Kauai News and Real Estate Update December 16
Aloha! It’s been another wet week here in Kauai but the winds have not been at the force they were last week. Christmas decorations have been popping up everywhere and the Holiday parties have started! Winter is here and that means we are all wearing our sweaters now because it gets down to the high sixties! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
*****First Kauai Real Estate News!*****
If you are interested in buying or selling here on Kauai your first stop should be my webpage where you can see what is currently for sale, go to www.LyndaGill.com then email me at Lynda@LyndaGill.com or give me a call at 808-346-0056. Here are the past weeks new listings and sales; click HERE
*****Full Plate For Kauai City Council This Week*****
This Wednesday will be a busy day for our City Council as they attempt to pass three bills in an attempt to close 3 issues that have been months, and sometimes years, in the discussion stages by the end of the year. The three issues on the agenda are;
Poipu Vendors at Spouting Horn: In an attempt to designate where visitors can shop from local vendors this bill would regulate and stop peddlers and concessionaires at county parks. The hot issue is the vendors at Spouting Horn who have been there for over 20 years and have become a part of the visitor experience. There will be debate on how to keep those vendors from being phased out when and if the bill is passed.
Vacation Rentals Outside Of The VDA Area: Council will vote on a bill that will phase out transient vacation rentals that are operating outside of Vacation Destination Areas over an 18 month period. The concern has been the designation of neighborhoods due to some residents operating vacation rentals out of their homes. The bill is threefold: 1) It would require registration of all vacation rentals or nonconforming use certificates and set standards for all vacation rentals; 2) It would prohibit new single-family home vacation rentals outside of the VDA areas; 3) and would identify and allow nonconforming uses where single-family vacation rentals have been operating lawfully prior to the bills approval
Shoreline Setback: If passed the shoreline set-back would be strongest in the state. It would mandate a 40 ft. minimum setback plus 70 times the annual coastal erosion rate. Some council members want to mimic Maui’s 40 feet plus 50 times the annual erosion until historical documentation of Kauai’s coastline is collected.
*****5 Million Dollar Makeover For Coconut Marketplace*****
“It’s incredibly run-down” states David Harvey the senior vice president at M & J Wilkow Ltd. who purchased the property last March. The Coconut Marketplace is in a prime shopping area but has been plagued with differed maintenance for years which it is now slated to get. The plans call for cosmetic changes as well as a new roof. The plans are also to include one mainstream restaurant to be added as a way to improve nighttime business and to upgrade the current tenancy.
*****Superferry Arrives In Maui Amidst Protestors*****
3 north shore Kauai residents came along for the re-launch ride from Honolulu to Maui with a surprise plan unbeknownst to the Superferry personnel. As the ship came into Kahului Harbor a 200 square foot banner was lowered by the trio with the State motto “Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘aina I ka” and followed by “Pono?” (Translation “The life of the land is perpetuated through….righteousness?”) Around 300 protestors on the Maui shoreline cheered the sign and Superferry personal had the banner removed immediately. Maui police were on hand to quiet any disturbance and a handful of Kauai police officers were in attendance to watch them in action. The return of the Superferry to Kauai is still unknown.
The ships passage was very rough with many passengers getting sick on the way. 12 foot plus waves rocked the 350 foot Alakai catamaran beyond the point of nausea. The controversial new mode of transportation had a special fare of $29 each way and was operating at a quarter capacity.
Governor Linda Lingle had been to Kauai on Thursday to speak at the Kauai Humane Society luncheon and was meet with 50 protestors. The crowd was “much friendlier” then the last time she spoke here in Kauai.
*****Sports Update From My Husband Will*****
T.J. Kua, senior golfer for the Kamehameha Kapalama golf team signed with the University of Hawaii. The 17 year old will receive a full scholorship.
After leading the Warriors to a perfect 12-0 season Coach June Jones (University of Hawaii) was nominated as a finalist for the Coach Bear Bryant coach of the year award.
In a related story; Colt Brennen, Senior quarterback for the University of Hawaii Sugarbowl bound Warriors graduated Saturday with a degree in communications.
Congratulations!