Puako has long been one of the Big Island's most heavily guarded coastal enclaves – a quiet area on the West Coast where homes rarely change hands. For chef Bruce Bromberg and his wife Kerry, the connection to this place was immediate. Bruce, along with his brother Eric, is co-founder of Blue Ribbon Restaurants, the influential restaurant group behind more than 20 restaurants in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami and beyond, known for everything from sushi and brasserie classics to their legendary fried chicken.
Long before the couple imagined owning a home in Hawaii, a friend urged them to visit Puako. “When we first traveled to the Big Island in 2013, a dear friend of ours said we had to visit Puako. He said he used to live there and that it just reminded him of us,” they recall. “Once we arrived and felt the pull of Hawaii, there was no turning back. Puako embodies everything that is relevant to us. There is a deep connection to the culture and the land that is vital to our lives.”
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Hans Klett
Bruce and Kerry eventually purchased a traditional plantation-style home just steps from the ocean and redesigned it from the ground up in 2014. “From day one we wanted to pay homage to the traditional Hawaiian plantation house that it was,” they say. “We didn’t want to build a big wall and isolate ourselves from the community, we wanted to be part of the community.”
They expanded both the front and back porches to create spacious outdoor living areas and intentionally designed the home to be lived in throughout the day – morning coffee on the front porch, mid-morning workouts near the gym and sauna, lunch under the palm trees on the back porch, and evening entertaining in the great room or cooking in the outdoor kitchen. “Honestly, there is no place better than any other,” they add. “The idea was to be able to move around the different rooms during the day and evening.”
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Hans Klett
The interior of the house follows the same ethos of lightness and sophistication. An expansive great room with open beamed ceilings leads to a chef's kitchen. Five ensuite bedrooms, including two with private entrances, offer flexibility for visitors and extended family. Consistent finishes, full air conditioning and professionally designed landscaping enhance the architecture while maintaining the relaxed spirit of Puako.
The grounds of the property are truly a private sanctuary. A covered pavilion anchors the outdoor spaces and connects to a patio with an imported pizza oven and built-in grill. A dedicated wellness area includes a cedar sauna, cold plunge pool, hot tub, meditation pavilion and fitness center, as well as county-approved plans for a swimming pool. Additional features include advanced water filtration, integrated Sonos and security systems, a one-car garage, no HOA fees, and one of the rarest assets on the Kohala Coast – a fully transferable B&B permit.
Listing agent Paul Stukin of Deep Blue HI says this level of holistic design reflects what today's buyers are increasingly prioritizing. “What I’m seeing in the market today is that buyers are drawn to wellness, comfort and homes that feel like a personal retreat,” he explains. “Turnkey, move-in ready properties are leading the market.”
Hans Klett
Stukin also points to Puako's unique market position, even compared to the region's most exclusive resort communities. “The Puako buyer has the same financial capabilities as the resort buyer in Kukio or Hualalai, but has a different agenda,” he says. “You're not buying a brand. You're investing in a real marine community.” Since Puako is just a single street with very few homes, demand is driven by scarcity, and he describes the listing as a “blue-chip oceanfront development” that “is characterized by an investment in a true oceanfront community rather than a curated resort brand.”
After more than a decade of residence, Bruce and Kerry are preparing to move abroad as their daughter begins her college education in Europe. “It’s unbelievable that the time has come,” they say. “Puako and the friends we have made here will always be a big part of our lives and our identity.” The home is now listed for $3.95 million and is co-listed with Annie Mendoza of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
Click here to see more photos from Bruce Bromberg's vacation in Hawaii.
Authors
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Abby Montanaz