This is a great time to be looking for real estate anywhere, and Hawaii is no exception. The Aloha State has become a desirable place for vacation and retirement homes over the years. It’s easy to miss how large the Big Island is, with many different climate zones and a total land area that is bigger than all of the other islands in the state combined. Here’s a source for a discussion comparing differences in climate, water temperature and other factors between Hawaii and California.

The community of Hilo is on the wet side of the island. It rains almost every day, and this has created a very tropical environment. Here you will also find the government complex, although there are satellite offices in other districts on the island. Consult a real estate agent in Hilo to obtain local professional assistance in locating Big Island real estate opportunities in that district.

One of the other districts on Hawaii Island is Kona, on the dry side of the slopes. Because of the direction of trade winds, much of the moisture is squeezed out of the incoming air when it passes over the numerous volcanoes. That is why Kona is generally much drier. Most people seem to be inclined to the dry side, since there is more sunshine on average in Kona than in Hilo.

The Kona district offers a great deal of Hawaii land with terrific ocean views and coffee orchards above 1,000 feet above sea level. It is possible to find large estate homesites at prices that are way below the peak in 2006. There is an atmosphere about the Big Island that is different than the other islands. If you are thinking about buying land for a retirement or vacation home, take a look at Kona and the Big Island.