Hawaii Kai Dog Park Taking Shape

Last Saturday, we had a planting party in the park, and planted plumbago along the outside of the fence (yes, there is now a fence!). It's really beginning to look great!

DPR has also planted grass and 8 monkeypod and shower trees. The dogs will have the most scenic place in Hawaii Kai to run, with Diamond Head looming straight ahead (almost) and the Pacific Ocean to the left, marina to the right.

One of the realtors at my company said he was going to rent a dog so he could use the park!

For information on how you can help with funding the fence for the park, email barbara@barbarashawaii.com. I'm still giving part of my commissions from real estate sales to the non-profit Hui 'Ilio until the park is done.

Hawaii Kai is a special place on Oahu. Contact me for a real estate market analysis or to preview any homes. Barbara Abe, http://www.movetohawaiikai.com/, 808-226-2537.

Problems Continue to Plague the Hawaii Superferry

The Alakai, Hawaii's Superferry, is out of commission - again - for drydock maintenance of a damaged auxiliary rudder system. For 8 consecutive days in January-February, service was discontinued because of bad weather and the discovery of cracks in the auxiliary rudders.

While many residents welcomed the addition of an alternative method of transportation between the Hawaiian Islands, the Superferry has been dealing with numerous problems since its inaugural voyage: political, legal, and weather, and the animosity of many islanders, especially on Kauai.

Scheduled to resume service March 3, the ferry will issue refunds for cancelled trips and special fares on future voyages. President and CEO John Garibaldi said the ferry so far is averaging only 150 bookings a trip, when it can hold 866 people and 282 cars.

Hawaii in the winter is host to visitors from around the world who come to enjoy the warmth and sunshine. Real estate sales are still very strong throughout the islands, and especially in East Oahu, where I specialize. If you are planning a trip to the islands, contact me for current information on the real estate market, and the status of the Superferry, the Alakai.

Barbara Abe, REALTOR

barbara@barbarashawaii.com

http://www.movetohawaiikai.com/

800-999-6090

808-226-2537

Real Estate Market News - Hawaii Kai - January, 2008

The real estate market in East Oahu was very active in January, as more homes went into escrow than in December and sales remained strong. The median sale price of single family homes was $930,000 compared to $900,000 in 2007, and of condos $545,000 compared to $515,000 in 2007. For the month, 228 single family homes sold, and 324 condos.

For Hawaii Kai specifically, the median sales price of single family houses was $834,000, and the number of sales down slightly from a year ago. Condo sales made the difference, as number of sales rose 110% over 2007, with a median price of $540,000 vs. $533,000 a year ago.

Because Hawaii Kai is one of the premier communities on Oahu, prices and demand have remained very strong, and we haven't been affected as much by inventory and market slowdown as other parts of the island.

Contact me for a complete real estate market analysis of the East Oahu or Hawaii Kai area. If you don't live here, you can't believe what you're missing!

Barbara Abe, REALTOR

barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com

800-999-6090

808-226-2537