The summer season is officially here.  And whether this season is busy for you with graduations, weddings or you are just looking forward to quality vacation time, we wish you all the best.  Below you will find the latest news on our Hawaiian "Garden Island" of Kauai.  If you are tempted to invest here in the land of the endless summer, this might be the right year to take the plunge.  Let us know if we can help!

 

Aloha,

 

Sylvia & Don 

 

Hanalei Bay came in second on the list of the Best U.S. Beaches 2008.  The list is compiled annually by Florida International University professor Stephen P. Leatherman, otherwise known as "Dr. Beach."  Leatherman compiles his list as part of the National Healthy Beaches campaign.  A television special featuring this year's best beaches is in the planning stage. 

 

Hanalei was beat out for the top position by Caladesi Island in Florida.  Other U.S. beaches that made the top 10 this year include Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida, Coopers Beach in Southamton, NY, Coronado Beach in San Diego, Main Beach in East Hampton, NY, Hamoa Beach, Maui, HI, Cape Hatteras, NC, Cape Florida State Park, FL, and Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, SC.

 

Hanalei Bay is in our opinion, the picture perfect Hawaiian beach with something for everyone.  In the winter its an exciting place.  When the waves are high, you'll see lots of surfers, surf competitions and body surfers.  Summertime is our favorite time - the water is warm and calm enough to snorkel.  Sailboats bob around on their summer ties, the sunsets are the best in the world and refreshments are just a short walk away.  On the 4th of July, families gather for fireworks on the beach to celebrate. 

 

We don't mind being #2.  Once a beach makes it to #1 on Dr. Beach's list, they are retired from the competition (with honors) and do not appear on future lists.   And since we're not quite ready to retire... we will gratefully accept the #2 spot recognition!!

 

Think that the airlines are just too much hassle?  Now there's a new alternative!  On May 8th, Jeff Stone, president of The Resort Group, announced the company's "Resort Air" will begin offering luxury private jet service between the Hawaiian Islands.  Resort Air was formed in September 2005.  Since then, the airline has carried mostly resort executives, developers, investors and their guests for business meetings.  Now, Hawaii business and vacation travelers can catch a ride to smaller exclusive airports including Princeville on Kauai, Hana on Maui, the Big Island's Waimea-Kohala Airport and Lanai Airport.  Your luxury flight will be aboard a Citation II and will only cost $3,000 per hour for a minimum two hours per 24 hour period!  Whew!  That's a little over our heads! 

 

Resort Air has been seen occasionally making trips to Princeville Airport which is also owned by The Resort Group.  The Resort Group also owns and operates much of Princeville Resort, and has been overseeing the area's planned transformation iinto a premier resort destination.  In September, the Princeville Resort Hotel will close for a $60 million renovation and be reintroduced by the summer of 2009 as Hawaii's only St. Regis Hotel and Resort.  Last fall, an affilate of Montage Hotels and resorts purchased 122 acres in Princeville on and near the site of the old Club Med.  Although there are no immediate plans for development, the company says it eventually intends to build a "wonderful and appropriate" Montage Resort on the property.  The Montage Resort and Spa in Laguna Beach is the company's best known property, where rates start at $795 per night. 

 

The Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa has been named to Expedia's Insider's Select list of the top 25 resorts.  It was the only property in Hawaii to make it in the top 100!  The resort was just finished last year and offers new condominium resort units to private owners who for the most part rent their condos out to vacationers through Outrigger's reservation program.  One and two bedroom condos start at $600,000 for a garden view.  The largest oceanfront condo is priced at $2,899,000!  The Waipouli Beach Resort is a beachside complex in Kapaa, centered around a meandering tropical pool area.  The central location just ten minutes from the airport has made it a popular vacation choice for Kauai visitors.  If you would like us to send you all of the current availabilities, just drop us an email at Leutz@Inreach.com

 

 

 

 

Waimea Canyon has captured the #3 spot on Trip Advisor's list of Top 10 FREE ATTRACTIONS in the United States.  The ranking was determined by a combination of TripAdvisor editors and overall popularity among the visitors of the TripAdvisor website.  The top two attractions were The Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas and Arlington National Cemetary in Arlington, VA.

As we were enjoying the amazing ocean view from our listing at Alii Kai 4-102 last week, we noticed a tiny red sail out on the big ocean of blue.  It sailed almost out to the horizon and then headed back toward our coast and finally turned back into Hanalei Bay.  As it got closer, we realized how tiny the boat really was.  The next day we read about the vessel in the local newspaper.  The canoe was built entirely by hand, and has a bright red sail topped by the ancient Hawaiian Flag.  It was launched over coconut fronds by a group of volunteers into Hanalei Bay.  The crew members were from the Waioli Voyaging Society and the Micronesian carvers who helped to construct the sailing canoe.  Although they had intended to sail around the island of Kauai to Hanama'ulu near Lihue, the voyagers returned under strong winds to the safety of Hanalei Bay.  The Waioli Voyaging Society plans to have the canoe available for teaching students over the summer.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to see more details on Alii Kai 4-102, the Princeville ocean view condo where we took these photos, visit our website through this link:  www.kauaihomesandmore.com

 

Attention Snowbirds - Honolulu Condo Fractional!  

 

Is winter getting to be too much trouble?  Why not spend the holidays (and more) in Honolulu at the legendary Ilikai?  Many resort markets are now featuring Fractional Ownership Interests in resort Properties.  You could own the two month interval from December 10th to February 9th every year for $150,000!  The Interval from February 10th to April 9th is also available for an additional $150,000.  This beautiful one bedroom condo has an ocean view.  It is next door to the Hilton Hawaiian Village and just a short walk away from the Ala Moana Shopping Center.  MLS 174288.  $150,000.

 

 

Kauai Resort Condo at Islander on the Beach

 

Top Floor Ocean View Resort Condo at Islander on the Beach, one of Kauai's most popular east side resorts.  This condo is currently under ResortQuest management and provides steady revenue for the owner when not staying there as a personal vacation spot.  There are travertine floors, custom cabinets, a wet bar with refrigerator and microwave, slab granite countertops and tropical Hawaiian decor.  On the quiet side of the complex, on Kauai's Coconut Coast on the east side of the island - a 10 minute drive to the airport.  MLS 211374.  $279,000.

 

 

Harbor View Vacation Rental Condo in Lihue

 

 

You can see beautiful mountain, ocean and harbor views are seen from this tastefully decorated two bedroom condo located across the street from Kalapaki Bay where the cruise ships arrive.  Fine dining and shopping and the beach are all just a short walk away.  This condo is currently a popular vacation rental.  There is an ocean view swimming pool at the complex or walk to the beach and take a surfing lesson!  MLS 207993.  $389,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential Townhome in at Ka'iulani of Princeville

 

Brand new executive townhouse in Princeville's newest residential community, Ka'iulani of Princeville.  Reduced $90,000 for quick sale. 

 

Designer kitchen with slab granite and mahogany cabinets.  Mountain and ocean views.  1,900 square feet of living spece with two bedrooms, two baths and a two car garage.  Neighborhood amenities include three heated pools, spa, two barbecue areas and a lighted walking path.  MLS 209244  $999,000. 

 

 

Three bedroom, three bath models with unobstructed views of the Prince Course are nearing completion, and will be ready to occupy later this summer.  Call us at 808-652-9402 for the latest availabilities.