*****Deadline For Additional Dwelling Units Approaches***** In 1989 ADU’s (additional dwelling units) was extended to include Agricultural land and Open zones amid a lot of public controversy and outcry.  Since then there have been several extensions but on November 22, 2006 the final 3 year extension was passed (Ordinance No. 843) for those who had filed a certified ADU Facilities Clearance completed by June 15, 2007 to apply for building permits for their ADU’s.  This ordinanc... Read Full Story

*****Kauai Local Real Estate News***** On the real estate front we have had a little quieter week for closing but still showing an improvement compared to last year.  Our market is closely tied with the California market place where in some areas of the state the lower end properties ($250 to $400) are getting multiple offers and sometimes to get an offer accepted Buyers are needing to go over asking price.  The properties in the higher end range are still stalled out but the intense activi... Read Full Story

*****Kauai Real Estate Update***** A New York lender will acquire the foreclosed units at the Ilikai Hotel and condominium owned by developer Brian Anderson.  The Ilikai Hotel is the famous Waikiki hotel that was featured in the opening scenes of Hawaii 5-0.  The developer had gotten into serious financial trouble when he converted the hotel into fee simple condominiums, the market turned and he was left holding many of the units. First Circuit Judge Karen N. Blondin confirmed the sale of t... Read Full Story

*****Hawaii Foreclosures Down in April***** The state of Hawaii got some good news on the foreclosure war zone for the month of April.  Statewide our foreclosure listings were down to 684 from 724 in the month of March.  Of the four counties Honolulu had almost half of those at 280 but overall had the lowest with 1 foreclosure filing per 1,154 households.  So how did the rest of the islands do with their foreclosure filings? The Big Island 184 per 422 households Maui 158 per 411 households Ka... Read Full Story

*****Kauai Home Sales up for April 2009***** Kauai has some good Real Estate news to report; the number of homes sold island wide on Kauai was up and the median home price went up as well by 4%.  In April of 2008 the median price for a home was $575,000 and it’s now at $600,000.  Condos did not do as well here on the Garden Island, the number of sales is off by 3 and the median sales price is down by 47% from last year.  The island of Hawaii had a harder hit with the median sales price for c... Read Full Story

*****Kauai Real Estate and Local News Update***** Our weather has turned gorgeous and it looks like we have shaken off the unually cold winter that we had.  Island wide the tourist traffic has been less but the rental companies have gotten a huge amount of calls with people wanting to change their trip from Mexico to Hawaii due to the swine flu outbreak.  Over the next few months we’ll see what that does to our occupancy rates.   On the real estate front it’s been a quieter week... Read Full Story

*****Hawaii Foreclosure Scam***** Five people have been arrested for tricking homeowners who were facing foreclosure.  The five Honolulu residents told homeowners they could remain in their homes if they agreed to fake sell their home but the “transaction” eventually resulted in foreclosure.  To date more than 17 people have been charged in Hawaii with mortgage fraud claims.  So how did we do last week on new listings and sales?  As you will see we have another great week of close... Read Full Story

*****Kauai Real Estate News***** A single bidder has won the right to buy the remaining 200 units at the Ilikai Hotel for $50 million dollars.  iStar FM Loans LLC offered the only bid for the iconic hotel.  Another bidder could still come forward at the upcoming confirmation hearing.  In our local real estate news Kalepa Village phase 4 opened which low income housing is owned by the county of Kauai.  These are 3 bedroom condos and are filling in a much needed demand for affordable housing.  ... Read Full Story

People have asked me what I miss the most about California since we moved here five years ago and I have always said the same thing; Family and Friends, the Outlet Malls and Tacos.  I used to say that……until now.  Just opening up in Waimea is Island Taco and it rivals any taco I’ve had in California.   The restaurant is owned and operated by Kirk Marois who is the owner of Grinds Cafe in Eleele and his partner Mike Howard.  Together they are doing a booming business on the Westside which, unt... Read Full Story

 *****Hilton Kauai Beach Resort Auction***** Another Brian Anderson property is in trouble.  On the heels of last weeks news that Andersons Waikiki Ilikai is being auctioned off an announcement was made that his Hilton Kauai Beach Resort and it will be sold at public auction next month.  The 145 condominium hotel units and 15 commercial condominium units will be sold in bulk at the May 6 auction at the entrance to 5th Circuit Court in Lihue.  The New York lender, iStar Financial, filed for ... Read Full Story