31
Jul

Indirect Hawaii Real Estate Investments

Posted in Real estate  by
Old John T. Waterhouse, Jr., home, Wyllie St.,...
Image by Joel Abroad via Flickr

If you don’t want the inconvenience of directly supervising your real estate investments, you can still enjoy the profits from real estate with a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

Honolulu Real Estate Investment Trusts are designed to give small investors the opportunity to participate in professionally-managed real estate ventures with limited personal liability. The typical direct real estate investor has to provide a personal guarantee to obtain financing, and one bad decision can have devastating financial consequences. REITs are publicly traded, and risk is limited to the amount invested. Furthermore, shares in a REIT are more liquid than a house or building. You can sell your shares at market value any time. And because REITs are required to pay out profits to investors, they are an excellent source of retirement income.

There are several different types of REITs. Each has its own advantages.

Residential REITs invest in residential real estate—usually apartment complexes. The biggest risk is an oversaturated market. You can enjoy rental profits without being bothered by tenant problems or threatened with financial liability if a tenant falls down the stairs.

Retail REITs build and operate shopping centers and malls. They typically have projects in multiple states, so risks of localized economic downturns are minimized.

Office and industrial REITs invest in commercial real estate. Long-term leases make this an extremely stable alternative, especially in periods of economic decline.

Health care REITS build, buy, or lease hospitals, medical offices, nursing homes, assisted living facilities. This is one area that is relatively unaffected by economic downturns. However, this sector is highly dependent upon government health care programs, so health insurance reforms may have an impact on these investments.

Self-storage REITs are another investment category that is somewhat recession proof. The majority of tenants are corporate or business clients.

Hotel and resort REITs are among the most responsive to economic fluctuations in the immediate location of the investments. Both market saturation and current economic climate can affect profits in this area.

Mortgage REITs do not directly own or manage properties. Instead, they finance mortgages secured by real estate.

Hybrid REITS have a portfolio that includes both mortgages and direct ownership of real property.

REITs offer an excellent way for the small investor to take advantage of the stability and profitability of real estate. One can get started with just a few thousand dollars, and returns average about 8% per year. REITs can be an excellent way to diversify an investment portfolio, as their performance doesn’t always follow stock and bond trends.

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30
Jun

Enjoy vacation with Hawaii Vacation Rentals

Posted in Hawaii  by
Kohala coast at the Big Island of Hawaii from ...
Image via Wikipedia

Enjoying a vacation at Hawaii can be one of the most memorable moments in anyone’s life. You can have a great experience with Hawaii. Depend upon the budget and requirements, you can choose to select from different Hawaii vacation rentals. You and your family can enjoy vacation on these islands. There are different rentals available for cottages, resorts and hotels etc. All Waikiki vacation rentals will have a unique ambiance and extra ordinary facilities. Rent of such Hawaii vacation rentals are starting from cheaper rates to moderate price range. Best thing is you can get these any time throughout the year. Those couple who are newly married for them it can be an ideal place to enjoy honeymoon.

There are many beautiful places to enjoy. It can be a nice adventures trip for you and your family. There is a facility to enjoy helicopter ride along the Kauai’s north shore. Even having a relaxed journey of the Wailua River by renting a kayak is also most pleasant situation. Another attraction for the tourist visiting Hawaii is Waikiki beach. But, this is not the only one beach. There are almost more than 69 beaches with 19 beaches having lifeguard on duty.  You cannot complete your perfect Hawaiian vacation without taking experience of traditional luau. It is a traditional buffet dinner with lots of delicious food.  This buffet is generally made with roasted pig, pineapple and coconut juice with other food. It helps you to enjoy such delicious food with experience a variety of Hawaiian traditions.

One of the most beautiful parts of Hawaii is Lanai. There are many gardens and golf courses are the best location where you can enjoy your vacation. There are many different rental options and also two of the most luxurious resorts on the island. Hawaii’s biggest island among the other island is Big Island. It has got lots of attractions like volcano, waterfall, snorkelling, scuba diving and Kohala Coast where you can enjoy fishing. Even apart from that another island called Maui which offers lots of museums, shops and lots of fine restaurants.

If someone wants to enjoy relaxing in the sun or want to play with the beautiful blue water of the ocean then you should start booking your vacation rental now. Even these vacation rentals include many different places to enjoy and relax. All the Hawaiian Islands are unique and beautiful so that once some visits that place they would definitely love to visit it next time. Most common language which is spoken throughout all the Hawaiian Islands is English. There should not be any communication problems as yet. Official currency accepted all over Hawaii is U. S. Dollar and all the major companies’ credit cards are accepted.  So, in short Hawaiian Island is one of the most beautiful places to enjoy your vacation with your family. It has got lot many vacation rentals offers which visitors can choose from. It sometimes it becomes very difficult to decide what to do and which place to select from.

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14
Jun

Hawaii Golf Course in Paradise

Posted in Golf  by

When talking about golf it is hard to look past the scenery and thrill of playing 18 holes on one of the best golf courses in Hawaii. Each golf course is laid out in a unique way in order to provide golfers with a different experience each and every time. This, paired with the wonderfully mild weather, sunny days and plenty of light breezes drifting up from the ocean, ensure that your golf vacation in Hawaii is thoroughly unforgettable.

The sky is almost always cloudless, and the most beautiful blue, and if you look around in any other direction you can enjoy the most panoramic views of the ocean, volcanoes, charming vistas and wonderfully green rain forests. Wherever you end up deciding to play golf while you are here you are sure to uncover various special attractions that catch your eye and capture your heart. Golf has always been a spectacular sport, but never has it been more so than when enjoyed in Hawaii, with multiple islands just waiting to welcome the keen golfer.

When you decide to take a golfing holiday in Hawaii you are ensured a different course and a new challenge for each and every day of your stay. Every course will offer you an entirely unique experience that is sure to create fond memories for you to appreciate after returning home. Taking some time to research a little about Hawaii’s golf courses will help you to work out your golfing dates and locations to fit your own play style and tastes. Whether you are a novice or a pro there are courses for everybody to enjoy, and you can even sign yourself up for some lessons if you want to improve your game, or just brush up on some skills. Lugging your golf equipment to Hawaii and back again would prove an arduous task, so thankfully you are able to rent whatever you need from one of the many local pro shops.

The most prestigious golf course on the island of Oahu is the Makaha West; a section of the Makaha Resort and Golf Club. The area was first established forty years ago and it is now recognized as one of the greatest golfing locations in all of Hawaii. The spectacular views and various challenges you can enjoy on this particular course make it a clear winner; in fact, even Golf Digest admires the wonder that is Makaha West, listing it as one of their top “Places to Play” in 2002.

If you are looking for the opportunity to play on some of the greens that have hosted the PGA Grand Slam, you will want to visit the island of Kauai. The island is home to the world renowned Poipu Bay golf course and is widely considered to be one of Robert Trent Jones greatest designs. Thanks to the cool ocean breezes you will not only be refreshed, but also get to experience the challenges of playing in various degrees of wind; which will prove to be a real test of your skills and help you to improve as a golfer. The USGA considers this hillside course to be one of the most environmentally conscious in the world. It also boasts an accolade from Golf Digest as being one of the greatest public courses in all of the Aloha State Poipu Bay, meaning that you will want to book at least a week in advance.

Another popular golf course in Hawaii is the Wailea Golf Resort, which sits on the island of Maui. Here you will find spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean which can be enjoyed while out on the green. Families here can enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere in a laid back area – just one of the many reasons this high end resort is such a favorite. Golfers here can make the most of scratch tournaments, private coaching, a world class golf school and of course, hire of professional quality equipment. However, even if not everyone in your family enjoys golf there are also 5 great beaches to enjoy, along with relaxing day spas, high end boutiques and a variety of fabulous restaurants to keep them entertained.

5
Apr

Hilo Real Estate

Posted in Hilo  by
Hilo, Hawaii
Image via Wikipedia

The largest city on the state of Hawaii’s Big Island, Hilo is a popular destination for tourists and residents alike. It overlooks the beautiful Hilo Bay and is full of luxurious, highly coveted oceanside homes. The Hilo real estate market continued to struggle throughout much of 2009, with prices showing continuous gradual declines in the first three quarters of the year. It remains to be seen whether 2010 can be the year the market picks back up.

The end of 2009 showed optimistic signs that perhaps the market is out of its lowest stages, at the median price finally rose in the year’s fourth quarter after falling in the five out of the last eight quarters. The median price rose to above $250,000, to $263,750, according to local realtor Kevin Lewis’s statistics.  However, market activity in Hilo fell in the fourth quarter after rising in each of the year’s previous three quarters.

In the fourth quarter of 2009, according to Hilo’s Prudential realty office, there were 182 active Hilo homes for sale, listed at a median price of $379,000. Meanwhile, there were 28 pending sales closed at a median price of $282,450. The quarter accounted for 48 sales, coming in at an even lower median price of $255,000.

In the first months of 2010, real estate volume first fell drastically in January before steadily rising back up in February. January’s sales figures fell to just over 40, the lowest monthly sales figure in a year. Land sales, which have been sliding in volume since the fall, also picked up in February and began to rise again. As the government continues to offer its tax-rebate incentive to homebuyers, the local real estate market will be helped out, and it remains to be seen how the market will fare once the stimulus program ends, as it is unlikely that the U.S. will have emerged from all its financial difficulties by then.

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16
Dec

Splish, Splash

Posted in Hawaii  by
Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park
Image by hawaii via Flickr

Formerly known as the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, Hawaii’s Wet n Wild water amusement park is located on the hills overlooking much of the best Kapolei real estate in the area.  The park opened in May 1999 and is one of the reasons Kapolei has been developed into the city it has become.  Featuring 25 acres of park and over 26 rides and attractions, Wet n Wild is the only water park in the state.  Besides water amusements, the Island Adventure Golf portion of the park is a high-end 18-hole miniature golf facility.  Catering to a wide range of people, the water park has become one of Hawaii’s premier entertainment center.  The park event hosts a number of private parties in the evenings.

The water park gained international exposure when musical artist Mariah Carey filmed a portion of her single’s music video at the park in 2008.  Some of the park’s most popular attractions include the Big Kahuna, Cliffhanger, Flyin’ Hawaiian, Da Flow Rider, Hurricane Bay, Kapolei Kooler, Keiki Kove, Shaka, Surfsliders, Volcano Express, Waianae Coaster, and Waterworld.  A number of new amusements are under construction at the park to add to the variety of attractions available to guests.  A number of tour groups, charters, and school groups can be found frequenting the park almost every day.

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26
Aug

Exploring Kauai – The Garden Isle

Posted in Kauai  by
Island Kauai, Na Pali Coast
Image via Wikipedia

Out of all the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is definitely the one you will want to visit if you want to see all of Hawaii’s beauty. You will find more than towering sea-cliffs to cascading waterfalls and blue waters. Only one word can describe this island: Breathtaking. Kauai is one of the oldest Hawaiian Islands and because of the many volcanic eruptions that occurred, its soil is rich in nutrients. This, coupled with the rainfall the island experiences, vegetation here is overflowing. Taro farms were particularly successful here, and the native Hawaiians pounded the Taro into Poi in order to make a staple food of the Hawaiian diet.

The best part about Kauai is that is it beautiful all times of the year. April to November is Kauai’s driest months with average temperatures spanning between 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. While winter temperatures are cooler, keep in mind the trade winds constantly blow through the islands during the year.

Kauai Airport

The island’s main airport is Lihue Airport (LIH). If you are lucky, you may be able to find direct flights from the continental US to this wonderful island.

Precipitation & Scenery

The northern part of Kauai is the wettest part of the island, and even the wettest in the whole state. With 460 inches rainfall annually, it is one of the wettest places on the planet. This rainfall nourishes the beautiful valleys and forests that the island is best known for. Because of all the natural beauty found on this island, it has been the location or inspiration for several movies, such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Lili & Stich, Jurassic Park and King Kong.

Kauai Vacation Activities

While visiting the island, you can view its beautiful from the sky by taking a helicopter tour. By doing this, you will be to take in all of Hawaii’s natural gifts. Another way you can do this is by golfing on the many golf courses which have been designed with the landscape in mind. You can also hike around the Napali Coastline, a favorite destination for adventurous vacationers.

Another activity you must do is venture through the island’s waters. This includes the Wailua River, the largest navigable waterway in Hawaii. You could also rent kayaks and canoes to explore the river or take a river cruise. If you take the river cruise, you have the option of hiking into a fern grotto where you can be serenaded by wonderful musicians. Kauai is also a popular wedding destination, and has many experienced coordinators that can help you plan your romantic celebration.

In contrast to the northern part of Kauai, the southern area is sunnier and has many more beaches to choose from. In fact, the Travel Channel voted the southern coast’s Poipu Beach as one of America’s best beaches. Many visitors surf, swim, and snorkel here, and have fast access to golf courses in the area. You will not find much of a night life in Kauai, but the tranquility and peace found here will help you rejuvenate your mind and body. 30 minutes from Poipu is Waimea Canyon, a distinctively red 10-mile long expanse on this island in the Pacific.

Kauai Vacation Rentals

Of course, to explore this place, you will need a place to stay. While there are many Kauai hotels available, you may find your wants geared towards a privately owned vacation rental home. In these you will find fully equipped kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and even private swimming pools or Jacuzzis, amenities not found in hotels. Before booking a hotel, examine Kauai vacation rentals that accommodate your family. You may even find the vacation rental you have been dreaming of.

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26
Aug

Bringing Perfection to Pac-Rim Cuisine

Posted in Food  by
sam choy's chorizo
Image by chotda via Flickr

Hawaii has been exposed to the cooking of restaurateur and television personality Sam Choy for several years, thanks to the cooking shows and restaurants with his name in Honolulu.  Known as one of the founding contributors to the cooking style known as “Pacific Rim Fusion,” Sam Choy began work as a chef in New York before returning to Hawaii and opening his own chain of restaurants.  Besides his self- titled show on local channel KHNL, he has also appeared on a number of national shows, including a slew of appearances on Food Network’s “Ready Set Cook” and “Iron Chef America.”

Recently, Sam Choy was designated as a regional cuisine expert at American Airlines where he designs Hawaiian-inspired dishes for the airlines’ first class passengers to and from Hawaii.  The tastes of his cooking first appeared on United Airlines before American Airlines signed him in early 2000.  Besides a number of books that he has written himself, Sam Choy operates a number of restaurants, most notably flagships in Honolulu and Guam.  More recently, Sam Choy opened the Big Aloha Brewery that creates a unique line of beers sold across the country.  The brewery is actually open to the public as part of his Breakfast, Lunch, and Crab Restaurant in Honolulu.

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