Kauai and Muai year-to-date sales statistics through August 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 show that this continues to be an unprecedented opportunity for buyers. Selection is huge and prices are down substantially There remains a large amount of inventory to be cleared out before downward price pressures ease. An upturn in number of sales is key to that and there are hints that this may now be happening. Some economists think we may be at or near the bottom of the cycle.
This Month's Update
Year-to-Date Median Sales Price (Jan-August 2009)
| Type | Kauai | % Change | Maui | % Change | |
| Single Family Homes | $470,000 | -27% | $515,000 | -14% | |
| Condominiums | $330,000 | -42% | $560,000 | -4% | |
| Vacant Land | $284,500 | -54% | $512,000 | -27% |
Year-to-Date Number of Sales (Jan-August 2009)
| Type | Kauai | % Change | Maui | % Change | |
| Single Family Homes | 153 | -26% | 397 | -38% | |
| Condominiums | 100 | -26% | 526 | -16% | |
| Vacant Land | 48 | -41% | 65 | -21% |
One of the most striking differences between the Kauai and Maui markets is condo sales (both numbers and prices). It has been my "soft" observation that new construction on Maui has continued through the downturn while most has stopped on Kauai and this data adds support to this. Note that previously unreported 2009 sales of the new Honua Kai project on Maui's Westside are included for the first time.
[Data extracted from Kauai and Maui multiple list reports. Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should not be relied on for buying or selling decisions. There are likely to be differing opinions and interpretations of the data.]
Aloha & Mahalo!
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Gay & Robinson announced this week that late October would mark the end of sugar cane production on Kauai. All other companies had previously exited the business so this is the end for what was once Kauai's main agricultural crop. Annual burning of sugar cane fields as shown in the photo produced widespread smoke and ash but it was accepted because of the desire to keep much of the island's land in agriculture. Perhaps it is fitting that there is a partial rainbow over the smoke in the photo below.
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There is still a possibility that sugar cane could be grown in the future for production of ethanol fuels but the infrastructure for that is not currently in place. Source of this information is today's Garden Island Newspaper.
Many are surprised to learn that the new dominate crop is seed corn. However this is much smaller in scale and does not need the extensive acreage of sugar cane. Also, there is local resistance to this business because of fears about genetic modification so the jury is still out on its future.
Aloha!
Search Kauai/Big Island | Search Maui | Email | About Me | Visit Website | Phone/Text (808) 651-4550
Engineering Hawaii Dreams Today--Helping Buyers Find Dream Homes & Sellers Find Buyers
Visit www.KauaiRocks.com for Hawaii real estate information
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Another great place to visit on Maryland's Eastern Shore, St. Michaels (9/14/2009).
Aloha!
Search Kauai/Big Island | Search Maui | Email | About Me | Visit Website | Phone/Text (808) 651-4550
Engineering Hawaii Dreams Today--Helping Buyers Find Dream Homes & Sellers Find Buyers
Visit www.KauaiRocks.com for Hawaii real estate information
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This is such a delightful city and I miss it a lot but the draw of Hawaii was just too strong (9/15/2009)
Aloha!
Search Kauai/Big Island | Search Maui | Email | About Me | Visit Website | Phone/Text (808) 651-4550
Engineering Hawaii Dreams Today--Helping Buyers Find Dream Homes & Sellers Find Buyers
Visit www.KauaiRocks.com for Hawaii real estate information
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It happened quickly and I was surprised to see my quick shot had captured the flyover prior to gametime
Aloha!
Search Kauai/Big Island | Search Maui | Email | About Me | Visit Website | Phone/Text (808) 651-4550
Engineering Hawaii Dreams Today--Helping Buyers Find Dream Homes & Sellers Find Buyers
Visit www.KauaiRocks.com for Hawaii real estate information
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