Real Estate Information

Aloha again!

My good friend and client, Guy Turcotte, just let me in on a great piece of information before he left home to Canada this past weekend. 

Starting December 5, 2009, Air Canada will be offering non stop flights between Calgary and Maui three times a week!  Calgary-Maui flights will operate on Saturdays (beginning Dec. 5) and Mondays and Fridays (beginning Dec. 21). Maui to Calgary flights depart Maui at 7:55 p.m. (Hawaii time), arriving in Calgary at 5:15 a.m. (Alberta time). Calgary to Maui flights depart Calgary at 2:20 p.m. (Alberta time), arriving on Maui at 6:35 p.m. (Hawaii time). The price is expected to be $281 one-way, and will save travelers roughly 2.5 hrs compared to other routes.  The flights are also timed to accomodate convenient connections to cities throughout Alberta and eastern Canada.  The aircraft will be the roomy Boeing 767-300ER.  So, this winter Albertans will be able to quickly escape the cold for some warm Hawaiian sun, and Hawaiians will enjoy easy access to some of the best ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies!

With the slow months of September and October coming upon us, one could assume the fast start we got on this year might be slowing down a bit.  However, out of the 11 properties currently in escrow in the Makena/Wailea area, 5 are located at Ho'olei!  Furthermore, only 7 of those properties are over $1 million dollar deals, with Ho'olei representing 5 of them.  Since there's only 8 developer listings left, I want to make sure anyone contemplating purchasing has an opportunity to view these amazing units!  All three floorplans-the Hibiscus, Maile, and Plumeria-are still available, starting at $1.8 million for the bottom level units.  So come by the sales office, we have someone on sight 7 days a week from 10-4.  We'll even be open this Labor Day, so if you have the day off, we'd love to show you around!  Hope everyone enjoys the rest of this beautiful Wednesday!

Aloha everyone from another perfect day here in Wailea!

All three floor-plans at Ho'olei, Hibiscus, Maile, and Plumeria, are now open for viewing.  These models are located on the second level in the "P" building, unit numbers 31-1, 31-2, and 31-3.  Please feel free to contact us or stop by our office to set up an appointment and schedule a walk-through for these magnificent units.  The sales office is open 7 days a week from 9am-4pm.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their day and work week!

Aloha from Wailea! I'm just about to end another beautiful day at the office here in South Maui and wanted to share with you all this gorgeous Wailea sunset.  One of the great perks of living down here is that you get amazing sunsets like this year round.  The song is La 'Elima by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, enjoy!

A couple of weeks ago, Maui saw its largest closing to date this year.  The 5,685 square foot house, positioned on a little more than half an acre of land on exclusive Keawakapu beach, sold for $11,250,000 cash!  While it was listed for about $7 million more, it appraised at less than $10 million for the house and lot, so the final price represents a healthy compramise.  The closing of 3126 S Kihei Rd signals that high income buyers are again looking in South Maui for their next big investment.  Our market is surely on an upswing, and there might not be a better opportunity to gain an economic foothold in Wailea than right now.  Feel free to come by and check out the Ho'olei sales office, it's open seven days a week, from 9am-4pm.  All three models are now open and we'd love to set up a viewing appointment at your convenience.

Aloha everyone, I just wanted to announce some great breaking news!  We just recently created a new financing program with First Hawaiian Bank for Ho`olei developer units.  The following are highlights for Well-Qualifed Buyers:

• Up to 70% Loan-to-Value, with a maximum loan amount of $1.5 million.
• Special pricing applies---subject to availability of funds.
• Only available for developer-owned units in Ho`olei.
• This is a direct program---no mortgage brokers will be allowed.
• United States residency is not required.
• No points.
• 5/1 and 3/1 arms available with 30-year terms.
• Competitive Interest Rates available upon request.

Disclaimers:

- Loans to individuals only, no LLCs will be accepted.

- Applies to direct developer purchases in Ho'olei only.

- Rates and terms may vary and are subject to change without notice.

- Maximum loan amounts may exceed $1.5 million, subject to sole discretion of the Bank.

- Offer may be canceled or modified at anytime.

- Cannot be combined with other promotions or special rates (including Priority Banking).

- Other restrictions may apply.

If you need more information or have any pressing questions, please feel free to contact us or Lorrie Onaga of First Hawaiian Bank at #(808) 873-2266.

As you might know, 2009 marks the 50th year that Hawaii has been a state.  This Saturday evening, from 4-7, the Pi'ilani Village Shopping Center will be hosting a party celebrating the 50th state's induction into the Union.  Keeping with the number 50, the party is going to be 50's themed (for the younger generation having trouble picking an outfit, think the movie Grease).  The fun will include games, contests, music, and dancing.  Jimmy Mac & the Kool Kats will headline the musical entertainment, sure to feature rock-n-roll hits from Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Bo Diddley.  There will be fantastic door prizes given out as well, including $100 dollar gift certificates to Roy's Restaurant, Outback Steakhouse, and Roger Dunn Golf.  Also, the Maui Classic Car Club will be showing off over 50 of their classic, exotic hot rods.  So guys, grease back your hair, roll up the sleaves of your favorite white T-shirt, don your go-to leather jacket and be ready for hours of swinging with a poodle-dress wearing partner. 

Hope to see you there!

Aloha everyone!

Fourth of July on Maui is one of the most exciting times to be on the island.  Along with the countless private parties and barbecues, there are many public activites for tourists and locals alike.  I did a little searching and came across a great list of things to do:

Lahaina 4th of July Concert in the Park
The Maui Community Band will perform a pre-fireworks concert on the oceanfront lawn of the Lahaina Public Library on Saturday, July 4, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The concert will feature a medley of songs recorded in the past by Israel Kamakawiwoole.  Make sure to make it as this is one of the better free concerts of the entire year!

Lahaina 4th of July Fireworks
The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise is sponsoring a fireworks display that will begin firing at 8:00 p.m. from a barge moored in Lahaina Harbor.

Westin Maui 4th of July "Flower Works" Orchid Drop
The Westin Maui Resort and Spa on Kaanapali Beach in West Maui is hosting a 4th of July celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2009 that will feature an 11:00 a.m. orchid drop, during which 50,000 fresh orchids will be dropped from a helicopter and showered down onto the swimming pool deck of the hotel. The celebration will also feature lei making sessions, and prizes for those who find five roses that were dropped along with the orchids.  This is going to be the tenth year, and certainly the best yet!

Whaler's Village 4th of July Celebration
Whaler's Village at Kaanapali usually hosts a celebration on the 4th of July featuring free activities for kids in the shopping center's center courtyard. For more information call 808-661-4567.

Polipoli 15K Trail Romp
This 4th of July running event organized by the Maui running club known as the Valley Isle Road Runners is especially difficult because of the numerous difficult uphill sections and mile-high elevation, offering much less oxygen than any sea-level race. The parking area is at about 6400 feet and the highest point on the trail is about 7200 feet!

Makawao Paniolo Parade
Every year, on 4th of July Weekend there is a Hawaiian cowboy theme parade in the streets of Makawao in upcountry Maui. The parade is the opening event of the annual 4th of July Makawao Rodeo.

Makawao Rodeo
The Makawao Rodeo and Independence Day celebration takes place in upcountry Maui every year over the 4th of July weekend. The event is held at the Oskie Rice Arena on Olinda Road in Makawao and it includes bareback bronco riding, barrel racing, calf roping, live music, country and western dancing, and food booths. There is also a Paniolo Parade before the rodeo that runs up Baldwin Avenue and Makawao Avenue to the Eddie Tam Memorial Complex. The Makawao Rodeo has been held for more then 50 years.

On top of those wonderful events--if you are more of the nautical type--some of Maui's best cruises offer great times and of course stunning views of the fireworks from the sea.

Pacific Whale Foundation 4th of July Cruises
The Pacific Whale Foundation offers 4th of July cocktail cruises on double-decker catamarans every year, with departures out of both Lahaina Harbor and Maalaea Harbor. The cruise price usually includes a 3 hour cruise, heavy appetizers, three cocktails for each adult, and a great view of the Lahaina Harbor fireworks show.

Pride of Maui 4th of July Cruise
Every 4th of July the 65-foot "Pride of Maui" cruise ship offers a special "Fireworks Over the Pacific" dinner cruise out of Maalaea Harbor in South Central Maui. The cruise check-in time is usually about 6:00 p.m. and it usually returns to the harbor about 9:45 p.m., but call 808-242-0955 or 877-867-7433 to confirm.

Spirit of Lahaina 4th of July Cruise
Every 4th of July the 65-foot "Spirit of Lahaina" cruise ship offers a special Independence Day cocktails and heavy appetizers cruise out of Lahaina Harbor in West Maui. The cruise check-in time is usually about 6:00 p.m. and it usually returns to the harbor about 8:30 p.m. Call 808-662-4477 or 866-623-0458 for more information.

A special thanks to Kathie Fry of hawaiiforvisitors.com for gathering all the information in one place.

Aloha everyone!

It is already halfway through the year, so I wanted to provide a summary of the action so far.  If you had any doubts as to who is leading the charge in South Maui, just look at the numbers.  This year, there have been nine original sales at Ho'olei, while the five biggest surrounding competitors (Wailea Beach Villas, Papali Wailea, Wailea Point, Polo Beach Club and Makena Surf) have closed four all together; furthermore, the sales of these condos at Ho'olei reached approximately $18 million in total sales volume.  Additionally, of the 20 active listings within this distinguished community, we represent 12 of them.  Finally, there are currently 9 pending sales of luxury condos in the Wailea/Makena area, and our sales team is representing three of them, roughly 33% of the total market share!  So, if you want to see what it feels like to live in style and luxury, in the heart of Maui's most prestigious resort town, please do not hesitate to contact me through this site, my cell phone at 808-870-4899, or toll free at 888-237-5928.  Also, additional information can be found on my other blog at the Ho'olei website.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your week!