Archive for August, 2008
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Aug
26
Posted by matthew smith
The Mokulua Islands are twin (Mokulua) islands that are connected to a reef just offshore from Kailua and Lanikai Beach on the North and Eastern coastline of Oahu. For the most part the islands are a bird sanctuary owned by the State of Hawaii.
One of the islands can be accessed by visitors and has private beach areas and plenty of hiking trails. Both are an easy kayak trip from pretty much anywhere along Lanikai beach, and just a little further from Kailua beach. An abundance of coral beds and sea life with keep you entertained along the way to and from the Mokulua’s referred to by locals as the “Mok’s”.
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Aug
26
Posted by matthew smith
Pictured above is just one of many inspiring views from the Memorial of the Pacific at “Punch Bowl (Crater) War Memorial” military cemetery. This view is from the memorial down the mountain looking over Honolulu, and Diamond Head (Crater) in the background.
For many people, all the times they have been to Hawaii, they may have never been to this cemetery overlooking the heart of Honolulu and the Pacific. Yet it is close by and easy to find with plenty of parking. Open to the public year round, this is truly one of the most valuable pieces of real estate on the Island of Oahu in terms of history, meaning, and location.
There are walls and walls covered with names of people who died fighting…it is so touching to see a memorial like this…you really learn to appreciate the people who don’t act in selfishness…and who continue to do so for our country to this day. There is a complete covered mosaic lobby hundreds of feet long chronicling the history of the battles of the Pacific from beginning to end.
You won’t regret a trip up the hill to visit Punch Bowl.
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Aug
19
Posted by matthew smith
SAM CHOY’S DIAMOND HEAD RESTAURANT
449 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
(Honolulu / Kapahulu Area)
Tel. (808) 732-8645
Sumptuous award-winning local-style dishes in Sam’s signature generous portions. One of the twelve chefs who originated Hawaii Regional cuisine. (D $$$)
ALAN WONG’S RESTAURANT
1857 South King Street, 3rd Floor
Honolulu, HI 96826
(Honolulu / McCully Area)
Tel. (808) 949-2526
Famous local chef - one of the originators of Hawaii Regional cuisine. National multi-award winning restaurant. Local awards include: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006 & 2007 Hale Aina Award for “Restaurant of the Year”; 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006 Ilima Award. (D $$$)
CHEF MAVRO
1969 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
(Honolulu / McCully Area)
Tel. (808) 944-4714
A founding member of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, Chef George Mavrothalassitis employs a master’s technique in melding fresh, regional ingredients with the flavors of his native Provence. A dining experience comparable to a 3-Star restaurant in France. 2003 winner of the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award as the best chef in Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest. Multiple Ilima and Hale Aina award winner. (D $$$)HULA GRILL
Whalers Village
2435 Kaanapali Parkway
Kaanapali, HI 96761
(West Maui)
Tel. (808) 667-6636
On the beach. Chef Peter Merriman’s award winning Hawaii Regional Cuisine. (LD $$$)
Living in Hawaii will allow you to become a favorite at many of the award winning restaurants on the islands and enjoy all the menu items!! Yum.
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Aug
19
Posted by matthew smith
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LUAU (TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN FEAST)
The luau (loo-ow) is a Hawaiian tradition - a feast to celebrate accomplishments, honor important people and commemorate great events. In old Hawaii it was a time to pay homage to ancestral gods with song, dance, and offerings of food, which was often scarce. Ancient luau sometimes lasted for days.
Much has changed since the days of ancient luau. Women and men are now allowed to eat together, which was forbidden in Hawaii before the culture’s system of kapu (taboos) was eliminated in 1819. Women are also allowed to eat foods that were once denied them, such as bananas, coconuts, pork, turtle and several types of fish.
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The central feature of the luau is the imu, an underground oven (a shallow pit lined with stones). A whole pig (puaa) is wrapped in ti and banana leaves and placed in the pit’s hot center. The pig and laulau (savory bundles containing side dishes) are covered with multiple layers of banana, ti, or sometimes ginger leaves, and a final coating of earth. In about four hours the coverings are removed and the luau begins. Every luau has poi, the traditional starch. |
| Under King Kamehameha III, there was an 1847 event that was unforgettable, a luau with 10,000 in attendance, although in true Hawaiian style, food was prepared for 12,000. The guests were served: “271 hogs, 482 large calabashes of poi, 602 chickens, three whole oxen, two barrels of salt port, two barrels of biscuits, 12 barrels of laulau and cabbages, four barrels of onions, 80 bunches of bananas, 55 pineapples, 2,245 coconuts, 4,000 heads of taro, 180 squid, oranges, limes, grapes and various fruit.” Source: Manu Boyd, Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Now that was a luau!
Each island of Hawaii, Oahu and Maui have their own luau celebrations. Living here and participating in these events are important to native Hawaiians.
At a luau, it is said:
“local people don’t eat until they are full, they eat until they are tired”. |
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Aug
13
Posted by matthew smith
Check this piece of real estate out! Go to www.vrbo.com and look up property 197806 - Maybe even reserve it?
This Hawaii-designed castle sits on the top of the world overlooking the blue Pacific Ocean, Koko Head, Diamond Head, and several islands such as Molokai. It is located in an exclusive private gated community with the wealthiest zip code in the Hawaiian Islands. This community has its own club house, gardeners, security team, and tennis courts. It is known for its gorgeous private homes and open ocean views – all great for whale watching during winter months. Also, walking ten minutes from the front door one finds beautiful hiking trails into the Hawaiian rain forest.
This large, 3000-square-foot Mediterranean castle is terraced with its own moat, meditation area, and a private forest with over sixty mature trees such as Italian cypress, Hollywood juniper, and hibiscus — a tropical paradise. The castle is fully furnished with numerous oil paintings since the owner resides there part of the year. The castle has four levels of living space with exacting attention to detail throughout. Special features include Roman and Greek relief’s and sculptures and exclusive lighting fixtures imported from Italy. For relaxed Hawaiian living, very high ceilings and hardwood floors provide feelings of warmth and spaciousness. The elegant private courtyard landscaped with orchids and tropical plants has a swimming-pool-deep spa suitable for nude bathing and sunbathing. In total, the castle contains 3½ bedrooms, 3½ baths, secluded library, a unique gourmet kitchen, and lastly, a superb underground wine cellar with tasting room adjacent to wine racks, a 1,300 bottle capacity.
Water is seen everywhere, and just 5 minutes away by car is the beach. Concierge and personal shopping help available.
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Aug
12
Posted by matthew smith
Amazingly there has been lots of controversy about democratic presidential nominee Senator Barak Obama choosing to vacation for a week in Hawaii. Should he have chosen some other more American State than a foreign and exotic Hawai’i? What kind of message is vacationing in a far off Pacific island paradise sending to the American voters? Never mind that he was born and raised in Hawai’i. Graduated from Punahou High School in Honolulu. He has routinely returned to Hawai’i many times over the past 20 years to vacation in Honolulu on his native island of O’ahu, visiting family and friends. In fact I’ve heard he recently made a real estate purchase here.
So what’s this nonsense about Hawai’i being less American all about? A whirlwind tour of Honolulu and the island of O’ahu would include interesting current and historical American points of interest like the Arizona Memorial, Punchbowl Cemetery of the Pacific, the USS Missouri, National Guard soldiers training for their second deployment to the Middle East, and Aloha Stadium where the best of the best football players traditionally come each February to play in the Pro Bowl, following the Super Bowl - without needing a passport.
I’m convinced Hawai”i is a U.S. state when I sit in the gas line at Costco next to Home Depot in Honolulu waiting my turn to purchase cheaper fuel. When I’m purchasing my groceries at Safeway in Kailua keying in my phone number that includes a U.S. area code for savings. When I’m deciding whether to fast food it off the dollar menu at Burger King, or splurge at Taco Bell. When I’m passing by Wal-Mart and K-Mart on my way to the Ala Moana Mall to make a purchase at Sears or Nordstrom’s.. And when I’m merging from Interstate H-1 to Interstate H-3 to get home from another day of real estate in Honolulu. Always wondering why we call it an “Interstate” in the first place. Then chuckling as I pass by McDonald’s, where only in Hawai’i can you order “Spam N’ Eggs” off their breakfast menu. I never have! Seriously!
Hawaii Is Our 50th State. Seriously!
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Aug
11
Posted by matthew smith
Most folks automatically think home prices in Honolulu, and Hawaii are so high only the rich and famous are able to afford them. Sure, Oprah owns a home or two in Hawaii, and lots of acreage on Maui, I understand. Michelle Pfeiffer owns a property down the street from me past the Paul Mitchell estate. Did you know Paul died years ago eating Puffer fish? One of Don Ho’s homes recently sold just past Michelle’s home for just over $5 Million that his children used. I can’t even begin to afford their side of the street. The list goes on. Why, even Senator Barack Obama is a native of Hawaii. I’m not certain if he owns a home here, but he might consider that if he follows our Honolulu Real Estate Blog. Though there are plenty of homes around the Hawaiian Islands owned by the rich and famous, there countless more that are not. Many are surprisingly affordable.
There are homes and condo’s available throughout Honolulu, and Hawaii in general that fit most everyone’s home buying budget – or possibly 2nd home budget. Downtown Honolulu condo’s that are one bedroom and one bath – and fully remodeled can be had from the mid $200’s on up. Many with decent views and include a parking space or two. I know of one coming on the market soon in a high rise adjacent to the Ala Wai canal in Waikiki in the mid $300’s. From downtown Honolulu to Ewa, and Hawaii Kai to Kailua/Kaneohe, there are countless two and three bedroom condos available in the mid $400-600’s. Some are even brand new. Many have amenities like views, pools, spas, parking, tennis courts and more. Homes will typically start in around the mid $600’s and $700’s with lots to choose from. So, to get to that million dollar property and higher – you typically have additional requirements that most often include a particular neighborhood or area like waterfront, or close to the water. The property taxes in Honolulu and on Oahu compared nationwide are respectably low too considering Honolulu and Hawaii as a whole is a tropical paradise.
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Aug
08
Posted by matthew smith
Makapuu Beach Park, Sea Life Park, Parking Areas, and Cost Line to Kailua
Recently our two oldest sons (late 20’s) from the Seattle, Washington area came to Kailua to paint the inside of our home while my wife and I were off island. After 6 days of scraping, taping, brushing and rolling paint – they took the seventh day off to experience a local beach. Borrowing our SUV, they went to Makapuu Beach across from Sea Life Park to take on some surf. As both sons returned to the parking lot on foot from different directions they found themselves staring at each other with no car between them where it had been parked. Sort of like a giant sink-hole in the earth opened up and swallowed the SUV whole.
A panic call at that point would have been in order. Unfortunately they left their cell phones in the car along with many valuables including recent purchases from the well known swap meet at Aloha Stadium, their wedding rings, and a spare set of keys to the car in a back pack. With the help of a nearby Good Samaritan, they were able to use a cell phone and make the necessary calls for help to the Honolulu Police.
A short while later a Honolulu Police Officer arrived on the scene. After completing the police report the officer had to depart quickly leaving them stranded once again. Fortunately another near-by Good Samaritan couple witnessing their predicament offered them a ride back to Kailua, nearly 10 miles away. Because their wallets were also missing, they had no cash or debit cards to obtain cash. The couple gave them forty dollars to help out. A great big MAHALO to all the folks that helped our sons out that day. A hui hou kakou !
Hawaii just seems to bring out the best in people. From having your car stolen to having total strangers around you offering you their cell phones, a ride, and even cash to help you out. This is testimony to what we have all come to know in Hawaii as the “Aloha Spirit”.
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Aug
04
Posted by Matt Smith or DeeDee Arena
(CBS) Parents of college freshmen face a rite of passage this fall when they take their sons and daughters to campus for the first time.For this group of teens, autumn not only brings a new school, but new friends and an independence they’ve probably never experienced before. So psychologist Lawrence Balter offers advice for parents and college freshmen as they prepare for the year ahead.
PreparationSending a son or daughter off to college for the first time has got to be a very difficult move for most parents. After all, this isn’t the same as a 4-week or 8-week stay at a summer camp. It is a big commitment and a major step toward independent living, says Dr. Balter.Parents should think about their own feelings of loss and exhilaration. Of course, most parents are glad to see children move on to this important stage of their lives. But at the same time, parents know that the relationship will never be quite the same again, even if their children turn out to be ‘boomerang’ children, who come home again after college.Mixed feelings can be expressed in lots of ways: sometimes kids and parents fight a lot because there is so much tension in the air. Sometimes, parents and kids become overly solicitous toward one another as they anticipate the big separation.Up until now, parents have been trying to get their children to take care of themselves and live up to their responsibilities. In a way, this is the big test.
From Big Fish to Little Fish
In high school, your son or daughter may have been the star of the basketball team or class valedictorian, but usually that’s not going to be the case in college. This often becomes a question of self-image - how they see themselves. You should talk to your child about this and help him or her to set realistic expectations (different from high school).
Separation from Family
It is important to talk to your child about living with people who are not related. They will often be paired with one or two roommates, usually in close quarters. You need to try to allay any fears they might have about these new relationships. You should also bring up the subject of fiends and remind your child that good friendships take time and effort to develop. I know of many who are leaving the mainland and attending the wonderful University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu. They will be so welcomed and make lasting friends.
Signs of Freshman Stress
Typical freshman symptoms are lower grades, weight gain and homesickness. It’s important to listen for signs of depression or unhappiness. Parents should be patient and supportive. They should keep in mind that grades may temporarily suffer because of the strains of the initial adjustment.
And if your children have put on the “Freshman 15,” the excess weight that is so common, tell them they are not alone, but suggest they try to eat at regular meal times and avoid the late-night pizzas and fast food, which are all too common in dorms.
Parents also shouldn’t hesitate to stay in touch by emailing, phoning, sending letters and care packages. And when you do talk, tell them the latest, but don’t pry.
Additional Help
If it gets really bad and your child talks about wanting to take a year off, whether it’s because of the pressure or just because he’s homesick, don’t rule it out without giving it a fair hearing. But first, try to encourage him or her to give it some more time. You should encourage your child to speak to a dean or to contact the college’s counseling center. Freshman blues usually do pass and if they don’t, taking a year off isn’t the worst thing that can happen.
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Aug
01
Posted by Matt Smith or DeeDee Arena
In our local Honolulu news recently was an announcement that some Hawaii state workers are going to experiment with a four-day workweek in an effort to reduce soaring energy costs without cutting services to the public. This is a great concept and has growing acceptance in many communities across the nation. The pinch of higher fuel costs is heavily felt by real estate agents on island and elsewhere around the nation. Think about it. Often times Oahu real estate agents will cross the island to meet with a seller or show a home to a buyer, and return to their office. Then repeat that trip again the same day because of a new and different client need that suddenly surfaced on the other side of the island. What is now beginning to happen in the real estate trade is smarter travel. If another agent needs to simply preview a property, or just do a drive-by for a client. More-and-more they are teaming up with another agent headed in the same direction for a different purpose. Traditionally, real estate agents cram themselves into every available seat of a car or truck to go on broker’s open home tours to familiarize themselves with properties as a benefit to their clients.
Four-day work weeks are not in the cards for real estate agents since their service to public is a seven day-a-week effort. Selling homes to people in our communities is a large part of what real estate agents do every day. It will be more rewarding to our Hawaii agents and real estate agents nationwide as the benefits of a four-day workweek begin to promote a better quality of life and more family time in the homes they have sold.
www.khon2.com/news/government/24050269.html
