Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers » Kauai

Kiahuna Plantation Condos For Sale in Poipu – Low Priced Condos Near or on the Beach

Randy Brummett, Realtor (A) SFR ePro, RSPS — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:14:56 +0000

The Kiahuna condos in Poipu’s sunny south shore currently have listing prices from $99,000 up to $1,795,000. Have you been looking to buy a condo that is walking distance to the beach, but are a few dollars shy of making this happen? This Leasehold Kiahuna development may be something to look into.

What is Your Criteria and Must Haves When Looking for a Condo in Hawaii?

When it comes to looking for a condo that is right for you, you no doubt have a list of criteria that is at the forefront of must haves. In my experience in working with buyers, oceanfront, or at least ocean view, often tops the charts. Of course, affordability is a major factor as well. The Kiahuna condos for sale catch the attention of many buyers looking for a low priced condo near or on the beach. Especially is this so of those focusing their search in the Poipu area.

About Kiahuna Condos

The Kiahuna condos for sale in Poipu are made up of 5 phases and are spread out over 17 acres. There are a total of 341 units with floor plans ranging from 1 bedroom/1 bathroom to 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms. The living area of the 1 bedroom units is approximately 640 square feet and the living area of the 2 bedrooms is approximately 1,184 square feet.

The Grounds at Kiahuna Poipu, Kauai

The lowest priced Kiahuna condo for sale currently on the market is unit 326 (MLS# 254093) in Phase III listed at $99,000. This is a bank owned property (REO). It’s a 1 bed/1 bath unit with approximately 640 square feet. This Kiahuna condo for sale is located in a VDA (visitors destination area), which means it can be used as a vacation rental, long term rental, or permanent residence. These condos are very popular as vacation rentals.

Check Out a Video Walk Through of Kiahuna #326

Kiahuna #326 listed for $99,000

What is the Difference Between the Phases?

Phase I is the only beachfront phase in the project. Phase I consists of 30 units. 26 of them are the 1 bedroom floor plans and 4 units feature the 2 bedroom floor plans. Phase III is the farthest from the beach, approximately a 1/4 mile walk through the project, and for this reason, feature some of the lowest priced units in the project.

Currently, there are 31 Kiahuna condos for sale priced from $99,000 to $1,795,000. Yes, you guessed it, the unit for sale that is listed for $1,795,000 (MLS# 224516) is in Phase I. It’s right on the beach and is in the picture at the beginning of this blog.

The monthly association dues run approximately $1,060 to $1,370 a month and the Leasehold rent runs approximately $250 a month to $617 a month. The Kiahuna condos in Poipu are priced lower than most other condos in the South Shore of Kauai. This is due to the fact that the Kiahuna condos are a Leasehold property.

What is a Leasehold You Ask?

A quick explanation: There are basically two types of ownership. Fee Simple (most common) and Leasehold. Fee Simple is owning both land and improvements (home or condo) on the land. These are conveyed or transferred together when the property is sold.

In a Leasehold, the property (land) is owned by one person and the improvements (home or condo) is owned by another. So, when a person buys a Kiahuna condo, they are buying the structure, but not the land. There is a Lease fee the owners of the condos must pay each month.

The pros and cons of a Leasehold are going to depend on what you want and how much you have to spend for what you want. A Leasehold gives you the opportunity to own a condo in Poipu that is walking distance to one of the nicest beaches on the island for much less than a Fee Simple condo would. Is that worth it to you?

Please feel free to contact me for a more in depth explanation, or to find a condo or home on Kauai that’s right for you.

When the Stars Align: Solar Eclipse to Occur Over Hawaii (Sunday, May 20)

Mahana Dunn, RA — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:37:57 +0000

What is an Annular Eclipse?

A very amazing celestial event is about to occur…and we are blessed to be able to see this grand event from Hawaii! This annular – or ring – eclipse occurs when the moon crosses directly in front of the sun, much as it does during a total solar eclipse.

At mid-eclipse – instead of the moon covering the sun completely, as in a total eclipse, turning the sky dark and blotting the sun from view – in an annular eclipse, a ring surrounds the moon silhouette. This dazzling ring is the outer edge of the sun. (Note: at no time can you gaze at an annular eclipse without protective solar filters to prevent damage to your eyes. Sunglasses don’t help.) But wait, there’s more…

(images: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

When Can You See the Annular Eclipse?

On Sunday, May 20, 2012, for the first time in 26,000 years, the sun, moon, and the mystic Pleiades Star System will align in a spectacular, full annular solar eclipse and a rare solar eclipse alignment will happen between the Earth, the sun, and our central sun, Alcyone, in the Pleiades Constellation. Look for this event to take place around 2:19 p.m. Hawaii time.

The Pleiades

In ancient Hawaii, The Pleiades (Seven Sisters) are known Makali`i (The Little Eyes). The ancient Hawaiian creation chant, the Kumulipo, tells of contact with the elohim from Makali`i. Many ancient cultures, from the Maori of New Zealand to the Mayans of Mesoamerica, from the Egyptians to the Indians, and Chinese, the Pleiades have always been a major foundation of their poetry, lore, and myths.

The fact that this 26,000 year alignment is happening on Sunday is considered a very special event and the perfect time decide what you really want in life. Perhaps this is the sign you have been looking for to finally buy your dream home on Kauai?

When the stars align, magic happens…Your Kauai dream home is waiting for you ~*~ Contact me today for details.

Mahana Dunn, REALTOR (S)
808.280.3327
Mahana@HawaiiLife.com

The Tastes of Hawaii – Recipes from Kauai’s Old Plantation Days – Kalua Pig

Lucy Adams, RS — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:45:41 +0000

Week 37 – Kalua Pig!

Hawaiian style Kalua pig at outdoor luau

Kalua Pig Recipe

(A luau favorite; Here is a way to duplicate without cooking a whole pig)

2 lbs. lean pork butt
Hawaiian salt
Liquid smoke

Directions

Cut pork butt into chunks about 6 inches by 3 inches. Salt liberally. Douse with liquid smoke. Cook in slow cooker for at least 8 hours at low temperature. While in the cooker, shred in the cooked out oil and then drain. (If you shred outside of its natural oil, it will be too dry).

As mentioned in my first recipe blog, Hawaii is a wonderful mix of cultures and each of these peoples brought with them their customs and foods during the early plantation days. Because we have this rich Hawaiian heritage, I started this running blog that features recipes with a Hawaiian flair. If you love collecting recipes, please check back so that you can collect your favorites.

Kauai Has Some of the Very Best Real Estate Available

Collecting and sharing recipes of Hawaii is our hobby, but our passion is helping people with their real estate needs. Hawaii offers some of the most beautiful islands in the world and we believe Kauai has some of the very best real estate available.

Looking for a home in beautiful Koloa Estates? We may have the perfect 3 bedroom/2 bath (MLS# 245278) in this upscale community.

My sister and I work as a team to help people make their dreams come true. Please contact us with your real estate needs, we are here to assist.

Ilona Coffey, RS
808-635-1495
www.KauaiAgent.com

Lucy Adams, RS
808-651-5676
www.KauaiAgent.com

Taste of Hawaii – Kauai’s Ultimate Sunday Brunch (June 3, 2012)

Ron Margolis, RA, ABR — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:19:21 +0000

Taste of Hawaii is Kauai’s Ultimate Sunday Brunch™ which provides the primary source of fundraising for the Rotary Club of Kapa’a's (RCK) annual operating budget.

RCK started Taste of Hawaii in 1988, as the first event of its kind in Hawaii, and it has grown into the premier culinary event on Kauai and in Hawaii. The finest Chefs from around the state gather to provide our guests with a tasting extravaganza second to none.

Taste of Hawaii is:

40+ chefs from restaurants around Hawaii
15+ beverage vendors – wine, beer, microbrews, Jamba Juice, Starbucks
10+ musical and entertainment groups
A large silent auction
Smith’s™ Tropical Paradise stunning 30 acre private park
Parking and shuttle service to/from Smith’s™

Taste of Hawaii Raises Funds For:

Scholarship programs for college-bound high school students
Scholarships for vocational studies for community college students
Recognition of Outstanding Humanitarian Vocational Contributions

Community projects that give financial support directly other non-profits or community organization that provide or support:

Youth programs (e.g. holiday gifts for children, baby supplies for young mothers)
Programs for the homeless and hungry (e.g. donated funds to Hale Hoomalu, Kauai Food Bank)
Local town refurbishing projects (e.g. refurbish/paint local park facilities, picnic tables, pavilions)

Youth services including:

Kapaa High School Interact Club
Kauai Community College Roteract Club
Sponsorship to Rotary Youth Leadership Association Camp
Recruitment and selection of Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation Scholarship Recipients

If you are on Kauai for this years event, Sunday, June 3rd, by all means you’ve got to go. You can purchase tickets online or by them at ticket locations around the island. You can certainly call me if you have any questions at all, 808.346.7095.

Kauai Cinderella Story – Glass Balls Instead of Glass Slippers

Amy Marvin, RA — Fri, 11 May 2012 01:15:23 +0000

In 1975 I sailed for 21 days from Hanalei Bay to San Francisco with a group of friends on the 48 ft sloop Tasco II (that had competed in the TransPac race). Larry Byfield of Kaua’i (God rest his sweet soul) was our Navigator and James Cotton of Laguna was our Skipper.

On 9/11/1975 (my 21st birthday) we hit the doldrums and motored through the Japanese Current which was alive with glass fishing floats. We literally cruised from one glass ball to the next grabbing them with our boat hook or net. The most unique find for me was one of these double glass balls which I sent to a friend on Kauai, for safe keeping, as soon as I hit the shores of California.

Double Glass Balls

I never retrieved the double glass ball until 1993 when I married my husband Rick. In 1975 Rick found the other double you see above on the beach near our house at Pila’a.

Pila’a Beach, Kauai

He sent it to his mom (in Newport Beach) for safe keeping. Although Rick and I first met in 1975, while I was singing and playing guitar in a Kauai restaurant, we did not reconnect until 1992. When Rick’s mom Barbara came to Kauai for our 1993 wedding at Pila’a, she brought Rick’s double glass ball as a wedding gift. When I saw it, I was inspired to locate mine (which I did easily) and was amazed to find that they were identical—blown into the same mold…off of the same boat.

It is a true Cinderella story of our own love and soul connection with the sea and each other. We are now in our 20th year of marriage and the matched set of double glass balls still have special meaning and sit in a place of honor in our little beach shack on the North Shore of Kauai…forever a reminder of our true love.

Kumulani Vacation Rental between Kalihiwai Bay and Anini Beach, Kauai

Kahea Zietz, RA — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:16:05 +0000

One of the more sought after aspects of a vacation rental on Kauai (or home for that matter) is to be one of a kind; to have a view that can only be cherished by those privy to the specific angles and perspectives a particular property provides. The Kumulani vacation home, perched on a ridge between Kalihiwai Bay and Anini Beach, is a perfect example.

Kalihiwai Bay and Anini Reef in the distance.

Privacy only few will get to enjoy.

This 4,000 square foot home is a comfort zone in and out. Upstairs highlights include high ceilings, a spacious kitchen with wrapping granite countertops, an elegant dining area and a roomy living area. The master suite has a king bed, a spacious lanai and a charming Hawaiian chic decor. Downstairs, one bedroom features a king bed, the other has two doubles, and both have private baths and direct access to the pool and open lanai perfectly suited for a day (or days) of leisure.

A chef’s dream?

Ideal for a feast for many.

Located between the towns of Kilauea and Princeville, all the eating, shopping and fun-in-the-sun glory the North Shore has to offer is a short drive away, but when all of that is through, privacy and quiet are the last features of the day.

The interior is filled with Hawaiian art and antiques.

Aloha,
Kahea

Moving to Hawaii with Your Pet: The 5-Day-or-Less Program

Billy Eckert, REALTOR (S) — Sun, 06 May 2012 00:15:02 +0000

My dog, Kirra, has brought to light a common misconception that many people have about moving to Hawaii with your pet. To clarify and justify my sanity, although I do have the occasional one-sided conversation with Kirra, she is not able to speak English and did not tell me the aforementioned with her own lips.

You see, living in paradise with a dog seems to make you more approachable and Kirra is no exception. Whether we are running the beach at Secrets or sharing waves in Hanalei Bay, animal-loving tourists seem to gravitate towards us for a quick pet (the pets are reserved for her) and an introduction (although vocal for a dog, the talking is up to me) that generally leads to casual conversation.

Upon realizing Kirra once lived on the mainland, pet owners hoping to one day call Hawaii home are always curious about how I brought her here and the “grueling” quarantine process.

The 5-Day-or-Less Program

Almost 9 years ago, the quarantine law, which once required that you quarantine your dog in Honolulu for up to 120 days, changed for the better. This change is referred to as the “5-day-or-less program” and it generally allows for your animal’s release from the airport within an hour of arrival.

Preparing your dog for the 5-day-or-less program does take some time and money, but it is worth every penny. From start to finish the process takes a little over 4 months to complete and requires a few trips to the veterinarian for rabies test, microchip insertion, blood work, and a health certificate.

Note: Due to the minimum amount of time needed to prepare a puppy or kitten to meet the requirements of the 5-day-or-less program, a puppy or kitten will be about 10 months of age by the time the preparations are completed. The following website outlines the checklist necessary in making you pets arrival and subsequent release quite seamless: Checklist for 5-Day-or-Less Program.

The Hawaii Animal Qurantine Station can be reached at:

Phone: (808) 483-7151
Email: rabiesfree@hawaii.gov
Website: http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info

Each airline has different policies and parameters for traveling with your pets. Weight restrictions and costs also vary between carriers. If you would like to fly directly to an outer island airport (Lihue, Kona, or Kahului) for direct release, the following program is now available: Checklist for the Direct Release Program.

The state of Hawaii is one of the most dog friendly states I have ever encountered and Kauai has become somewhat of a fountain of youth for Kirra. Whether it’s hiking one of the countless mountain trails, stand-up paddling down a river to swim under a waterfall, or surfing in Hanalei Bay, Kirra has yet to complain about her life in paradise. But then again, who would listen if she did?

Here Are a Few Helpful Links Outlining Some of the Major Airlines Current Policies:

The Hanalei Faye House Vacation Rental

Kahea Zietz, RA — Sat, 05 May 2012 05:00:02 +0000

The Hanalei Faye House — a staple Hanalei Bay vacation rental — and the property-sharing Hanalei Cottage are both now under the watchful care of Hawaii Life Vacation Rentals.

The Faye House

Hanalei's ridge line in the backdrop

The crescent-shaped Hanalei Bay just beyond the front yard

Located on three acres of well-manicured beachfront property with the sounds and scents of the ocean wafting through the air, the 6-bedroom Faye House features an intricately designed interior bursting with charm and color.

As each room’s design has its own particular approach, a contemporary and fresh-feeling Hawaiian decor provides uniformity for the house as a whole. With the space and capacity to sleep 16 people it’s an ideal venue for a family getaway, an eco-tour home base, or even a yoga or wellness retreat.

Other Highlights of the Faye House Include:

Full Kitchen
Washer/Dryer
Outdoors Shower
Large Bedrooms
Dining Room
Living Area
BBQ Grill
Beachfront Grassy Yard
Lanai

As the lauded Hanalei Bay and its nearly four miles of wave-frolicking or sand-ambling opportunities are just steps away, it really doesn’t get much better than this.

The Hanalei Faye House and Hanalei Cottage property as shown from above

The Hanalei Cottage

Also on the property is the Hanalei Cottage, a one-bedroom plantation style cottage with a full kitchen, covered lanai, and living area.

The quaint cottage's user-friendly kitchen

The cozy bedroom in the Hanalei Cottage

Aloha,
Kahea

Kohola Point Residence Sells in Auction With No Reserve

Roni Marley, RB — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:45:46 +0000

(Spoiler Alert: My client won the auction)

With paddles in hand and game-faces on, 11 bidders or representatives thereof were ready to raise hands in high hopes of purchasing the luxurious Kohola Point — a 4-bedroom, 3-acre oceanfront estate at Anini Vista on Kauai’s North Shore that was auctioned yesterday by host Concierge Auctions.

The anticipation was thick at the auction venue just before it began

About Real Estate Auctions

As a luxury real estate auction marketing firm, Concierge Auctions’ objective is to obtain fair market value for high-end properties in a 60-day time-frame. We can’t share the amount of the winning bid for another few weeks, but it’s safe to say that it will represent the highest sales price in Anini Vista in the last year. So, perhaps auctions are proving to be a more effective means of moving high-end properties in a manner that is timely and satisfactory to both buyer and seller. Is a tidal shift in the methods of sales upon us?

Bidders mingling before the business side of the day

With most auctions drawing an average of 7 bidders, and each bidder required to place $100,000 in escrow just to earn their paddle, the high turnout for Kohola Point’s auction (11 bidders) reflects the current strength of Kauai real estate. This point is even further affirmed by a recent article in Baron’s designating Kauai the second best locale in the United States for second homes.

With a bedroom view like this, a second home may become a first home

Kauai is #2 for #2.

Aloha,
Roni

Hawaii Life Vacation Rentals is Proud to Announce the Launch of Hawaii Life Concierge

Kahea Zietz, RA — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:00:57 +0000

With a clientele list that is rapidly growing, we have decided to extend our services beyond assisting clients with a rental or real estate purchase. Whether through vacation rentals or real estate, all Hawaii Life clients now have the opportunity to utilize our Concierge Department, run by Sonja Cabebe.

With over two decades of experience serving Kauai’s visitors and residents, Sonja has proven her ability to accommodate and be a successful concierge agent. Starting with Na Pali tour boats 20 years ago, she has since worked for some of Princeville’s most prestigious resorts, including the St. Regis Princeville. Her Hawaii visitor industry knowledge coupled with her passion for guest relations and friendly nature made it an easy decision appointing her to the position of Concierge.

Sonja is here to help any and everyone in search of the ultimate Hawaii experience. The following are some of the services with which she’ll be able to assist:

Airport Pickup and On-Island Transportation
Private Dining Services
Personalized Itineraries or Tours
Surfing, Stand Up Paddle and Kite Surfing Lessons
Snorkeling and SCUBA Diving Tours
Fishing and Sailing Charters
Private Masseuse and Spa Services
Personal Shopping
Hiking, Kayaking and Mountain Biking Guides
Childcare and Children’s Amenities and Services
Helicopter and Airplane Tours
Golf and Tennis
Floral Arrangements

Hawaii Life extends a warm welcome to Sonja! She is available to offer concierge services on all islands and can be reached at Sonja@HawaiiLife.com or at 808.634.8508