Hoakalei Country Club, Oahu's first private club to be built in more than 30 years, officially opened Hawaii's first Ernie Els-designed golf course yesterday in Ewa Beach amid one of the worst economic periods in the state's modern history.

New Major Real Estate Development In Ewa

 

This will be a blessing for the community, the KaMakana at Hoakalei will front the Hoakalei Country Club.

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While real estate sales have softened throughout Oahu, especially on the west side, the 18-hole championship course is expected to serve as one of the key selling points for Haseko's Ka Makana resort community, which is set to debut a new series of model homes on Saturday.

The build-out of Ka Makana's 900 golf and marina residences is expected to take place during the next three to five years, while the 726-acre resort community of Hoakalei should take shape by 2020.

“;Today's homeowners are looking for more than just a residence; they're looking for a lifestyle,”; said Richard Dunn, executive vice president of residential sales and marketing for Haseko. “;These exquisite homes offer an incredible opportunity and are within walking distance to the newly opened Hoakalei Country Club, planned marina, future hotel and waterfront shopping and dining.”;

The par 72- course, which offers views of Oahu's southwestern coastline, will stretch 7,400 yards and span 248 acres.

Els, who took a turn on his course yesterday, said he anticipates that the course could support a PGA tournament in three or four years.

“;Obviously the economy is not wonderful as we know it, but I would love to see a golf tournament here,”; said Els, who had just come from the Mercedes-Benz Championship at Kapalua. “;I'll be pushing for that in the near future.”;

While Els has not bought real estate in the state he said that he is bullish on Hawaii and on Hoakalei.

“;Hawaii is a great tourism destination, and it made good sense to us to try and grab business and get our brand out there,”; he said. “;We jumped at the chance.”;

About 50 individual golfers have also invested in Hoakalei, where private memberships start at $30,000, said Sharene Saito Tam, director of community relations and public affairs for the developer.

“;Nobody thought we would hit that before the grand opening,”; Saito Tam said, adding that a total of 150 private memberships will be released in the first phase.

Likewise, Dunn said demand for Ka Makana has been steady and is expected to strengthen along with the golf course.

“;We had a few drop out of the holiday period, but foot traffic and sales have picked up since the first of the year,”; Dunn said. “;To date, we haven't reduced any of our prices.”;

One- and two-story, single-family homes in Ka Makana range in price from the $500,000s to more than $1 million. Fee-simple home sizes range from 1,212 square feet to 3,552 square feet.