Hoku Olulani - Kula Estate

Once the home of Princess Abigail Kapiolani Kawananakoa, this graceful estate has been lovely restored beyond it former glory; now fit for a Queen and a King, the main home consists of 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths on one level; a single level guest cottage with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, a studio/office, a detached agriculture building and a detached two car garage. The grounds within this 3.6 acre estate are meticulously maintained with meandering walkways, water features and an organic orchard of 50 avocado and 25 citrus trees. The climate is idyllic year round and the views over the neighboring private ranch lands are breathtaking of both the West Maui Mountains and Mount Haleakala.

Offered for sale at: $2,300,000

If you would like more information on this exceptional Kula luxury homes for sale or other homes for sale in Upcountry Maui, please contact me or call me direct at: 808.280.2625.

Paia Town - Halloween

The North Shore of Maui now has its own Halloween celebration. The Paia Community Association has launched their own festivities of fun and festivities for residents and visitors on "this side" of Maui.

2009 HALLOWEEN CALENDAR

All weekend, drop off donations for Maui Food Bank at Indigo, Mana, Tamara Catz, Sand and Sea, and Thee Salon…
TRICK OR TREAT

* 5-7 pm: All of Paia’s businesses are offering candy and treats for trick or treating
* 5-close: Entertainment and Treats at Mana in coordination with their 25th anniversary
* 6-close: Most of Paia’s restaurants offer fun specials and Halloween themes

COSTUME CONTEST

* 5 pm: Keiki Costume Contest at Flatbread. Win Prizes!
* 6-close: Halloween Karaoke and costume contest at Café Mambo
* 10-2 Dan De Lion and the Kryptones at Charlies with costume contest
* 10-2 DJ at Jacques with costume contest

HAUNTED HOUSE

* 5-7pm: Haunted House at Maui Ocean Spa, 71 Baldwin Ave $1 donation goes to Boo Boo Zoo

ENTERTAINMENT

* 6-close: Halloween Karaoke and costume contest at Café Mambo
* 6-8 pm: DJ Michael Fong rooftop of the Green Banana, disguised as a haunted house
* 8 pm: Freaky fashion show at Thee Salon featuring models in great Paia boutique fashions, transformed into Halloween appropriate characters
* 10-2 Dan De Lion and the Kryptones at Charlies with costume contest
* 10-2 DJ at Jacques with costume contest

Kona Weather on Maui

This has been the most unusual October that I can remember on Maui! I have lived here on this island for nearly 30 years and over half of my life. Typically, by mid-October the weather is noticeably cooler.

Kona in Hawaiian means South. Typically when winds blow from the South they bring the volcanic smoke or "vog" from the Kilauea Volcano located on Big Island of Hawai'i. Since 1983, this volcano has consistently remained active. In more recent years the flow and "vog" have progressively become more visible on the neighboring islands when we have bouts of "Kona" weather. Recently we've had a two week stretch of hazy, muggy, hot weather with a very slight southerly breeze. The nasty warm weather has many positive traits. The ocean is calm and tranquil. The surf is ever so glassy. The evenings are wonderfully balmy and pleasant and very quiet. Although the days are intense with heat and humidity, the afternoon hours in Upcountry Maui are overcast with clouds from all the humid, convective air. Personally, I am enjoying this atypical weather pattern. Then again, I live Upcountry on Maui.

If you have been searching for Maui real estate or Spreckelsville/Paia homes for sale, feel free to give me a call: 808.280.2625. I'd love to answer your questions and assist you.

Maui Ocean Front Condo For Sale

I just listed unit #205 at Kama'ole Nalu. The view from the lanai over looks the pool and Kama'ole II Beach Park. The interior consists of 774 sq.ft. of living space and 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. This South Maui ocean front condominium is located between Kama’ole I and II Beach Parks, two of the most beautiful swimming beaches on Maui and is nearby an assortment of restaurants and shops. It is the lowest price unit for sale within the complex at a list price of $425,000. The last sale, unit #105 occurred in May '09 and closed $450,000. Kama'ole Nalu is a leasehold property. More Kihei oceanfront condos are available at MauiEstatesOnline.com

Maui - "Best Island in the World"

For the 15th time Conte Naste Traveler readers have voted Maui the best island in the world. Voters also selected Maui as the best Pacific Island for the 19th year.

The award poll in in its 22nd year. County and visitor industry officials stated the news was very meaningful in these tough economic times. More details are available in The Maui News.

There has never been a better time to purchase Maui real estate. Values are back to 2003-2004 pricing and interest rates are at an all time low. If you'd like more information on Maui homes for sale, please send me an email inquiry or call me direct at: 808.280.2625.

Kula Real Estate - REDUCED!

Significant price reduction!
$115,000 lower than original list price.
Now $835,000!

We have a motivated Seller. This is not a short sale or bank owned property, simply a Seller in transition.

Original List Price: $950,000 Current List Price: $835,000

View details of MLS# 338720

For more information on this property or other Kula homes for sale, or Upcountry Maui real estate, please contact me.

Maui 'Ukulele Festival - 2009

Looking for a taste of Hawai'i that's free? Hele Mai! Come to the 4th Annual Maui 'Ukulele Festival at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. It's free! Bring your lawn chairs, sunscreen and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment.
This year's festival takes place next Sunday, October 18th from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. I love the Slack Key Festival and the Ukulele Festival as both events reflect a commitment to the Hawaiian culture and our many wonderful and talented musicians.

Maui Real Estate - Statistics for September '09

Maui Real Estate sales for the month of September are out.

Median Sales prices declined across the board – Residential: $450,000, Condos: $306,250 and Land: $712,500.

To quote the report: "IN A NUT SHELL...... the good, the bad….. AND THE ROAD AHEAD ……
Inventory shrank somewhat in Residential (9.9%) and Condo (14.8%) classes since April ’09. Similar to latest reports from many mainland markets, our market seems bouncing along at the bottom. The large inventory includes many short sales and REO (bank owned) properties which will need to be absorbed as sales before we can move ahead to a more normal marketplace."

Kula Real Estate - Vacant Land Sales

Vacant land sales have slowed down more than any other sector of the market. With home prices dropping, the trend of most Buyers today is to take advantage of glut of existing homes on the market. Here on Maui and across the State land pricing has lagged behind the downward trend of home values. As a result it is more cost effective to buy an existing home than built from scratch. Add to the mix the difficulty to obtain financing as land loans now require 35/65 loan-to-value for a purchase.
FYI, I just closed on a gorgeous and rare one acre parcel of rural zoned land in Kula located on Ainakula Road for $550,000. The buyer is optimistic of a market turn and is moving forward in his construction of a luxury ultra-modern and green home with over 3,500 sq.ft. of interior living space. I applaud this buyer in his optimism and believe he has made a land purchase that is an exceptional opportunity.

Kula Real Estate - Price Reduction

MLS: 335442 Kula
This charming home on a rural zoned half acre parcel has just been reduced from $529,000 to $489,000. The Seller has planted an assortment of fruit trees including avocado, fig, orange, lemon and lime trees. The main dwelling consists 960 sq.ft. of living space with 2 en suite bedrooms and baths, kitchen, living area with wood burning stove and a large covered deck. Above the two car enclosed garage is an additional 480 sq.ft. of living area and a bathroom. The space is ideal for use as another bedroom, office, art studio or ?? The views from the space are expansive. It is an ideal location for another deck. The Seller is offering a $2,500 credit for new appliances. The layout of the home is ideal for expansion and a cottage.

To view this Kula home for sale, please call me at 808.280.2625. I'd love to show it to you!

South Maui Home Sales - September

Wailea/Makena real estate: 0
Activity waned for home sales in the Makena/Wailea real estate in September. However, there are five pending sales.

Maui Meadows real estate: 2
Interesting that the sales this month were both properties with just the cottage or ohana and no main house. Price average: $512,500. Average days on the market for Maui Meadows: 74

Kihei real estate: 13
The median price of homes sold in Kihei for the month of September was $450,000. The low sales were at $360,000. The high sale was an oceanfront home Uluniu Road located behind Azeka's Marketplace. Average of days on the market for September: 235. The low end sales were either a bank owned property (4) or a short sale (1). If we remove the ocean front home, the high sale this month was a home in Kihei Ali'i Kai which closed at $700,000.

Maui real estate continues to be driven by the lower end sector of the market.

South Maui Ocean Front Sale

There are 4 ocean front homes in South Maui under contract and a sale for the month of September at 1166 Uluniu Road. Uluniu Road is located in Central Kihei behind Azeka's Marketplace. This property was an REO or a bank owned home. Interesting, it took reducing the price below two million to draw a flurry of interest. The property closed over a half a million over the list price. Homes along Uluniu Road are not really ocean or beach front. The State of Hawaii owns a remnant portion of land between the ocean and the property's ocean side property line. There is a shallow barrier reef off the shore, preventing large waves from crashing on to the beach.

For greater insight on Maui ocean front homes for sale, I'd love to share more details and assist you. Send me an inquiry or give me a call: 808.280.2625.

Upcountry Maui Real Estate - September 2009

Here are the residential sales that occurred during the month of September residential sales for Upcountry Maui real estate:

Kula - 0
Kula real estate home sales were nil in September. This month should fair better as there are several homes that have closed in the first week of October.

Pukalani - 5
Three of the five Pukalani homes were bank owned properties. The median sale price this month was $430,000. The high sale this month sold at $705,000 and the low sale this month closed for $275,000. Average days on the market = 141.

Makawao - 7
As far as Makawao homes for sale, there were seven closings in September. The median sales price was $360,000.
The high sale was $265,000 and the low sale at $265,000. Average time on the market was 190 days. One property was an REO, or bank owned home.

Have questions about Upcountry Maui homes for sale, please feel free to contact me or call me directly at: 808.280.2625.

Kula Magical Gardens

MLS: 339648 Kula

Vincent and I just listed this stunning estate in Keokea, Kula.
893 Middle Road is a warm and inviting 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with breathtaking vistas and bi-coastal views, privately nestled on 2.18 acres.
For details on this spectacular property, or other Kula properties for sale give us a call!

North Shore Maui Real Estate - September Home Sales

Haiku home sales - 5
The median home sale for Haiku real estate during the month of September was $635,000. The low sale closed at $350,000, an REO or bank owned property. Whereas the high sale closed at $3,760,000 for a 5,300 s.f. 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath ocean front estate on 5 acres in Manawai. Average days on the market dropped from 183 days for August closings, to 148 days for September closings.

Spreckelsville-Paia-Kuau home sales - 1
This 1953 home was located in Kuau behind the Kuau Mart. Once the price dropped from $795,000 to $665,000, the Buyer showed up.

For more details or information on North Shore Maui real estate, feel free to call me: 808.280.2625, or send me an email inquiry.

Pending Sales Surge in September

September was a busy month for residential, condo and vacant land transactions for Maui real estate. 166 properties changed from Active Listings to Pending Sales. What a surge from the month of August's postings of 111 Pending Sales. A 33% increase in activity. 93 of the transactions were residential sales, 63 condominiums and 10 vacant land transactions.