Maui Named Best Island in the World...Again! The Readers of Conde Naste Traveler once again named Maui the best island in the world in the 2009 Reader's Choice Awards poll. Maui also was awarded the title of "Best Pacific Island", and several Maui resorts were among the favorites in the category of Top Hawaii Resorts, including the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua at #14.  Readers evaluate the activities,  atmosphere/ambiance, beaches, friendliness, lodging, restaurants, and scenery that the islands have to offer when making their selections.  Maui has long been referred to as "No Ka Oi" (or the best), by visitors and kama'aina alike for its incredible beaches, gorgeous resorts, charming towns, gourmet dining, and fabulous local residents.  Maui's beaches often win accolades from other publication... 10/18/2009

Kapalua's Bay Course Offered for Sale Kapalua Resort's much loved Bay Course is now formally offered through CB Richard Ellis' Golf and Resort Properties division (www.cbregolf.com).  Designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane, the Bay Course opened in 1972.  Since that time, this trophy golf course has become one of Maui's most popular courses.  Players enjoy the ease of play on the par 72 course, along with stunning views.  In 2008, the course was home to Kapalua LPGA Classic.  At the clubhouse, you'll find the Pineapple Grill, one of West Maui's most popular restaurants, and the Kapalua Tennis Gardens, operated by Peter Burwash International. There are several resort communities nestled along the Bay Course, including the Golf Villas, the Ridge Villas, the Ironwoods, Pineapple Hill,... 10/18/2009

Kapalua Maui: SBS Championship Tickets Now Available Tickets are now on sale for the PGA Tour's Season Opening SBS Championship.  Formerly the Mercedes-Benz Championship, this invitation only tournament will take place from January 4-10, 2010.  What makes the tournament so special is the accessibility-you can follow your favorite players, with a fantastic view of the Kapalua Resort as the backdrop.  Special savings are available if you purchase early: ask about the New Weekender Package, which includes 2 Saturday tickets, 2 Sunday tickets, 4 lunch coupons and a 15% merchandise discount.  For more information on SBS Championship tickets, please visit: www.kapalua.com For those of you that want to get into the mix, and play with a professional, a limited number of Pro-Am spots are availab... 10/15/2009

Kapalua Spa: October is Pick Your Passion This month, the new Kapalua Spa lets you "Pick your Passion", offering two incredible treatment specials: For massage fans, there's the Kapalua Experience Massage.  This is a custom massage to soothe muscle tension and promote relaxation.  For facialistas, the Kapalua Experience Facial is a customized facial using the highest quality blend of ingredients inspired by the sea. Priced at $115 for 50 minutes*.  Included with any treatment or package, guests will receive two complimentary facility passes, which are valued at $110.  This is a great way to experience the lifestyle of the Kapalua Resort, and it's relaxation rooms, sauna, steam, whirlpools, rain showers, and infinity saline lap pool.  Or spend the afternoon poolside on the sun-deck, just... 10/14/2009

Kapalua, Maui: Honolua Ridge Market Update There is no other resort area in Hawaii like Kapalua.  Offering everything from oceanfront to mountainside living, the resort spans approximately 23,000 acres.  Designed with maximizing the natural beauty of the surrounding acreage, approximately 10% or 2300 acres is slated for development in this master planned community. Honolua Ridge, which has been annexed in to Kapalua's famed Plantation Estates, is the newest agricultural community within the resort.   Initially sold in two phases of 50 lots each, the first phase of Honolua Ridge sold in 2004.  The second phase was released in 2005.  All but one developer lot has been sold (Home site #24 is still available as of this posting--nearly 25 acres).  Home sites range from approximately 3 to 30... 10/14/2009

Although inventory is at a all time high, the number of escrows currently opened on Maui is slowly but surely going up. There are 406 escrows opened as of today, Sat 10/10/09. Given the fact that 16 sales took place in the past few days, it means that 21 escrows alone were opened in the last two days! Just for reference, July to December 2008, on average only two escrows were opened daily, while the total number of escrows opened at all times ranged in the mid 200's. A lot of those escrows were actually developer units that were still under construction, like Honua Kai, Opukea or West Maui Brakers. 86 escrows , that is 21.1% of the total number of escrows currently opened are short sales. 59 escrows (14.1%) are bank owned properties. This means that the remaing 64.8% of escrows are very... 10/10/2009

Kapalua Resort dips their toe in the sea of social media! If you've been to Kapalua, you are undoubtably a fan.  White sand beaches, miles of hiking trails, the incredible Ritz-Carlton, and outstanding dining are just a few of my favorite things.  Having grown up here on Maui, having been to nearly every corner of the island, Kapalua is truly a special place. Recently the Kapalua Resort went mobile, and you can receive special offers and updates on the resort.  Now you can follow Kapalua on twitter at http://twitter.com/kapaluaresort, and become a fan on facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kapalua-Resort/35420366633, for even more insider tips and special offerings. If you'd like, you can even become a fan of mine (and I hope you will!):   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kapalua-HI/Lu... 10/08/2009

Fair Warning Foreclosures on the Island of Maui Hoapili Hale on the courthouse steps. I was one minute late today and thats all it took in that one minute 108 Pua Niu Way was foreclosed upon by the lien holder at 1.7 million doallrs.    By pulling the tax records it looks like this product was around five acres that had been subdivided or put in to a residential condominium regime. Times are tough on folks and this one was taken back after 100's of thousands of dollars pored into it. Too Bad for those hard working folks, Next time around the new owner is going to make all the profits.    Jeffery B. Griffin Realtor® GRI ABR e-Pro Lucky We Live Hawaii 808-280-3442 cell 808-244-4000 Hawaii MLS LuckyComeHawaii@yahoo.com Kama'aina Properties Inc 2008 Main Street Wailuku, HI 96793 10/07/2009

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Kapalua Bay: Rentals Now Available Where can I find a rental at the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Kapalua Bay?  I've noticed that this is one of the most searched topics on my website, so I thought I'd look into it.   As Kapalua's (and Maui's) newest luxury condominium community, the Residences just opened this summer.  With stunning views of Molokai and one of Maui's loveliest beaches, these three and four bedroom residences are bound to be sought after vacation rentals. At the time of this posting, only one company has gone through the vetting process required by the Homeowner's Association, and is now managing rentals at the Residences:  Tropical Villa Vacations. www.tropicalvillavacations.com  They have posted several pictures of the villa that they are curre... 10/04/2009

Fair Waring Thursday October 1st 2009 Foreclosures on the island of Maui Hawaii Hoapili Hale Court House Just the HOA of Hale Ono Loa 3823 lower Honoapiilani Road starting the foreclosure process on two condominiums; unit number 314 and unit number 404  There were four other postponements.   Article #3 Standard of Practice 3-7 When seeking information from another REALTOR® concerning property under a management or listing agreement, REALTORS® shall disclose their REALTOR® status and whether their interest is personal or on behalf of a client and, if on behalf of a client, their representational status. (Amended 1/95)   I had the experience of a gentleman asking me multiple questions today at the foreclosure auction, I had asked him what he does for a living (he never ever said he was a ... 10/01/2009

I missed writing Part 3 of my adventures last week, so this will be a combination of part 3 & 4. What I have learned from the 30-day plan is to be more organized, set a plan, stick to it, contact lots of people, be pro-active. I did not contact 400 people for the month. That was next to impossible. I did however pick up one listing and I have a condo in escrow. I am also working on some farming mail-outs. I had an interesting weekend. On Saturday I was on floor duty. It was a quiet morning. No walk-ins. I heard a noise out in the parking lot sounding like a bird, but this wasn't a bird. I was convinced it is a kitten or cat in distress. I paced the parking lot for 10 minutes and each time I thought I got close to the sound it would stop. I was on my hands and knees looking under cars, i... 09/28/2009

The Kapalua Club's private Beach Club is one of my favorite places to spend a sunny day off.  From the saline infinity edge pool and hot tub, to the lounge chairs overlooking Kapalua Bay, there is no prettier spot to relax.  Sunsets have been spectacular lately, and I find myself wandering down there to take in the sunset after work each day. Open exclusively to Kapalua Club Members and owners at the Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay, the Beach Club restaurant serves light meals and appetizers, as well cocktails.  The Beach Club is currently running the following specials: Happy Hour: 3-5 Every Day--enjoy discounts on food and drinksWine Night: 3-5 Tuesdays--special discounts on bottles and wines by the glassGolf Receipt Special: Every Day--bring in a receipt from Golf playe... 09/27/2009

Kapalua Resort: 124 Acre Parcel Closes Escrow Today, the Kapalua Land Company closes on the Mahana Estates for $10,000,000.  The 124 acre parcel is located between the Plantation Estates and the Village Course Walking Trails.  This large acreage is intended for further subdivision into 51 residential home sites.  Situated just across from the ocean and extending high up the mountain side, the views from Mahana Estates are spectacular and quite varied.  The sale of Mahana Estates is the first vacant land sale to record in the Kapalua Resort this year. 09/23/2009

For over a decade, the Maui's Kapalua Resort has been known for hosting the season-opening event of the PGA TOUR.  This year, the resort welcomes Seoul Broadcasting Systems as the new sponsor, replacing Mercedes-Benz.  The SBS Championship will be played on one of Maui's finest and most challenging golf courses, the Plantation Course.  The tournament is scheduled for the week of January 4-10, 2010.  In order to be eligible, the PGA touring professional must have won a tournament the previous year.  Approximately 34 players will be competing for their share of the $5.6 million purse. Tickets are now on sale, or you can be a part of the tournament, playing alongside some of golf's best.  A limited number of SBS Championship Pro-Am spots are still available.   For PRO-AM information, visi... 09/20/2009

Kapalua Goes Mobile! How cool is this?  You can now get insider tips, special offers and alerts as to what's going on in Maui's most beautiful resort.  Text Kapalua Offers to 32862 or join at http://mobile.kapalua.com/kapalua/register I did!  My first notice gave me a great deal at the Kapalua Resort's Online Logo Shop.  You can also find Kapalua on Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.  One of my favorite ways to keep updated on the resort is on the resort's blog: www.kapaluanews.com  Specials for the Villas, Ziplines, and Events are posted here.   09/15/2009

Kapalua Spa September Special Each month, the brand new Kapalua Spa offers locals, visitors, and members alike special pricing on a treatment.  Since opening, past specials have included a facial, and a massage. This month, the Kapalua Spa is offering a Spa Sampler.  This heavenly array of treatments includes 25 minutes of each: Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage Refreshing Facial Manicure Before or after your treatment, take advantage of the saline pool, the relaxation gardens, fitness center, and more. The cost is $205, which includes gratuity.  You may add a 45 minute pedicure for an additional $45. This offer ends on 9/30/09 and cannot be combined with any other offer.  For more information, call 808-665-8282 or visit www.kapalua.com 09/15/2009

Kapalua Resort: A Market Update While sales in the Kapalua Resort market have been slower than in years past, it's noteworthy that the market is showing signs of improvement over the past month.  In fact, there are currently six escrows reported in MLS: Golf Villa, 2B/2B, $658,000, Original Condition Golf Villa, 2B/2B, $750,000, Original Condition Ridge Villa, 1B/2B, $899,900, Renovated Bay Villa, 1B/1B, $799,000,  Gold Oceanview Bay Villa, 1B/1B, $1,395,000,  Gold Oceanfront Pineapple Hill Home, 4B/4.5B, $2,645,000 The majority of the sales are at the lower end pricepoint of the available inventory/view category for each neighborhood.  For example, the Golf Villas, which are typically the lowest buy in to the resort condominium market, have seen the majority of the sales activity, with... 09/15/2009

Changes in the Kapalua, Maui Real Estate Market. The Kapalua Resort has showed an increase in market activity with two new pending sales this past week: Newly pending are Ridge Villa 1511, listed at $899,900, and 1000 Sunset in Pineapple Hill, listed at $2,645,000.  These two escrows join two others from August: My listing at Kapalua's Bay Villa 23G2, listed at $1,395,000, and Golf Villa 26P1-2, listed at $750,000.  The sale of 1511 will be the first at the Ridge Villas in over a year.  As there have not been comparable sales in that time, this should be a helpful marker of the current values at the Ridge Villas.  There have been four sales at the Golf Villas, and one at the Bay Villas.   The Ironwoods and Coconut Grove have yet to see an escrow in 2009. There have been several sales si... 09/10/2009

My Hanai Grand Mother Florence Hasegawa has been on twitter for about 2 months now, she's 101 years old, still lives alone and cooks for her self. She's very capable of taking care of her self. I spend Sundays with her and take advantage of that time to ask her questions, ask for advise and just savor the knowledge that a person of this age will have to share with us all.    Grand Ma Florence has now made the Honolulu Examiner.      http://twitter.com/GrandmaFlorence @GrandmaFlorence on Twittwer So if your on twitter follow Grand Ma she is pure and truthful, she wont beat around the bush with you or anyone else.    She lives in a big Plantation house on the west side of Maui, the house was built by her husband it is a mix of plantation era and french design, a big stone porch (Lanai) Th... 09/10/2009

Saturday, September 5, 2009 Part 2 Day 6 of the Up & Running 30-day plan. I began the week with a positive attitude. This program can change my life, my career, my way of doing business day-to-day. Had a monkey wrench thrown into my first two days with some unexpected meetings and phone calls. This set me back but I truck on. Part of the plan is to call or personally visit 400 people each month. This is supposed to return 8 qualifying appointments that will result in 8 showings that will result in 1 sale. From the listing perspective 400 contacts a month will result in 4 Seller-qualifying appointments that will lead to 1 qualified listing which will sell in normal market time. 400 contacts a month? Wow. Very overwhelming. I realized that the author of this book is on the mainland (the c... 09/05/2009