Waldorf School opens a High School near Hawaii Kai

Waldorf School has opened its high school campus in a new location, after years of legal battles with the residents of Niu Valley. The high school, which serves about 80 students, was moved over the summer from a renovated house in Kahala to the old Trans Pacific College building on Kalaniana'ole Highway. The school acquired the remaining 30 years on the lease of the building after the college closed in December.

The school had been looking for an alternative site for its high school ever since it opened in 1994. Originally, the school rented two classrooms from the Japan America Institute of Management Science in Hawai'i Kai for two years. Then the school moved to a remodeled house in Kahala. The school's new building is a more ideal location for the high school, near the lower-grades campus in Niu Valley, and much larger — 22,000 square feet compared to 8,000 square feet at the previous location. There's now enough space for a dedicated music room, two science labs, wood- and metalwork rooms, and study areas.

The Honolulu Advertiser explains the history of the search for a place to site the school: "Waldorf had originally planned to build a two-story, 10,000-square-foot high school building on its Niu Valley campus. When its conditional use permit was approved in January 2007, some Niu Valley residents petitioned the Zoning Board of Appeals. The school then filed a lawsuit against the city and the residents, asking a judge to deny the residents' appeal. BonnieOzaki-James [chairwoman of the Honolulu Waldorf School's lower school] said that the school dropped its plans for a new building and reached an amicable agreement with the neighbors in Niu Valley."

This location for a private high school will give Hawaii Kai residents an alternative to the drive to Punahou or Kamehameha, and other private schools closer to Honolulu. Visit Waldorf School Directory for all their locations.

Contact me for information on all our schools, and request my free Relocation package.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com

Hanauma Bay Closure in Hawaii Kai from - yes, Jellyfish

On Friday, park officials closed Hanauma Bay in Hawaii Kai from a high number of Portuguese Man-of-War on the beach and in near-shore waters. Lifeguards counted more than 2,000 Man-of-War in Hanauma Bay.

The monthly box jellyfish arrival, due today, is a different phenomenon. They arrive with the tides, about 10 days after every full moon. Jellyfish stings can be very painful, and for some, quite serious if you are allergic to the poison.

Hanauma Bay and Kailua Bay have both been closed in the past for jellyfish "invasions." Waikiki often posts warnings for beachgoers. So what do you do when you get stung? If lifeguards are present, they should have white vinegar to wash out the sting, otherwise you might have to get your own. Make sure you wash out the stinger with lots and lots of white vinegar. If the stinger has wrapped around your arm, don’t touch the stinger to rip it off. Instead, grab the jellyfish by the body and slowly unwrap it.

For information on ocean conditions, advisories, and warnings, the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division provides a recorded report at 922-3888, extension 51. People may also see conditions at http://www.hawaiibeachsafety.org/.

This just reminds me that we share our paradise with creatures that were here long before us and deserve our respect. They don't lessen the beauty of our islands, or the desirability of living here. Contact me for a relocation package.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com

Roy's in Hawaii Kai Hosting Wine Night

Roy’s Restaurant will present 20 leading winemakers from across the country at Roy’s in Hawaii Kai on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

The industry-style wine tasting will feature 90 wines from 20 different winemakers. This is a special opportunity for wine enthusiasts to experience some really great American labels. Roy’s chefs will be creating special pupus for the occassion to pair with the wines.

Here is a list of the wineries and vineyards participating in this special event:

Karma Fine Beverages – Patrick S. Wilson
Babcock Vineyards – Alan Jahns
Handley Cellars – Milla Handley
Saintsbury – David Graves
Selby Winery – Susie Selby
Dark Horse – Mike Lokaysek
Honig Vineyard & Winery – Patti Hawker
Diamond Terrace – Maureen Taylor
Domaine Serene – Eleni Papadakis
Bonaccorsi – Jenne Lee Bonaccorsi
L’Ecole No. 41 – Debbi Frol
Merry Edwards Winery – Cheryl-Lynn Mattos
Kaena – Michael Sigouin
Beckman – Michael Sigouin
Rombauer Vineyards – James Heinemann
Duckhorn Wine Company – Michelle Watkins
Landmark Vineyards – Andy Wolfe
Miner – Samantha Kasper
Plumpjack & CADE Winery – John Conover
Longboard – Oded Shaked

Price per person is $60 including tax & tip.

Please call Roy’s Hawaii Kai at 396-7697 or visit Roy's Events to make a reservation.

Our office of East Oahu Realty is next door to Roy's, so let me know if you want to discuss real estate before wine tasting and I'll meet you there.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com

Cash for Clunkers starts July 24 in Hawaii Kai

Cash for Clunkers, where owners can trade in low-mileage cars for cash, starts officially Friday, July 24 nationwide. The program gives $3,500 or $4,500 trade-in vouchers to customers who bring in their old vehicles to be junked. To qualify, cars must be 10 to 25 years old, get 18 miles per gallon or less and have been insured by the owner for at least a year.

The program, in effect since July 1, has been awaiting federal rules for implementation. Hawaii auto dealers are fervently hoping for a boost in car sales, and suggest owners visit Cars.gov to see if their vehicle qualifies. Car sales in Hawai'i have slipped by 31.5 percent in the first six months of 2009, compared with last year.

Most people who qualify will get at least a $3,500 voucher. Those who buy a new vehicle that gets 10 mpg or more than their clunker will receive $4,500. Dealers are required to provide proof of disposal of the clunkers at approved scrap-metal yards. So far, no scrap yards have been announced for dealers to take the cars to, nor is there any word on how to stay below the government's $1 billion allotment.

As reported by the Honolulu Advertiser, "Dave Rolf, executive director for Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association, was optimistic and complimented the speed of implementing the program since the act was signed on June 24.

"'I don't think in all my years I have seen a program come together this fast," Rolf said. "It's a great compliment to the people in federal government. When you look at how many moving parts are in a car and then how many cars there are, and then how many people are in America; and to get a program moving in 30 days?

"'That's a lot of moving parts.'"

Since we live on an island, with limited resources and disposal facilities, and our gas price is the highest in the country, hopefully this program will be a huge success on Oahu.

Contact me for relocation information for Hawaii Kai, and other innovative programs now in place to keep Hawaii Green.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com

Hawaii Kai Relocation Packages Just Released

I've finished the Complete Hawaii Kai Relocation Package and the Hawaii Kai Condo Relocation Package with sales data through June, 2009, and updates on new waterfront condo complexes that have sold this year.

Request your free copy at my web site, MovetoHawaiiKai.com, or for condos only, the Condo Page. Or just call/email for your free copies.

If you want additional information on real estate throughout Oahu, but specifically on Hawaii Kai, just let me know. It's my home, and I've been a Realtor here for more than 20 years.

Aloha,

Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
http://www.movetohawaiikai.com/
http://www.barbarashawaii.com/

WestJet Increases Flights to Hawaii

On Nov. 7, WestJet will launch a weekly flight every Saturday from Victoria to Honolulu, with an introductory roundtrip fare of $259.

In addition, WestJet said it will increase the frequency of its Vancouver-to-Honolulu flight to seven days a week Oct. 8, to 11 times a week Nov. 1, and 12 times a week Dec. 16. It also will boost its Vancouver-to-Maui service to seven days a week Oct. 7, 10 times a week Nov. 1 and 12 times a week Dec. 16. Lihue service will begin Dec. 16.

WestJet, headquartered in Calgary, has been operational since 1996, when it started service to 5 cities in Western Canada. It is now Canada's leading high-value low-fare airline, offering scheduled service to 55 destinations in Canada, the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean, with its fleet of 79 Boeing Next-Generation 737-series aircraft equipped with increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV.

To book a flight and check schedules, visit WestJet Guest.

All the more reason for Canadians to visit Hawaii and Hawaii Kai, and consider a real estate investment here!

Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com

Hawaii Kai Real Estate Market Report June, 2009

Condos

15 sales occurred in June in Hawaii Kai Condos. The low price was $349,900 for a 1 bedroom unit in the Commodore. The highest was a 3 bedroom home in Kuapa Isle, on the marina.

Complexes with sales included: Colony at the Peninsula (2), Colony Marina (1), Commodore (1), Esplanade (1), Hawaii Kai Cp (1), Heritage House (1), Kaimala Marina (1), Kuapa Isle (1), Mariners Village 3 (1), Mauna Luan (3), Moana Kai (1), and Villa Marina (1).

Days on Market ranged from 254 (Moana Kai) to 8 (Mauna Luan).

Request my reports on the condo complexes and get more sales statistics on the Condo Page of my web site.

Single Family

17 sales occurred in Hawaii Kai for single family homes. The low price was $500,000 for a 3/2 home in Kalama Valley, and the highest $2,100,000 for a magnificent view home in Koko Kai.

Neighborhoods represented included: Kalama Valley (4), Lower Hahaione Valley (1), Mariners Village (1), Laulima (1), Koko Head Terrace (1), Mariners Cove (3), Mariners Ridge (1), Queen's Gate (1), Koko Villa (1), Kamilo Nui (1), Triangle (1), and Koko Kai (1).

Days on Market ranged from 317 (Kalama Valley) to 1 (Kalama Valley, Mariners Cove).

Request reports on all the neighborhoods on my web site, and read full statistics on the Hawaii Kai Market News page.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
http://www.movetohawaiikai.com/
http://www.barbarashawaii.com/
barbara@barbarashawaii.com