The Major Real Estate Trends to Know in Kauai

Kauai, Hi | Karsten Winegeart

Hawaii is composed of several stunning islands, each ripe with incredible scenery. Kauai, a tropical paradise known as the Garden Isle, has lush forests, beaches, and charming communities, making it a highly desirable real estate market in the U.S. Let’s break down everything you need to know about Kauai’s real estate scene.

Major Trends This Year

Housing prices are extremely expensive in Kauai, and there is insufficient supply to accommodate high demand. The prices on the island continue to climb, and 2024 started with a bang. According to realtor.com, the median listing home price in Kauai in February was $1.525 million, an increase from February 2023, when the median listing home price on the island was $1.357 million. 

To slow the rise in home prices, a Hawaii State Senator recently introduced a bill intended to ban foreign buyers from purchasing a home in the state. The bill has sparked much controversy, and it has not been decided whether it will pass. 

Kauai, Hi | Aaron Lee

Popular Communities to Know

Kauai is best known for its sparkling waterfalls, gorgeous coastline, and thick rainforest covering much of the island’s landscape. But charming communities across the island also catch buyers’ attention. If you are considering a move to Kauai, there are plenty of excellent options to consider. 

Kapa’a is the most populated community on Kauai, but it still gives off a very small-town feel. This beachy community has excellent places to shop and dine and is surrounded by the unmatched scenery that makes Kauai so desirable. Kalaheo is another gorgeous sought-after community on Kauai. It is home to excellent golf courses and the National Tropical Botanical Garden. 

Wailua Homesteads is relatively rural community that has evolved into a buyer hotspot. Many of its neighborhoods are surrounded by forests and waterfalls, with gorgeous ocean vistas. Lihue is one of the centers of life in Kauai with a variety of home options. It is home to the island’s primary airport and is a haven for ocean lovers with fantastic beaches and picturesque coastlines.