Gary Bland R (S) E-Pro, ABR

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 Makena Surf, 905 Makena Alanui Drive, Kihei, HI 96753. There are 107 units in Makena Surf which was built in 1984 as a beachfront complex in Kihei. 12 buildings, each with 2 floors, take up 10.81 acres. Both vacation and long-term rentals are allowed; owner occupancy is 10%; units are sold in fee simple. No pets are allowed.

Amenities include:
BBQ area
Pool
Hot tub/spa
Recreation area
Tennis court
Security Guard
Association pays cable
Community laundry room

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

Interior sq ft runs from 1038 for a 2 bedroom/2 bath home to 3415 sq ft for a 3 bedroom/3 bath. There is one 4-bedroom/4 bath unit in the complex and one 5 bedroom/5 bath home.

Only 1 unit sold in 2008 - a 2 bedroom2 bath remodeled home of 1510 sf, for $2,400,000. Days on market was 692 for this beachfront ground level condo.

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

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
Hawaii MLS home search on Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Hawaii
Hawaii real estate in Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island Hawaii

We don't want to take for granted the beauty we have on our island, so here are 10 easy ways to become greener or stay a Green Homeowner, thanks to RisMedia:

1. Recyle and Reuse - save money and increase your energy efficiency.

2. Save water - even Hawaii has water shortages and water bills.

3. Conserve rain water - use rain water for your plants, indoor and out.

4. Reduce electricity - saves money and energy. Turn off appliances not in use.

5. Replace light bulbs - the new compact fluorescent light bulbs use 30% less energy and last longer.

6. Drive less. Go to the beach more.

7. Think smart when you print - use both sides of the paper, reuse paper, save trees and ink.

8. Turn down the refrigerator - this appliance uses the most electricity in your house. Turn to 37 degrees in the main part, and 0 degrees F in the freezer.

9. Support local farms - this is a fun way to save in Hawaii, because we have such wonderful local foods in a wide variety for healthy eating.

10. Dry clothes outside - this could take awhile in the humidity of Hawaii, but if the tradewinds are blowing, you'll love the smell of the air-dried clothes.

Read the full article at RisMedia.

Contact me for more ideas on how to Keep Maui Green.

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

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
Hawaii real estate team services Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Hawaii
Hawaii homes for sale on Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island

The first whole ownership resort and spa on Ka'anapali Beach in 25 years is now officially open.

From a press release by PRNewsWire, "Hokulani, phase one of Honua Kai Resort & Spa, officially opens; Homeowner closings already reach $100 Million in January 2009. The new $400-million development is situated along nearly 40 beachfront acres on Ka`anapali Beach, one of Maui's best snorkeling and dive locations.

"Honua Kai Resort & Spa delivers a unique Hawaiian experience for vacationers and homeowners, featuring contemporary architecture amidst a dynamic resort environment...Homeowners and resort guests will have their expectations exceeded at this premier destination resort on the beautiful island of Maui," said Brian Collins, president of Intrawest, a leader in the development and management of experiential destination resorts.

The resort consists of two U-shaped buildings (Hokulani and Konea) with ocean and mountain views, lush landscaping and expansive open spaces. The opening of the Hokulani tower marks the completion of the first phase of development encompassing 318 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, a lobby cafe, pool and hot tubs, beachside barbeque grills, meeting rooms, and a keiki (kids) club. The fully appointed guest suites include luxury kitchen appliances, in-suite laundry, LCD televisions and a Blu-ray DVD player. Available services include valet parking, bell service, room service and concierge.

The resort was very lucky in the timing of the sales of Hokulani, a sell-out success in 2005 which sold all 318 condominiums in a single day. There are limited full ownership opportunities still available in the second phase of development in the Konea Tower, which is expected to open in Spring 2010, and will include an additional 310 guest suites, pool amenities, as well as a spa, fitness center, lobby cafe and a beachside restaurant. Current sales prices range from $638,000 to $6,500,000 for 580 sf to 2,700 sf units. Here's a link for the floorplans and interiors.

Read the full press release from PRNewsWire.

Contact me for more information about this quality resort and ownership opportunities on our gorgeous Ka'anapali Beach.

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

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
Maui real estate team services Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Big Island Hawaii
Hawaii real estate search of Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island

This starts a series about the 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.

Our first featured complex is Wailea Point Village, 4000 Wailea Alanui, Wailea, HI 96753. There are 279 units in Wailea Point Village, which was built in 1986-1987, as an oceanfront complex. 66 buildings, each with 3 floors, spread out on 26.36 acres. Both vacation and long-term rentals are allowed; owner occupancy is 80%; units are sold in fee simple.

Amenities include:
BBQ area
Pool
Spa/hot tub
Clubhouse
Meeting rooms
Fitness center
Tennis
Beach access
Secured complex
Central air
Pets allowed
Laundry in units

Interior sq ft runs from 1205 for a 1-bedroom, to 4821 for a 6-bedroom. Most of the homes are 2 or 3-bedrooms, ranging from 1359 sq ft to 3666 sq ft.

Only 3 sales occurred during 2008: 2 bedroom for $1,650,000; 2 bedroom for $3,300,000; 3 bedroom for $5,250,000. The last sale was April 9. Average days on market for the 3 sales was 171. As with many of our developments and condo complexes, the sales slowed dramatically during the 2nd half of the year.

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 real estate for sale on Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island

In the 25th Annual Hale 'Aina Dining Awards of Honolulu Magazine, several Maui restaurants won top honors.

Best Maui Restaurant went to Lahaina Grill, 127 Lahainaluna Rd, Lahaina, 808-667-5117. Silver was won by Mama's Fish House, 799 Poho Place, Ku'au, 808-579-8488. Hali'imaile General Store took the Bronze, 900 Hali'imaile Rd, 808-572-2666. The 2 finalists were Roy's Kihei, 808-891-1120, and Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, 808-669-6286.

Two Maui eateries won awards for Best New Neighbor Island Restauraurants: Merriman's Kapalua, 1 Bay Club Place, Kapalua, 808-669-6400, and Mala Wailea, 3700 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, 808-875-9394.

Established in 1990 in the historic Lahaina Inn, the Lahaina Grill was also a finalist for Best Bistro/New American Cuisine, and Best Wine Program. Here's a description from the magazine of the Lahaina Grill: "Formerly David Paul's Lahaina Grill, the name changed in 2007 but owner Jurg Munch and the exceptional food and service are still the same. Creative New American cuisine using the freshest ingredients. Best Maui Restaurant for 16 consecutive years (1994-2009)!" Their web site states, "Lahaina Grill uses techniques and flavors from around the world, all perfectly blended with the freshest ingredients cultivated by Maui's local farms, dairies and surrounding waters...Complementing the cuisine at Lahaina Grill is a wine list that features over 350 selections from notable wineries and boutique vineyards from around the globe."

Mama's Fish House was born in 1973 - Maui's first fresh fish restaurant. The Christenson family sailed the South Pacific in the late 1950's, and discovered the Polynesian ways of preparing fish and living the Aloha spirit. The settled on Maui in 1963. Perry Bateman, Executive Chef, draws on a multiethnic background of Hawaiian, German, Tahitian, Chinese,and Japanese to work his magic in the kitchen.

Hali'imaile General Store has been receiving awards for most of its 19 years. It is a gourmet takeout food shop turned restaurant. Their web site describes the fare as "eclectic American with Asian overtones." Chef and owner Bev Gannon published the Hali'imaile General Store Cookbook in 2002, and is the corporate chef for Hawaiian Airlines.

Come visit Maui and these outstanding restaurants. Once you are here, you won't want to leave, and I'm ready to discuss real estate opportunities on Maui with you while you enjoy our local flavors.

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

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
Hawaii Realtor services Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Big Island Hawaii
real estate Hawaii on the following Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island