The Kapalua Spa is absolutely stunning.  I had the opportunity to preview it with the Kapalua Club, and am thrilled with the newest amenity in our resort.  Entering the building, you are greeted with a view overlooking the Coconut Grove and Kapalua Bay.  Waterfall features and fire bowls frame the view.  To the left is the juice bar and gift shop (already stocked with jewelry, skincare and spa products!) and the flex room (for those looking forward to yoga classes).  To the right are the treatment rooms.  Downstairs you'll find the fitness center (complete with a kenesis circuit system), the saline lap pool, and the men's and women's locker rooms.  You'll note the theme of the ocean woven throughout the decor and reflected in the treatments. At this time, Kapalua Club Gold level members... 06/17/2009

On September 1st of 2008 Skip Potts, my son, began his walk across America for People for Educational Equality (PFEE).  The aim of PFEE is to bring awareness, resources and support to under performing, underfunded schools.  Skip's trek took him down the eastern seaboard to Florida and across the south through Texas and the desert southwest.  He ended at the Santa Monica Pier yesterday, June 6 where the event was covered by ABC.  Along the way Skip had the opportunity to stop and speak to students at a number of schools about the doors and opportunities education can open.  He was met with kindness and generosity throughout country.  To learn more about the walk and PFEE, visit http://www.pfee.org/.  And feel free to make a donation to support education. Lee Potts 808-276-8776 06/07/2009

At the beginning of each year, the Kapalua Resort hosts a tournament champions in the first PGA event of the season.  In years past, this invitation only tournament was the Mercedes-Benz Championship.  This year, the new sponsor is SBS.  Played at the Plantation Course, it is a fantastic spectator tournament--as long as you can walk the hills and valleys, you can follow your favorite PGA professional closely.  While walking the par 73, Crenshaw and Coore designed course is challenging, the backdrop is spectacular. A friend sent this ESPN profile to me because it mentions Kapalua.  I wanted to share it with you.  Whether you are a golfer or not, it's an inspirational story, about having the determination to pick yourself up even after you fall. http://vodpod.com/watch/1165857-walk-on-esp... 06/01/2009

Last night, the Ritz-Carlton Club, Kapalua Bay welcomed its first guests.  While I'd been on several construction tours over the past few years, I took the opportunity to walk through the property last night, seeing it all for the first time.  Flowing rivers line the walkway to the lobby, and the sound of waterfalls greet you.  As I entered, I was struck by the view that captures the best of Kapalua: a tropical landscape, leading to Kapalua Bay, framed by the neighboring islands of Molokai and Lanai. As I walked through the meandering pool area, I passed over bridges, waterfalls and grottos.  The first guests were sitting at the outdoor pool bar, watching the sunset and clearly enjoying being the first to experience the Kapalua Resort's newest luxury community. The wholly owned Ritz-Car... 05/31/2009

The roots of the Kapalua Resort are in agriculture--even the Kapalua Logo pays homage to the history of the resort, with a pineapple in the center of the butterfly.  In the past, diverse crops such as pineapple and coffee were grown here.   DT Flemming started Maunalei Arboretum to see what imported species would do well in Hawaii's environment. These days, the focus of Kapalua Farms is growing fresh, organic fare that is used in the resort's many restaurants and is available at the Honolua Store, as well as other locations island wide.  In that effort, Kapalua Farms is pleased to announce recent organic certification of its vegetable and herb operation by the Hawai‘i Organic Farmers Association (HOFA).  Kapalua Farms is located on approximately 188 acres near the resort (a portion of i... 05/29/2009

The Realtor's Association of Maui has posted the April 2009 sales statistics for the island.  It is noted that inventory is shrinking overall, but there is an increase in short sales and REO (bank owned) properties.  New categories have been added to the MLS system to help consumers more readily identify a distressed sale (a potential short sale) or an REO.  All new listings must contain information (Y/N) for these two new fields.  I'm often asked how the current economy has affected our market.  With a general slowing in sales, and resulting lack of comparables, it can be hard to assess declines in valuation.  It is noteworthy that in the Kapalua Resort, there has been one REO to close this year, 406 Monarch in Pineapple Hill at $1.7 million.  In addition, there is one potential short ... 05/24/2009

Last month, a Seller at the Ridge Villas made news in the Kapalua Resort market when their Ridge Villa was listed at $495,000 in MLS.  The one-bedroom, fairway view property had previously been listed at $825,000 and $785,000.  On the face of it, it looked like a phenomenal deal--the next lowest priced listing was at $740,000 and the four most recent one bedroom sales averaged $1,040,000.  But the listing was actually an auction, and $495,000 was the opening bid only.  In speaking with the listing agent, it was explained that the Seller actually had a reserve price, which would not be made public.  If it was not met, the Seller would not move forward with the sale. The auction ended on May 15th and the listing quietly expired.  I followed up with the listing agent, who explained that th... 05/19/2009

I am thrilled to announce that you can now purchase note cards of Maui artist Sarah Howard's artwork at the Honolua Store in Kapalua.  As you may know, Sarah is my favorite Maui artist (she is, after all, my mother).  Her artwork includes florals and scenes of Maui.  Her paintings are featured at Hale Zen and Maui Hands Galleries.  For more information, please visit www.SarahKHoward.com 05/18/2009

Driving home last night, I was thrilled to see treadmills in the window of the new Kapalua Spa fitness center.  Normally, this is not my reaction when it comes to seeing exercise equipment, however, the Kapalua Spa promises to be one of the most beautiful wellness centers on the island.    Scheduled to open in Mid-June, I and other Kapalua Club members have been eagerly awaiting the addition of this new amenity.  At nearly 30,000 square feet, the spa will provide indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a yoga/flex studio, fitness center, saline pool, and more. The Kapalua Spa is adjacent to the new Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, the latest luxury development in Maui.  The Ritz-Carlton Club will open its doors to guests on May 31st, and we should see the first closings of the whole owners... 05/16/2009

It was announced Friday that Maui Land and Pineapple CEO, Rob Webber, has resigned his position.  MLP is the parent company of the Kapalua Resort.  Webber joined MLP in May of 2006, as CFO and Senior VP of Business Development.  On January 1, 2009, he was appointed to succeed David Cole in the position of President and CEO by the Board of Directors. MLP has begun an active search for a new CEO.  In the interim, Warren Haruki, the Chairman of the Board has been appointed to the position.  05/16/2009

Pineapple Grill, one of my favorite Kapalua restaurants, will host the Top Young Chef's Dinner on Thursday, June 11th, during the world famous Kapalua Wine and Food Festival.  Cocktails will be served at 6 pm, with dinner to follow at 7 pm. ~First Course~Executive Chef Ben Klein, Mala Ocean TavernFive Spiced Dusted Day Boat Scallops,carrot-ginger emulsion, macadamia nut & orange infused croutons, crème fraiche, vanilla bean brown butter 2006 Morlet Family Vineyards ‘La Proportion Doree', Sonoma County  ~Second Course~Chef de Cuisine Ryan Urig, The Banyan Tree, Ritz Carlton, KapaluaHawaiian Ahi & Kona Kampachi Coconut Ceviche,pickled green papaya salad 2007 Morlet Family Vineyards, ‘Ma Douce' Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2007 Peay Vineyards Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast  ~Third Course~Exe... 05/12/2009

May 22nd and May 23rd The Lahaina Restoration Foundation will hold it's first annual Progressive Dinner.  The event promises to be great fun, providing you with the food from some of Maui's finest restaurants, great wine, and theatrical entertainment, all along with the opportunity to dine in four historic locations.  Some of Maui's most celebrated chefs are participating: Chef Arnaldo Perez of the Pioneer Inn, Executive Chef James McDonald of I'o/Pacific O' fame, Executive Chef Philip Wang of Merriman's Kapalua, Executive Chef Craig Masuda of Hoaloha Catering, and Harold Hardcastle of The Bakery; and eight top resorts and restaurants including Pineapple Grill, The Melting Pot, Lahaina Grill, Take Home Maui, and CJ's Deli, will create a buffet served in the courtyard of the Old Lahaina ... 05/12/2009

The latest update to the Kapalua Resort Newsletterand Market Update is now available online! In it, you'll find updates on The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, the Kapalua Spa, and the new sponsor for the PGA Tour's Mercedes Championship.  The following is an overview of MLS activity in the Kapalua Resort looking back at the month of April: There are a total of 147 active listings in the resort.  Of these listings, 9 were new listings, ranging from a low of $495,000 as a starting price for the Auction of Ridge 2512 to a high of $2,350,000 for a vacant lot in Plantation Estates II. There was one new escrow: Bay Villa 15G1-3, a Gold Program, two bedroom listed at $1,575,000. There was one closing: the bank owned property at 406 Monarch sold at $1,700,000 and has been re listed at $2,300,... 05/12/2009

On  May 1st 2009, the new Home Valuation Code of Conduct came into force, with major consequences on your real estate transaction. Here are the main issues: - appraisals are not ordered directly by the bank or the realtor, but rather through a "clearing house" that uses a roster and a rotation system to decide which appraiser will be completing the appraisal. Even if appraisers have their area of expertise, that expertise wont come into play. - realtors can not communicate with the appraisers. Realtors can not offer information about the property,suggest comparable properties or dispute/question the result of the appraisal. Since sometimes it is hard to find recent sales in a neighborhood,  realtors could help by suggesting comps in areas that may be overlooked otherwise. In the past th... 05/12/2009

  Earlier today, the PGA TOUR, SBS International (Seoul Broadcasting System), and Kapalua Resort made an exciting announcment: SBS International will replace Mercedes-Benz as the title sponsor of the TOUR's season opening tournament through 2019.  SBS will also continue as the exclusive broadcaster of PGA events in Korea for an additional seven years.  SBS is a multimedia group which operates television, radio programming, cable and satellite channels, and has several subsidiaries.  The tournament will be renamed the SBS Championship. When asked about the changeover, Gary Planos, Tournament Chairman, said "the fact that SBS has made a commitment for the next 10 years, not only gives us tremendous continuity, but also the opportunity to institute new ideas to help continue to build and g... 05/07/2009

Pineapple Hill is one of the high end subdivisions in Kapalua, where homes have consistently sold for somewhere around $1,000/sf. 406 Monarch Pl was foreclosed on and listed by the bank at $1,700,000. And of course, it sold right away, since the actual market value is somewhere around $2.3mil. Please click here to see all details on this beautiful home. Well, sure enough the new owner turned around and relisted the property for sale, for $2.3mil the day after closing. Who would have thought that flipping properties is still possible. of course, we will wait and see what this home will sell for first. The good news is that investors and specualtors are back in the market. They see the opportunities and they dont miss them. After all, nobody will appear on the evening news to say: buy now... 05/03/2009

One of my fellow colleagues pointed out the following article that appeared in US Today, on Monday, April 27th, entitled "Maui, Hawaii, home prices still high but falling". Please read the whole article here. Two different experts are quoted in the article, Terry Tolman, the REALTORS Association of Maui chief executive and Byron Gangnes, University of Hawaii economist. While using different words, they  both seem to agree that real estate prices are falling. Which means that prices are going down this very second. During a private coversation with Terry Tolman, he actually said that the article does not reveal the whole story. It makes a headline saying that prices are going down, but failed to also express his opinion that this is a perfect time to buy. Large inventory, sellers with va... 04/29/2009

Back in March, 406 Monarch, a bank owned property, was listed for sale at $1,700,000.  It was snapped up the first day on the market, and closed today at the asking price, "As Is", cash closing, with no seller's disclosures. Today, the property was re-listed at $2,300,000 (MLS 337416).  Asking prices for properties in Pineapple Hill currently start at $1,995,000.   In 2008, there was only one sale, which closed at $2,400,000.  To date, there have been three closings in 2009, with an average closing price of $2,125,000 and a median closing price of $2,325,000. Pineapple Hill is a lovely residential community surrounding the Kapalua Resort's Bay Course.  Many of the gracious residences have lovely ocean and island views.  The homeowner's association takes meticulous care of beautifully la... 04/28/2009

Whenever there is an event in the Kapalua Resort, I immediately run to my blog to let my friends and readers know about it.  This Friday, May 1st, the Kapalua Resort will celebrate May Day.  While people around the world celebrate the beginning of Spring, May Day is truly a special day in Hawaii.  Growing up here, dancing the hula was a pivotal part of my childhood, and on May Day, our elementary school would throw the most wonderful celebrations, with dancing, lei making contests, and mu'umu'u contests.  It was a special occasion, and each year, my mother would take me to Ka'ahumanu Shopping Center to find the dress, and we would stay up the night before making flower lei to give to friends the next day. While I have personal recollections of May Day from childhood, I realized that I d... 04/27/2009

aina nalu Sales Statistics Quarter 1 2009 Jan - Mar 2009 Studio Upstairs 1 bedroom Upstairs Downstairs 2/1 bedroom  Up & Downstairs 2/2 bedroom Upstairs  Downstairs For Sale 1 4 3 4 11 10 Sold 0 0 0 0 0 0  Asking Price High $212,000 $460,000 $465,000 $599,000 $625,000 $609,000  Asking Price Low $212,000 $325,000 $360,000 $455,000 $350,000 $335,000  Median Asking Price  $212,000 $378,500 $399,000 $539,000 $409,000 $472,000  Average Asking Price  $212,000 $385,500 $408,000 $533,000 $466,182 $476,667 Median Sold n/a  n/a  n/a n/a n/a  n/a  Average Sold  n/a  n/a  n/a n/a n/a  n/a  Median for Sale 4/21/09 $212,000 $378,500 $399,000 $589,000 $399,999 $434,000  Average for Sale  4/21/09 $212,000 $378,500 $408,000 $559,000 $440,444  $440,875 Even with 3 short sale listings priced well below or... 04/22/2009