For those of you who are wishing, darn, I wish she'd get back to Sacramento real estate and stop blogging about the sun, beaches, wildlife, food and entertainment in Hawaii, today is not that day. But tomorrow will be. I am heading to the Maui airport this morning to catch a noon flight direct to Sacramento. I've been in Hawaii since December 1st. It's been a long winter wor-cation. Because I've done both. Work and vacation, although working for me is mostly very pleasurable, so it seems awful to call selling real estate "work." Especially when I'm gazing at the ocean.Further, our full moon early Friday created super high waves in Ka'anapali, crashing and thundering. Studying them, I put two and two together and discovered something new about waves. You can read more in my personal blog... 01/14/2017

This bird is a type of partridge called a Gray Francolin. I noticed it because it was screaming bloody murder at the top of a fence post along the Ka'anapali Beach Walk trail that passes between the ocean and the Ka'anapali Golf Course. When I stopped to observe it, I noticed a group of Gray Francolins wandering about below the fence.As many times as I have visited Hawaii, I've never noticed this bird before. But it's sorta like when you spot a new make of automobile on the freeway or worse, you buy such a unique vehicle, and then it's ubiquitous. You can't get away from it. When I returned to my hotel, I found another on the bench and got better photos of that one.Along the walk, I visited the Sheraton Black Rock, the Ka'anapali Golf Course, some sort of water diversion with lava rocks... 01/13/2017

My travel agent put together some sort of "island romance" package for my vacation from my vacation in Hawaii. It was meant for 2 people because the travel company cannot seem to fathom that one person might stay at the hotel. I mean, who in her right mind goes to Maui for several weeks by herself? Only a crazy person would do that, right?Which meant that all the coupons for extra goodies were for two people. Did I get two of each of those things, though? No, I didn't even get two massages. That just didn't seem financially correct. However, the guys on the Maui cruise did offer me two prime rib dinners. What do I look like? A horse?You can read more and see the tons of photos I shot in my personal blog today at this link: Maui Princess Sunset Dinner Cruise from Lahaina Entertains. 01/12/2017

                                                             Honua Kai Resort and SpaHonua Kai Resort and Spa Kaanapali MauiHonua Kai Resort and Spa is the perfect island getaway.  Located on the oceanfront property in Kaanapali Beach.  Treat yourself to a relaxed tropical environment within the development. Meander through the pool area and enjoy the rich Hawaiian sun.If you're looking at purchasing a condo in Kaanapali, Honua Kai is the newest oceanfront condos for sale in Kaanapali Maui.  What is so excellent about this development is that you can vacation rent your own unit, or have it manage by on-site management firm with front desk service. Each unit features custom cabinets with granite counter tops.  The inner court offers excellent ocean views.  If you're looking for investmen... 01/09/2017

I struggled with the headline of my new blog below about birds in Maui because I didn't want readers to think the birds were dead. Then I decided that was a creepy interpretation and people aren't that stupid. But you can't under-estimate the stupidity of other people. There are a lot of stupid people in the world. On top of this, sometimes people are not always paying attention to life or even thinking so much as reacting -- I blame an overflow of technology and information coming at them from all places to the point people shut down -- and then they come across as stupid when they're just non-observant or not really here in the present. So I decided to leave my headline alone and not alter it. You can read more and see all of the photographs I shot in my personal blog today at this li... 01/09/2017

It seems that if I crave a truly exceptional dining experience, I will need to drive 3 miles into Lahaina as my restaurant options are somewhat limited here in Ka'anapali. On the one hand, I really like the idea of walking out of the back door of my hotel, finding myself on the beachwalk, and knowing whether I hang a left or a right, I can walk to a different restaurant every night.On the other hand, so do a million other couples and their families who are vacationing in hotels and condo residences in the area. And it seems their standards are easily satisfied because, hey, we're in Maui. It's not snowing. How bad can it be? In a way it saddens me that I've developed different expectations over the years and can't go back to the way it was when I first visited the island.Don't get me wr... 01/08/2017

The meal presented to me at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel (above) looked like something my mother made for dinner in the 1950s. Not that there is anything wrong with home cooking and comfort food, but it's not exactly what I had in mind when I wanted to splurge on an upscale meal. Since I'm on my wor-cation in Maui on Ka'anapali Beach, I figure I can go anywhere I want, why not try to the Westin or the Sheraton?Besides, there is a shopping village here called Whaler's Village. You can catch a shuttle bus for $2.00 into Lahaina and go to another shopping village, if shopping is your thing. Or catch a movie in Lahaina, or a sunset dinner cruise, both of which I might do. You can read more about that day and see all the photos in my personal blog at this link: You Wanna Stay Outta Whaler's Vi... 01/06/2017

When people ask me how many times I've been to Hawaii, it seems like an odd question because I don't really know. My first trip was 1978. But I do recall the first trip I made to Maui with my husband. At least I thought I did. I seem to remember making the trip with him from Minneapolis but he assured me no, we definitely flew from Sacramento one winter.A quick check of my computer for photos showed yes, indeed, it was 2004. The hotel we stayed at had a bar on the beach, and we drank Mai Tais while wiggling our toes in the sand, watching the sun go down in a burning ball of blaze. It was a magical 3 days. The last time I was in Maui was in 2014, and I took a limo to The Fairmont in Waimea with my team member Barbara Dow. We enjoyed a suite on the top floor, oceanfront; we shopped, dined... 01/04/2017

Take a look at the great selection of new listings in the West Maui area, as featured on the Realtor Caravan for December 7, 2016, in Lahaina Maui.  View the gallery of West Maui properties for sale here. Each month we Realtors get to preview the new listings as they come on the market and this time it was a wide range of: 11 properties priced from $134,900 to $6,995,000 Kapalua, Kaanapali and Napili Beautiful oceanfront and beachfront holiday condos such as Honua Kai.  Multi-million dollar luxury homes with pools and views.  It's all happening right now and they're all for sale! E-mail or call/text: 808 283-0635 Cheapest = Napili Ridge 1Bed/1Bath vacation condo. $134,900 Leasehold. Most expensive = Plantation Club Drive luxury home on 2 acres, overlooking the Kapalua Plantation Course.... 12/13/2016

Maui Real Estate News and UpdatesHighlights of Maui Real Estate Listings and Updates for the first week of December, 2016By Courtney M. Brown, R(S) Island Sotheby's International RealtyThe View from Kaanapali Alii 4-1002, Kaanapali, Maui This weeks posts include an overview of how Maui County defines a short term or Transient Vacation Rental (TVR), and how short term rentals are handled in some of Maui's residential and apartment districts, as well as an update on Alaeloa specifically relating to rentals.  The county of Maui has just issued a new ordinance to specifically address short term or TVR rentals at Alaeloa, a popular West Maui destination in Napili.  Additionally, I am pleased to introduce our newest addition to our Listing Portfolio, Kaanapali Alii 4-1002, an updated ocean vi... 12/11/2016

Maui Escape Rooms in Lahaina is a fun activity you can do with the whole family.You may have heard of this type of activity on the mainland, but it's a first for Maui. They have 2 themes for the rooms, one is Jail Break, and the other is Bank Heist.  A third room is being prepared for December with a Christmas theme.  More variations will be coming soon.Most people aren't trying to escape from any rooms on Maui, but this is a good escape for a rainy day if you don't want to be stuck in a condo or hotel.  Search for Maui condos for sale here.The concept is that you're "locked" in a room and have to find the clues to escape.  Clues can be found as you progress, and you have to get creative to find some of them.  It's definitely a teamwork experience and everyone gets to try their hand at ... 11/28/2016

Kaanapali Alii Oceanfront Condos in Kaanapali ResortI have been working with my clients for two months looking for the perfect investment property. We spent a lot of time at Kaanapali Alii oceanfront development. Then again we look all over Maui from homes and condos in Wailea, to Kaanapali Resort.It really came down to two different developments in Kaanapali Maui. Honua Kai Resort and Spa is an excellent oceanfront development. We were looking at a couple beautiful units, but this exceptional unit came on the market at kaanapali Alii. It was the perfect location in the Alii, panoramic ocean views, overlooking Kaanapali Beach.So we started writing offers back and forth and finally agreed upon a very good price. I closed this unit last week at $1,950,000, which was an excellent buy for m... 09/30/2016

Access to West Maui beaches is getting easier with an online database that will be an ongoing project.  Recent attention on this matter has caused the County of Maui to get serious about enforcing public parking spots at the resorts.  Time limits on the public parking zones are also not legal, though some resorts post signs stating the time limits.Kaanapali Shores ResortRead the Maui Time article about how this unfolded this spring.A group called the HK West Maui Community Fund has been formed to create the online database, and they're asking for the public's help to provide more documents that might be stored with home owners.Papakea ResortHere's the website that is compiling the West Maui shoreline access database.In Hawaii all the beaches and shoreline are for public use and there ar... 09/10/2016

Kapalua Mid Year Real Estate Market UpdateKapalua is one of Maui's most desirable destinations.  Home to two award-winning flagship hotels, the Montage Kapalua Bay Hotel and Residences and the Ritz-Carlton® Hotel and Residences, Kapalua, the resort offers a variety of real estate opportunities including homes, land, condominium residences, and luxury 1/12 fractional ownership.The Mid-Year market update details active listings, pending sales, and compares sales through the second quarter of 2016 with those of 2015.Read the full Kapalua Market Update here.  08/18/2016

The Sophie Swim event in Kaanapali Maui kicks off this year on Sunday August 28, 2016, from 7 - 10 am.This fun event is for anyone 12 and older, in memory of Sophie DeLoria.  It's an open water 2 kilometer swim from Kahekili Beach Park to Black Rock and back.  It's a charitable event for the whole family to enjoy and participate in.  Prizes will be awarded to winners and runners up. Categories and age groups, with or without swim fins are separate:Youths 12-14; Youths 15-17; Adults 18-20; Adults 21-25; Adults 26-30; Adults 31-35; Adults 36-40; Adults 41-45; Adults 46-50; Adults 51-55; Adults 56-60; Adults 61-65; Adults 66-70; Adults 71 and older You can sign up online at https://flpregister.com/226Don't miss this opportunity to attend the first ever Sophie Swim event on Maui!Search the ... 08/03/2016

Tropical trees in Olowalu Maui Hawaii come in all shapes and sizes. Here's a few pictures to show you what I mean.Entering the subdivision of Olowalu Mauka on Maui's West side.Along the shoreline in Olowalu Maui Hawaii.Coconut palms on a sandy beach always look so beautiful.Olowalu Mauka shade trees - can you see the little flying camera above the tree?Are you looking to buy a home or land on the West side of Maui? Search the West Maui MLS right here.Thanks for reading my Maui blog...Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers127 Hana Hwy. #G, Paia HI 96779E-mail or call/text: 808 283-0635 07/21/2016

I just recently had the privelege in representing a wonderful family from Washingston State on their purchase of a one bedroom partial ocean view Konea #710 at the Honua Kai Resort and Spa. This was literally a dream come true for Alex and Melissa Silva who have been visiting Honua Kai for a number of years and are thrilled to now call themselves homeowners. The ocean view from the top floor location at Konea #710 at Honua Kai. The Silva's purchaed the property based off of my blog series at Honua Kai which I started in 2011. HonuaKaiBlog.com As we got a bit closer to pulling the trigger, I shot a number of personal property videos which I have done for many clients including my most recent escrow of another Honua Kai property- Hokulani #214 listed at $699,000.  The Silva's Zillow Revie... 05/12/2016

Love your Honua Kai life from the ocean view 3 bedroom/3bath suite Hokulani #729 which was just listed for $2,435,000. Hokulani #729  is distinguished by its 7th. floor inner courtyard location, refined finishes (granite, travertine, Viking appliances),  and onobstructed ocean, outer island, inner courtyard, and sunset views. Its strong rental income will fill the appetite of investors looking for a strong ROI. Honua Kai is literally a world class resort and a perfect home away from home. This property is perfect for larger groups of families who want to travel together and spend their time in the sun in sumptuos accomdations all under the same roof. Honua Kai Hokulani #729 | 1,600 sq.ft. living + 240 sq.ft. lanai | 3BR / 3BA | $2,435,000| (MLS# 368995)Situated on the preferred location... 04/18/2016

For those looking to secure a property at the entry level of the price spectrum at Ka’anapali’s finest beachfront resort, The Honua Kai Resort and Spa, look no further than Hokulani #928 a one bedroom mountain view suite. This property is distinguished by its 9th. floor location, refined finishes, stunning views of the lush West Maui Mountains and very strong rental income which will fill the appetite of investors looking for a strong ROI. Honua Kai is literally a world class resort and a perfect home away from home. What to Know About Hokulani #928  Hokulani928.com | 620 sq.ft. living + 165 sq.ft. lanai | 1BR / 1BA | $759,000 | (MLS# 368864)Honua Kai rental income revenues are some of the highest in all of Hawai‘i.The seller of this property has provided the below figures to me. Please... 04/18/2016

Olowalu Maui HI Olowalu is an oceanfront community on Maui with a historically significant shoreline of sandy and rocky beaches.  All of the beaches in Hawaii are public access and it's common to see people beachcombing or fishing, even camping out by the water.  Beachfront properties sell at a premium and you can see why.The coral reef off shore is known as one of the healthiest on the island and it's home to black tip reef sharks and manta rays.  Snorkeling the reef is a popular activity for Maui visitors and residents.Olowalu was an agricultural area in ancient times when sandalwood forests covered the higher elevations. Hawaiians used to farm taro and sweet potatoes, among other crops, in the irrigated lowlands.  In more recent times, sugar cane dominated the landscape until it beca... 04/17/2016