Puako has long been one of the Big Island’s most tightly held oceanfront enclaves—a quiet area along the west coast where homes rarely trade hands. For chef Bruce Bromberg and his wife, Kerry, the connection to the place was instant. Bruce is the co-founder, along with his brother Eric, of Blue Ribbon Restaurants, the influential dining group behind more than 20 restaurants across New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, and beyond, known for everything from sushi and brasserie classics to their iconic fried chicken. 

Long before the couple imagined owning a home in Hawai‘i, a friend urged them to visit Puako. “When we were first traveling to the Big Island back in 2013 a dear friend of ours said we had to visit Puako. He said that 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 all that is relevant to us. There is a deep connection to the culture and the land that is essential in how we live our lives.”

RELATED: This $34 Million Hawaii Estate Is a High-Design Haven at the Base of a Volcano

Bruce and Kerry eventually purchased a traditional plantation-style home just steps from the ocean and, in 2014, reimagined it from the ground up. “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 segregate ourselves from the community, we wanted to be part of the community.” 

They expanded both the front and rear lanais to create generous outdoor living areas and intentionally designed the home to be lived in throughout the day—morning coffee on the front lanai, mid-morning workouts near the gym and sauna, lunch under the palms on the back lanai, and evenings entertaining in the great room or cooking in the outdoor kitchen. “There is honestly no one spot that is better than any other,” they add. “The idea was to be able to move throughout the various spaces throughout the day and into the evening.”

RELATED: Roseanne Barr’s 46-Acre Ranch in Hawaii Sparks a Bidding Frenzy and Sells in Just One Week

The home’s interior follows the same ethos of ease and refinement. An expansive great room with open-beam ceilings leads to a chef’s kitchen. Five ensuite bedrooms, including two with private entries, provide flexibility for visitors and extended family. Cohesive finishes, full air conditioning, and professionally designed landscaping elevate the architecture while keeping the relaxed spirit of Puako intact.

The property’s grounds are truly a private sanctuary. A covered pavilion anchors the exterior spaces, connecting to a terrace with an imported pizza oven and built-in barbecue. A dedicated wellness area includes a cedar sauna, cold plunge, hot tub, meditation pavilion, and fitness studio, along with 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 along 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 increasingly prioritize. “What I’m experiencing in the market today is buyers are gravitating toward wellness, comfort, and homes that feel like a personal retreat,” he explains. “Turnkey, move-in-ready properties are leading the market.”

Stukin also notes Puako’s unique market position, even in comparison to the region’s most exclusive resort communities. “The Puako buyer has the same financial capability as the resort buyer at Kukio or Hualalai, but a different intention,” he says. “They’re not purchasing a brand. They’re investing in a true ocean community.” Because Puako is just a single road with very few homes, demand is shaped by scarcity, and he describes the listing as a “blue chip oceanfront asset,” one that “stands apart as an investment in a genuine ocean community rather than a curated resort brand.”

After more than a decade in residence, Bruce and Kerry are preparing to relocate overseas as their daughter begins her college education in Europe. “Unbelievably that time has come,” they say. “Puako and the friends we have made here will always be a huge part of our lives and our identity.” The home is now being offered for $3.95 million, co-listed with Annie Mendoza of Corcoran Pacific Properties.

Click here to see more photos of the Bruce Bromberg’s getaway in Hawaii.