Protecting tropical fish in West Hawaii is the topic for the next Kona Town Meeting, being held on October 11th, 6-8 p.m. How can Hawaii’s delicate coastal ecosystem, with its irreplaceable varieties of tropical fish, be protected and preserved?

The goal of Kona Town Meetings is to hold informative, educational, and interactive forums on important topics relevant to our community. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend and participate. Admission is free and meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, September through May, at the Makaeo Events Pavilion at the Old Kona Airport Park (dates subject to change).

Guest Speakers:

• David Dart, West Hawaii Fisheries Council
• Pete Hoffmann, Hawaii County Councilmember, District 9
• Tina Owens, Founder of The Lost Fish Coalition — White Paper
• Dr. Bill Walsh, Division of Aquatic Resources Biologist

Council update: Councilmember Angel Pilago

Click here to read a story in West Hawaii Today (9/16/11) outlining the Council’s proposal.

Kona Town Meetings are presented by Community Enterprises, a non-partisan, non-profit organization. For more information, please go to www.konatownmeeting.org, or call Fred Housel at 331-8602.

Related posts:

1. Hospice of Kona Hosts 5th Annual Memorial “Love to Fish” Tournament
2. Waimea (Kamuela) Town Meeting This Thursday (Oct. 20) on Controlling Coqui Frogs
3. Kona Style – $100K Price Reduction on Tropical Villa at Alii Point

Friday night, Danny Kaniela Akaka Jr., the Big Island’s official “Ambassador of Aloha,” blessed our office in Puako in a traditional Hawaiian ceremony.

Danny Kaniela Akaka Jr. is the Director of Cultural Affairs at The Mauna Lani Resort

Big Island Hawaii Life agents and Brokers traveled long distances to attend the event last night at our office in Puako Beach. We were joined by many of our friends in the industry, from Janet Lun Won at Title Guaranty and Patti Kanuha at Wells Fargo, to clients, spouses, significant others, friends, ‘ohana, neighbors, vendors, landlords, cooperating brokers and random walk-ins—very Big Island style! Thank you everyone who attended, and to those who we know were with us in spirit—we appreciate your support!

I’d like to extend an extra special thank you to Julie Keller, R(S), Claire Bajo, R(S), Annie Mendoza, R(S), Jan Nores, R(S), Brooke Derby, R(S) and Pam Deery, R(B) for being instrumental in creating this opportunity and executing it flawlessly from initial connections through clean-up—like professionals. Not that I’m surprised, you all do everything with the utmost integrity and service. It’s beautiful to watch and incredible to be the recipient of your work. Mahalo nui loa.

Artwork by Christian Enns on display at the Puako Office—he made this koa “work bar” for us and the painting above

We are excited to be back in Puako. We’re thrilled with the changes we’ve made. Our hope is that you—everyone—will stop in and say aloha. The agents who have committed to being in the office and of service to the community are our top salespeople.

We write lots of blogs about Puako because we are here, living the Puako life. We promote Puako as a great place to buy property by displaying ALL listings for sale in Puako, not just those that have hired Hawaii Life.

And before all the rumors start to fly about how we are a “Puako Brokerage” (and only specialize in high-end, luxury property for sale along the Kohala Coast) let me just say, our talented group of professional Realtors now cover the entire Big Island with the local knowledge so critical when buying or selling homes, estates, and bare land in Hawaii. Thus, the long distances some traveled to join us. Thank you, Jene Green, R(S), Beverly Molfino, R(S), Erik Hinshaw, R(S) and Donna Duryea, R(S) for making the extra effort!

A gorgeous tropical bouquet sent from our Kauai Headquarters in Princeville. Mahalo nui loa Hawaii Life!!

Getting Hawaii Life Puako blessed was just a beautiful, extra-special start.

P.S. Our signs will be changing again soon at 7 Puako Beach Drive, next to the General Store. Watch for it!

Related posts:

1. Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island Office is Back in Charming Puako
2. Puako Community Potluck – Saturday, Nov. 12
3. Living the Hawaii Surfer’s Life at a Puako Beach Home

I am suddenly getting a lot of inquiries on two oceanfront properties that are “REOs”—real estate owned by the bank after foreclosure. I’ve blogged about both of these oceanfront homes before, but right now I’m getting the same questions over and over, probably because buyers are starting to get serious about the details.

Both of these foreclosure listings have had recent price reductions and my guess is the banks are ready to take a reasonable offer. When banks list REOs at lower price points, they are usually disciplined about regular price reductions to sell in a short period of time. With listings in this $3—$5 million range, they tend to think in terms of a longer listing horizon, hoping to get a sale within 6 months or a year. Both of these oceanfront properties are at that stage.

The MLS photos don’t show the red granite exterior of this Hawi oceanfront estate home (MLS# 244454)

Don’t expect the listing agent on a bank-owned property to spring for professional photos or virtual tours. In the case of the 13,000 sq. ft. six-bedroom oceanfront estate home on 21.5 acres for sale in Hawi, my most frequently asked question is, “What does the exterior look like?” Since inexplicably, that’s what’s missing from the MLS photos.

The listing was released in April for $4,999,995 and is now down to $4,050,000. One might ask whether or not this is a best buy price? If you have checked out the new version of the Hawaii Life website, you’ll notice that we’re trying to rate listings, and this oceanfront foreclosure gets a value score of 92.

I don’t know what the official algorithm is, but here’s my perspective. The oceanfront lot adjacent to this home, which is not nearly as desirable as the acreage this mansion occupies, sold for $1,050,000 in 2009. Subtracting that out gives me a $3 million price tag for the oceanfront home. That works out to something like $230/sq. ft…which is about what it costs to build in Hawi using a kit home from one of the lumber yards!

The other listing I’m getting calls to show is one of the oceanfront homes at Kolea that I’ve blogged about in the past as my favorite.

This beachfront foreclosure at Kolea (MLS# 241676) has been staged with furnishings appropriate to its location and quality of finish

Now, forget what I said about banks and their agents not presenting their luxury foreclosure properties in the best light. When it comes to this oceanfront Kolea resort foreclosure, the property has been beautifully staged, but the MLS photos don’t capture everything…like the waterfalls in the entry, the privacy of the separate guest suite, or how the home is sited to give residents the feeling of being all alone at the beach.

I was told when the price was above $4 million not to bother writing offers that began with a “3.” Now the price has inched down to $3,695,000 after the most recent reduction. The psychology among the prospective buyers to whom I’ve shown the property seems to be to continue to wait to see just how low it will drop. Inevitably, someone will pull the trigger and the other buyers will be regretting the one that got away.

Our website is currently only rating this one at an “88,” but the devil is in the details. The Kolea home that went to auction in March and sold as a short sale for $3,850,000 was 4,169 sq. ft. compared with 4,784 sq. ft. for the REO property. Both lots have a buffer of lava conservation zone between them and the ocean, which also ends up being a buffer between your home and the sunbathers and Ironmen enjoying the beach. Only the foreclosure for sale has more privacy than the one that sold, and a great deal more privacy than the only house listed for less at Kolea, which is right next to the Beach Club.

By the way, the question I get asked about this oceanfront property is whether the furniture is included. Technically, no. You want to make the deal even sweeter? Throw it into the offer! What’s the bank going to do, put it in a warehouse waiting to stage their next Kohala Coast beachfront foreclosure?

A hui hou,
Beth

Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B), SFR
Email: Beth@HawaiiLife.com
Direct: 808.443.4588

Related posts:

1. Kohala Oceanfront Foreclosures Update
2. Foreclosure Alert – Hawi Oceanfront Mansion at Auction Again
3. Beachfront Kolea Market Update – July, 2011 (Big Island)

My business partner extraordinaire, Jan Nores, (RS) and I showed several amazing oceanfront homes in Puako to a buyer yesterday. They have fallen in love with this special place (who doesn’t)? It was so fun! We even had the inside scoop and showed them a few homes that aren’t on the market yet! 

Scenery like this from a Makai side Puako home is worth protecting!!

Afterward, Cynthia Ho stopped in to talk story and remind us of the next Puako clean-up. We are all inspired about her passion for her Puako neighborhood! She is site coordinator for “Get the Drift and Bag It,” which is part of an international coastal clean-up. During these events, participants recover marine debris on either the shoreline, or by taking to the water as snorkelers or divers.

I picked up a ton of cigarette butts at the last clean-up. It was all worth it and I even got to hang out with friends, like Puako resident Phoebe Barela (far right).

This oceanfront home (MLS# 244939) has a unique combo of a new home, plus the original retro cottage. Most homes are outfitted with ocean gear due to super easy access!!

FYI to certified divers…you can reserve FREE tanks with advance registration. So, if you’re available 9/17 or 9/24 to help, please check out this article. You can also sign up at the Puako Store.

For additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact Cynthia directly at marho@hawaii.rr.com. Mahalo for letting me share my Hawaii life with you! A hui hou!

Always my best with aloha…Annie

Annie Mendoza, R(S)
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers
annie@hawaiilife.com
Cell: 808.557.5322

Related posts:

1. Hawaii’s 26th Annual Coastal Clean-Up – Puako Beach Volunteers Needed in September, 2011
2. University of Hawaii Hoping to Build a $30M Marine Center in Puako Beach on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast
3. Save Millions on a Puako Beach Home in Exchange for a Short Walk to the Beach

Wow! I didn’t know what to expect at the Makai Watch Incident Reporting Training in Puakō on 8/25. Jan Nores, (RS) and myself were there to represent Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers and the Networking Wahine’s. The Makai Watch Program provides interested Puako community members with opportunities to become involved and help monitor/manage Puako’s marine resources.

The meeting was geared to help participants be a partner in protecting the Puako/Waialea coastal and marine life community (fish, honu, reef, coral, etc)! The awesome and authentic hands-on training was from Kainoa Keawe (Officer, DLNR’s DOCARE) (Division of Conservations and Resources Enforcement) and John Kahiapo (Division of Aquatic Resources), plus two adorable menehune.

They showed us how to distinguish a throw net from a lay net. They told us which types of devices were allowed to catch fish, which were prohibited, how dogs might react to honu, what you can do if you see a violation, etc. (forms are available).

Chad Wiggins (Nature Conservancy) and Janice Yoshioka (Hawaii Community Stewardship Network) shared interesting and valuable information! Chad seemed excited about the large turnout (over 52 participants!) and the diversity of knowledge and experience focused on solutions instead of problems. As I understand it, a goal of the Puako community is to have Puako designated as a Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD), like other communities in Hawaii such as Pupukea-Waimea MLCD.

(From left to right) Me, W Robby, Atticas, Chad Wiggins, Alex, and Blu (behind the camera is Cynthia Ho)

Shown above are several participants and the presenter at the “Puako Human Use Activity Data Sheet” training a few weeks ago. What a beautiful classroom!!

The meeting was held at picturesque Hokuloa Church, built in 1859 and located near the entrance to the Puako community.

It is so encouraging to know that these agencies/groups are educating and helping people appreciate and protect the ‘aina!! You are encouraged to click on any of the links in this post for more details! Be on the lookout for future posts about this subject, or if you’d like to get more familiar with Puako, my team and I would love to introduce you! A hui hou!

Special thanks for the success of the meeting was extended to the representatives of the Puakō Community Association, the Hokuloa Church, Get the Drift and Bag It, the Hawaii Community Stewardship Network, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, DLNR/DOCARE, and community volunteers.

Related posts:

1. Puako Community Potluck – Saturday, Nov. 12
2. University of Hawaii Hoping to Build a $30M Marine Center in Puako Beach on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast
3. Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island Office is Back in Charming Puako

The Puako Beach Association and Friends is looking for volunteers to help clean up six miles of coastal land and waters from Wailea, Puako, and Pauoa Beach areas.

Calling all divers, snorkelers, and land cleaners—this is your reward at the end of a long day cleaning up the beach and ocean!

When and where:

• Saturday, September 17th, meet at the Puako Boat ramp at 7:30a.m. to clean from Paniau to Waialea Beach (69′s).
• Saturday, September 24th, meet at Paniau to clean south to Pauoa Beach. Clean-up starts at 7:30a.m.

Last year, Hawaii Island had 173 volunteers who cleaned 6,257 tons of trash from 8 miles of shore and 1.5 miles of water during “Get The Drift and Bag It!” This year, we hope to exceed those numbers.

Bring:

• dive/snorkel gear
• work gloves
• snacks
• lunch

Each site will offer a comfort station (lua), drinking water, and cleaning supplies. Blue Wilderness Dive Adventures at the Waikoloa Queen’s Shops and Kohala Divers at Kawaihae Center will both be offering free tanks of dive air and refills.

Both dive shops also have sign-up sheets, or you can sign up at the Puako General Store, located right next to Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers’ office in Puako Beach, at 7 Puako Beach Drive.

Want to clean and survey on your own time in September? You can do that, too! Reserve any of the six miles of coast by signing up in person, or email coordinator Cynthia Ho: marho@hawaii.rr.com.

For photos of previous events, please click here.

See you on the beach, or in the water helping to keep our pristine shoreline the best in the world!

Related posts:

1. Puako Beach Clean-Up Dates in September – Be a Volunteer at This International Event
2. The International Coastal Clean-Up at Kailua Beach
3. University of Hawaii Hoping to Build a $30M Marine Center in Puako Beach on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast