Barbara Abe

The House and Senate have passed a bill to raise income taxes on roughly the top 2.6% of the state's taxpayers. It would create three new income tax brackets in filing categories and gradually adjust the state's highest tax rate from the existing 8.25 percent to 11 percent depending on income.

Single taxpayers who earn less than $150,000 a year, heads of households who make less than $225,000 a year and couples filing jointly who earn less than $300,000 a year would see no tax increase under the bill. Lawmakers estimate the higher income taxes would generate $48 million a year to help balance the state's budget.

"We're asking everybody to give a little. And we felt this income bracket could help a little," said state Rep. Pono Chong, D-49th (Maunawili, Olomana, Enchanted Lake). "We don't think it's that big of an increase."

According to 2005 figures from the state Department of Taxation, the latest available, 12,039 - or 2.6 percent - of 459,649 taxable returns would have been covered by the new tax rates. A similar percentage was found among preliminary 2006 figures.

Under the new tax rates, according to the state House Finance Committee, a single taxpayer earning $200,000 would pay $625 more in income taxes, a head of household making $300,000 would pay $938 more in taxes, and a couple earning $400,000 would pay $1,250 more in taxes.

Starting in 2011, the bill would also increase the state's personal exemption and the standard deduction, which would help taxpayers reduce the amount of their taxable income.

There are other provisions - read the whole story on the Honolulu Advertiser. If you have an opinion, contact Gov. Linda Lingle. It's on her desk to sign. governor.lingle@hawaii.gov

Barbara Abe, Realtor

32 single family homes sold in Hawaii Kai during the first quarter, ranging in price from $500,000 - for a 3 BR/2 BA home in Kalama Valley - to $8,250,000 - for a 4 BR/6 BA (2 half baths) home in Koko Kai.

This compares to 45 sales in the 1st quarter of 2008, with a price range of $551,000 to $6,400,000.

In the condo market, 39 homes sold in the 1st quarter, from $300,000 for a 1/1 in Naniwa Gardens to $655,000 for a 3/2.5 in Moana Kai.

This compares to 52 sales a year ago 1st quarter, with prices from $350,000 for a 1/1 in Plaza Hawaii Kai to $868,000 for a 3.2.5 in Peninsula at Hawaii Kai.

Prices in Hawaii Kai have held this past year, but certainly the number of sales has decreased and inventory increaased. Because of our location and finite building opportunities, Hawaii Kai will always hold its value, but buyers now can find some excellent opportunities to invest.

Visit the Neighborhoods page on my web site to read about all the Hawaii Kai communities and request free reports, and visit the Condo page to learn about the wide variety also available in condo living.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
808-226-2537
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com

For more than 30 years, Hawaii Kai residents have fought to protect the Ka Iwi shoreline. 3 years ago, developer QRM Partners proposed to build 180 cabins on a portion of the coast, which was vehemently opposed (anyone who has driven/walked/surfed/golfed in this pristine area knows what 180 cabins would have done). Several months ago, QRM sold its parcels in Ka Iwi to a Utah company, Management Solutions.

Rep. Gene Ward (R-Hawaii Kai - Kalama Valley) recently indicated the new owner is considering a golf academy adjacent to the Hawaii Kai Golf Course on one of the two 90-acre parcels. The other parcel is in front of Queen's Beach. Ward recently said, "There's a unified sense that Hawaii Kai is really suffering from over-development. The people of Hawaii Kai want to make sure Ka Iwi, in its pristine state, stays as rugged as possible."

The state owns 400 acres along the Ka Iwi shoreline, between Queen's Beach and the Makapu'u Lighthouse, and has filed to re-classify the parcel from "urban" to "conservation" to provide more protection. Ward is also working with the State DLNR to have the Ka Iwi shoreline designated as a "wilderness" area, which would give it another layer of protection from development.

The Hawaii Kai Golf Course is very popular with residents and tourists alike and brings economic benefits to our side of the island. But I think most of us in Hawaii Kai feel the Ka Iwi shoreline itself needs to remain undeveloped. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit Ka Iwi, come to Hawaii Kai for a visit - you will probably want to stay.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com

(source: KHON2.com)

19 condos sold in March in Hawaii Kai, from $350,000 for a 1 bedroom in the Mauna Luan, 833 sq ft, 14th floor, to a high price of $600,000 for a 3 bedroom in Gateway Peninsula of 1632 sq ft. Longest days on market of the sales was 262 and shortest was 6.

Buildings represented in sales were Colony at the Peninsula, Esplanade, Gateway Peninsula, Kala Kai, Kalama Kuu, Kalele Kai, Kaluanui, Kawaihae Crescent West, Marina Palms, Mariners Village 1, Mauna Luan, Moana Kai, Mt Terrace, Nanea Kai, Peninsula at Hawaii Kai, and the Plaza Hawaii Kai. And there are many more buildings not included! You can see the great diversity in the condo market in Hawaii Kai, in view, amenities, and prices.

Visit the Condo Page on my web site to receive free reports on every building and in-depth real estate market statistics.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
808-226-2537

In March, 72 single family homes sold compared to 63 in February. The highest sale was a spectacular residence in Koko Kai, for a price of $8,250,000. List price was $9,500,000, interior sq ft 4,800, 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths/2 half baths, land area 0.406 acres.

The lowest priced sale was an attached, or duplex, home in Kalama Valley, with a sales price of $500,000, and list price of $550,000. The interior sq ft is 1,132, 3 bedrooms/2 bath, lot size 3,838 sq ft.

Contact me for details on the neighborhoods and market trends in Hawaii Kai, and visit my web site to request free reports on relocation to Hawaii Kai.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
808-226-2537