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Royal Kahana
Thanksgiving 2019
Hau'oli La Ho'omaika'i
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 Long before the Puritans went sailing to Plymouth Rock, "Makahiki"
was a Hawaiian harvest celebration that ran from November thru February. Fast forward to 1849. In an effort to strengthen relations between Hawaii and America, King Kamehameha III declared December 31st a national holiday of Thanksgiving. Why not November? Well, Hawaii already had a holiday called
La Kuokoa
at the end of the month. So even with a different date, Thanksgiving became official in Hawaii 14 years before President Abraham Lincoln declared it the national holiday it is now.
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Aloha Fellow Royal Kahana Owners,
 Traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday? You're not alone. According to AAA you'll be joining 55 million Americans. Interestingly enough, according to that same report Maui was listed among the top US Thanksgiving destinations! * If you happen to be going through the Kahului Airport southern terminal, you might not find a place to sit and
l-o-n-g lines for the restrooms. And while this news might not help you for your current holiday travels, there are plans to spend $36 million to enclose the open air southern concourse and add 400 more seats and extra bathrooms.
Has it been a while since you rode a bike? Could you use a little push ... a little oomph? Now, don't get upset ... I fall into the category too. Well now if the desire moves us, we'll be able to bike around Haleakala National Park too - with an assist from the newly allowed e-bikes. An e-bike refers to a 2 or 3 wheeled cycle with a battery powered "assist". This does not apply to electric mopeds, scooters or motorcycles.
Thousands of vehicle owners across the state might want to check their mailboxes for a "driving report" study. It's all about a proposed road usage charge. The state is looking into charging an undetermined fee per mile to replace the current 16-cents per gallon fuel tax. As vehicles have become more fuel efficient, the gas tax has become less profitable.
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Sales of resort homes in Hawaii are forecast to increase by 5% this year, despite fewer sales in the first half of the year. Among the Islands, Maui had the most sales in 2018, but Kauai is poised to take over that spot this year predicting 572 resort sales. Maui is forecast to be second with 518 sales.
And what's going on with hotels? While hotel demand is dropping on every other major Hawaiian island, Maui demand is fueling a wild development cycle that could add 10 or more new hotels. Some of the development is going into traditional markets like Wailea, where 3 hotel projects are planned, and Kihei, where there are also 3 in the works. Maui's hotel market is so hot that even Kahului - an ancillary market - could see 3 projects move forward. And there's talk of at least one, maybe two hotels going up in small-town Wailuku.
Looking only at Maui sales, there were 104 single-family homes sold last month, an 18.2% increase from 88 sold in October 2018. The median price of those homes was $732,000, a 5.5% decline from $774,223 in October 2018. The median price of a condo on Maui in October increased 3.2% to $515,800 from $500,000. That number was based on sales of 132 units, 1.5% fewer than the 134 units sold in October last year.
Taking a look at year-to-date figures, the median price of single-family homes through the end of October was $745,000 an increase of 5.7% from $705,000. The number of homes sold in the first 10 months of the year was 2.1% lower. Year-to-date figures on condos, saw a 3.8% increase in median price of $518,000 from $499,000 in the first 10 months of 2018. Condo sales declined by 5.3%.
Now l
et's take a look at the Royal Kahana
:
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Status
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Unit
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Bd
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Ba
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List $
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LT
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Sold $
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Close
|
|
Active
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1217
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0
|
1
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347,000
|
|
|
|
|
Active
|
903
|
0
|
1
|
385,000
|
|
|
|
|
Active
|
308
|
1
|
1
|
370,000
|
LH
|
|
|
|
Active
|
107
|
1
|
1
|
479,000
|
|
|
|
|
Active
|
720
|
2
|
2
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Escrow
|
902
|
0
|
1
|
375,000
|
|
|
|
|
Escrow
|
108
|
1
|
1
|
485,000
|
|
|
|
|
Escrow
|
410
|
2
|
2.5
|
1,100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sold
|
217
|
0
|
1
|
299,000
|
|
285,000
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5/31/2019
|
|
Sold
|
605
|
0
|
1
|
327,500
|
|
300,000
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3/8/2019
|
|
Sold
|
1119
|
0
|
1
|
335,000
|
|
320,000
|
5/6/2019
|
|
Sold
|
802
|
0
|
1
|
357,500
|
|
335,000
|
6/26/2019
|
|
Sold
|
703
|
0
|
1
|
365,000
|
|
328,000
|
10/28/2019
|
|
Sold
|
702
|
0
|
1
|
335,000
|
|
325,000
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1/11/2019
|
|
Sold
|
114
|
1
|
1
|
395,500
|
|
375,000
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2/28/2019
|
|
Sold
|
908
|
1
|
1
|
460,000
|
|
460,000
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11/18/2019
|
|
Sold
|
709
|
1
|
1
|
500,000
|
|
475,000
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3/15/2019
|
|
Sold
|
120
|
2
|
2
|
430,000
|
|
431,000
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4/2/2019
|
|
Sold
|
901
|
2
|
2
|
475,000
|
|
443,000
|
3/12/2019
|
|
Sold
|
101
|
2
|
2
|
475,000
|
|
460,000
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5/23/2019
|
|
Sold
|
720
|
2
|
2
|
475,000
|
|
470,000
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6/3/2019
|
|
Sold
|
920
|
2
|
2
|
525,000
|
|
485,000
|
7/1/2019
|
|
Sold
|
1020
|
2
|
2
|
549,000
|
|
520,000
|
7/17/2019
|
|
Sold
|
1120
|
2
|
2
|
569,000
|
|
540,000
|
9/12/2019
|
|
Sold
|
511
|
2
|
2.5
|
795,000
|
|
828,000
|
8/20/2019
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Figures from Realtors Association of Maui
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Royal Kahana STUDIO
Unit 903
$385,000
Premium studio 903 faces north to the Pacific Ocean from the preferred "03" stack. Upgraded with a great Hawaiian setting from the private lanai with a view of Molokai and the beach. Good floor plan with a washer/dryer and central air conditioning. Bathroom shower has been upgraded to beautiful tile. Enjoy business and meeting facilities, shuffle board, heated pool, barbecue area, fitness room and Activity desk by Russ. Shopping and dining are walking distance, and a short drive to the Kaanapali and Kapalua resort areas. There's even underground parking. The Royal Kahana offers the same amenities as the multi-million dollar resort units at an affordable price. Rental revenue will supplement costs.
(click on pictures below for more information)
Royal Kahana STUDIO
Unit 902 IN ESCROW
$375,000
Nicely remodeled and tastefully furnished Studio with Big 9th floor Ocean Views. This unit shows Owners pride in the quality of finishes and the open airy beach front decor. 902 has been completely upgraded with tile flooring, cabinetry, granite counter tops, custom shower, all appliances including dishwasher and new washer/dryer.
(click on pictures below for more information)
Royal Kahana
1-BEDROOM
Unit # 108
$485,000 IN ESCROW!
Open and airy ground floor 1 bedroom unit facing northwest towards Molokai with stunning views of the blue Pacific. Just steps from the water .
(click on pictures for more information)
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The lure of Hawaii for South Bay vacation travelers and the fight among three airlines to make money serving that market has taken another turn, with a trio of airlines expanding their service or launching new offerings to the islands from San Jose, CA.
Southwest Airlines filed schedule changes for San Jose and Oakland that will increase service from both cities to Kona and Lihue (Kauai) to daily roundtrips effective March 8, 2020. Southwest, which announced in the summer that it would expand from two to four islands, also moved the start date for that to next month.
Five days after Alaska Airlines announced it was dropping its service between San Francisco and Sacramento to Kona, the airline has filed schedule changes to increase its Kona service from San Jose and San Diego. The cutbacks occur March 18-19, 2020, and the increases begin March 20th. The increases will result in daily roundtrips from San Jose and San Diego.
And last but not least, Hawaiian Airlines announced that San Jose will become a test market for a new, lower fare level called "main cabin basic."
GREEN
 How to approach this topic delicately ... We've all heard the jokes about cows and methane. Well a Hawaii company has come up with something that can change that greenhouse gas omission. You see, cows release 30 to 50 gallon a day on average after eating grass and other feeds. And with an estimated 1.3 to 1.5 billion cows on the planet, that's a whole lot of methane. Enter Blue Ocean Barns. They've created a proprietary seaweed-based feed additive that reduces a cow's emissions equivalent to converting two cars from gas to electric.
Tourism
I've told you how Hawaii and specifically Maui are cracking down on illegal vacation rentals. The Maui County Planning and Sustainable land Use  Committee voted unanimously to recommend an increase to the initial civil fine from the current $1,000 to $20,000, and the daily civil fine from the current $1,000 to $10,000 for unpermitted bed-and-breakfasts, and short-term rentals.
Listen, if you have friends of family coming for a visit, don't let them get caught up in that mess, or even get stuck with the high cost of staying in a hotel. Have them check out
M
aui Beachfront Rentals
.
They can get a fully furnished condo or home complete with kitchen, laundry, and free parking ... all things you either can't get - or pay thru the nose for at hotels. And of course they'll enjoy all the amenities of a Resort!
Now, if you own a property that you'd like to make income on when you're not using it, do what I do and check out
MBR
. They take all the hassle out of it for you like taking care of the taxes so you don't have to worry.
And they market the heck out of your place with extra advertising on sites like VRBO, HomeAway, Flip Key and others ... all at no additional cost.
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Dean Rathbun
of
Avis Mortgage
says buyers shouldn't worry about the leap in mortgage rates last week. Economists largely predict rates will dip in the weeks ahead. Also, rates are still more than a percentage point lower than a year ago. * The Federal Reserve is divided over the next move on rate cuts. There may be a third cut at the end of this month, or they make take a pause, and revisit it in December. * A good sign that the housing market and the broader economy remain strong ... Foreclosure activity nationwide is now 49% below the prerecession average! * Nationally, refinancing took a giant leap forward. It was the first month that conventional loans were dominated by refinancing. It accounted for 55% of the total, as purchases dropped to 35%.
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MAUI HAPPENINGS
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Banyan Tree Lighting |
Every Sunday: Maui Gift & Craft Fair Lahaina Gateway Center 9-2
Every Monday: Maui Cruise n' Crafts Fair Maui Mall 10-3
Every Sunday thru Dec: Lahaina Arts Festival Cannery Mall
11/25-27: Maui Invitational Basketball Championships
info
11/28:
Happy Thanksgiving!
Maui Arts & Cultural Center tickets
11/25: SUP Film Fest - World Tour
11/29-30 & 12/01: Eric Gilliom - One Man Show
12/01: Maui Choral Arts holiday music
12/02: An EnCHANTing Evening of Kirtan
12/07: Miranda Lambert in concert
12/10: Na Mele O Maui children's song & art
12/13: Rebelution reggae band
12/14: Ron Artis II & the Truth heart & soul music
12/15: Maui Pops Orchestra HOLIDAY POPS
12/20: The Kingston Trio concert
12/20-21: The Nutcracker
12/27: Solo Sessions: Steve Earle
12/28: JP Sears A Night of Conscious Comedy
12/28: WAR in concert
12/29: Tom Segura Comedy Special
12/30: 9th Annual Bill Maher New Years Comedy - with Sarah Silverman & Bobby Slayton
11/29-12/15: Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical
12/21-22: Maui Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concert
01/04/20: Pauly Shore
1/23-26: Maui Fringe Theater Festival 2020
2/28-3/15: A Chorus Line
4/24-5/10: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
7/10-8/2: Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical
12/19-22: The Reluctant Elf
***
Holiday Festivities
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*
*
11/30, 12/7, 12/14: Volunteer to assemble bikes for needy Maui children, tools provided
Krank Cycles at the old Lowes building, 270 Dairy Rd 9am-2pm
12/04: Hui Holidays 1st Night Celebration
info
GRAND WAILEA:
12/1: Tree Lighting Ceremony 5-7pm
12/14: Breakfast with Santa 7-10:30am
12/22-30: Hanukka at Sunset Lobby Menorah
12/24: Santa Arrives by outrigger canoe 9-11am
LAHAINA CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES 12/7
Campbell Park
Maui Made Holiday Gift Fair 9am
Santa Arrives at 2pm
Free kid photos with Santa 2-4pm
Kid Activities noon - 4pm
22nd Annual Lighting of the Lahaina Banyan Tree 6:30pm
FAIRMONT KEA LANI WAILEA
12/22-30: Hanukkah hotel lobby
12/24: Santa arrives via outrigger canoe Noon-1pm Polo Beach
You read above how Maui is one of the top destinations in America during Thanksgiving. Well, that holds true through Christmas too! The Island will be swarming with folks who do not want to go back home. They just wish they could have a piece of paradise of their very own.
If you'd like to see what your property is worth in this market, we
'd be more than happy to provide you with a free, no obligation, confidential assessment of your property. Likewise, if you want to take advantage of these crazy low interest rates, and you're interested in adding to your real estate portfolio, let us know.
As owner of Berkshire Hathaway Maui Properties I have over 30 years experience in the Maui market with sales approaching $2 billion! We a
re the
only
Berkshire Hathaway Real Estate Brokerages on Maui. Our offices are located in Lahaina-Kapalua and Wailea-Makena. I'm available to you 7 days a week.
Happy Thanksgiving,
John
Broker/Owner
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If you are currently listed with another Broker, this is not intended to disturb that relationship
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Low Fixed & Adjustable Rates
Condo-tel Lender for over 23 Years
DEAN RATHBUN
Toll Free (888) 455-AVIS (2847
)
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Increased Income Reduced Expenses
Never Pay For Guest Damages
Guest Travel Insurance Eliminates Guest Refunds
MAUI BEACHFRONT RENTALS
Toll Free (888) 661-7200
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Berkshire Hathaway
HomeServices
Maui Properties 
Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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