Too much ABC September 6, 2008
Posted by brobinson in : General, Mauna Lani Resort, Waikoloa Beach Resort , 2commentsMy husband (aka The Swiss Guy) and I ventured into the new Island Gourmet Market at the Queen’s Marketplace at Waikoloa Beach Resort last night, in search of dessert to take home after enjoying pupus and sunset at Halii Kai’s “First Friday” event for owners and realtors. We had been awaiting with great anticipation, especially since the Swiss Guy read many months ago that the market promised over 100 cheeses! We’ve become regulars at the smaller Foodland Farms since its opening at the Shops at Mauna Lani, and its competition promised to be several times the size with more on offer.
After traversing most of the 20,000 or so square feet market, Swiss Guy gave his succinct assessment “too much ABC and not enough KTA.” The gourmet market is a joint venture between ABC Stores, familiar to tourists for providing for their needs in hotel districts, and our local Big Island supermarket chain KTA. “Too much ABC” meant that at least a third of the space is devoted to t-shirts, mac nut candies, and souvenirs, a strange choice of product given the market’s location within a large complex with thousands of t-shirts for sale. “Not enough KTA” meant we were missing the things that make it our favorite place for groceries in Waimea or Kailua Kona: lots of locally grown produce and a large line of Island-grown and Island-produced items under the house “Mountain Apple” brand. The promised selection of cheeses was missing, as was any decent bread.
Now admittedly, we visited only days after its opening, and late enough at night that the take-out sections were no longer staffed. We do promise to give it a second chance in a month or so. Meanwhile, we think it would be worth the gasoline to drive to Waikoloa Village, where the Waikoloa Village Market is also KTA-affiliated and has the local products we enjoy (and quite possibly a larger selection of wine) or up to Mauna Lani for the bread, baked goods, and freshly made poke at Foodland Farms.
And stay tuned to this space! My colleague Catherine has volunteered to do a price-comparison on a picnic basket of items. With prices of foodstuffs rising on the Mainland, the cost of living is a question we are often asked by buyers considering the Big Island as a primary residence or second home. Good question, if your only frame of reference is the prices we saw at the Resort last night…which might give even fans of Whole Paycheck pause.
A hui hou,
beth@hawaiipalmproperties.com
Cell: 808-443-4588
Hawaii Palm Properties, Inc
Office in downtown Hawi near Bamboo restaurant
www.hawaiipalmproperties.com
Great Pools-Part 1 August 26, 2008
Posted by brobinson in : For buyers, Waikoloa Beach Resort , 5commentsWith so many properties to choose from on the Kohala Coast, prospective buyers need to narrow down by focusing on what’s most important to them. Sometimes the starting point is a strong preference for one of the resorts (back in February when I began this blog I wrote Geography 101 in case the reader is not familiar with the three resorts). Sometimes they have particular features of the home or condo in mind—size, style or finish. Often, I find the picture in my client’s mind is the lifestyle they seek. And that usually translates into the amenities available in the resort or in the development itself. I’ve written before about “walk to the beach” as one of those hot buttons. Which brings me to the topic of swimming pools…or really, “recreational amenity areas” since at a minimum they also have a whirlpool, BBQ grill, and often a small exercise room.
I’d been showing clients options in several of the newer condo communities and they commented that there was never anyone swimming or sunning at any of the pools. Clearly in these communities the recreational area was not one of the distinguishing attractions. On the other hand, a realtor friend who recently moved back to Oahu told me last week he saw an ad for an Oahu property showing a photo of a pool clearly recognizable as being that of a Big Island community rather than the one advertised. Talk about an iconic pool! And with tomorrow being the Grand Opening of a recreational area at one of the resorts, this seemed a timely topic.
Twenty-odd years ago when the first condos were constructed at Mauna Lani and the Waikoloa Beach Resort, poo
ls were pretty utilitarian. They look more or less like the pools you would see in California or Florida condo communities of the same vintage. Sometimes that can be advantage. I know of one family who bought at Vista Waikoloa because the husband is an avid swimmer but not an ocean swimmer, and that particular pool is perfect for swimming laps.
Homes of more recent vintage tend to go for either the elegant look of a negative edge “infinity pool” or the natural look of a freeform or “lagoon-style pool.” Both of these styles show up in newer condo communities as well.
Sticking for the moment with the Waikoloa Beach Resort, Kolea features an infinity pool as the centerpiece of its Beach Club, a logical and aesthetically brilliant choice as it is the only beachfront condominium property–so why not enjoy the views of A-bay while still having the privacy of your own pool. In practical terms however, it is neither large enough for the lap swimmer, nor large enough to comfortably accommodate the volume of children and adults who are drawn to it. That has left the community debating options for a second pool.
The same d
eveloper’s next project, Halii Kai, being ocean view but not oceanfront, opted for a large freeform pool. The curves of this pool give a sense of privacy even when there are many residents gathered around it. In addition, besides the mandatory fitness center and BBQ area, this Ocean Club has a bar and grill open for lunch and sunset cocktails, which is a huge draw for both owners and renters. This recreational area is probably the biggest selling point of the community relative to its neighbors.
A hui hou,
Beth
beth@hawaiipalmproperties.com
Cell: 808-443-4588
Hawaii Palm Properties, Inc
Office in downtown Hawi near Bamboo restaurant
www.hawaiipalmproperties.com
What do you get for $10 million August 15, 2008
Posted by brobinson in : For buyers, Waikoloa Beach Resort , add a commentOnce again the New York Times real estate section features a house in Hawaii …this time a 4,934-square-foot four-bedroom four-and-a-half bath house overlooking Aliomanu Beach on Kauai. At $1925/sq ft, it looked pretty rich compared with an 11,000 sq ft home in Newport, RI built for a member of the J. P. Morgan family in 1881 by the architects McKim, Mead and White. But that’s the price of Paradise!
If you are looking for something special in this price range on the Big Island, I’d suggest checking out the three brand-new houses right above the white sand beach at Anaeho’omalu Bay on the Kohala Coast (and a larger home listed for closer to $14 million). Only 17 homes will ever be built on the lots within the Kolea gated community, which also includes spacious condominiums at smaller price points.
All three are gorgeous homes, so how to choose? I’m a believer that even when it comes to beachfront property, location is the key. For investment value, I’d choose the house on Lot 7. Lot 4 is right next to the community Beach Club with its pool, barbecue, fitness hale and general level of activity. And Lot 13 slips around a corner, making the ocean less intimate. Of course, you might fall in love with the feel and features of one of the others. And if none of them quite suits, there are still four lots available at prices from $2.5 - 6 million to build to your own taste.
A hui hou,
beth@hawaiipalmproperties.com
Cell: 808-443-4588
Hawaii Palm Properties, Inc
Office in downtown Hawi near Bamboo restaurant
www.hawaiipalmproperties.com