Posted by Matt Beall, PB on March 5th, 2010 |
Tags: Big Island, Hawaii, Life, Video
I came across this incredible time-lapse photography piece of the Milky Way and stars as seen from the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island.
It’s stunningly beautiful, and we’re able to see it because of the lack of light-pollution on the Big Island…which for me is such a powerful reminder of all the other types of pollution that Hawaii is so blessed to be without Read entire post →
Posted by Ilona Coffey, RS on January 25th, 2010 |
Tags: Kauai, Life, News, Video
Pirate Ships in Paradise
If he doesn’t now, he will very soon!
Our tiny little island is all a buzz with the news that JOHNNY DEPP will be here this summer filming Disney’s sequel to the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
Our beautiful Garden Island has played host to Hollywood hundreds of times over the years and continues to be one of the places that can still offer the kind of remote locations that Hollywood just can’t find anywhere else in the United States. Kauai has been depicted in films as many different and diverse locations such as Costa Rica, Vietnam, Zaire and an exotic island called Bali Hai, but to us, it’s just home and we are happy to share it with all who come.
I remember when they were filming the Harrison Ford movie, “6 Days 7 Nights” here, Harrison rode around on a motorcycle for nearly 6 months, bought “slippahs” in my sister’s store and generally moved about the island as if he were just a “regular guy” and I think the stars really appreciate the relaxed response they get from the locals. Read entire post →
Posted by Ilona Coffey, RS on January 9th, 2010 |
Tags: Kauai, Life, Video
Made popular by Elvis Presley in the 60’s this beautiful song was featured in the movie Blue Hawaii.
Having never been an Elvis Fan I never really cared much about him or his music until the words of this song planted a seed in my tiny little 7 year old brain, that Hawaii was a very special place.
As a little girl about age of 8, I attended a wedding with my family, in Arizona where I grew up and the theme of the wedding was “Hawaii”. Very strange, living in the desert and all, but despite the fact that I had never been to Hawaii, I felt an instant connection to this music and the place it spoke about. I thought, “When I grow up and get married, my wedding will be like this”. The beautiful Flower leis, The Hawaiian Wedding Song, and the Pineapple punch.
I grew up and got engaged and never thought much about that Hawaiian wedding again, until, the day of my wedding. I felt an overwhelming sense of regret, not that I was about to get married, but that I had completely missed that opportunity I dreamed about as a child. The Hawaiian Wedding Song, the flower leis, the pineapple punch. Like so many dreams we dream, I let go of this one, and went on with my new life.
Many years later, I found myself a single Mom living and working in California. One day got a call from my oldest sister, who now lived in Kauai, Hawaii. She invited me over for a 10 day trip. I’d still never been to Hawaii, but I took less than ½ a second to say yes. She sent me a ticket and I was on my way. I was giddy with excitement, like that little 8 year old that went to that Hawaiian Wedding.
When I arrived on Kauai, I was deeply touched by the overwhelming feeling that I was HOME. To feel at home in a place I had never been before seemed odd to me then, but as I have come to realize, it is not that unusual, many people are touched by Hawaii in much the same way. At the end of my stay, when the Jet left the ground and I watched Kauai shrink as we gained altitude, tears began to stream down my face, I was so happy to have seen this beautiful place, but so sad to be leaving.
I returned about 5 weeks later, and began my new life in Beautiful Kauai.
2 years later I met and married my wonderful new husband, and yes, I did have the Hawaiian Wedding, I dreamed of as a little girl,,,,, the little green church in Hanalei, with flower leis, and the Hawaiian Wedding song, and yes, the pineapple punch.
It seems Elvis did have a special message for me. This month he would have celebrated his 75th Birthday, and while I was never an Elvis fan, I appreciate the Man and THIS song.
You can’t have a dream come true, if you don’t have a dream.
Dreams do come true in Blue Hawaii.
This was mine, what is yours?
Posted by Erik Hinshaw, R(S) on December 31st, 2009 |
Tags: Hawaii, Life, Video
Living here in Hawaii I always feel a little left out watching the National Evening News. They never mention how we in Hawaii suffer in the winter. Here is a local weather broadcast for all of you Mainlanders who think you have it bad.
Posted by Matt Beall, PB on October 13th, 2009 |
Tags: Life, Video
OK, sometimes its more effective to appeal to parts of the brain that aren’t so ‘logical’… does color animation get the message across?
Posted by Ron Margolis, RA, ABR on August 25th, 2009 |
Tags: Deals, For Sale, Foreclosures, Kauai, Short Sales, Video
Many people hear that short sales may be a waste of time. But here on Kauai, we beg to differ. The truth is, when you find a property you like and the property is a potential short sale, the agent you work with can make all the difference in the world.
Just so that we’re clear here, let’s make sure you understand what a short sale is. A short sale, is a sale of real estate in which the proceeds from the sale fall short of the balance owed on a loan secured by the property sold. The seller may or may not be in distress, meaning that the seller is behind on the mortgage. A seller may opt for a short sale even if they are current if they lose a job or for some reason are unable to fulfill their financial obligations. Read entire post →
Posted by Ron Margolis, RA, ABR on August 13th, 2009 |
Tags: Foreclosures, Hawaii, Kauai, REO, Short Sales, Video
The July numbers from RealtyTrac were released to the public this week and once again the major news media is filled with stories about more home owners in the process of losing their home. That’s one the reasons we’re launching our free seminar series, The Truth About Short Sales. The government continues to put pressure on the banks and lenders to stem the tide of foreclosures. Is is working? All statistics point to NO. Our seminars are going to provide vital information for local property owners in terms of alternatives to the foreclosure process. THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS.
We invite you to register for our seminar and learn all you can if this situation applies to you or someone you know. Read from the following respected sources the various reports about the latest foreclosure number. The islands foreclosure numbers continue to arise also. Foreclosures even made the front page of our Garden Island Newspaper this past Sunday.
Additionally, the Kauai market continues to adjust and many families and individuals who have been renting on the island are finding that property is becoming more affordable. Couple the affordability factor with 1st time home buyer’s credit and historically low interest rates, and this may indeed be the optimum time to purchase a property. Short sale or foreclosed properties may provide an excellent opportunity for buyers, but, those buyers need representation from a skilled real estate agent that understands the intricacies of a short sale purchase. A buyer needs to have realistic expectations and an understanding of how the short sale process works.
Sometimes, as a buyer’s agent, I am asked to get more information about pending foreclosures or even attend a foreclosure auction at the courthouse in Lihue. One useful tool is to make a personalized video about that property that assists a buyer in seeing more about the neighborhood, the plus and the minuses, so buyers can get a feel for it. It’s also important to have someone to perform the due diligence to ascertain the likelihood of success if one is pursuing a short sale.
Here’ s a video i sent to a client last week who is in the process of moving back to the island:
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