Hawaii Real Estate Blog

From the glittering city of Honolulu to the epic views on the summit of Diamond Head, the Hawaiian island of Oahu offers something for everyone. This tropical paradise enjoys fantastic weather throughout most of the year, meaning a fun day of swimming at the beach or hiking along jungle trails is just about always possible. Oahu is also – by far – the most populous Hawaiian island, meaning it enjoys all of the amenities and conveniences of a large American city (but without all the unattractive concrete!). Whether you spend your days sipping martinis in the tourist haven of Waikiki, or solemnly learning about history at the Pearl Harbor memorial, Oahu will never fail to impress you.

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Everyone has seen President Obama standing in front of his primary residence at the White House in Washington D.C., but not everyone has seen him standing in front of his vacation home in Oahu. The President truly shows his “down-to-earth” side while taking a well-deserved vacation there. His Hawaiian home is located at 55 Kailuana Place in beautiful Kailua. The five-bedroom home is rented; the owner is Kevin Comcowich, a portfolio manager from Houston, Texas. When Comcowich purchased the property, he paid $9 million for the 42,403 square-foot lot and home.

This legendary pre-1950s house is nestled on a dead-end street, part of the estate of Harold K.L. Castle. K.L. Castle was famous for developing a good portion of Kailua. In 2003, after his death, the house was sold to Paul Sullivan. The house was remodeled and renovated in 2005. Sullivan sold the property to the current owner, who was able to get a bargain for it. The original price was over $11 million, but he paid only $9 million for it.

President Obama does not require a multi-story mansion like the White House while on vacation. His vacation home is a single-story building with a wood frame. The home is well over 4,500 square feet. Inside the home, there are five and a half baths, a weight room, a gourmet kitchen and a weight room. President Obama and his family need not venture far to experience a tropical paradise. Located on the premises are eight waterfalls, a hot tub and lava rock pool.

In consideration of President Obama’s annual salary in comparison with regular daily rental rates of the property, it is still somewhat pricey. The President’s annual salary is only $400,000. In the past, 55 Kailuana Place has been rented out for $2,500 to $3,500 per day; on the President’s income, he would not be able to live there longer than about 5 months. Within walking distance is the scrumptious Pinky’s Pupu Bar & Grille, situated along the canal running by the home. Indoors, the home reflects modern elegance and sophistication, but still has a home-like feel to it. President Obama is famous for his strong family values, so this is perhaps why he enjoys this beautiful paradise so much.

It is impossible to rent out a room in the White House, but it is possible to rent the same house the President uses during his Hawaiian vacations. Imagine another realistic possibility – being the neighbor of the President while he and his family are on vacation. When President Obama and his family visit Hawaii, they are known to be sociable with their neighbors. There certainly are many properties for sale near 55 Kailuana Place. There are also plenty of other Kailuana Real Estate listings throughout the entire area. To find out how to live in the same city President Obama vacations in, the first step is to talk to a Kailua Realtor. Most real estate agents who specialize in Oahu or Kailua properties may know of open properties, but it is best to deal with a local Realtor who is knowledgeable about the Kailuana area of Kailua for the most up-to-date and inside tips about buying within the area.

Relocating to Kailuana is not as difficult as it may seem. Since Hawaii is a state, moving there is not as complicated as moving to another tropical paradise island in the Pacific. Hawaii’s climate is moderate; it is usually warm all year. There is a rainy season each year, but that provides an interesting mix of weather and keeps the island looking like heaven. Another surprising fact is that real estate prices are lower on average for the size of lot and quality of home than comparable areas. For example, a home two doors down from the President’s vacation home is valued at about $7 million. Similar properties that have ocean views in Southern California or Southern Florida average well over $10 million. Kailuana is a more expensive area to live, with homes ranging in the millions. However, for those whose budgets allow, this location is perfect in every aspect – and is also a great value for each dollar spent. To view Kailuana homes for sale, contact a Kailuana Realtor.

Oahu offers an unforgettable world class vacation whether you are visiting for business of leisure. From the historical landmark of Pearl Harbor to the beautiful beaches of Waikiki, every visitor is left yearning to stay longer in the beautiful Island.

When you arrive in Oahu, you will be welcomed with salty air and the cool ocean breeze. Oahu is the capital of Hawaii and is a bustling vacation and business city. Tall buildings fill the skyline while museums, galleries and other historical places are lined along the streets. When you move further ahead, you will not fail to notice a large number of tourists enjoying the warm weather and water activities at the beach. Scores of tourists soak in the warm Hawaiian sun on lounge chairs under hotel-provided umbrellas.

Diamond Head Crater
There is a lot more you can do in Oahu apart from just enjoying the beach. The Diamond Head Crater is a must-visit place for the adventurous tourist. You can hike along the Crater and enjoy a spectacular view of the island from the peak. However, make sure you prepare yourself well for the hike by carrying enough sunscreen, a hat and lots of water. While the island is mostly cool, the crater area is unusually hot. There are many rest-stops along the trails where you can stop to enjoy the shade and rejuvenate yourself before continuing your hike.

Sea Life Park
Oahu is full of attractions for both the indoor and outdoor enthusiast. Notable attractions include the Sea Life Park that lies north of Hanauma Bay. You will enjoy dolphins, sea lions and other marine life. To take your adventure to the next level, you can feed the sea turtles, enjoy a sea lion show or even swim with the dolphins. The whole family will have an amazing experience at the Sea Life Park.

Daytime in Oahu
Waikiki boasts of some of the best beaches in Hawaii. Most people go to the beach to read or simply enjoy the scenic view of the ocean. Apart from these, you can also enjoy other aquatic activities including surfing, snorkeling, and outrigger canoeing.

If you are looking for a quieter place, the North Shore is the place to visit. You can mingle with the locals and have a first-hand experience of their culture. When it gets too hot, head to the Waimea Beach to relax or enjoy other attractions at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Nightlife
After a long day of touring different places and enjoying various attractions, nightlife is not any different. You can enjoy a family dinner at the upscale, elegant eateries that line the tiki-torch streets in Waikiki. If you are looking for a family menu, kid-friendly menu or a romantic dinner, the Ala Moana Center will not disappoint you.

The downtown area is also great for window shopping. After having your dinner, stop by some of the retail shops along Kalakaua Avenue and grab what you can. The avenue offers a shopping galore, almost to the point of making you feel guilty.

Real Estate in Oahu
If you are looking for Oahu real estate opportunities, you have to research well. Contacting an Oahu realtor may be a good thing as they can advise you one the best places to invest and the available homes for sale. The housing market in Oahu has been on the upward trend as many visitors continue flocking to the island every year. Thus, there are good opportunities in provision of guest villas or condos. You can buy a home, upgrade it and rent it out to tourists.

Available Oahu homes for sale are usually listed at the county office. You can also search for the homes online at foreclosure websites or real estate agencies’ websites. If you are interested in purchasing a home, it is important to visit and inspect it before making your offer. Some of the things you should inspect include the heater system, water supply, condition of the walls and floors, the roof among others. You want to establish whether you will be required to make any repairs in the house after you have bought it.

Oahu is one of the best places to visit in Hawaii and it has lucrative investment opportunities in the real estate sector.

The day before the Eddie Aikau 2009

View the video above to see the  surf before the Eddie Aikau Tournament 2009. This was shot (sorry in low rez) from the top of Waimea Bay. The surf was way bigger the day before, but forgot my phone at home.

Check out the links below for more on Honolulu, Hawaii:

Little known Honolulu Hotspots

Why Move to Honolulu?

Here’s another great event for residents and visitors to the Honolulu area this August – The Joy of Sake.  This festival takes place the evening of August 19^th at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, with tickets costing $80.  There will be over 300 sakes available to taste, with appetizers presented by twelve of Honolulu’s finest restaurants. Honolulu’s Academy of Arts is the perfect setting, with cool, open corridors and spaces set up for tasting and several patio areas set up as appetizer stations. This is the largest sake event outside of Japan, and has been held annually since 2001. There will also be premium sakes competing in a blind taste test by judges from Japan and the US.

For those not familiar, Sake is a rice wine. But not while wine is made by natural fermentation of sugar in fruit, sake is brewed from starch, more like a beer. The alcohol content ranges from 15-20%. There are many variations, either being served hot or cold. It also promotes several health benefits. It contains amino acids, which aid the immune system and can help to prevent cancer. It has been said to help prevent cirrhosis, arteriosclerosis, osteoporosis and heart attacks.
Check out the videos below on a Taiko drum ceremony at the last Joy of Sake festival and a brief video on pairing sake with sushi.

If you are interested in visiting or living in Hawaii or the beautiful Honolulu area, check out the links below:

Guide to Buying a Vacation Home in Honolulu [via realtyworld]

Best Places to Retire in Hawaii [via hawaiinetworker]

Hawaii Travel Guide [via wikitravel]

Honolulu Night Life – The Best Pubs [via hawaiiguy]

Best Places to Raise a Family in Hawaii [via hawaii]