Harry Pritikin R(PB)
· Big Island Specialist Since the 1970s
The Big Island Life
Nobody Tells You About
And how to actually get it. From someone who's been here since the 1970s.
Aloha from Harry
"When I got here, there wasn't a single stoplight in Kona."
That was Kailua-Kona in the 1970s. I was a young guy with a forestry degree from UC Berkeley, and I fell in love with this island the moment I arrived. I never left.
I've been buying and selling real estate here for over 45 years. I've watched this place grow from a quiet fishing village into one of the most sought-after places to live on earth. I've seen every market cycle, every lava flow, every boom and every correction.
Here's what I've learned that no market report will ever tell you: the Big Island isn't just a place to buy a house. It's a way of life. And if you're going to live here — really live here — you need to understand the island first.
Call Harry · 808-989-3491
"This isn't a vacation. It's a Wednesday."
Harry & Wendy — Four Seasons Hualalai, Kona Coast
Eight Honest Reasons
Why the Big Island?
Nobody moves here for one reason. It's everything, all at once.
01
You Live Where Others Vacation
People spend $8,000–$15,000 to visit here for a week. You'll wake up here every morning. The beach, sunsets, snorkeling, farmers markets — that's just Tuesday. It never gets old.
02
No Suburban Sprawl
On the mainland, everything is 45 minutes away in traffic. On the Big Island, everything is 10 to 20 minutes away — and the drive is beautiful. Ocean on one side, mountains on the other.
03
75–80 Degrees. Every Single Day.
No coats. No snow tires. No heating bills. No scraping ice off your windshield. Trade winds keep it comfortable year-round. You will forget what cold feels like — and you won't miss it.
04
Grow Your Own Food
Groceries cost more in Hawaii, but you can grow your own vegetables, herbs, and fruit year-round. Harry grows over 20 varieties of fruit on his property alone.
05
No Heating Bills. Ever.
Most homes don't even have central heat. Add solar — like Harry did in 1991 — and your electric bill nearly disappears. The sun here is not a luxury. It's a utility.
06
Property Taxes Are Remarkably Low
Hawaii County homeowner rate: just $6.15 per $1,000 assessed value. On a $700,000 home that's roughly $4,300/yr. Port St. Lucie, FL? Over $15,000/yr on the same home.
07
A Real Estate Investment That Works
Vacation rental demand can be strong in the right areas — but rules, zoning, permits, and market conditions matter. Harry helps you understand what's realistic before you buy.
08
Safe. Peaceful. A Great Place to Grow.
Hawaii ranks #5 nationally for low violent crime. The Big Island has some of the safest communities in the state. Whether raising a family or planning retirement, you can genuinely relax.
Harry's Kona
Eat Like You Live Here
Where locals actually eat. The everyday spots worth knowing.
Quinn's Almost by the Sea
Harry's #1Harry's favorite since the early '80s and still going strong. Cold beer, happy hour pupu, sports on TV — this is where Kona locals actually hang out. No pretense, just good times.
75-5655 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona
Da Poke Shack
Must-TryThe line starts at 10am. Get there early or go home hungry. Best poke on the island, full stop.
76-6246 Ali'i Dr, Ste 101, Kailua-Kona
Island Lava Java
BreakfastBreakfast & brunch 7am–12:45pm on the seawall. Ocean right in front of you. Order the mac nut pancakes.
75-5801 Ali'i Dr, Kailua-Kona
Kenichi Pacific
Date NightKona's night out. Pacific Rim sushi and fusion done right. If you get a table on a Tuesday, you're thinking like a local.
78-6831 Ali'i Dr, Ste D125
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill
Local FavoriteLocals' favorite for dinner. Generous portions, great fish, a room full of people who actually live here.
75-5995 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona
Huggo's on the Rocks
Sunset DrinksBarefoot bar right on the lava. Live music from 5pm. Order a mai tai and watch the sun go down.
75-5824 Kahakai Rd, Kailua-Kona
Sushi Sam's
Special OccasionFormer Kukio Golf Club chef. Only a handful of tables — reserve ahead. The omakase will change you.
75-5626 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona
Big Island Brewhaus
Day TripUp in Waimea, worth the drive. Cold craft beer and real food at elevation. Go on a clear day.
64-1066 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea
Punalu'u Bake Shop
Road Trip StopOn the way to Volcano. Famous for sweet bread and malasadas. You will stop here. Everyone stops here.
95-5642 Mamalahoa Hwy, Na'alehu
Kona Coffee & Tea
Morning RitualLocal roasters, local beans, local vibe. The kind of coffee shop that makes you realize why people move here.
74-5588 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona
Cafe 100
Hilo InstitutionHilo's institution. Home of the loco moco. If you don't know what a loco moco is yet, this is where you learn.
969 Kilauea Ave, Hilo
Tex Drive-In
Big Island ClassicMalasadas fresh out of the fryer. A Big Island institution since 1969. Don't skip it.
45-690 Pakalana St, Honoka'a
Ulu Ocean Grill
Impress SomeoneWhen someone visits from the mainland and you want to impress them. Oceanfront, impeccable, worth every penny.
72-100 Ka'upulehu Dr · Four Seasons Hualalai
Local Lingo
Talk the Talk
You're not learning Hawaiian — that's a whole different thing. This is local pidgin: the everyday slang locals use. Drop a few of these naturally and people will smile at you differently.
Aloha
Hello, goodbye, love, and a whole way of being. It's not a greeting — it's a philosophy.
Mahalo
Thank you. Use it constantly. Mean it.
Howzit?
How are you? / What's up? The standard greeting between locals.
Ohana
Family — but broader than blood. Your neighbors, your community, your people.
Kama'aina
Local person, someone who belongs here. A high compliment.
Shaka
The hand sign (pinky and thumb out). Means: hang loose, thanks, right on, all good.
Talk Story
To chat, hang out, share stories. 'We were just talking story.' This is how friendships are built here.
Grind
To eat. 'Let's go grind.' Food is serious business here.
Mauka
Toward the mountain. 'Turn mauka at the light.'
Makai
Toward the ocean. You'll use this every day.
Broke da Mouth
Delicious beyond words. The highest food compliment.
Da Kine
That thing / you know what I mean. 'Pass me da kine.' Context is everything.
Pau
Done. Finished. 'I'm pau with work.' Pronounced 'pow.'
Aloha Friday
The island version of casual Friday. Wear your aloha shirt. Every Friday.
No Worries
The Big Island pace of life in two words. Relax. It'll happen.
"Use them right and you might just belong here. Use them wrong and everyone will smile at you anyway." — Harry
Things Nobody Puts in the Brochure
The Unwritten Rules
Don't Honk.
Seriously. Almost never. Honking is considered aggressive and rude. If someone cuts you off, take a breath. That's the island pace.
Wave When Someone Lets You In.
Every time. The shaka wave, the finger-lift, the nod — it doesn't matter. You acknowledge it. Always.
Shoes Off at the Door.
At almost every home you visit. Look for the pile of slippers outside. When in doubt, take them off.
Slow Down.
The speed limit is 25 mph in most of Kona. People actually drive it. You will too, eventually. The island will teach you.
Respect the Land.
Don't take lava rocks. Don't touch the turtles. Don't pick flowers from someone's yard. The aina (land) is sacred here.
Bring Food.
Going to someone's house? Bring something. Potluck culture is real. Show up empty-handed once — you'll understand.
Everyone Calls It the Big Island.
Locals, visitors, everyone. It's the Big Island. That's what it is. Don't overthink it.
Harry doesn't just sell the Big Island lifestyle. He lives it — and has for over 45 years. His property in Kailua-Kona has been completely solar-powered since 1991, long before it was fashionable. Three separate homes sit on his land, surrounded by a working fruit orchard.
Growing on the property: Lemons · Limes · Tangelos · Tangerines · Three varieties of oranges · Loquat · Pink grapefruit · Three varieties of mango · Jaboticaba · Brazilian plum · White sapote · Lychee · Star fruit · Pineapple · Bananas · Avocado · Blueberries · Papayas · Sour sop · Watermelon
Wendy tends hundreds of beautiful orchids around the property. When Harry talks about sustainable island living, he's not reading from a brochure. He's describing his Tuesday morning.
Before You Make an Offer
What You Need to Know Before You Buy
The Big Island is not like buying anywhere else. Here's what matters — and what Harry helps you navigate.
Lava Zones
The Big Island sits on an active volcano. Every property is assigned a lava zone from 1 (highest risk) to 9 (lowest). Zones 1 and 2 may be uninsurable or carry very high premiums. Harry knows every zone on this island — ask him before you fall in love with a property.
Water Systems
Not every property has county water. Many rely on catchment systems — tanks that collect rainwater from the roof. This is completely normal here and works well if maintained, but you need to know what you're buying. Harry will make sure you do.
Ohana Units
Many Big Island properties have a second dwelling — an 'ohana unit.' These can be legal or unpermitted. The difference matters enormously for financing, insurance, and resale. Harry will find out for you.
Agricultural Zoning
Large parcels are often zoned agricultural. This can be a great opportunity — lower taxes, more land, more freedom. But ag-zoned land has restrictions on what you can build and how many structures you can have. Know before you offer.
Leasehold vs. Fee Simple
Some properties — particularly in resort areas — are leasehold, meaning you own the structure but lease the land. Fee simple means you own both. Leasehold can be a great deal or a trap. Know which one you're looking at.
Title and Access
Some Big Island properties have access issues — roads that cross private land, easements that aren't recorded, or title clouds from old land court decisions. This is more common here than on the mainland. A good title search is not optional. Harry will make sure it happens.
Fifty Years. One Island.
Harry's 5 Rules for Buying Smart
These are the things that matter.
Fall in Love with the Island First.
Don't buy a house because it's a good deal. Buy it because you've spent time here, you know the neighborhoods, you've eaten at the local spots, you've driven the roads in the rain. The island will tell you where you belong. Then we find you the property.
Understand What You're Actually Buying.
On the Big Island, the land is as important as the structure. Lava zone, water source, zoning, access rights, title history — these things can make or break a purchase. I will walk you through every one of them before you sign anything.
Don't Rush the Process.
Good properties here take time to find. The Big Island is not a big market. Inventory is limited, and the right property for you may not be listed yet. I've been here long enough to know what's coming before it hits the MLS.
Get Pre-Approved Before You Fall in Love.
Financing on the Big Island has quirks — lava zones affect loans, catchment water affects appraisals, ag zoning affects what lenders will do. Know your numbers before you start looking. I can connect you with lenders who know this market.
Trust Your Agent to Protect You.
I am not here to close a deal. I am here to make sure you make the right decision — even if that means telling you to walk away. I've done it before. I'll do it again. That's what 45 years of doing this right looks like.
What Clients Say
Verified Buyers
"Harry is the most knowledgeable real estate agent I have ever worked with. He knows the Big Island better than anyone. He is honest, responsive, and genuinely cares about finding you the right property — not just any property."
Mark Dahmke
Verified Buyer
"Harry helped us find our dream home on the Big Island. His knowledge of the local market is unmatched. He guided us through every step of the process with patience and expertise. We could not have done it without him. Mahalo Harry!"
Edward Malinowski
Verified Buyer
"I've worked with a lot of real estate agents over the years. Harry is different. He actually knows the island — every neighborhood, every lava zone, every quirk. He doesn't just show you houses. He educates you. If you're serious about buying on the Big Island, he's the one."
lpljohn
Verified Buyer · January 2021
"We were nervous about buying so far from the mainland. Harry made the entire process feel manageable. He was patient, thorough, and never once pushed us toward something that wasn't right for us. That kind of integrity is rare. We're so glad we found him."
Karen & Tom R.
Verified Buyers · Kailua-Kona
Common Questions
Big Island Buyer Questions
Mainland buyers should understand that Big Island real estate is different from buying in many mainland markets. Lava zones, elevation, water systems, access, zoning, leasehold vs. fee simple ownership, and local market history can all affect whether a property is a smart fit.
Lava zones can affect insurance, financing, risk, resale, and long-term ownership decisions. Buyers should understand a property's lava zone before making an offer.
Fee simple usually means the buyer owns the land and the structure. Leasehold means the buyer owns the right to use the property for a certain period, but not the land itself. Buyers should understand this difference before purchasing Hawaiʻi real estate.
Some Big Island properties are connected to county water, while others may use catchment or private systems. Water source, maintenance, reliability, and lender requirements can all matter in a purchase.
Yes. A local Big Island broker can help you understand property-specific issues, local market conditions, zoning, title and access concerns, and island-specific risks before you commit.
Ready to Make the Move?
Thinking about buying on the Big Island from the mainland? That kind of local experience matters. Call Harry directly.