This program was coordinated by Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Designated people walked along the coast line in pre-assigned zones to look and monitor Hawaiian Monk Seal. The island was divided into 37 zones, with a team being assigned to each zone. Equipped with binoculars and cameras, my friend Lori and I monitored the area/beaches between Kapalua Bay and Pohaku Park ( S Turns Park), between 10 am and 1pm. We were not fortunate to see any monk seals, but we did see several turtles. We dont know what the results of the whole event are, but this was a fun day. I will post pictures of monk seals if any will become available, meanwhile, please enjoy these beautiful shots. For more information about this program, please contact Nicole Davis, Maui Marine Mammal R... 10/18/2008

The Kapalua Resort has been hosting a Coffee Hour for Kapalua Resort owners in an effort to provide updates on the Resort and a forum for discussion. The next Kapalua Owner's Coffee Hour will be on Friday, November 7, 2008 at 7:30 a.m at the Kapalua Adventure Center Cafe.  The last Coffee Hour was held at Merrimans, and featured several speakers: Doug Chang and Jenny Ochtera from the Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay explained the vision for the new resort project.  Scheduled to open in April, 2009, this luxury residential property will focus on providing guests and owners with a cultural and historical connection to this place we have all come to know and love. Ryan Churchill, MLP SVP of Corporate Development,provided an update on the Kapalua Spa, which is scheduled to open... 10/18/2008

The Coconut Grove is a small enclave of low rise buildings, nestled on the world famous Kapalua Bay.  Once named "America's Best Beach" by Dr. Beach, Kapalua Bay is a one of my favorite Maui beaches--a perfect crescent of white-sand, protected from large waves, with wonderful reefs for snorkeling.  The Coconut Grove is comprised of just 36 condominium residences in six oceanfront buildings and three oceanview buildings.  Four distinctive three-bedroom floorplans within each building provide a variety of designs and orientations.  Those on the ground floor enjoy private courtyards and outdoor living spaces, and those on the second floor feature spacious lanais.  Regardless of the floorplan, the views of the ocean and the outer islands from these gracious residences are absolutely spectac... 10/15/2008

The Kapalua Golf Academy has been named as one of the Top 25 Golf Schools in America for 2009-2010, by Golf Magazine. Award winners will be featured in the November, 2008 issue.  The dedicated employees of the Kapalua Golf Academy are thrilled to be recognized by one of America's most respected golf publications.  Today, excitement was in the air, as the first annual Kapalua LPGA Classic begins this week.  Driving into the resort, you couldn't help but notice fans watching several of the LPGA players work on their game at the Kapalua Golf Academy practice range.  Tuesday afternoon, the Kapalua Resort's LPGA touring professional, Morgan Pressel will be providing Kapalua Realty clients with an exclusive golf clinic at the Academy.  For more information on the Kapalua Resort and events, pl... 10/13/2008

When you live in Maui, it's easy to take the island's natural beauty for granted.  Driving to the Kapalua Resort each day, I have to remind myself to slow down and take in the view.  The other day, I decided to take my day off and spend it as if I were on vacation.  I used my Kapalua Club card, and spent the day poolside at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.  It was a beautiful, sunny day, and I strolled around the grounds, to take a few photos.  I hope that you enjoy them.  The Poolside Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua A lazy Sunday in Kapalua View of The Ironwoods, Kapalua 10/11/2008

If it's Wednesday, there must be some new real estate deals on Maui.  There are, and they were announced at our west side, Lahaina, real estate caravan. West Maui's best buy on a home is at Kahana Ridge, a nice development in the Kahana area between Lahaina and Kapalua.  This home has great ocean views from the master bedroom upstairs.  There is also a large lanai, a porch or a deck for you mainlanders, which might be a great place to sip a Mai Tai and watch sunset.  It has a large kitchen and a great room downstairs.  It also has a large yard.  And, finally, most importantly, it has a motivated seller and this is NOT a short sale.  The new asking price is $818,000.  Comparable homes have sold recently for $1.1 million plus.  It's MLS 331898, get the details.     In Kapalua, the world f... 10/09/2008

Every Friday night, Merriman's Kapalua is hosting a wine tasting featuring three different sparkling wines for just $20.  Enjoy the sunset as it moves across the water from the newly christened Champagne Point.   Each month on the full moon, the "Werewolf Wine Tasting Club" meets to dine by moonlight.  Light pupus and six different wines are served.  Guest professionals present and discuss the wines.  Cost is $40 per person. Merriman's opened this summer at the site of the beloved Bay Club.  This is truly one of the more spectacular settings in the Kapalua Resort, overlooking Kapalua Bay, with a stunning view of Molokai.  On your next visit to Maui, don't miss this restaurant!   10/08/2008

When in the Kapalua Resort, don't miss the Maunalei Arboretum, which offers a variety of hiking trails.  The Arboretum is nestled high above the resort, and is accessed through the gated communities of the Plantation Estates and Honolua Ridge.  To improve guest experience, the Kapalua Resort has added Richard Snyder to the staff as a Mountain Trail Guide.  He is typically there to meet the shuttle, and to explain the various trail options available:  The Banyan Loop is approximately one mile long, while the Honolua Ridge Trail is nearly 2.5 miles roundtrip.  More adventures hikers will enjoy the Mahana Ridge Trail.  To visit the Arboretum, please contact the Kapalua Adventure Center at 808-665-4FUN for shuttle times.    10/07/2008

Everyone is raving about Pineapple Grill's newest offering: weekend brunch.  Some of the featured menu items include Belgian Waffles with Banana and Macadamia Nut Fosters sauce, Lobster Florentine, and Huevos Rancheros.  Located at the Bay Course Clubhouse at Kapalua, Pineapple Grill is also a favorite spot to stop for cocktails or dinner after 18 holes.  If you happen to be in the resort on a Friday night, stop by--there is a wonderful local musician, Damon Williams, that is worth seeing. 10/07/2008

Maui Real Estate Advisor  Market Overview August   Aug Sales Sales Prior Month % Change Sales Prior Year % Change Homes 65 96 -32% 83 -22% Condos 50 63 -21% 115 -57% Land 3 7 -57% 10 -70%   Aug Median Price Median Prior Month % Change Median Prior Year % Change Homes 625,000 615,000 2% 639,996 -2% Condos 632,500 575,000 10% 592,000 7% Land 425,010 1,025,000 -59% 662,500 -36%   Aug Current Inventory Inventory Last Month % change Months of available inventory Homes 1,092 1,069 2% 11.38 Condos 1,552 1,508 3% 24.63    Sales slower still Get ready for more of the same It seems like the real estate market in most of the US is a buyer's market.  Here on Maui sales of all kinds of property are slow, slow, slow.  But the prices, at least the median prices, remain as solid as this rock in the Pac... 10/06/2008

Kaanapali Land Management Corp. (KLM) last week announced the signing of an extended Property Management Donation and Acceptance Agreement between KLM, West Maui Improvement Foundation Inc. and Newport Hospital Corporation. The agreement supports Newport Hospital Corporation's efforts to build a 25-bed critical access acute care hospital and 40-bed skilled nursing facility on the proposed Ka'anapali 2020 project site in West Maui. 10/04/2008

The Kapalua Adventures Cafe will be hosting "A Taste of Spain" tonight.  Wines of Spain will be featured along with a variety of gourmet tapas.  Don't miss this fun event, which will be held from 5:30-7:30 pm .  Tickets are available at 808-665-3486, 2000 Village Road, Lahaina, HI 96761. Just a note to follow up:  I had the opportunity to attend this event.  It was very enjoyable--the Cafe did an incredbile job with the tapas.  I spoke with the manager, and they plan to host a similar event quarterly. 10/03/2008

Coming back from looking at some Lahaina Maui condos yesterday I stopped and snapped some scenery shots.  You know, it's really hard to take a crappy picture here on Maui.  Here's a couple of nice beach scenes taken just north of the pali tunnel.  click click click.  It actually looked way better in real life, so I would encourage you to come on over and see for yourself.  Hope you like them. Want to see another post with pictures of Lahaina Maui? Aloha from Maui - Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro - (808) 283-0635 - EMAIL - My Maui Website 10/02/2008

It's something I see every day as I drive down Office Road, the main entry to the Kapalua Resort.  The Kapalua Resort's trademark Butterfly logo, a maroon butterfly with a pineapple in the center.  This logo has earned the reputation as a hallmark for luxury and preservation.  It symbolizes the metamorphosis of the pineapple plantation to the the carefully planned resort community that it is today.  09/27/2008

For those looking for a tropical residence, Hawaii offers advantages over non-US options, with stable systems of government and property ownership, high standards of medical care, and currency considerations.  I have long favored Maui, not just because this is where I was born.  I've always appreciated it's diverse geography--in just one day, you can see in the rainforest of Hana, or the desert of Makena, the green pastures of Ulupalakua and the Upcountry areas, visit a small seaside town like Pai'a, or the vast crater of Haleakala.  We have an abundance of shops and restaurants, without the big city stressors of Honolulu, and of course, we have some of the best beaches and golf courses in the world.  Many people come to Maui looking for a second home or primary residence, and there are... 09/27/2008

The sweet real estate deals on Maui include pocket listings at Honua Kai and short sales at aina nalu and other Maui condominiums.  But first, the best of Wednesday's Caravan. A "starter" home at 5 Iris Place, MLS 333326, in Kahana just north of Lahaina.  Only in Maui can a $850,000 be considered a starter.  It is 4 bedrooms and 2 baths in a nice residential community. The ocean view, almost oceanfront, Kapalua Bay Villas condo, MLS 328962, we saw looks like a good long term investment. Kapalua resort is pushing its owners to upgrade to their new "Gold" standard.  The last unit to sell that met the Gold standard sold for $1,300,000.  This unit is listed for $1,049,000 and has a good rental history.  I like Kapalua for a 4 to 5 year investment. The deal of the week is at Honua Kai.  This... 09/26/2008

This Saturday, September 27, 2008, the Kapalua Resort presents Play Golf America Day.  The Kapalua Golf Academy will feature instructional clinics and presentations by world famous master instructors, Jim Flick and Mike Adams.  More than 30 PGA pros will take a break from the 2008 Aloha PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit to give free lessons to the public.  TaylorMade, Titleist, Cobra, Ping and Nike will all have demo presentations as well.  Register online at www.playgolfamerica.com or call the Kapalua Golf Academy at 808-665-5454. For more information on properties available in the Kapalua Resort, including  condominiums, homes and homesites, contact your Kapalua Resort Specialist, Courtney Brown, R(S) Kapalua Realty. 09/25/2008

The Kapalua Resort is lucky to have Silla Kaina here to greet visitors and locals alike, teaching them a little about life in Hawaii.  Silla hosts a series of cultural programs here in the resort that include lei making, hula lessons, lau hala, and history of the area and the plantation.  She teaches on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and visitors come year after year, looking for Silla.  Sometimes, when she's done, we have a few minutes to talk story.  Today, we were talking about the change in the weather, and how it feels like summer has just ended (notably it's about five degrees cooler--that's our change of season!).  In summer, you can smell the arrival of the season--to me, it's a mixture of salt water and plumeria.  Silla told me that, unlike the mainland, which typically has f... 09/24/2008

Today was my last West Maui Caravan serving as West Maui Regional Director for our Realtor's Association of Maui.  During this past year, I have seen a tremendous transformation in this weekly event and in my fellow Realtors.  As we all know, these have been trying economic times, and the real estate market has been affected.  Our weekly caravans have changed from being a forum where we preview  listings and talk about market conditions, to a forum where we still do those things, but we help the community at the same time. Let me explain how:  Each year, the  President of RAM selects a charitable cause for our organization to support.  The Wishing Well began with Sarah Sorenson and her vision to unite Maui public school students with the resources they need to better their education.  S... 09/24/2008

Maui's 23,000 acre Kapalua Resort is currently home to seven condominium communities and four residential communities.  While they all share in the resort's extensive amenities, each community has it's own unique character and charm.  Today I'd like to focus the spotlight on the Kapalua Bay Villas, which are one of Maui's lovieliest oceanfront communities.  These low rise condominium residences are nestled on 16.5 oceanfront acres, perched on the rocky cliffs above the white sand beach of Oneloa Bay.  Each of the 27 buildings is home to one and two bedroom floorplans, many with spectacular ocean and island views.  There are a variety of options to suit your needs: from one and two bedroom townhome style floorplans to single level living.  Residences range from approximately 1200 to 2000... 09/23/2008