HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND – Dining Out in Hilo April 15, 2008
Posted by Kelly in : Big Island Hawaii, 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, 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, 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.
