HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND – Strange Fruit August 31, 2009
Posted by Kelly in : HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND , 1 comment so farStrange Fruit
In my previous blog, I remarked that the hairy red rambutan strikes many people as strange-looking. But rambutan is small. Something else in the farmers’ markets is stranger, and bigger! It looks like something out of science-fiction — an alien man-eating flower-bud. Even the name is fantastic: dragon fruit.
But oh, is it delicious!
It grows from a cactus – Hylocereus undatus – the Latin name showing its family resemblance to the ornamental Night-Blooming (and
night-fragrant) Cereus. On the Big Island, dragon fruit is cultivated in Kona, whose microclimate is much like that of Honolulu (where a famously extensive Night-Blooming Cereus adorns a lava-stone wall along Punahou
Street.)
Dragon fruit apparently originated in South America, and is now extremely popular in China and southeast Asia; it’s also cultivated in Mexico, Texas and Israel. A summertime treat here, it’s easy to spot at the Wednesday and Saturday Farmers’ Market on Kam Avenue in Hilo, and at the Saturday Farmers’ Market in the Keauhou (Kona) shopping center.
The dragon fruit’s red, scaly exterior may be off-putting, but appearance is only skin-deep. A thin, easily peeled rind surrounds a sweet flesh that’s either dark red and sweeter, or gray-green and firmer. Hundreds of very tiny seeds are embedded in the fruit; like strawberry seeds, they go down practically unnoticed. The taste is watermelon- or kiwi-like, but (not surprisingly) most like the fruit of prickly-pear cactus.
Chill dragon fruit for the best texture and flavor; in a plastic bag, it will keep for a week in the refrigerator. You can cut the whole fruit in half and dig in with a spoon. You can peel it and slice it into bite-size chunks. And you can delight your next dinner guests by serving a palate-cleanser, between courses, of a small scoop of dragon fruit.
Time is running out for $8,000 Exemption! August 16, 2009
Posted by Kelly in : Market Conditions, Moving to Hawaii, Real Estate FAQ , add a comment
Time is running out!
The US government has an $8,000 tax credit for you if you have not owned a home in the last three years. It is called a First-Time Homebuyer Credit, but it is for anyone who is buying a primary residence that has not owned a home since 2006. This means that you can deduct $8,000 from your 2009 taxes and may end up with $$ in your pocket in 2010. Please see your CPA or Tax adviser for guidance.
The single most important rule in this stimulus program is that your escrow must close by November 30th, 2009. This gives you less than 120 days from the publication of this blog to close. Since many affordable homes are in the distressed market, foreclosures and short sales, time is literally running out for buyers. These properties tend to have longer escrow periods and must be approved by various entities. A short sale can take as long as 5 months to clear escrow.
Now is the time to contact Hilo Brokers, LTD to see what bargains are available in this market. There are plenty to be had all over East Hawaii in all classifications. Whether you are looking for a Farm property, waterfront home or a cottage, there are fantastic deals available in today’s market place. At Hilo Brokers, LTD, we can offer you turn key assistance in making your purchase and you can rest assured that we will find the best home for your real estate dollars and if it is your first home in 3 years, you can take advantage of this Government incentive for home buyers. You must act quickly if you want to be assured of qualifying and receiving your $8,000 credit.
For more details on the tax credit and what it can mean to you, check our past post about this incredible program: $8,000 Tax Credit Used for Closing Costs & More
ContactHilo Brokers, LTD today and get the ball rolling!
