Gary Bland R (S) E-Pro, ABR

Rich Dad Hawaii is a franchise of The Rich Dad Company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is run by Lee Ann and Javier Del Carpio. This franchise has started Cashflow Clubs on Oahu and Maui, and in April, will begin clubs on Kauai and Molokai. While I don't recommend or speak against the organization, the concept is interesting and I'm just passing on the news. There will be a training event this month on Oahu, and others are planned in the future on Maui.

When Robert and Kim Kiyosaki retired in 1994, the Cashflow Game was designed to teach people how they did it. As Robert explains, "It's best to invest in your mind before you invest your money into the stock market - or any market for that matter - because ultimately it's your financial intelligence that makes you money." Lee Ann Del Carpio, a Honolulu-based business woman and real estate investor, and her husband Javier Del Carpio, founded the Rich Dad's Franchise Hawaii in late 2008, to bring Robert Kiyosaki's financial education to the islands.

Robert Kiyosaki's Cashflow game is about people teaching people how to invest, make smarter choices with their money, and develop a financial freedom plan to create additional income beyond their paycheck. Participants learn about the power of investing in real estate, good debt versus bad debt and how to avoid buying doodads like that big flat screen TV.

Rich Dad Hawaii's Cashflow Training Events include:
1. People Teaching People in a Fun, Safe Environment with monopoly money
2. A Community of Like-Minded people who can help each other in real life
3. Financial Education that increases confidence and long-term results

Here's a summation from their press release: "Since December 2008, nine new Official Cashflow Clubs have started on Oahu and Maui, where groups play Robert Kiyosaki's Cashflow Game which teaches lessons about money that were never taught in school. When the world is wondering what to do in this economy, these clubs are building an aloha support community for finances. This special event will feature Robert Kiyosaki's top trainer worldwide, Ron Salvador, who is coming home to Hawaii to share how the key financial concepts taught in the game can apply to real life."

Visit Rich Dad Hawaii for details.

Gary Bland, REALTOR
gary@garybland.com
www.garybland.com
808-385-1265

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
Hawaii MLS Condos search of Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Hawaii
Hawaii homes for sale in Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island

The Star Bulletin last Friday ran a story with this headline, "The Big Island and Kauai posted declines in costs while condos increased on Maui." According to the Realtors Assn. of Maui, in February, condo prices rose even as the number of condo sales, and of single family home prices and sales, fell. On the Big Island and Kauai, median prices and numbers of sales both dropped.

Statistics from the Association showed that on Maui, the median price for condos rose 0.7 percent to $578,950 from $575,000 a year earlier but condo sales plunged 53.7 percent to 44 from 95. Single-family home prices on Maui slipped 6.9 percent to $581,250 from $624,391 while home sales nose-dived 60.5 percent to 30 from 76.

Read the full article in the Star Bulletin.

Interested in Maui real estate? Give me a call or email - I know the island and can discuss the best buys. It definitely is a Buyer's Market!

Gary Bland, REALTOR
gary@garybland.com
www.garybland.com
808-385-1265

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
Hawaii MLS Condos search of Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Hawaii
Hawaii homes for sale in Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island

The new trend, Volunteering on Vacation, has been embraced and promoted by the Pacific Whale Foundation. Many travelers, seeing the decreased funding for environmental and social efforts, are volunteering their vacation time. With support from Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Pacific Whale Foundation has launched a new "Volunteering on Vacation" program. Sign on for three hours and you'll walk away with a free Volunteering on Vacation tote bag, plus the satisfaction of making a difference on behalf of Maui's environment.

Participants can peruse a calendar of weekly group activities such as clearing invasive weeds in Hosmer Grove in Haleakala National Park or restoring native plantings in Honokowai. Free admission is part of the deal; you also learn about the history and environment of the beautiful natural areas you visit. If the group events don't fit your schedule, you can pick up a kit to undertake a solo project. For example, the "Beach Clean-up" kit includes directions to a local beach, rubber gloves, trash bags and instructions on disposing of the litter you gather.

From their web site, here a some of the organized activities:

Ongoing, Saturdays
Malama Honokawai
With our partner Ed Lindsey you'll visit the beautiful and hidden Honokawai or Launiupoko Valley, areas closed off to the public. Among Hawaiian archeological sites, you'll learn about Hawaiian history and culture as you help to remove invasive weed plants and possibly plant native species. Meet at 9 a.m. in front of North Sugar Cane Train Station, Puukoli Road, Kaanapali. The program runs from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m. Bring water, snacks, lunch, sunscreen and bug repellant and wear closed-toe shoes, pants and a t-shirt. Be sure to call 249-8811 in advance to sign up.

Ongoing, every 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month
Haleakala National Park
In the company of a Pacific Whale Foundation group leader, you'll gain free entrance to beautiful Haleakala National Park and learn about the history of this spectacular wilderness area. At the park, you'll help remove invasive plants from the National Park. Free transportation is provided, from Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Store in Ma'alaea (meet at 7:30 a.m.) and the Tavares Community Center in Pukalani (meet at 8:15 a.m.). The program takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and includes three hours of work, plus time for a short hike and picnic. Bring water, snacks, lunch and sunscreen and wear closed-toe shoes, pants and warm clothes. Be sure to call 249-8811 in advance to sign up!

Ongoing, every Friday
Maui Coastal Land Trust
With our partner, Maui Coastal Land Trust and group leader Scott Fisher, you'll visit a remarkable coastal area that's rich in Hawaiian history and bird watching - and it's home to some of Maui's last sand dunes. You'll help to remove invasive species, clear brush and weed. Meet at 7:15 a.m in front of Maui Coastal Land Trust Offices, located at 2371 W Vineyard St Wailuku, adjacent to the Iao Valley Church. The program takes place from 8:00 a.m. to noon and includes four hours of work. Bring water, snacks, lunch, and sunscreen, and wear closed-toe shoes, pants and hat/sun protection. Be sure to call 249-8811 in advance to sign up!

To protect our beautiful island and the wild species that call it home, give some time to the Pacific Whale Foundation. For more information about Volunteering on Vacation and to sign up, contact Pacific Whale Foundation's Reservations department at (808) 249-8811. From the U.S. Mainland, please call 1-800-WHALE-11 and ask about Volunteering on Vacation.

Gary Bland, REALTOR
gary@garybland.com
www.garybland.com
808-385-1265

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
Hawaii MLS Condos search of Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Hawaii
Hawaii homes for sale in Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island

There are many beautiful condos on Maui which - because of our economic downturn - have great deals available for buyers! Visit my Hawaii State Condo Guide for details on any of the complexes here on Maui.

Featured this week is the Grand Champions Villas, 155 Wailea Ike Place, Kihei, HI 96753. There are 188 units in Grand Champions Villas, which was built in 1989 as an oceanview complex in Kihei. 22 buildings, each with 3 floors, take up 12.21 acres. Both vacation and long-term rentals are allowed; owner occupancy is 51%; units are sold in fee simple. No pets are allowed. Management company is Destination Resorts Hawaii.

Amenities include:
BBQ area
Pool
Hot tub/spa
Recreation area
Cabana/Club house
Tennis court
Beach/Beach access
Golf
Gated community
Security Guard
Air Conditioning
Association pays cable
Storage

Apartment Furnishings:
Dishwasher
Refrigerator
Range/Oven
Microwave
Washer/Dryer
Water heater

Interior sq ft runs from 908 for a 1 bedroom/2 bath home to 1383 sq ft for a 2 bedroom/2 bath. 4 units sold in 2008: a 1-bedroom of 908 sq ft for $425,000; 2 2-bedroom of 1056 sq ft for $575,000 and $745,000; a 3 bedroom of 1383 sq ft with ocean view for $750,000.

Gary Bland, REALTOR
gary@garybland.com
www.garybland.com
808-385-1265

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
Hawaii MLS Condos search of Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Hawaii
Hawaii homes for sale in Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island

President Obama has often mentioned the importance of charter schools in his overall plan to improve education in the nation, and Maui will now the one in Kihei will be larger and improved. A nightclub and restaurant space will be converted into the new campus for the Kihei Charter Middle School.

"We're gaining more space and we're decreasing our costs," Kihei Charter Executive Director Mark Christiano explained recently as he toured the space once used by Hapa's nightclub, a Mexican restaurant and the current Title Guaranty Escrow & Title Services offices on Lipoa Street.

Currently, middle school students at the only public charter school on Maui are split in two locations - a Science Technology Engineering and Math Academy in the Maui Research & Technology Park, and an Arts Academy at the Maui Academy of Performing Arts on Market Street in Wailuku.

The opportunity to consolidate into one campus came up during the charter school's attempts to find one site for all of its programs.

There are 72 students in the Science Technology Engineering and Math middle school program, and about 51 in the Arts Academy. All together, Kihei Charter School projects a student population of 460 students.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Education is pursuing the negotiation of nearly 77 acres of property just south of the Kihei Commercial Center to build a more traditional high school.

Read the entire article about the charter school's new look at Maui News.

Gary Bland, REALTOR
gary@garybland.com
www.garybland.com
808-385-1265

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
Hawaii MLS Condos search of Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Hawaii
Hawaii homes for sale in Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island