The Kaanapali housing market, part of the larger Maui real estate market, showed signs of improvement even as large projects were being sold for drastically reduced prices. According to a June 14, 2010 article from Pacific Business News, “Sales of condominiums in Maui County doubled last month, while sales of single-family homes rose 35 percent. There were 104 condo units sold in May, including two on Molokai, which was 100 percent more than the 52 units that sold in May 2009, according to the Realtors Association of Maui.” The piece went on to state that “There were 81 single-family houses sold on Maui alone last month, a 35 percent increase compared to the 60 homes that sold on Maui, Lanai and Molokai during the same month last year. Prices, however, didn’t follow suit. The median price for a single-family house was $442,000 in May, an 8 percent decline from the $482,500 in May 2009.”

The overall housing market in Maui also started to see some improvement, which is good news for the Kaanapali real estate market. A May 20, 2010 article from the Lahaina News stated that, “The market is starting to turn, indicated by the increase in unit sales. While the Homebuyer Tax Credit program has ended, the resulting sales (closings) through May and June will show in the next two months statistics.” The piece went on to state that “Anecdotal evidence from agents, lenders and escrow personnel indicate that a good portion of the transactions in process (not yet closed) are outside of the tax credit program, and that there is strong buyer-showing activity that should result in future sales. Condo median prices are showing some small upticks.”

The overall economic picture of the island reflects uncertainty for the future of Kaanapali real estate. According to a June 8, 2010 article from Hawaii News Now, “The latest state report on tax revenues and building permits shows a decidedly slower economic recovery on neighbor islands than on Oahu…General excise tax revenues, the single strongest indicator of consumer and business spending, fell 4.4% statewide in the first quarter…”

Kihei, an unincorporated town on the island of Maui located on the shores of Maalaea Bay, has, like so many island communities, experienced a marked restructuring to its real estate over the past couple of years after dealing with the effects of the U.S. financial crisis, as residents found their investments dwindling, jobs lost and a poor economic environment.

At the end of 2009, statistics showed that Kihei real estate had picked up significantly, a positive sign for the market. Despite the increase in activity, however, prices are still far below their peaks, leaving some owners unable to sell their homes or condos for enough to pay off their mortgages.

According to statistics from Coldwell Bankers, in December 2009, there were 19 homes sold in Kihei, an improvement from November’s 11 units and from a year ago’s nine sales. Prices, however, are still sliding: In December, the median sales price was $435,000, down from November’s more than $480,000, and less than half of the median price a year ago, when it was more than $1.1 million.

The condo market in Kihei showed a similar trajectory. Sales in December accounted for 23 condos, down slightly from November’s 27 units but up from just 18 one year ago. Prices, like home prices, are still gradually receding, though not quite as drastically: In December, the median price for a condo was $275,000, down from $319,000 in November and $389,500 in December 2008. For the year of 2009, there were 124 Kihei homes for sale closed upon, the second-most volume of any community on Maui, though sales were down from 2008, when the volume was 140. The year-to-date median price of a home was just over $481,000, down a hefty 33% from the same figure from 2008.

Many residents and tourists are hoping for the return of the Hawaii Superferry.  The company was forced to suspend operations and send its ships back to the U.S. mainland after a judge ruled that the state had not provided adequate inspections of the operation prior to the ships’ launch dates.  Most people remain hopeful that after the proper environmental impact statements are completed, that service will be reinstated.  The Hawaii Superferry hoped to operate service between Honolulu and Nawiliwili, Kauai, Kahului, Maui, and Kawaihae, Big Island.

However, the only service to officially launch was the twice-daily rotation to Maui on the Alakai, a aluminum-hulled catamaran that could hold up to 866 passengers and 282 compact cars.  With drive-on, drive-off capability, the ferry was especially useful for people staying in vacation rentals in Hawaii because they could use a single rental car to take day trips to Maui from Oahu.  The Huakai, the company’s second ship, was scheduled to arrive and start service in 2009.  Following the suspension of service, the company is searching for alternative uses for the two ships until they are allowed to return to the islands.  However, to many’s dismay, it is unclear if the company will ever restart inter-island service.

Think of Hawaii and you will instantly be taken to an island paradise filled with world-class beaches, balmy breezes, majestic sunsets and amazing surfs. Hawaii with all its 8 islands and 120 islets has much more to offer. These are the reasons why Hawaii remains one of the most well loved vacation spots in the world. If you are traveling to Hawaii soon, here are a few tips on what to do here.

Swimming and snorkeling is a must here and it would be insane to miss out on the opportunity to experience the magnificent waters here. Chances are that you will probably stay in a hotel that is just a few feet away from the beach. Molokini is a very popular site in Hawaii boasting the most impressive underwater views. The marine preserve on Molokini is a most fantastic sight in Hawaii. For Molokini and for most of the dive and snorkel sites in Hawaii you will need to rent a boat to reach these magnificent areas. Glass bottom boats are common here so that non-swimmers can still enjoy the beauty of the underwater world. If you are traveling to Hawaii in the winter, then you are in luck because this is the time when Humpback whales are present in Hawaiian waters. The best way to get up close to these creatures is by booking a catamaran cruise found on either in Honolulu, Oahu, Maui or Kauai. Hawaii thanks its rich verdant soils to its many volcanoes. If you are traveling to Hawaii, get up close and personal with a volcano and witness something you will never forget.

Kilauea Volcano can be found on the Big Island and is the most famous Volcano in the islands. Since the beginning of 2000 it has spewed out lava to cover 40 square miles of land expanding 40 miles off its shore. The possibility of watching a birth of a new island is not far and will keep you enchanted for a lifetime. If you are one that prefers to stay on shore then why not try the Hawaiian golf courses. These courses are surrounded by magnificent scenery not found anywhere else. Over 80 courses are hosted by six of the islands of Hawaii. Sample the cuisine to get a taste of Polynesian delight, travel to Hawaii to experience a delicious luau. A luau is a one-of-a-kind experience in gustatory delight, rich in flavor, history, color and taste. There is always a feast of senses because of the traditional dances and music involved.

For many years Hawaii has promoted health through its pure water supplies, clean air, and healthy living environment, yet Hawaii is also the source of many locally grown products that also promote health, one of which is the Noni fruit.

Grown primarily on the Big Island and on Maui, the Noni fruit comes from small evergreen trees that grow primarily along Hawaii’s beaches and forest areas.

The fruit has long been used by the native Hawaiians for its medicinal properties, and today the fruit is known to contain an extremely rich source of cellular rejuvenating enzymes. Noni fruit grown in Hawaii is said to be the best because of the pure air, water, and soil in which they are grown.

Some of the many benefits the Noni fruit is said to promote include strengthening immune functions, improving digestive health, and overall promoting a prolonged and healthy lifestyle. The fruit has often been used to help treat heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and other degenerative ailments. Hand picked and processed, the Noni fruit can provide its health benefits through products including, Noni capsules, Noni vegetarian capsules, Noni soap, and Noni sun screen.

The state of Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states and is the only state made up entirely of islands, an archipelago known as the Hawaiian Islands, which is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States.

Hawaii is made up of eight major islands: Ni’ihau, Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Kaho’olawe, Maui, and the island of Hawai’i, all of which were formed entirely by volcanic activity. The island of Hawaii, which is also referred to as the Big Island to avoid confusion, is the youngest and largest of the eight major Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii has a population of about 1.3 million residents, but over 90% of the population is situated on the island of Oahu, which could be considered the center of commerce for the state.

Oahu is home to Honolulu, the state capital and largest city, as well as Waikiki, the main tourist center throughout the islands.

With its beautiful beaches, lush greenery, and pleasant, year-round warm climate, Hawaii is one of the most popular destinations in the world for vacationing.

Some of the most popular towns and cities to explore in Hawaii include Hilo and Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, Kihei and Lahaina on Maui, Lihue and Kapa’a on Kauai, and Honolulu, and Waikiki on Oahu. Although great experiences can be found on any of the Hawaiian Islands, there are really only four islands suitable for vacations: Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. Although Oahu suffers from overcrowding, overdevelopment, and traffic, Oahu has the most to offer in terms of dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities.

Although the Hawaiian Islands are made up of 132 islands, there are really only eight major islands that people ever hear of: Ni’ihau, Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Kaho’olawe, Maui

, and Hawai’i (also referred to as the Big Island). And of these eight main islands, there are really only four islands that are ideal for a vacation: Kaua’i, O’ahu, Maui, and Hawai’i. Aside from the paradise atmosphere that attracts numerous tourists to the islands each year, diving is another popular activity that the islands offer. With its pristine waters, beautiful reefs, and wide variety of marine life, Hawaii is one of the best places to dive, whether you are a beginning or experienced diver.

For people who are not familiar with Hawaii’s waters or are not highly skilled divers, there are many places in the islands that offer dive instruction and dive tours for those who wish to come in contact with the beautiful life located underneath Hawaiian waters. On Oahu, divers can find a variety of dive sites that include offshore lava formations, gottoess, as well as plane and shipwrecks.

Divers who travel to Maui can find most of the islands popular dive sites on the island’s west coast such as Molokini, Black Rock, and Five Caves. Kauai is extremely popular for its rugged and pristine diving, but winter swells make diving much more difficult than during the summer, when waters are much more calm. However, diving off the leeward coast of the Big Island is excellent because the large mountains tend to block the trade winds, leaving many of those dive sites with extremely calm, glassy waters. ]]> http://www.theviewpoint.org/destinations/popular-dive-sites-in-hawaii/feed/ 0 http://www.theviewpoint.org/technology/the-island-of-maui/ http://www.theviewpoint.org/technology/the-island-of-maui/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2009 04:44:44 +0000 admin http://www.theviewpoint.org/?p=132

With an area of about 730 square miles, the beautiful island of Maui, nicknamed “The Valley Isle,” is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, which include Ni’ihau, Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Kaho’olawe, Maui, and the island of Hawai’i. Approximately 118,000 people live on Maui, and the major settlements on the island include Kihei, Lahaina, Hana, and Wailuku, which is also the county seat of Maui County, which includes the islands of Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. It is believed that the island gained its name after Hawai’iloa’s son, Maui, who was in turn named after the demigod Maui.

Hawai’iloa is the Polynesian navigator credited with discovery of the Hawaiian Islands.

Maui is made up of two main volcanoes, the West Maui Mountains and Haleakala In Hell buy , and a wide valley that runs between the two, giving the island its nickname, “The Valley Isle.” Maui is one of the most popular islands to travel to for vacations because of its pristine beaches, lush greenery, and popular outdoor activities.

Recently, the island has also experienced much development and growh, with Kihei one of the most rapidly growing towns in the nation.

Agriculture and tourism are the main industries that make up Maui’s economy. Some of the products grown on the island include coffee, macadamia nuts, papaya, tropical flowers, sugar, and fresh pineapple. Some of the major tourist destinations on Maui include Hana Highway, Haleakala National Park, Lahaina, and the Maui Ocean Center, which is the largest aquarium in the state of Hawaii. ]]> http://www.theviewpoint.org/technology/the-island-of-maui/feed/ 0 http://www.theviewpoint.org/kauai/the-island-of-kauai/ http://www.theviewpoint.org/kauai/the-island-of-kauai/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:46:31 +0000 admin http://www.theviewpoint.org/?p=134

Nicknamed “The Garden Isle,” the beautiful island of Kauai is the fourth largest of the eight main Hawaiian Islands, which include Ni’ihau, Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Kaho’olawe, Maui, and the island of Hawai’i. About 64,000 people live on Kauai, which is located across the Kauai Channel, northwest of Oahu.

Although it is unclear as to the exact meaning of Kauai, it is believed that the island gained its name from the legend of Hawaiiloa, the Polynesian navigator who is credited with first discovering the island.

According to Hawaiian tradition, Hawaiiloa named the island after Kauai, a favorite son.Possible meanings of Kauai are “place around the neck” and “food season.”

Like every other island of Hawaii, tourism is the largest industry on Kauai.

Kauai is also home to much farm land, which was used primarily for sugar plantations in the past, but today the land is used mostly for ranching. Nevertheless, agricultural products including guava, coffee, sugarcane, and pineapple are still grown on a small scale on Kauai.The city of Lihu’e, located on the island’s southeast coast, is the county seat of Kauai County and is the second largest city to Kapa’a, which has a population of about 10,000.Waimea, another community located on the southwest coast was once the capital of Kauai.

Some of the popular attractions on Kauai include the Alakai Wilderness Area, Fern Grotto, Hanalei Bay, Ke’e Beach, Koke’e State Park, Na Pali Coast State Park, Wailua River, Waimea Canyon, and Princeville North Shore.