Lahaina, HI

Yesterday, Kapalua Realty had the honor of hosting a golf clinic with Daniel Chopra, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Championship winner.

It was a pleasure to hear his tips and suggestions for the game, as he answered questions from the crowd of Kapalua Resort owners and visitors. Several fans wore visors with wigs attached to emulate his famous hairstyle, and even asked the now brunette golfer if he plans to go back to his trademark blonde. When asked what was going through his mind at the tee, he replied that it depended on how he was playing--if it he was playing great golf that day, the answer is nothing. If it's been a tough day, he's evaluating every element of his game.

In response to the audience's varied questions, he went on to show us how he assesses which clubs are needed, how he sets up for different clubs, gets out of bunkers, and described how many "perfect" shots he expects to hit each game. He made his drives look effortless, and the backdrop of the Plantation Course and the ocean in the backgound made for a lovely afternoon.

Chopra is in town to defend the title, in one of the golf world's most prestigious tournaments. Qualifiers must win a tournament in previous years to qualify for this event, and top golfers such as Vijay Singh, Camilo Villegas and Ernie Els will make for an exciting field of play.

I took the following photos at the clinic--I hope you enjoy them!

Daniel Chopra at the Kapalua Realty Golf Clinic:

Daniel Chopra Tees off Maui Style between the pineapples

Daniel Chopra answers questions for Kapalua Resort owners and guests

This is the November report on home sales on Maui from the Maui Real Estate Advisor. You can read the entire report on sales for homes, condos and land on Maui at MauiRealEstateAdvisor.tv.

Maui home sales still slow

The true picture shows sales even slower than the numbers indicate

Home sales continued their up and down trend in November. There were only 64 sales, most in the central area of Kahului/Wailuku. 22 of those were in the "affordable" category.

If we pull out the affordables, the median price jumps from $475,000 to $609,000. Still median single family home prices trended steadily down since August.

Area Sales

The Central area of Kahului/Wailuku accounted for 60% of all sales last month.

Once you get away from the affordable sales in the central area, the rest of the sales picture island wide is bleak for sellers.

On the west side there were only 2 sales for the month: one in Kaanapali for $2.2 million and one in Lahaina for $1.6 million.

There were 4 sales in Kihei and zero (0) in Wailea.

Potts' Picks

There are a number of short sales on nice 3 and 4 bedroom homes in Kihei listed for under $500,000. One is this 5 bedroom, 3 bath home priced at $500,000. It is MLS 333711.

If you would like a white paper on what exactly a short sale is, email me and ask for the "short sale paper." If you would like a list of distressed properties, email me and request "Maui distressed property list."

This home on the Kaanapali hillside has been listed for a while, but they've had some price reductions and are now below $1,000,000 at $995,000. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, has room for a pool and has decent ocean views from upstairs. It is MLS #324222.

I love this next house. I used to run by it almost everyday when I was training for the Maui Marathon. The location, across the street from the beach on Lower Road, the style, everything. It's priced at $2.8 million. That's not bad in this Napili neighborhood. MLS #335068.

For more information on these or any other listings send an email with your request to lee@alohapotts.com, or see all of the listings on Maui at http://www.alohapotts.com.

On January 7th, watch some of Hollywood's brightest stars and the golf world's most celebrated players compete in the 18 hole Mercedes-Benz Championship Pro-Am. Celebrity players include Anthony Anderson of Law and Order, Jon Hamm of Mad Men, Patric Warburton and Oliver Hudson of Rules of Engagement, Kyle McLaughlin, Greg Kinnear, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrera of Entourage fame, John Elway, and musicians Michael Bolton and Josh Kelly.

To qualify for the Mercedes-Benz Championship, which starts the season each year, players must win one of the previous year's 48 PGA tournaments.

Played each year on the Kapalua Resort's famed Plantation Course, one of the most wonderful aspects of this tournament is being able to walk alongside your favorite players without the crowds. The backdrop of the Pacific ocean and whales jumping in the background doesn't hurt either.

For more information on the Mercedes Championship and to purchase tickets for the event, which will be held from January 5th-11th, 2009, visit www.kapalua.com If you aren't able to make it out to Maui, don't miss the coverage on the Golf Channel from the 8th-11th starting at 6:00 pm EST and 1:00 pm HST.* Times are subject to change.

Mele Kalikimaka from Aloha Potts Realty

Every year Lahaina turns into a winter wonderland under the world famous banyan tree. Instead lighting a giant pine tree, Lahaina lights up the banyan tree in Banyan tree park. This tree was planted in 1873 to mark the 50th anniversary of Christian missionary work in Lahaina. Our banyan is supported by several major trunks and covers over 2/3's of an acre.

Of course, even in Maui we dream of a white Christmas, so bring in snow. It's quite a site to see the keiki, and some adults acting like kids, having a snow ball fight while wearing shorts and slippas (flip flops).

After the tree lighting ceremony and snow ball fight we make our way to the Wharf Center across Front Street for Christmas Hula. We would like to share it with you.

Aloha, Lahaina Lee and Barbara

www.AlohaPotts.com