What One Acre of Land Costs in Hawaii in 2026

One acre of land in Hawaii can cost anywhere from under $100,000 in remote, infrastructure-light areas to $500,000+ for buildable residential lots in high-demand markets—and well into the millions per acre in premier coastal or resort submarkets. That spread isn’t hype; it reflects Hawaii’s uniquely limited land base, strict land-use rules, and intense competition from residents, investors, and second-home buyers.

Zooming out, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture benchmarked total agricultural land valuations statewide at a record $6.8 billion as of 2022, underscoring how even “working land” commands a premium in the islands.

What Drives One-Acre Land Prices in Hawaii?

Hawaii land values move quickly because “one acre” is not a standardized product here. Prices vary drastically by island, neighborhood, and whether a parcel is immediately buildable or needs years of entitlement and infrastructure work.

Location (Island, micro-market, and proximity)

Hawaii spans 132 islands, islets, and atolls, and buyers pay very different prices depending on whether land sits near urban job centers like Honolulu, resort corridors, or remote countryside. Beach proximity, ocean views, and short drives to services typically push per-acre values higher.

Zoning and property type

Residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural zoning can create completely different price ceilings on the same island. Commercially zoned land often commands top dollar because it can produce business income. Agricultural land can look “cheaper” on a per-acre basis, but restrictions and required farm use can limit development flexibility.

Infrastructure and build readiness

Utilities, legal access, water availability, road frontage, wastewater solutions, and permitting status frequently matter as much as the acreage itself. A one-acre parcel with power, water, and documented access can sell for multiples of an acre that requires off-grid systems, grading, or easements.

Hawaii One-Acre Prices: Farmland Benchmarks vs. Vacant Land Reality

If you’re comparing “land value” statistics, start by separating agricultural benchmarks from residential/commercial asking prices.

Farm real estate and regional benchmarks

In many markets, agricultural values provide a baseline. Nationally, farm real estate values continue to climb: in 2025, the U.S. average farm real estate value was $4,350 per acre (up 4.3% from 2024), according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Regionally, the Pacific tends to price higher than most of the mainland. In 2025, the average cropland value per acre in the Pacific region was $9,830, according to USDA Economic Research Service. In the same year, the average pastureland value per acre in the Pacific region was $2,450, also reported by USDA Economic Research Service.

Pasture values have also increased nationally. In 2025, the U.S. average pasture value was $1,920 per acre—up $90 from 2024—according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Cash rent signals (what land can earn)

Cash rent can help buyers sanity-check agricultural land pricing because it reflects real-world earning potential. In 2024, the average cash rent for cropland in Hawaii was $326 per acre, according to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Within that average, irrigated cropland commanded far higher rent—$452 per acre in 2024—based on the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Non-irrigated cropland averaged $190 per acre in 2024, also from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

Pasture economics are different. In 2024, the average cash rent for pasture in Hawaii was $8.70 per acre, according to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. That gap between cropland and pasture rent is one reason pasture parcels can price and trade differently than irrigated farm ground.

For another lens on rent, in 2025 Hawaii’s average cash rent for cropland was $295 per acre, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Vacant residential and commercial acres (what buyers actually pay)

Agricultural benchmarks don’t translate 1:1 to buildable lots. In many parts of Hawaii, one-acre vacant residential parcels in desirable regions can list around $500,000+ per acre, while rural Oahu or Big Island offerings may start closer to the mid–six figures depending on utilities, access, and zoning. Inside exclusive resort communities, per-acre pricing can rise into the $1–$3 million range when views, entitlement status, and neighborhood prestige align.

Current online listing snapshots illustrate how wide the range can be. As a rough guide, sample per-acre asking prices for Hawaiian land parcels in 2024 included residential acreages on Maui around $200,000 to $800,000+, commercial acreage on Oahu around $4 million, and Big Island acre blocks suitable for residential or commercial builds from roughly $90,000 to $1 million+, based on Land Boss.

Why Land Costs Run High in Hawaii

Demand vs. finite supply

Hawaii is a global destination and a long-term relocation magnet. That demand collides with tight land-use regulation and limited inventory, particularly in established urban cores and resort corridors—conditions that consistently pressure prices upward.

Physical constraints on expansion

As an island chain, Hawaii can’t sprawl outward like mainland metros. With ocean boundaries and large areas set aside for conservation, agriculture, and protected uses, buildable land becomes more scarce—and scarcity tends to be expensive.

Tourism-driven competition for space

Visitor demand supports hotels, short-term lodging, retail, and services—all of which compete for the same limited, infrastructure-ready land. As tourism and population pressures concentrate near employment centers and coastlines, per-acre values often rise fastest in those submarkets.

Typical One-Acre Price Patterns by Island

Exact pricing depends on the parcel, but these patterns show up repeatedly in listings and closed sales across the state.

Oahu

As Hawaii’s economic hub and home to Honolulu, Oahu typically posts the highest competition for buildable land. One-acre residential parcels commonly move from the high six figures into the millions when located near core amenities. Commercial land can reach multi-million-dollar per-acre pricing, especially in prime corridors.

Maui

Maui’s resort appeal and limited inventory often translate into higher residential asking prices, particularly near top beaches and luxury communities. One-acre residential opportunities frequently range from the mid–six figures into seven figures depending on build readiness and location.

Big Island (Hawaii Island)

The Big Island offers more geographic space and often more options for buyers seeking acreage, especially outside of Kona and Hilo. However, infrastructure and climate zones vary dramatically, which can swing one-acre pricing from relatively accessible to very high in premium neighborhoods.

Kauai

Kauai’s limited developable inventory and strong demand for “Garden Isle” lifestyle properties can push prices up, especially for parcels with ocean proximity, views, and clear build pathways.

Smaller islands

On islands such as Lanai or Molokai, availability, ownership patterns, and infrastructure considerations can dominate pricing more than raw acreage. Buyers may face additional hurdles simply finding comparable one-acre parcels that can transact.

Why One Acre Sells Above (or Below) the “Average”

Even within the same island, two one-acre parcels can sell for radically different numbers. Sellers price land based on what a buyer can realistically build and how soon construction can start.

Factors that raise per-acre value

• Beachfront frontage, ocean views, or walk-to-shore proximity
• Clear zoning that supports higher-value residential or commercial use
• Verified utilities (power/water), road frontage, and documented legal access
• Subdivision potential (where permitted)
• Strong neighborhood comps and proximity to amenities

Factors that reduce per-acre value

• No utility connections and costly infrastructure requirements
• Challenging topography (steep slope, poor drainage, unstable soils)
• Access complications (easements, private roads, unclear rights-of-way)
• Restrictive development conditions, conservation limitations, or difficult permitting
• Nearby nuisances or external obsolescence

In practical terms, an acre on the shoreline with build approvals can command seven figures, while a remote acre with no access or utilities may struggle to attract qualified buyers—even if the asking price looks “cheap” compared to urban neighborhoods.

How Long Does It Take to Sell Land in Hawaii?

Hawaii’s buyer pool is deep, but land takes longer to sell than finished homes because raw parcels demand more due diligence, more cash, and more patience. Infrastructure gaps, water questions, and permit timelines can narrow the buyer audience quickly.

As general expectations:

• Completed homes in high-demand areas: can sell quickly when priced to market
• Newly subdivided residential lots: often move faster than raw acreage if utilities and approvals are in place
• Vacant agricultural acreage: can take longer due to use restrictions and financing constraints
• Remote jungle or mountain parcels: may sit until the right niche buyer appears

For owners who don’t want to wait through long marketing cycles, some choose to explore direct-sale options. If you’re weighing different exit strategies, Land Boss discusses considerations around Hawaii land as an investment and what impacts liquidity for vacant parcels.

Is Buying One Acre in Hawaii Still a Good Investment?

For buyers who can secure the right zoning, verify build feasibility, and budget for permitting and infrastructure, Hawaii land can remain a compelling long-term hold—especially in supply-constrained areas with durable demand drivers.

The smartest approach is simple: treat each one-acre parcel like its own business case. Confirm zoning and permitted uses, validate access and utilities, model total development costs, and compare the opportunity to real-world earning signals such as cash rent (for farm ground) and market comps (for residential or commercial land). When the numbers work and the timeline matches your goals, a single acre in Hawaii can be far more than “just land”—it can be a scarce, strategic asset.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the average price per acre of land in Hawaii?

It depends on land type and location. Agricultural benchmarks can be evaluated using rents (for example, 2024 Hawaii cropland cash rent averaged $326 per acre per the Hawaii Department of Agriculture), while buildable residential and commercial acres often trade at much higher market-driven prices depending on utilities, access, and zoning.

Why is land so expensive in Hawaii?

Hawaii combines intense demand with limited buildable supply, strict land-use controls, and major competition for infrastructure-ready parcels near jobs, beaches, and resort areas.

Which Hawaiian island has the cheapest land?

More remote areas on the Big Island often show lower per-acre asking prices than Oahu or Maui, but costs can rise fast once you factor in access, utilities, grading, water systems, and permitting.

How can I compare Hawaii land to the mainland?

Use consistent benchmarks. For example, the U.S. average farm real estate value in 2025 was $4,350 per acre (up 4.3% from 2024) according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Regional context also matters: the 2025 Pacific region cropland value averaged $9,830 per acre per USDA Economic Research Service.

Should I buy land in Hawaii as an investment?

Land can be a strong long-term investment when you buy parcels with realistic, permitted use, clear access, and a workable budget for infrastructure and entitlements. Investors typically do best when they match the parcel type (farm, residential, commercial) to a clear strategy—income, development, or long-term appreciation.