 7 p.m., with a magic show scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Keauhou Shopping Center also has a Halloween Candy Crawl planned from 2 to 5 p.m.

And for something less structured, the weekly farmers markets, local music, and hula performances in Waikoloa and Keauhou are always worth exploring.

October 31: The Enchanted Dragon at Blue Dragon Tavern — Kawaihae

Elsewhere on the Island

There’s plenty happening beyond West Hawaiʻi, too. Hilo hosts A Taste of Hilo on October 18, featuring local restaurants and culinary talent, followed by the Hawaiʻi Island Festival of Birds on October 24, celebrating native birds and conservation. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has several October programs, including rainforest restoration volunteer opportunities on October 17 and 24, and family-friendly scavenger hunts at Kīlauea Summit and Kahuku on Halloween. October 27 is also a national park fee-free day in recognition of Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday. These events are good reasons to spend a day exploring another part of our remarkable island.

For a full, up-to-date list of what’s happening across the island, see my events page .

From the BHG Kitchen

October’s Recipe: Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

As a Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate agent, I have access to a wonderful collection of recipes to share. Every Better Homes and Gardens recipe is tested four times in the BHG test kitchens before it’s shared with readers. Each month, I’ll feature one here as a little something extra for your kitchen.

October’s selection is Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, made with chicken, white beans, poblano peppers, corn, and warming spices. It’s an easy, satisfying meal for a cooler evening in Waimea—or whenever you’re in the mood for something hearty.

Recipe courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.

View Full-Size Recipe Card

Read Ingredients & Directions

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 (15-oz.) cans cannellini (white kidney) beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (32-oz.) carton reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
• 2 poblano peppers, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onions
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 (8-oz.) container sour cream
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
• Toppers, such as sliced avocado and radishes, roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas), and/or bottle hot pepper sauce

Directions

1. Cook Chicken: In a 12-inch skillet heat oil over medium-high. Add chicken; cook and stir until browned.
2. Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: In a 5- to 6-qt. slow cooker mash 1 can of the beans until smooth. Stir in remaining beans and next 10 ingredients (through black pepper). Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken to cooker.
3. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low 5 to 6 hours or high 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until chicken is tender. Turn off cooker. Stir in sour cream and cilantro. Cover and let stand 5 minutes or until heated through.
4. Finish and Serve: Season to taste with additional salt and black pepper. Serve with desired toppers.

Looking Ahead to November

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival , November 6–15, celebrates one of Hawaiʻi Island’s most famous agricultural traditions. With farm tours, cultural activities, tastings, and community celebrations, it’s a wonderful opportunity to explore Kona’s coffee heritage.

A Final Thought

Whether you’re enjoying Hawaiʻi Island as a full-time resident, spending part of the year here, or thinking about making it home, there’s always something new to discover.

I enjoy sharing both the practical details of real estate and the places, people, and experiences that make living here so special.

If you have questions about a particular neighborhood, resort community, or property, I’m always happy to talk.

A hui hou,
Carol Porter, REALTOR®
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Island Lifestyle
https://sellingbigisland.com

Event dates and programs are subject to change. Please confirm details with organizers before attending.

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