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Single-Family Home vs. Condo for Young Home Buyers

Millennials are entering the housing market en masse, and their needs will shape the majority of the housing market for decades to come. Young people seeking a home must decide whether a condo or single family house is best suited for their purposes. One choice is not necessarily better than the other, and there are pros and cons to both types of housing.

Condos

Condos are generally less expensive than single-family homes, but that’s not the only reason for their appeal. If you’re working hard to build your career and also enjoy a lot of socializing and traveling, spending your free time working on your yard or maintaining your home probably isn’t a top priority. With a condo, you can leave any exterior work to the homeowner’s association contractors. For many young people, easy access to restaurants, entertainment, shopping and nightlife is often essential, and condos are usually closer to these amenities than single family homes. Commutes are generally much shorter, and if you live downtown, there’s no commuting at all.

There’s also the “family” aspect. If you don’t plan to have children, or at least not for quite some time, purchasing a condo may make more sense. Since most condos are marketed to adults, you don’t have to concern yourself with the quality of the local school system or all the other considerations those intending to raise a family must contend with in a home purchase.

When it comes time to sell, however, it may take longer to do so with a condo than a single family home. That’s because there’s a uniformity to the units, so those selling two floors above you and two floors below you are likely pretty much the same as your space. It’s harder to make your unit stand out for a buyer than a more individual single family home.

Single Family Homes

When you live in a single family home, you have more responsibilities, but you also have more options. You can generally make changes to the exterior and interior, as long as the changes meet local zoning codes. You can personalize your home in ways that aren’t possible with a condo.

If you have your heart set on a single-family home but don’t have unlimited funds, there are ways to achieve your goal if you’re willing to make some sacrifices. That primarily means putting up with a longer commute. Houses close to major commuting areas are virtually always more expensive than dwellings close by, and you’ll get more “bang for the buck” in terms of home size and amenities. If you or your spouse works in Honolulu, for example, consider how far out you are willing to move to buy a house you really want. If one or both of you are able to work remotely at least part of the time, that may make up for long commutes on other days.

Contact Us

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home or find a rental property, you need a knowledgeable, experienced realtor familiar with all aspects of the Hawaiian real estate market. Contact Island Realty Group LLC at 808-689-7407 or IslandRealtyGroup@irghi.com.

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Strategies for First-Time Home Buyers

Buying a first home is often stressful, especially when coming up with a hefty down payment is a problem. Don’t despair. There are ways to come up with a down payment enabling you to enter the ranks of homebuyer.

Saving for a Down Payment

Perhaps the best way to save for a down payment is by putting a fixed amount away each month. You can set an automatic deposit from your checking into your savings accounts. Other ways to save include going over your budget with a fine-tooth comb and lowering your expenses as much as possible. The amount you save goes into your down payment account. If possible, consider getting a second job with the proceeds towards your down payment.

IRA Withdrawals

In most circumstances, you can’t withdraw funds from your IRA without a 10 percent penalty until reaching the age of 59 ½. However, if you are a first-time homebuyer, the IRS permits a withdrawal of up to $10,000 for a down payment with no penalties. If you and your spouse both have IRAs, that means you can withdraw up to $20,000. If either of you have parents or grandparents with IRAs, they can withdraw up to $10,000 without penalty to help you purchase a first home.

FHA Loan

If coming up with a substantial down payment for your first home is a problem, or your credit score isn’t terrific, consider an FHA loan. If your score is at least 580, the FHA allows a down payment minimum of 3.5 percent. Even better, the FHA permits a down payment that is gifted to you, so if you generous relatives, you can in effect achieve 100 percent financing. You will have to pay an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP) at closing and maintain mortgage insurance for the life of the loan. However, properties located on Hawaiian homelands do not require an UFMIP.

Hawaiian real estate is expensive, but you already know that. FHA loan limits vary by county in the state. In Honolulu the limit is $721,050, while it is $657,800 in Maui and Kalawao and $713,000 in Kauai. In Hawaii County, the FHA loan limit is just $368,000.

Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation

The HHFDC has affordable units available in various developments. If you are a qualified resident – which means you are at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, currently live in Hawaii, will live in the unit and have sufficient income to receive the loan – you are entered in a public lottery drawing for the available properties. Currently, purchase prices range from $250,000 for studio apartments, up to $500,000 for three-bedroom, 2.5 bath single-family unit. If you qualify, it makes sense to fill out an application – someone wins the right to purchase such units, and you could prove the lucky winner.

Contact Us

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home or find a rental property, you need a knowledgeable, experienced realtor familiar with all aspects of the Hawaiian real estate market. Contact Island Realty Group LLC at 808-689-7407 or IslandRealtyGroup@irghi.com.

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Things to Do During a Power Outage

Storms bring power outages. While there’s no question losing electricity brings big inconveniences, there’s also a plus side. If you and your family members tend to literally leave each other to their own devices, you now have an enforced togetherness – and it can even be fun, as long as the power isn’t out for too long. Along with your storm emergency kit, have some old-fashioned items on hand that can make enduring a power outage worthwhile.

Board and Card Games

As long as you have some natural light, or you have plenty of flashlights or battery-operated lighting on hand, a power outage is a perfect time for board pr card games. Your kids can learn the joys of classic games such as Monopoly, Life, Scrabble, Clue and the like. It’s also a good time to teach an older child the basics of chess. While there are plenty of family card games available, you can play – or learn – adult card games with the older members of the family. If you’re by yourself, play solitaire.

Read Aloud

Sure, you can all read your own books or magazines during a power outage, but you can also take turns reading aloud. Harry Potter books are a good choice, as is anything by Mark Twain, but you can choose your own personal or family favorites.

Drawing and Crafts

As long as the power outage doesn’t affect your water supply for cleanup – as it may if you have a well rather than city water – drawing or crafts is a great way to spend time while waiting for electricity restoration.

Shadow Puppets

If you have candles, light them and create shadow puppets on the walls. Modern kids probably aren’t familiar with shadow puppets, but they’ll quickly learn to love them.

Tell Ghost Stories

Pretend you are camping, and do the things campers do in the great outdoors at night – other than roast marshmallows. Sit around your living room or kitchen table and tell ghost stories.

Peruse Photo Albums

It’s likely you still have family photo albums around even if you’ve digitized most of them. Your kids can make fun of what you looked like at their age, but they also want to see photos of relatives, both alive and dead. You might want to share stories with your kids of when you were growing up, and tell tales of your friends and family members. A power outage can serve as a wonderful opportunity to connect with your family, and connect the past with the present.

Alone in the House

If you’re a couple without kids in the house, you don’t need spelling out what you can do in the dark. However, if you are by yourself, you can still take advantage of the quiet engendered by a power outage. If you’ve been pushing yourself lately, take a nap. If you’ve fallen behind on your cleaning, this is a great time to tidy up, again if water is available.

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home or find a rental property, you need a knowledgeable, experienced realtor. We make sure buyers, sellers and renters understand the process every step of the way. Contact Island Realty Group LLC at 808-689-7407 or IslandRealtyGroup@irghi.com.

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Hurricane Prep Checklist

Hurricanes and tropical storms are much in the news lately, and a changing climate may mean people all over the globe can expect more incidents of severe weather. While there’s no way to prevent a hurricane, there are plenty of ways to prepare for them, and good preparation can protect your loved ones and your property. In Hawaii, the hurricane season starts May 1, so make sure you have your hurricane toolkit in place each spring.

Communication

You want to make sure your family is safe during the storm if they are not with you. Create a communication plan well in advance. For this, you’ll use the old-fashioned medium of paper, since power outages may keep you from using a computer and mobile phones may not prove reliable during a hurricane. Write down every family member’s phone number and email address, and include the contact information of your doctor, employer and others you may need to get in touch with during an emergency. Also include the name of a contact person who is out of the area and thus out of harm’s way. This individual may help errant family members get in touch with each other more easily than someone local, since in emergencies local phones lines are jammed, but long-distance calls may go through.

Make sure everyone in your household has a copy of the communication information and always carries it with them. If mobile phones are functioning, text rather than make a call. Even if the text can’t go through when you send it, it is saved and will go through when there is bandwidth capacity.

Emergency Supplies

Keep a hurricane emergency kit on hand. At minimum, your kit should include the following:

• First aid kit
• Bottled water – figure on at least a 3 day supply for a hurricane, and plan on one gallon per person daily.
• Nonperishable foods – enough for three days, at the least.
• Personal hygiene items
• Flashlights
• Battery-powered radio – make sure you have plenty of extra batteries for all purposes.
• If you have pets or babies, keep food and supplies for them on hand.
• Fill your vehicle’s gas tank in case you must evacuate.
• Keep important documents, including insurance policies, in a plastic bag and in a high place so they are protected in case of flooding.

Home Protection

If your home doesn’t have hurricane shutters, keep plywood on hand and nail sheets over doors and windows. Bring in or secure outdoor furniture.

Evacuation

Everyone dreads the idea of evacuation, but it can prove life-saving. Find out your community’s evacuation plan long before disaster strikes. Put a plan in place way in advance as to where you will go if you must evacuate and how you will get there. Since you don’t know the nature of the disaster, have several options available. If you are bringing pets, make sure your prospective accommodations will accept them. Keep area maps in your vehicle and learn alternate routes – don’t depend on GPS in an emergency.

Contact Us

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home or find a rental property, you need a knowledgeable, experienced realtor. We make sure buyers, sellers and renters understand the process every step of the way. Contact Island Realty Group LLC at 808-689-7407 or IslandRealtyGroup@irghi.com.

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What to Know When Buying Real Estate in Hawaii
You already know that Hawaiian real estate is expensive. You expect to pay more when you live in paradise. While Hawaiian home prices are the highest in the nation, there are some places that are far more expensive than others. In Hawaii, that difference often depends on which island the property is located.

High End Properties
You’ll find the most expensive properties on Oahu, and many of those neighborhoods are household words elsewhere in the U.S., synonymous with tropical luxury. These include Diamond Head, Waikiki, along with Kahala, Portlock, Lanikai, Beachside and the gated communities of Black Point and Hawaii Loa Ridge. Many of these properties fetch $3 million or more. When it comes to the highest individual properties, many of them are found on the Big Island’s Kona Coast, and the prices are stratospheric, in the $20 million and up range.

Average Properties
The Big Island’s median price for single family homes in 2017 was $350,000. That sounds like an absolute bargain, but the way the median price was attained is deceptive. The median price for Puna and Ka-u was $235,000, but the median price for the seven other districts – South Kona, North Kona, South Kohala, North Kohala, South Hilo, North Hilo and Hamakua – was $711,000, which is a lot less affordable. Still, the rapidly growing Puna and Ka-u districts are still among the best places to snap up a Hawaiian property, and snap is the operative word. Such properties go quickly once they are on the market.
On Oahu, Ewa Beach offers good value at an average home price of $627,300. The median per square foot price is $448, lower by $101 than the Honolulu metro average of $547 per square foot. Nearby cities with lower home prices include Waianae, at $425,400 and Wahiawa, at $612,500. Nearby cities with slightly higher home prices include Kapolei, at $649,900; Waipahu, at $663,800 and Aiea, at $712,600. The median price for Honolulu is $675,000, a bargain considering its proximity to work areas for many residents.

Affordable Properties
In Hawaii, affordability is relative. However, some places with relatively high real estate prices also have average median incomes. These include Kahului on Maui, a city that is home to one-third of the island’s population. The median home price as of 2018 is $485,000, but the median household income is just $62,038. Hilo, on the Big Island, has a median home value of just over $300,000, and a median household income of $52,563. The lava issue has affected parts of the market on the Big Island, but prices are nevertheless trending upward.

Other Considerations
When buying real estate in Hawaii, you must keep other factors in mind, such as the higher costs of fuel, electricity, food and staples than you’ll find on the mainland. On the plus side, Hawaiian property taxes are relatively low, especially compared with the average cost of housing.

Contact Us
If you’re looking to buy or sell a home or find a rental property, you need a knowledgeable, experienced realtor familiar with all aspects of the Hawaiian real estate market. Contact Island Realty Group LLC at 808-689-7407 or IslandRealtyGroup@irghi.com.

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Current Market Conditions in the State of Hawaii

Is this a good time to buy or sell a Hawaiian home? The answer always depends on current market conditions. Right now, the housing market in Hawaii is on a par with the rest of the country when it comes home price increases. The average home in the U.S. is expected to increase in price by 3.2 percent this year, while the average Hawaiian home is expected to increase in price by 3.1 percent. Keep in mind that the average Hawaiian home price is nearly three times the average price on the mainland. With stable prices and an increasing inventory, this makes it a good time to buy your Hawaiian dream home.

Market Conditions, Summer 2018

As of August 15, 2018, the average listing price for condos on Oahu is $648,188, while for homes the average listing price is $1,021,809. The median sale price from August, 2017, has risen by 6.4 percent, an average of $35,000. For 2018, the prices in some neighborhoods, including Hawaii Kai, Kailua, North Shore and Diamond Head, is down slightly, but in prices in other neighborhoods, including Ewa Beach, Pearl City, Waikiki and Kakaako are up. Whether up or down, neither average price has shifted a full percentage price, with the largest rise 0.49 percent in Waikiki and the biggest drop 0.29 percent, in both Diamond Head and North Shore.
On Maui, home sales increased 20 percent in July, 2018 over the previous year’s numbers. In that period, condo prices increased by almost 17 percent and single family homes by nearly 10 percent. Median prices were up as well, with condos at $513,163 compared to $440,000 in July, 2017, and single family dwellings at $769,000 as compared to 2017’s $701,000. Not only were prices higher, but 136 condos sold in July, 2018, versus 101 units in July, 2017, an increase of approximately 35 percent. This July saw 113 single family homes sold, compared to 92 homes sold in July, 2017. That’s an increase of 23 percent.

Factors Affecting the Market

Local and national factors are affecting the current real estate market. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on December 22, 2017, changes the amount of deductible mortgage interest for new home purchases. Previously, the limit on deductibility was $1 million, but it has been reduced to $750,000. Fortunately, another change in the TCJA may not affect most homeowners, because while real estate in Hawaii is expensive, property taxes are relatively low. The TCJA caps the state and local property deduction at $10,000.
Across the country, unemployment is at historically low rates. In Hawaii, the unemployment is even lower than average, so that means demand for housing should remain high.

Contact Us

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home or find a rental property, you need a knowledgeable, experienced realtor. We know the current state of the market and make sure buyers, sellers and renters understand the process every step of the way. Contact Island Realty Group LLC at 808-689-7407 or IslandRealtyGroup@irghi.com.

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Pet Friendly Condos Around Honolulu

For many condo shoppers, one issue is an absolute deal breaker. A condo that won’t permit Fido or Fluffy to live there isn’t a place you can even consider. Fortunately, there are lots of pet-loving Hawaiians, and many condos have pet-friendly policies. “Pet-friendly” is key, because it’s not synonymous with “Pets Allowed.” The latter may have many restrictions on the size and types of pets allowed, while the former offers more flexibility. Keep in mind that Hawaiian law allows building owners to charge a pet deposit fee equaling one month’s rent.

Animal Quarantine

If you’re new to Hawaii, you’ll need to quarantine your pet if he’s coming from the mainland. Fortunately, pets with the proper vaccination history may qualify for just a five-day quarantine, but puppies and kittens, who cannot complete their rabies vaccinations until a certain age, may have to stay in quarantine as long as four months.

Kakaako Condos

You’ll often have better luck finding pet friendly condos in new developments. Developers know what potential buyers or renters want, and pet-friendly unit rank high on the list. The Ke Kilohana, Keauhou Place, and Kapiolani Residence on Oahu aren’t just pet friendly – they offer pet amenities, such as dog parks, that make them a prime choice for pet owners.

The Big Dog Condo

Even pet friendly condos may impose certain weight limits on dogs, or not permit dogs to walk on certain types of communal flooring because their nails could damage the finish. In effect, that means only dogs small enough for carrying can live there. If you’ve got a big dog, finding a condo is tough, unless you live at the Vida, a new development allowing dogs weighing up to 80 pounds. The Ahana, One Ala Moana, Park Lane Ala Moana, Harbor Court,   Waiea and the Gateway Towers allows canines weighing up to 60 pounds to live on the premises, with a limit of two per unit. The aforementioned Keauhou Place allows dogs weighing up to 50 pounds to reside there, again with a two pet limit. Keep in mind that condo pet policies are subject to change.

Service Animals

Even if a condo doesn’t allow pets, it must allow service animals in the building, as per the Americans with Disabilities Act. The landlord can’t charge a tenant extra for a service animal. However, it’s important that a pet is a true service animal, and that it serves a need beyond the person’s desire to have a pet. Even though it’s illegal to ban a service animal, bringing one into a building with a no-pet policy isn’t going to make you feel welcome and you’ll likely have neighbors complaining even if there’s nothing the landlord can do. You are far better off finding an apartment in a pet-friendly building.

Contact Us

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home or find a rental property, you need a knowledgeable, experienced realtor. We make sure buyers, sellers and renters understand the process every step of the way, and we can help you find a home that suits the furry members of your family. Contact Island Realty Group LLC at 808-689-7407 or IslandRealtyGroup@irghi.com.

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Timeless Hawaiian Home Design

Nothing dates a home as quickly as trendy decorating. If you’ve ever walked into a home with avocado or yellow kitchen appliances, you know without asking that the kitchen was last updated in the 1970s. If you’re building your own home or doing some remodeling, you want to ensure that all the effort you’re putting into the project won’t look dated by the mid-2020s. What you want is a timeless Hawaiian home design, simple while sophisticated.

The Right Colors

Choose your home’s colors based on where you live, so the indoors reflects the tropical outdoors. In Hawaii, the indoor-outdoor connection is critical. If your home is near the ocean, think gray, blue and the sandy colors of the beach. If your dwelling sits in a rainforest, you want multiple shades of green along with the red and yellow hues so often found among the vegetation. Remember that color defines your home while reflecting your personality.

Classic Design and Accessories

In Hawaii, you can’t go wrong by accessorizing with tropical plants and fresh cut flowers. They’re not only beautiful, but culturally significant, and that premise reflects all Hawaiian interior design. Look for accessories reflecting Hawaii’s rich heritage, such as Chinese, Balinese and Japanese furniture, art and sculpture.  Black and white motifs are not only classic, but very much part of the Asian tradition. Use the work of local artists, working in the Hawaiian tradition, as accent pieces. While rattan and bamboo are emblems of timeless Hawaiian style, don’t be afraid to mix and match them with other classic furnishings. There’s nothing wrong with an East meets West impression, as long as the two are balanced.

Less is More

When it comes to traditional Hawaiian interior design, less is more. You want your home to feel as open as possible, so avoid cramming too many items into a room. That means keeping throw pillows, candles and the like to a minimum. Take advantage of a room’s natural light as much as possible when considering decorating ideas.  Window shutters in lieu of draperies is one possibility. Let the way your home blends in with its natural surroundings guide your design decisions. Consider removing interior doors when it makes sense so that rooms flow into one another and air can circulate and keep the home cooler.

Wood, Water and Stone

Incorporate natural design elements in your home, whether that’s walls made from native Ohia wood, fountains or other water features and native stone flooring, such as basalt. Indigenous materials are part of timeless Hawaiian interior design, and such décor never goes out of style. Use neutral, light-colored fabrics for upholstery to blend in with these natural aspects.

Avoid the Trendy

If there’s a trend you really love and feel is perfect for your home, that’s one thing. Every classic design scheme was originally a new idea. However, trends change pretty rapidly. If it’s not something you love and can live with, don’t do it. Trust your design instincts.

Contact Us

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home or find a rental property, you need a knowledgeable, experienced realtor. We make sure buyers, sellers and renters understand the process every step of the way. Contact Island Realty Group LLC at 808-689-7407 or IslandRealtyGroup@irghi.com.

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Kaka’ako

If you’re looking for a trendy, urban lifestyle in Honolulu, look no further than Kaka’ako. Not long ago, it was strictly a commercial and retail district. Now, it is brimming with new condos allowing residents, including the many millennials now calling Kaka’ako home, to enjoy the diverse restaurant, shopping and entertainment scene the neighborhood offers. In 2016, real estate site Trulia named Kaka’ako as the neighborhood with the best amenities in a small city. Millennials aren’t the only ones choosing to live in Kaka’ako. It also appeals to affluent retired people who appreciate its culture and services. And everything is close to the beach.

What You Can Find in Kaka’ako

Those aiming to live in this hippest of Hawaiian neighborhoods have several primary residential choices. There’s Ward Village, one of the top places for shopping in Oahu which now features new condos already built or under construction. A Whole Foods market opened in May, 2018. Ward Village is also home to Ward Entertainment Center.  Prices for units in Ward Village towers start in the low $800k and range to over $20 million.

Kamehameha Schools is planning a mixed-income – and mixed use – neighborhood with a variety of housing types. Choose between living in a high-rise tower or a conventional low-rise dwelling. When complete, the project will include green spaces and walking paths, along with shops and eateries. The first building, “Six Eighty,” is complete. This former office building at 680 Ala Moana Boulevard now features 54 rental studio and one bedroom loft apartments for low and moderate income residents.  Tenants must meet the credit history and income limit requirements and occupy a unit as their primary residence. Whether single or married, neither person may have owned a principal residence in Hawaii or elsewhere for at least three years before the application date.

The Collection, a mixed-used development designed by the prestigious firm of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. contains 450 units. When it went on the market in 2015, 85 percent of the buyers were local residents. As of 2016, the average price of a unit was $663,000.

Development continues apace in Kaka’ako, and many of the towers planned for the neighborhood are not scheduled for completion until 2020 or 2021.

The Future is Here

The Hawaii Community Development Authority plans to create an entire new urban community out of the 600 acres of Kaka’ako. It will include bikeable neighborhoods complementing the proposed rail development for the area. In other words, Kaka’ako residents will enjoy their choice of the most convenient and easy commutes possible. If Brooklyn is the current center of the hip urban universe, Kaka’ako will become its tropical counterpart. The HCDA’s plans also include new parks and office space, the latter meaning many residents can stroll to their jobs.

Contact Us

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home or find a rental property in Kaka’ako or anywhere else on the island, you need a knowledgeable, experienced realtor. We’ll help you find the right home at the right price for you. Contact Island Realty Group LLC at 808-689-7407 or IslandRealtyGroup@irghi.com.

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Kahala

It’s been a while since there were new projects in the exclusive Kahala area, but developers Alexander & Baldwin recently announced the creation of new luxury condos in Kahala Beach. Sales began May 31st for these six exclusive residences, each containing two stories and located on a beachfront estate on prestigious Kahala Avenue. The design team for these high-end estates includes Albert C. Kobayashi Inc., Coastal Construction Inc., Benjamin Woo Architects and Philpotts Interiors.

Kahala by the Sea
Prices for Kahala by the Sea, as the project is known, start at $8.9 million. Kahala by the Sea consists of three two-story units, each with a private 1,000 square foot lanai and a private yard averaging 2,000 square feet. Each yard is tropically landscaped and individually gated. The units boast either three or four bedroom and 4.5 baths, and range in size from 3,442 to 3,647 square feet. Homes also feature an attached two-car garage with direct access to Kahala Avenue. Residents have access to a private pool along with a private beach entrance. Relax with family and friends outdoors in the built-in gas barbeque area with Cambrian black granite countertops and marine-grade teak wood cabinetry. The condos all sport high-end finishes and the finest appliances, as buyers should expect with homes of such style and distinction.

The Interior
As impressive as Kahala by the Sea is on the outside, the interiors are even more spectacular. Each home contains 10 foot volume ceilings, black puka lava stone in the entries and brushed and raked Portuguese limestone floors in the kitchen, living areas and bathrooms. The master suite and upstairs hallways feature white-washed French oak engineered-wood floors. The window systems are floor to ceiling with dual panes, and there is a 24-hour monitored security system. Enjoy the six-featured spa-like master bath along with the stone-lined wet room design with shower and freestanding tub. Connoisseurs will appreciate the 98-bottle wine storage area in the kitchen.

Other Amenities
Kahala by the Sea residents have access to a private fitness center and spa services at the nearby Kahala Hotel & Resort, and can take advantage of its superb dining opportunities. Also nearby is the Waialae Country Club, Oahu’s most exclusive private golf course.

A Kahala Avenue Resurgence
Kahala has always been an iconic neighborhood, its name synonymous with luxury and elegance. Alexander & Baldwin bought the property on which Kahala by the Sea will arise from Japanese billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto, who bought up 28 homes along the avenue since the turn of the millennium. Some of Kawamoto’s properties were not cared for as well as they should have been, so his homes did not look as luxurious and impressive as they were intended. Although Kahala Avenue remains one of the top addresses on Oahu, the announcement of the Kahala by the Sea project means the area should experience a true revitalization and define Hawaiian high-end properties for this century.

Contact Us
If you’re looking to buy or sell a home or find a rental property in Kahala or anywhere else on the island, you need a knowledgeable, experienced realtor. We’ll help you find the right home at the right price for you. Contact Island Realty Group LLC at 808-689-7407 or IslandRealtyGroup@irghi.com.

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