Paia, HI

Who's on First?

Every where you go people are looking for answers. You have people that you casually know coming up to you and asking what going on in the market and will we be okay. I finished work yesterday and headed down to Kanaha Beach for an evening windsurf session. When I was derigging my sailboard after a session. A group form Hood River Oregon was talking about when it will be safe to buy real estate again. Being the Realtor I am I jump into the conversation. Their feeling were middle of next year is going to be the opportunity to catch the bottom.

As the financial guru Warren Buffet says it's a great time to buy when people are running scared. Okay what ever. What I am seeing is people that are afraid for their future. The want to work and pay their bills. I do think this is a wake-up call for everyone. Yes the government and special interest got us in this mess. The average American has been living the lie also. Extended credit, buy it now; you deserve it so go get it. Well that is all coming to an end. We are going to have to be more resourceful and creative. Now if we can just get these Bozo's who represent our so called interest in government on the same page it would help. So my conclusion is cover your ass because the team is out to lunch.

Steven Nickens R(S) GRI ABR

The Wailea Group LLC.

3750 Wailea Alanui, suite 5WE

Wailea, Maui, Hi 96753

www.nickensmaui.com

Email: nickens@maui.net

On the last Saturday of every month, the Paia Youth and Cultural Center (PYCC) hosts a beach clean up. The PYCC is located along the shores of Paia Bay in beautiful Paia, Maui. Not only does PYCC provide a great space for Maui's kids, the staff does a wonderful job of instilling a respect for the environment among its members. Today, PYCC had a special clean up that streched from Baldwin Beach Park back to the beach around the Youth Center. The clean up drew sponsorship and increased participation through the Humbol Company.

Quite a Haul!

The kids and adult volunteers did a great job picking up trash not only on the beach, but in the Baldwin Beach parking lot and in the bushes and trees located off the beach. The beach produced lots of small items like bits of plastic, bottle caps and cigarette butts. The bushes and the trees produced the big ticket items. Included among the debris were tires, a weight bench, car batteries, car parts, municipal signs and more.

A volunteer with a well deserved shave ice!

Part of the Clean Up Crew in front of the Youth Center

It is safe to say I needed a shower after a couple of hours of rooting out trash from the bushes!

After a couple of hours of hard work in the sun, volunteers were treated to Akinaka Shave Ice, followed by a barbecue lunch from Brudda Willy's Sticky Ribs, and pizza from the Flatbread Company. Humbol gave T-shirts and stickers to all the participants. They also provided trash bags, gloves and cold drinks! Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors for a great effort. Paia's Beaches are that much cleaner thanks to your hard work!

Paia ,

is a reflection of its history as a booming sugar cane plantation town with its old plantation style wooden buildings still in tact. This quaint little beach town has an array of fine specialty shops, boutiques, surf shops, antique stores, bakeries, and even an old fashioned tattoo parlor. Award wining restaurants offer casual and full service dining with local and international culinary delights.kd

The array of locally owned island shops and dining establishments offer warm hospitality and friendly service, with an atmosphere unlike any other town on the island.

Prudential Locations LLC of Maui , The New Real-Estate Office on the Block Tel: 808-579-8543

Jim Sanders Real-Estate Office in Paia ,,,,,,, This office has 2 E-Pro's Representing Active Rain Tel: 808-579-8255

Fred Haywood Realty , The cute office on main strip ! Tel : 808-579-8848

Equity 1One Office , Real-Estate Boutique with Erik Aeder , below are some Pictures for View! Tel : 808-579-1111

Both Pictures are Photographed by Erik Aeder. Just feel free to come into the office to see his Collection at Equity 1One

Energy efficiency isn't only about conservation of energy, it is also about conservation of your money. There are a few obvious ways to do this such as to replace all of your traditional light bulbs with compact fluorescents, add insulation, upgrade your furnace, install a heat pump, or make sure all drafty doors and windows are sealed. Although all of these things cost money, over time they will pay for themselves. However, even the little things (lightbulbs!) can save you a substantial amount of money on your energy bill (PGE rate increase, anybody?) while conserving a LOT of energy.


What I really want to focus on is the Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM). Many people haven't heard of these but they have been around for decades. EEMs can help you do a green renovation to an existing home or fund the construction of a new home. Call your Mortgage Broker or Lender and ask them about EEMs. If they have no idea what you are talking about, call around until you find one who does. Although all lenders COULD offer EEMs, not all do. A good place to start would be Earth Advantage, here in Portland. http://www.earthadvantage.com/financing/

How they work:

A broker or lender doing an EEM will calculate, using a certified third party ratings guide, how much you could save by doing a green renovation. Whether that means replacing old appliances with energy efficient appliances, calculating the benefit of green building practices on new construction, or adding insulation, etc., they will add this savings to your income. This will also enable you to buy more house by improving your debt-to-income ratio and, although your loan may be higher, the EEM is calculated so that the energy savings should make up for it.

Here is a list of third-party certification programs and links to their websites so you can see what their systems are:

Energy Star - http://www.energystar.gov

Built Green - http://www.builtgreen.net

RESNET Home Energy Ratings - http://www.RESNET.us

LEED - http://www.USGBC.org/LEED/homes

American Lung Association Health House - http://www.healthhouse.org

Made with my iPhone on 09/21/2008 at Kanaha Beach / Maui / Hawaii

Here's a quick fly over of Maui's north shore, from Ho'okipa Beach Park to Kanaha Beach (east to west). It's short and sweet, with a nice Hawaiian soundtrack "Home in the Islands". Yes, it really is this beautiful almost every day of the year. If this doesn't make you want to get over here for a vacation, then I don't know what to say.

For more Maui north shore info and pictures, you can search through this blog and others. When you're ready to make the move to Maui, please let me be your guide.... Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro (808) 283-0635

PAIA HOMES FOR SALE ~ PAIA RELOCATION PACKAGE ~ EMAIL ME ~ HOOKIPA DRIVE-BY VIDEO