Moloka'i Hoe

The Outrigger Canoe Race, the Molokai Hoe, will be held Sunday, October 7. More than 1,000 paddlers from around the world will compete in the 41-mile open-ocean race from Hale O Lono Harbor on Molokai, to Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki. The crew from SHELL VAA of Tahiti will defend their title against teams from Japan, Singapore, Italy, Australia, California, and Hawaii.

Here's a description from the Moloka'i Hoe web page: "The Moloka'i Hoe is one of the longest running annual team sporting events in Hawaii, second only to football. The Moloka'i Hoe perpetuates one of Hawaii's and Polynesia's most important and historic cultural traditions, while honoring outrigger canoe paddlers around the world. The Moloka'i Hoe tests the limits of physical and mental strength and endurance, courage determination and teamwork, and paddlers battle nature's most extreme elements."

The race was a dream in 1939, and finally became a reality in 1952 when the Waikiki Surf Club, Hawaiian Surf Club, and Kukui o Lanikaula of Moloka'i competed. The team from Moloka'i didn't even have a canoe, so they borrowed a fishing canoe and won! It's the only year the Moloka'i men have won the race.

Lanikai Canoe Club of Oahu set the course record in 1995 and broke their own record in 2000, winning in 4:50:31. Outrigger Canoe Club of Hawaii has won the race 16 times, the most of any entrant in the history of the race. This year the winners will receive a cash prize of $5,000.

Market Update for Hawaii Kai as of Sept. 21, 2007:

Single Family Homes

Active Listings: total 123

Under $1,000,000 - 37

$1,000,000-$1,200,000 - 12

$1,200,000-$2,000,000 - 48

$2,000,000-$17,888,888 - 26

Listings Under Contract: total 23

Under $1,000,000 - 13

$1,000,000-$3,575,000 - 10

Sold in the last 6 months: total 130

Under $1,000,000 - 86

$1,000,000-$1,200,000 - 15

$1,200,000-$2,000,000 - 23

$2,000,000-$4,500,000 - 6

Condos

Active Listings: total 83

From $365,000 to $1,288,000

Listings Under Contract: total 34

From $320,000 to $1,580,000

Sold in the last 6 months: total 152

From $300,000 to $1,150,000

If you would like more information on the Hawaii Kai market, or active listings, just let me know. I have been a resident of this community and a REALTOR here for many years.

Aloha,

Barbara

Portlock Road, on the east end of Hawaii Kai, at the east tip of the island of Oahu, has long been known as one of the most exclusive residential areas on the island. Henry Kaiser, who developed Hawaii Kai, built his multi-acre estate there, overlooking Diamond Head and Maunalua Bay, and many other legendary figures have owned property in this spectacular setting.

The area is named after Captain Nathaniel Portlock, who is remembered for writing the first published description of Pearl Harbor, in his journal, printed in 1789. The diary related his experiences on a voyage of discovery in command of the British vessels King George and Queen Charlotte.

Portlock Road parallels the clear, pristine waters of Maunalua Bay. The residences on the water side enjoy views of Diamond Head and many have white sand beaches. There is a good surf break not far offshore, and a small public beach known and used by locals. One homeowner tried to lock the path to this beach a few years back, which caused many hard feelings. He finally lost in court, and the beach remains available to those not able to afford homes on the water.

The area is just off Kalanianaole Highway, an easy drive to H1 and downtown Honolulu. Turning east on the highway takes the traveler to Hanauma Bay, past the Makapuu Lighthouse, to the scenic Windward Coast of Oahu. Residents of Portlock can enjoy all the amenities of suburban living in the Hawaii Kai community, but be within 15 minutes of the busy metropolitan center of Honolulu.

Of the 686 properties in the area, sales this year in Portlock have ranged from $950.000 to $4,500,000. Active listings as of August, 2007 run from $1,798,000 to $17,888,888. If you want a prestigious address on Oahu, consider the neighborhood of Portlock, and contact me for more details, barbara@barbarashawaii.com

Hawaii Super Ferry Starts Service

A vision for many years, the interisland Hawaii Super Ferry will finally become a reality and take its maiden voyage Sunday, August 26.

Christened the Alakai, which means "ocean path" in honor of Hawaii's rich history of marine navigation and travel, the 349' vessel can carry 900 passengers and 250 cars. Hawaii Superferry is more than just an alternative way to get from one island to the next. The company believes their interisland service will change Hawai‘i for the better, combining historic tradition with modern capabilities to rebuild our marine highways. Read more…

Through Sept. 5, the inaugural rates on the catamaran-style ferry will be $5/passenger/one-way and $5/car/one-way, compared to rates in the hundreds to fly or ship a vehicle. Initial service will be between Maui and Oahu, and Kauai and Oahu, with Big Island trips added in 2009. The normal one-way fares are scheduled to be $59-69 including fuel surcharge & taxes, still the cheapest way by far to travel interisland.

Concern for the whales which frequent island waters prompted a lawsuit by several environmental groups, which claim the EIS (impact statement) has not been completed and the ferry should not operate until it has been approved. The Hawaii Dept. of Transportation is allowing the ferry to begin operating, because the court did not specifically rule against it.

For now, the graceful vessel will be seen plying the ocean waters with the whales, and offering a new mode of interisland travel.

Admissions Day in Hawaii Aug. 18

The 3rd Friday in August is celebrated as Admissions Day, commemorating the date - August 21 - when Hawaii achieved statehood in 1959. The state became the 50th, and last, state to join the Union. President Eisenhower unfurled the new 50-star flag at the White House ceremony, but the flag did not become official until July 4, 1960.

At the ceremony, Eisenhower was joined by Vice President Nixon, House Speaker Sam Rayburn, Secretary of the Interior Fred Seaton, and Hawaii politicians-elect: Senator-elect Oren Long, and House-member-elect Daniel Inouye, who has represented Hawaii in Congress ever since, and is still one of the state's two Senators! Hiram Fong, the other Senator-elect, and the new Governor, William F. Quinn, stayed in Hawaii.

Statehood bills for Hawaii were introduced into Congress as early as 1919, and again in 1935, 1947, and 1950. In the decade before 1959, three Hawaii statehood bills had passed the House. Once a bill also passed the Senate, but died because it was tied to statehood for Alaska. Much of the opposition came from Southerners in Congress, who "took a dim view of the mixed racial strains of Hawaii's population."

Alaska was admitted earlier in 1959, but no new states had been added since 1912, when Arizona and New Mexico became part of the Union. When Alaska was finally approved, Hawaii's long fight for statehood effectively ended, as it was generally understood by the politicians that Hawaii's turn would come.

For those of us lucky enough to live in Hawaii, we feel the ethnic diversity is not only one of the greatest strengths of the state, but also one of the many pleasures of calling this Paradise our "home."

New Development in Hawaii Kai

Jim Schmit, architect of 9 unique homes at the base of Kamehame Ridge in Hawaii Kai, found opportunity where others only saw a thin stretch of land on a busy road.

He is a modernist, and jumped at the chance to build a different kind of project, with a modern approach. The 2 completed homes look like warehouses from the outside, but inside you can see the blending of modern materials and an island-inspired courtyard and loft.

Schmit is facing building challenges, not unusual in our island home. He's had to put in water, sewer, and repave the part of Hawaii Kai Drive fronting the project, after installing underground utilties.

Each home is about 4,000 sq ft, and will sell for $1.5 million. The Bali Loft subdivision should be completed by 2009. Contact me for information about these homes or other new construction in Hawaii Kai.

Barbara Abe

www.movetohawaiikai.com

www.barbarashawaii.com

Hawaii Kai Market Activity as of July 27, 2007

Single Family Homes:
# OF ACTIVE LISTINGS - 113

PRICE RANGE: $858,000 - $17,888,888
32 under $1,000,000
15 $1,000,000 - $1,200,000
45 $1,200,000 - $2,000,000
21 over $2,000,000
# OF LISTINGS UNDER CONTRACT - 34

PRICE RANGE: $599,000 - $2,550,000
19 under $1,000,000
15 $1,000,000 - $2,550,000
SOLD IN LAST 6 MONTHS
81 under $1,000,000
17 $1,000,000 - $1,200,000
20 $1,200,000 - $2,000,000
6 $2,000,000 - $4,500,000

Condos:

# OF ACTIVE LISTINGS - 82

PRICE RANGE: $349,900 - $1,580,000
From 1 Bedroom, Lalea To 3 Bedroom, Kalele Kai
# OF LISTINGS UNDER CONTRACT - 31

PRICE RANGE: $387,000 - $959,000
From 1 Bedroom, Heritage House To Townhouse, Peninsula
SOLD IN LAST 6 MONTHS - 146

PRICE RANGE: $382,000 - $990,000
From 1 Bedroom, Esplanade To Cottage, Peninsula

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I live and work in Hawaii Kai and know the market intimately. Call me with any questions you have on real estate in this unique community on Oahu.

Barbara