Data current Sept. 2007The Queen's Gate neighborhood, located between Sandy Beach Park and Kalama Valley, includes homes on the North, odd-numbered (200-300 blocks) side of Kealahou Street, as well as those in the Queen's Gate gated community. The homes on Kealahou were built 1979-80, and all have Hawaii Kai Golf Course frontage. Lot size ranges from 9,700 to 11,400 sqft, and home size is mostly 1,900-2,500 sq ft.Queen's Gate was built in 1979 and is a lovely gated community of golf course-frontage homes, on the Hawaii Kai Golf Course. Ammenities include tennis courts, raquetball courts and a recreation center. There are two sections, QG 1 and QG 2, and QG 1 is to the North, entering on Kalohalani Pl, and QG 2 is South, entering on Makaaoa St. Original floor-plan square footage on these... 09/11/2007

Portlock Road, on the east end of Hawaii Kai, at the east tip of the island of Oahu, has long been known as one of the most exclusive residential areas on the island.  Henry Kaiser, who developed Hawaii Kai, built his multi-acre estate there, overlooking Diamond Head and Maunalua Bay, and many other legendary figures have owned property in this spectacular setting.  The area is named after Captain Nathaniel Portlock, who is remembered for writing the first published description of Pearl Harbor, in his journal, printed in 1789.  The diary related his experiences on a voyage of discovery in command of the British vessels King George and Queen Charlotte.Portlock Road parallels the clear, pristine waters of Maunalua Bay.  The residences on the water side enjoy views of Diamond Head and many... 09/04/2007

Bizjournals.com recently analyzed United States Government Census Data to determine which US cities were the "Brainiest." The number one result, among large cities --- Seattle, with runner-ups San Francisco and Austin, TX.Not suprisingly, to those who live here, our beloved city of Honolulu, Oahu ranked #15 out of America's 53 Largest Cities. The study ranked the cities' brainpower based upon a formula that analyzed the percentage of people in each city holding high school, bachelor and advanced degrees, and who took college classes, even without attaining degrees. People under the age of 25 were not counted in calculating the percentages of the population with education. In Honolulu, of the 267,587 adults over the age of 25 who were counted, 31.10% held college or advanced degrees, and... 08/30/2007

Where your interest and vision is in every decision 08/18/2007

Jim Schmit, architect of 9 unique homes at the base of Kamehame Ridge in Hawaii Kai, found opportunity where others only saw a thin stretch of land on a busy road. He is a modernist, and jumped at the chance to build a different kind of project, with a modern approach. The 2 completed homes look like warehouses from the outside, but inside you can see the blending of modern materials and an island-inspired courtyard and loft. Schmit is facing building challenges, not unusual in our island home. He's had to put in water, sewer, and repave the part of Hawaii Kai Drive fronting the project, after installing underground utilties. Each home is about 4,000 sq ft, and will sell for $1.5 million. The Bali Loft subdivision should be completed by 2009. Contact me for information about these homes... 08/06/2007

Beware of Frauds Wearing Military MedalsBy: David Kucic, First Sergeant, USA (Ret)Hawaii Home Buying and Selling TeamThe Army Times recently published a story about SGT Richard McClanahan.  This guy (he doesn't deserve to be called a Soldier) wore a "Chest full of lies" as he tricked people into believing he was an actual war hero.  It disgusts me when I read about trash like him.And there are many more like him.  Look to your left and right at that person that says they are a war hero.  Are they really?  Did they earn the awards that they proudly display on their chest?"The FBI receives an average of 15 tips a week that alert them of phonies" says the report in the Army Times.There was also a report where they found a 76 year old man guilty of posing as an Army Major General. If you kn... 08/01/2007

Hawaii Kai Market Activity as of July 27, 2007 Single Family Homes: # OF ACTIVE LISTINGS - 113, PRICE RANGE: $858,000 - $17,888,888 32 under $1,000,000 15 $1,000,000 - $1,200,000 45 $1,200,000 - $2,000,000 21 over $2,000,000 # OF LISTINGS UNDER CONTRACT - 34, PRICE RANGE: $599,000 - $2,550,000 19 under $1,000,000 15 $1,000,000 - $2,550,000 SOLD IN LAST 6 MONTHS 81 under $1,000,000 17 $1,000,000 - $1,200,000 20 $1,200,000 - $2,000,000 6 $2,000,000 - $4,500,000Condos:# OF ACTIVE LISTINGS - 82, PRICE RANGE: $349,900 - $1,580,000 From 1 Bedroom, Lalea To 3 Bedroom, Kalele Kai # OF LISTINGS UNDER CONTRACT - 31, PRICE RANGE: $387,000 - $959,000 From 1 Bedroom, Heritage House To Townhouse, Peninsula SOLD IN LAST 6 MONTHS - 146, PRICE RANGE: $382,000 - $990,000 From 1 Bedroom, Esplanade To Cot... 07/30/2007

                                                        Laurie Manny has kept us updated from the start line.I apologize for not getting an update from the finish line of the 44th Transpacific Race posted sooner.  I have been extremely busy this week with work and ABR classes the last few days.  Here are some pictures from the Ala Wai Boat Harbor where the finishers are gathering.  There is a party atmosphere at the yacht clubs.  I will be posting later with the final results and some more pictures.                                                                                    Honolulu Contact InformationSusan Jacquelin Esse, Transpac Honolulu Committee Chair.Tel. 510-437-5880 (CA office), 808-864-3515 (HI cell); susanj_esse@yahoo.com or susan.j.esse@uscg.milHawaii Yacht Club.Tel. 8... 07/27/2007

As a loan officer I am here to help guide my clients into the right loan programs to help them achieve their financial goals. Understanding your goals and placing you in the right loan program is my service to you. With very competitive rates and the highest work ethic, I am here to assist you in your endevours of purchasing real estate, land, new developments, or cash out and re-fi on built up equity in your home.    07/23/2007

Salt Lake Area (tax map key 111, includes Moanalua, Aliamanu, Mapunapuna and Airport Area)The below figures include both fee simple and leasehold properties.  These are only the totals and averages.Single Family homes sales have softened. Average sales price of single family homes has begun to climb again.  Both May and June have shown that trend over 2006 numbers.  Sales volume is down from last year.  There is currently just a little over 5 months of inventory, down from 8 months in May.  If these trends continue Salt Lake is moving from a buyers market to more of a balanced market.Condo and townhouse sales are another story.  Inventory is low with just a little less than 2-1/2 months worth of inventory.  Average sales prices have seen a nice jump over last year.  The Salt Lake area i... 07/12/2007

The Honolulu Board of Realtors® reports* that "During the first quarter, the number of sales declined from last year and the median prices were stable. The total dollar volume of sales was $1.187 billion in the first quarter, a decrease of $153 million, or 11.4 percent, from the $1.340 billion in sales achieved in the same quarter last year." The HBR also reported that while the median price of single family homes on Oahu decreased 0.8% from $625,000 to $620,000 from the first quarter of 2006 to the first quarter of 2007, the median price of condos actually increased 3.6% from $309,000 to $320,000 in the same period. If you are interested in seeing what is available in Honolulu, current listings can be viewed on my website. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions ... 07/07/2007

Waikiki, that wonderful hotspot for Hawaii visitors!As one of the primary contacts for visitors to our islands' main tourist vacation spots, Waikiki, I would be happy to help anyone out there with their clients' desires to purchase second home or investment property in the islands of Hawaii, or especially in Waikiki. I also have a top of the line condo for rent for those who would like a starting point for either their property search or just for a fun vacation. Visit my real estate site to search listings on Oahu, in Honolulu or Waikiki. Visit my rental site to view and/or reserve your time in my beautiful Waikiki Island View Condo.Aloha,Bob Farrell, RA, MS, RSPS, RECS 07/07/2007

Salt Lake Area (tax map key 111, includes Moanalua, Aliamanu, Mapunapuna and Airport Area)The below figures include both fee simple and leasehold properties.  These are only the totals and averages.Single Family homes sales have slowed. Average sales price of single family homes have leveled.  Year to date has shown a slight drop, but the month of May had an increase over 2006 numbers.  Sales volume has remained consistent.  There is currently just under 8 months of inventory making this a buyers market in the Salt Lake area.  Buyers will find sellers that should be a little more negotiable.Condo and townhouse average sales prices are up.  Inventory is low with just a little less than 2-1/2 months worth of inventory.  Average sales prices have seen a huge jump over last year.  The Salt ... 06/15/2007

One of my Realtors asked me if there were any Condo's that were FHA approved in Waikiki.  I was amazed when I checked for her that there were so many that were approved and I thought I would share the list with you.  Please remember though, that  for FHA loans 51%  must be owner occupied.    1717 Ala Wai                           2121 Ala Wai                           250 Ohua 2987 Kalakaua                         3056 Kalakaua Condo             Ala Wai Lani Ala Wai Mansion                       Ala Wai Townhouse                 Aloha Towers Chateau Waikiki                      Crescent Park                          Diamond Head Hillside Diamond Head Vista                 Four Paddle                             Hale Pua Lei Harbor View Plaza                   Kaioo Terrace              ... 06/14/2007

By Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, (RA); e-PRO, Century 21 Liberty Homes, Mililani, HI  96789 Featured Article Captain Cook's arrival in Hawaii in 1779 signified a change in the Hawaiian culture with Western Civilization comingling with the settlers of the Hawaiian Islands. Before his arrival the Hawaiian people had been dancing the Hula for centuries and it debatable whether the men actually danced more than the women! In the story about Hawaiian Legends - Nightmarchers, Menehune, and the Tiki Gods I mentioned the four main gods. Now we embark on the one of the other goddessses. The goddess of Hula was "Laka" and invites all of us to dance upon the earth in her teachings of sacred sound and light and inspires us with poetry of life experiences. There are no specific dates and origine for th... 06/14/2007

Great fun and exercise was had by about 300 people and their dogs June 3, 2007, on the annual dog walk held in Hawaii Kai, the east end of the island of Oahu, in the state of Hawaii.   The total round trip distance from the Farmer's Market in the Hawaii Kai Town Center was 2.3 miles, but the older dogs and people completed a shorter loop on the grass by Park & Ride.    Bringing dog lovers together helped promote the proposed Dog Park in Hawaii Kai, which needs money to become a reality.    Here's a Google Map of the Dog Park:  http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107254505100942916424.00000112009fd38df897f&hl=en&z=17&om=1and the link to the non-profit working on making the park a reality, Hui 'Ilio.  Contact me for more information about the Dog Park or real estate in Hawa... 06/11/2007

Hahaione ValleyHahaione Valley, with its beautiful lushly covered mountains, is the first valley when entering Hawaii Kai from downtown Honolulu.  It is divided into Lower Hahaione, consisting of around 320 homes built in the early 1970s, and Upper Hahaione, with 350 plus, including many custom built homes, which were built from the mid 1970s through the 1980s.Upper Hahaione is at a higher elevation giving the lovely Koko Head and ocean views from houses on the east side, and lush mountain views from those on the west.                                                     There is a bus route along the roads separating the upper and lower valley, with excellent service, making it a very convenient place to live.  Hahaione Elementary School, at the base of the valley, is an excellent schoo... 05/11/2007

I have had MANY inquiries from potential buyer's regarding their buying vacant land on Oahu and I have had to educate them on the zoning laws in Hawaii.  Most of them assume they could just come in and buy a bunch of land and start building. Not the case! For one, our Hawaiian Islands just have so much land on each island. We also have to look out for Restricted Conservation, Restricted Preservation, Agricultural, Country, Beachfront and all the different types of Residential zoning and follow all guidelines with the application for building, rezoning, CPR's etc.  We have zoning and building permit "police" and they strictly enforce our laws. The bottom line is this. All permits, applications and so forth are all reviewed to serve and first consider the well being of the people of Hawai... 05/02/2007

                                                                                   Below is a list of condos in the Salt Lake area, just a short commute to downtown Honolulu that are pet friendly.  This is an important question for families with pets.  Also if you are relocating to Hawaii, this issue of animal quarantine comes up.  If you are relocating to Hawaii do your self and your pet a favor and check out the Dept. of Agriculture website for animal quarantine information:  http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/ai_aqs_info.htmC = Condominium CP = Cooperative PH = Public Housing PHE = Public Housing for the Elderly R = Rental TH = TownhouseBoard App'd = Board is required to approve the petRN = Reasonable Number* = Small dogs under 25 pounds+ = No dogs over 50 pounds** = No large parrot-type b... 04/27/2007

The Salt Lake community (part of zip code of 96818) has mostly condominiums.  There are a few single family home sales, but too few to draw any market conclusions.  Sales activity for the first quarter of 2007 showed similar numbers of sales with a nice increase in prices over 2006. Interest rates are still low, properties are still moving making it a nice balanced market for buyers and sellers.  With a short commute  to downtown Honolulu, Salt Lake continues to be a popular location for those working and shopping in town. Currently under the "Active for Sale Category" there are:  46 Condos/ TownhousesCurrently in Escrow:  24 Condos/ TownhousesFor the Month of March 2007        Condominiums Number of Sales Average Sales PriceArea20072006% Change 20072006% ChangeSalt Lake2427-11.12 $294,... 04/27/2007