HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND - Getting Here is Getting Harder April 28, 2008
Posted by Kelly in : About Hawaii, Big Island Hawaii, General, HERE IN HAWAII, HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND, Hawaii Travel , add a commentHERE ON THE BIG ISLAND
By Kelly Moran
Getting Here is Getting Harder
Flying to and from the Big Island has long been a no-brainer; now it’s something you have to think about and plan ahead.
At the end of March, Aloha Airlines suddenly went out of business. The announcement came just as the huge Merrie Monarch Festival week was starting in Hilo, forcing many hula troupes and fans to scramble for passage.
And as if that wasn’t a hard enough knock, ATA Airlines went belly-up a few days later, leaving passengers stranded both in Hawaii and on the Mainland. For Hilo, that knock doubled the pain, as ATA had been flying Hilo’s only non-stop Mainland service - to Oakland, where ATA had a partnership with and connections to Southwest Airlines.
It’s true that Aloha had been operating under bankruptcy protection for a few years. And it’s true that the rising cost of jet fuel is forcing many carriers to cut back on redundant flights, and raise ticket prices. But neither Aloha nor ATA telegraphed a warning of impending collapse to their own people in Hawaii - not to crews, back-office staffers, baggage-handlers . . . nobody got a heads-up.
Hawaiian Airlines immediately added flights, including some to the Mainland destinations ATA had been serving, especially Las Vegas; and also offered free interisland travel, on a standby basis, to Aloha’s ticketed passengers. Other stranded people found seats on the small interisland carriers, Island Air and Go, which - so far - continue to fly.
At the Hilo and Keahole (Kona) airports, half of the facilities are now empty and idle. This, even though both have rather attractive terminals. Hilo’s lounge area has classic, koa lanai furniture. And Keahole - though it’s scheduled to get a major face-lift in the next year or so - is still delightfully old-fashioned, with outdoor wheel-around passenger ramps.
Unfortunately, neither airport is likely to be served by more flights or a new carrier, any time soon.
April Newsletter - Hawaii Big Island / Real Estate Update April 22, 2008
Posted by Kelly in : About Hawaii, Big Island Hawaii, General, Market Conditions, Newsletter, Resources, Upcoming Events , add a commentThe April Newsletter is published.
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HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND - Microclimates April 21, 2008
Posted by Kelly in : About Hawaii, Big Island Hawaii, General, HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND, Hawaii Travel , add a commentHERE ON THE BIG ISLAND
By Kelly Moran
Microclimates
The Big Island has all but two of the world’s climate zones.
Except for Sahara-like deserts and Antarctic glaciers, there’s at least one of everything here, somewhere. You can live in just about whatever climate suits you best, and visit all the others by car.
The windward (Hamakua) side of Mauna Kea is wet, receiving from about 50 inches of rain a year in Honokaa, up to 120 or so in Hilo. That gives each of the gulches and hills, large and small, a rainforest ecosystem, with tall, mossy trees and birds in their canopy.
The Puna district, on the eastern flanks of Mauna Loa and Kilauea, also gets rain on the high end of the scale. Things grow fast in Puna: even the most recent lava flows are quickly overgrown by ferns and ohia trees.
All the way along the leeward (Kona) and southern (Ka’u) flanks of Mauna Loa, between about 1,000-3,000 feet elevation, there is a wide band of “dry forest” that’s not actually dry; but it does get much less precipitation than the windward side of the island. Trees there get most of their water from condensing clouds.
Below that, from roughly 500-1,500 feet elevation, Kona gets 40 or so inches of rain a year, but almost all of it falls in brief afternoon showers. The further makai you go in Kona, the drier it gets.
As you drive north from Kona, however, up the leeward coasts of Hualalai and the Kohala mountains, you’ll find a desert. Most of the old lava flows (even from the 19th century) are relatively barren, but since the 1970s, well-drilling has tapped a huge “lens” of fresh water underground, so lawn grasses and ornamental trees flourish, even on bone-dry black lava.
If hot weather doesn’t appeal to you, however, try cool Volcano Village, near the 4,000-foot summit of Kilauea. It will remind you of Oregon or Washington, with foggy mornings and chilly nights. There’s even frost in winter months, enabling apples and plums to set fruit.
But perhaps the most climatically complex town on the Big Island is Waimea (also called Kamuela). The eastern half of the town is cool, leafy, and reminiscent of Northern California. The western half, however, features dry, windswept grasslands, and looks a lot like Arizona.
Take your pick. On the Big Island you can (to paraphrase an old
song) live where the weather suits your clothes.
HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND - Dining Out in Hilo April 15, 2008
Posted by Kelly in : Big Island Hawaii, General, HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND, Hawaii Travel, Resources , add a commentHERE ON THE BIG ISLAND
Dining Out in Hilo
Hilo is not a night-time city. Its location on the eastern - sunrise - side of the island, and its legacy of an agricultural economy, have given it what might be called an early-to-bed-early-to-rise ambiance. So, in almost every restaurant, lunchtime draws more patrons than dinnertime; but as most travelers know, lunches are an excellent way to try new restaurants.
Hilo does have a good variety of places to eat, at reasonable prices, whether at mid-day or in the evening. Here are some suggestions for dining out - though please don’t construe them as “reviews.” They are all popular with local folks, and for dinner at some of them (noted with a *) you should probably make a reservation.
SEASIDE * The name is only a slight misnomer, as it stands across the road from the ocean, in the Keaukaha neighborhood. But it’s perhaps the best place in Hilo to order fresh fish; the day’s catch will have come from that morning’s auction at the nearby Suisan dock, and some fish will have been netted from the huge fishpond over which the restaurant is perched.
(1790 Kalanianaole Ave. 935-8825)
HILO BAY CAFÉ * Incongruously located in a shopping-mall parking
lot, between a Wal-Mart and an Office Max, this place is always ranked (in newspaper polls) among the “best” restaurants in Hilo. Its menu is based on fresh local ingredients, and although the cuisine is distinctly modern (some would say “California-style”), everything is served in local-size (i.e. big) portions. And there are delightful surprises: after you try the onion-rings with what they call “balsamic ketchup,” you may never shake a bottle of Heinz again. (315 Makaala St. 935-4939)
KUHIO GRILLE If you want to try a really local sit-down
restaurant, this is the place. Sited in a strip-mall that includes a Starbucks, this informal eatery makes wonderful comfort food, and is famous for Hawaiian-style platters, especially those featuring the huge “one-pound laulau.” (Prince Kuhio Plaza, Suite A106. 959-2336)
CAFÉ 100 One of the oldest-established places to eat in town, Café 100 is really a drive-in that does a huge take-out business. But it does have outdoor tables under roof; and for local plate-lunches, it has no equal. Everything is served, of course, with the classic “two scoops rice.”
(969 Kilauea Ave. 935-8683)
CAFÉ PESTO * A few steps from the downtown Farmers’ Market stands one of the most popular restaurants in town. It’s big, and sometimes crowded, but the food is consistently good. Pizzas there feature clever combinations of ingredients, and the dinner-size salads (especially the “lava” salad that looks like an erupting volcano) are a joy to behold as well as to eat. Pesto’s menu is not unique, but the place always ranks high in newspaper polls, and is perhaps everybody’s “second choice,” after their own personal favorite. (308 Kamehameha Ave. 969-6640)
MIYO’S * Among Hilo’s many Japanese restaurants Miyo’s stands out, both for its traditional country-style cuisine, and - as it’s located in the Waiakea Villas complex (near our real estate office) - for its beautiful views over the Wailoa ponds. (400 Hualani St. 935-2273)
OCEAN SUSHI DELI As the name implies, the specialty of the house is sushi; also sashimi, of course, and most of the familiar Japanese lunch and dinner platters. Extremely informal, Ocean Sushi is among the least expensive of the really great restaurants in town. (250 Kiawe St. 961-6625)
Market Conditions Report (Update): Hilo April 15, 2008
Posted by Kelly in : Big Island Hawaii, General, Market Conditions , add a commentMARKET CONDITIONS REPORT
Market Conditions for Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii
Location: Hilo
Reported by Kelly H. Moran, CCIM, CIPS, REALTOR
As of April 15, 2008
AREA CHARACTERISTICS
Hilo is the second largest city in Hawaii and is located on the windward (eastern) side of the Big Island. Nearly all of the important educational and financial institutions are located in Hilo. The University of Hawaii at Hilo was ranked one of the top twenty small universities in the nation and has a very diverse, international student body. Visitors and residents find Hilo to be a “local” town with warm and friendly people. While tourism is very important to the east Hawaii economy, it does not dominate, as in Kona. Cruise ships regularly dock at the Hilo Harbor and Hilo Bayfront frequently has canoe paddling regattas with statewide participation. The world renown “Merrie Monarch Hula Festival” is held in Hilo every Arpil and draws contestants from all over the world. Hilo is a very diverse community that is low key and very modest.
MARKET REPORT NARATIVE
The Hilo market continues to favor buyers, as inventory is up and prices trending downward. There are more international buyers coming into the Hawaii market with the depressed dollar exchange rate.
Here are the MLS statistics on the greater Hilo area (tax map key 3-2 that are fee simple) for the last 30 days, from March 10 to April 10, 2008:
- There are 219 homes listed for sale, with a list price range from $179,000 to $3,490,000
- The median list price of homes is $389,000
- There are 27 homes in escrow, with a list price range from $165,000 to $2,399,000
- There have been 14 homes sold, with a sold price range from $260,000 to $530,000
- The median sold price was $399,500
- The median days on market to sell was 153 days. Selling price to Listing price percentage was a median of 97.3%
For More Information:
About Kelly H. Moran:
Kelly created Hilo Brokers, Ltd. in 1992. He has lived in Hawaii for 30 years, and sold real estate here for over 20 years. Kelly is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH) with degrees in Tropical Agriculture and Political Science. Currently Kelly is teaching Real Estate Finance at UH-Hilo. His areas of expertise in real estate include: commercial real estate sales, agricultural properties, real estate investments & development, as well as residential and vacant land sales. Kelly was one of the first REALTORS to incorporate the internet as a real estate sales tool. He saw the potential of reaching people world wide, and is currently developing an international division within Hilo Brokers, Ltd.
Kelly is a dedicated tennis enthusiast and community volunteer. He shares his time between the towns of Hilo and Kamuela, where his young sons attend school.
Market Conditions Report: Kohala, Hamakua Coast and Hilo Districts April 15, 2008
Posted by Kelly in : Big Island Hawaii, General, Market Conditions , add a commentMARKET CONDITIONS REPORT
Market Conditions for Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii
Approximate Location Boundaries: Kohala, Hamakua Coast and Hilo Districts (eastern and northern parts of the Big Island of Hawaii)
Reported by Kelly H. Moran, CCIM, CIPS, REALTOR
As of April 15, 2008
AREA CHARACTERISTICS
This geographic area stretches from Hilo, the second largest city in Hawaii, to the Kohala Coast, where many of the island’s premier hotel resorts are located. There are a wide range of property choices within this area, and buyers tend to gravitate to locations that fit their specific needs: Hilo locations have ready access to government offices, service industries, Hilo Hospital and the University of Hawaii. The Hamakua Coast (north of Hilo) is a vibrant greenbelt with streams and lots of open, rural landscape. The Kohala District is diversified and has world class hotels and resorts, rural home options and the Paniolo (cowboy) town of Kamuela. North Hawaii Community Hospital and Hawaii Prepatory Academy are two well respected medical and educational institutions located in Kamuela.
MARKET REPORT NARATIVE
The Hilo, Hamakua and Kohala Districts on the Big Island have diversified offerings and tend to be very high quality of life locations: From the relatively conservative yet dynamic community of Hilo, to the diversified agriculture and gentleman farms of Hamakua, to the upscale resorts and estates of Kohala - there is something for everyone! Sellers have been adjusting their listing prices downward and offering incentives to attract buyers in an eroding market. More international buyers are considering these areas due to the solid value and relatively attractive dollar exchange rate.
Here are the MLS statistics on fee simple homes priced from $999,000 and up, from Hilo to Kohala (tax map key 3-2 to 3-6) from Jan. 1 to Arpil 10, 2008:
- There are 133 homes listed for sale, with a list price range from $999,000 to $24,000,000
- The median list price of homes is $1,749,000
- There are 9 homes in escrow, with a list price range from $1,000,000 to $5,450,000
- There have been 11 homes sold, with a sold price range from $1,255,000 to $5,500,000
- The median sold price was $3,000,000
- The median days on market to sell was 184 days
- Selling price to Listing price percentage was a median of 89.5%
For More Information:
About Kelly H. Moran:
Kelly created Hilo Brokers, Ltd. in 1992. He has lived in Hawaii for 30 years, and sold real estate here for over 20 years. Kelly is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH) with degrees in Tropical Agriculture and Political Science. Currently Kelly is teaching Real Estate Finance at UH-Hilo. His areas of expertise in real estate include: commercial real estate sales, agricultural properties, real estate investments & development, as well as residential and vacant land sales. Kelly was one of the first REALTORS to incorporate the internet as a real estate sales tool. He saw the potential of reaching people world wide, and is currently developing an international division within Hilo Brokers, Ltd.
Kelly is a dedicated tennis enthusiast and community volunteer. He shares his time between the towns of Hilo and Kamuela, where his young sons attend school.
HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND - The Pidgin You Need - Part 2 April 8, 2008
Posted by Kelly in : About Hawaii, Big Island Hawaii, General, HERE IN HAWAII, HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND , 1 comment so farHERE ON THE BIG ISLAND
The Pidgin You Need - Part 2
As promised in Part 1, here are some “pidgin” words and phrases. Most were originally Hawaiian, but have become colloquial expressions, familiar in everyday conversation. You will probably want to try them out, sooner or later, when you’re here. Just be prepared: some people may respond to your first attempts with indulgent smiles or amused exasperation.
“Pau” - A multipurpose word for finished [doing something], as in “pau hana” - done working. But “pau” or “all pau” can also mean empty or used up.
“Hui” - a group [of people]. Many local organizations use this word in their names, as it implies having a common purpose.
“Hana hou” - Although “hana” means work, audiences will shout “hana hou,” meaning Encore! - do it again.
“Opala” means trash or rubbish, but is not used in a negative sense. When something is inherently dirty, or at least smells bad, it’s “pilau.”
“Keiki” is literally the offshoot of a plant (e.g., bananas reproduce that way), but it’s affectionately used to mean child.
“B’m bye” - or “bumbye” - is a contraction of the English “bye and bye,” generally construed to mean “sooner or later but probably later.”
“Shibai” is Japanese for B.S., and is used remarkably often by contending politicians.
“Chicken skin” is the goose-bumps you get when you’re scared or awed.
“Shave Ice” is shaved ice, but nobody pronounces the “d.” It’s a snowcone, dredged with sweet syrup; try one, sometime, with sweet adzuki beans inside.
Reduced - Kawainui Estate April 2, 2008
Posted by Kelly in : Featured Listings, General, Kawainui Estate , add a comment
This list price has been reduced on beautiful Kawainui Estate.
For up-to-the-minute pricing, virtual tour and full details, go to:
HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND - Pidgin - Part 1 April 2, 2008
Posted by Kelly in : About Hawaii, Big Island Hawaii, General, HERE IN HAWAII, HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND , add a commentHERE ON THE BIG ISLAND - Pidgin - Part 1
”Eh, Brah - you kaukau a’ready?”
”Nah. Bumbye.”
”Get grinds?”
”Shoot! Brok’ da mout’.”
After you’ve been here a while, that exchange will make perfect sense. It’s spoken in what’s locally called pidgin, which has a long history in Hawaii, and is still heard, though not as much as it used to be. But before we get into translations, let’s clarify something: it’s not really “Pidgin English.”
Linguists consider a pidgin to be an abbreviated form of a standard language, with a tiny vocabulary and a very regular grammar, neither of which changes much, over time. A pidgin will also have been deliberately imposed, to enable speakers of different languages to conduct trade and other business. The word “pidgin” itself was coined because it sounds a little like the English word “business.”
In the European colonies of Southeast Asia and the western Pacific, there is a true Pidgin English (also a Pidgin Dutch and a Pidgin French). But that Pidgin English does not resemble Hawaii’s pidgin, because - as linguists insist - what’s spoken in Hawaii is actually a “creole.”.
A creole, they say, is a real language, which is fairly complex in both vocabulary and grammar; and although it may be rooted in one or more conventional languages, it’s continually evolving and expanding on its own.
In the 19th century, Pidgin English was introduced to Hawaii to enable communication between sugarcane field-hands and overseers from diverse backgrounds: Hawaii, Japan, China, the Portuguese Azores, etc. But that early (true) pidgin quickly became a creole, as it absorbed vocabulary words and grammatical constructions from the workers’ own native languages, and especially as it became the first language of local children.
Until World War II, pidgin was the lingua franca (pun intended) of Hawaii’s people. Everyone who’d grown up here, and quite a few newcomers and regular visitors, could understand it. But it was always disdained by sophisticated people, and actively discouraged in schools. Anyone who wanted a white-collar job had to be able to speak “regular” or “standard”
English.
But in the 1970s, when historically significant art and music styles were being revived, many local comedians began doing routines in pidgin; and local writers began creating skits, pageants and plays in pidgin. They did this not only to keep the language from dying out, but to revel in its innate charm and colorful idiomatic expressions.
The dialog above can be rendered as follows, but I think you’ll agree that it loses something in translation:
“Hey, Brother [or friend], have you eaten?”
“No. I will, later.”
“Do you have any food?”
“Of course. And it’s delicious.”
Be forewarned: it’s not advisable to try speaking pidgin with strangers - you will probably “make A” (make an ass of yourself). But there are several pidgin words and phrases that everybody in Hawaii does know and use - I’ll give you some, next time.
If you want a head start on that, go get the book called “Pidgin to da Max“ - a humorous guide to this intriguing, enjoyable pid - oops! - creole language.
Stay tuned for Pidgin - Part 2 ……
