Nanea Golf Club Real Estate

Nanea Golf Club is a private golf community on the mauka slopes above Kailua-Kona, built around a David McLay Kidd-designed course completed in 2003. Unlike the coastal Kohala Coast resorts, Nanea sits at roughly 1,400 to 1,800 feet of elevation in cooler, greener upcountry terrain — closer to the agricultural character of Holualoa coffee country than to the lava-rock resort coast. Real estate consists of custom single-family estates on generously sized lots along and adjacent to the Nanea course, with membership in the Nanea Club tied to ownership and a strong golf-driven owner culture.

Nanea Golf Club Market Snapshot

The 2026 Nanea market trades at a median sale price near $5.5M, with average days on market around 110 and steady year-over-year strength per Hawaii Information Service MLS data as of May 2026.

Custom estates typically run $4M–$10M, with larger compound-style properties on multi-acre lots reaching $12M–$20M+. Nanea’s elevated upcountry character and the David McLay Kidd course distinguish its market from the coastal Kohala Coast resorts — buyers comparing Nanea against Mauna Lani or Hualalai are usually weighing the cooler upcountry climate, the green pastoral landscape, and the more specialized golf-driven culture.

A Brief History of Nanea Golf Club

Nanea Golf Club opened in 2003 on roughly 800 acres of former ranchland above Kailua-Kona, with the course routing by David McLay Kidd (also known for Bandon Dunes). The site sits on the lower slopes of Hualalai volcano, where elevation produces a different microclimate — cooler temperatures, more frequent tradewind clouds, and a green, pastoral landscape distinct from the dry lava coast below. Nanea was built as a true private club community with golf as the primary cultural anchor and a deliberately quiet, smaller-scale residential footprint.

What Schools Serve Nanea Golf Club

Nanea sits within the Kealakehe complex of the Hawaii Department of Education for public school assignment, feeding to Kealakehe Elementary, Kealakehe Intermediate, and Kealakehe High in Kailua-Kona (Hawaii DOE, 2025–2026).

Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA) in Waimea, about 50 minutes mauka, is the dominant private school option for resort families. Some Nanea families also consider Parker School in Waimea or upcountry homeschool networks tied to the Holualoa coffee country to the south.

Neighborhood Character and Daily Life

Daily life at Nanea is structured around the David McLay Kidd course and the clubhouse, with a smaller, more golf-driven owner population than the amenity-heavy coastal resorts.

What stands out about Nanea compared with Kohala Coast resorts is the climate and the cultural emphasis on golf as the dominant amenity. The elevation produces 5–10°F cooler temperatures than the coastal resorts and a noticeably greener landscape that supports working pasture and gardens on residential lots. Owners tend to be serious golfers drawn specifically to the McLay Kidd design rather than buyers shopping for resort amenities. The result is a smaller, tighter community with a stronger single-purpose culture than the broader resort communities.

Architecture and the Built Environment

Nanea estates favor contemporary Hawaiian with elements of upcountry plantation vernacular — lava-stone bases, cedar and koa accents, deep covered lanais, and pitched roofs that handle the more frequent upcountry rain. Floor plans typically run 4,000–8,000 square feet on lots of 1–5 acres, with substantial separation between residences. Pool-and-spa programs are oriented to the Pacific view to the west, with the upcountry breeze and cooler temperatures producing a different lanai culture than the coastal resorts.

Where Nanea Golf Club Sits

Nanea Golf Club sits at approximately 19.7264° N, 155.9472° W on Hawaii Island. The map below centers on the community.

Commute and Connectivity

Nanea sits about 25 minutes from Kona International Airport (KOA) and 15 minutes from downtown Kailua-Kona via mauka access roads. Waimea is roughly 45 minutes mauka via the cross-island route. The upcountry location means more frequent cloud cover and rain than the coastal resorts but a noticeably cooler year-round climate — a tradeoff that draws a specific buyer profile.

Adjacent Communities

Nanea sits on the mauka slopes above Kailua-Kona, distinct from the coastal resort cluster. The closest peer private-club communities are Hualalai Resort, Kūki‘o, and Kohanaiki down on the coast. Holualoa coffee country lies south and offers the most similar upcountry residential character.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to be a club member to buy at Nanea?

Yes — Nanea is a private members-only club community and property purchases require acceptance into Nanea Club membership, with initiation and ongoing dues. The Club is structured around golf as the primary amenity, so prospective buyers should expect a golf-driven culture and access model.

How does Nanea differ from the Kohala Coast resort communities?

Nanea sits at 1,400–1,800 feet of elevation above Kailua-Kona — cooler, greener, and more pastoral than the dry lava coast where the Kohala Coast resorts are located. The community is golf-driven and smaller in scale than Mauna Lani or Hualalai, with no oceanfront component. Buyers comparing Nanea typically weigh climate and golf focus against beach access and broader resort amenities.

What does Nanea real estate cost in 2026?

The 2026 Nanea median sale price runs near $5.5M, with custom estates typically $4M–$10M and larger compound-style properties on multi-acre lots reaching $12M–$20M+ per Hawaii Information Service MLS data as of May 2026.

Who designed the Nanea golf course?

David McLay Kidd designed the Nanea course, which opened in 2003. McLay Kidd is also known for Bandon Dunes (Oregon), Tetherow, and Gamble Sands. Nanea is one of the few courses in Hawaii from his portfolio and is widely regarded as one of the top private courses in the islands.

How is the climate at Nanea different from the coastal resorts?

Nanea’s elevation produces 5–10°F cooler temperatures, more frequent tradewind cloud cover, and meaningfully more rainfall than the dry Kohala Coast. The result is a noticeably greener landscape with working pasture and active gardens on residential lots — a different lifestyle profile than the coastal resort lava-and-irrigation aesthetic.

Talk to KE Team Hawaii About Nanea Golf Club

KE Team Hawaii — Kai Ioh and Emil Knysh of Compass — represents buyers and sellers at Nanea and across Kona’s private-club communities. Reach out for private tours, Nanea Club membership guidance, and candid comparisons against the Kohala Coast resort options. Start a conversation or browse live featured properties.