Maui HI - fire disaster recovery September updateI know everyone wants an update about the state of things here on Maui.  Honestly, it's out of my regular sphere of travel, and we haven't been over there as looky-loos so I have no first hand knowledge. There's plenty of images online, and that's a real eye opener.  I think it's still going to hit me hard when I actually see it.  The outpouring of help and financial aid has been tremendous, and it seems to be improving every day in every way.  I'm really proud to call Maui my home.Since I send out newsletters twice a month, I decided to share some of that...  here's some of the things that were included in the Sept 1 newsletter:(BTW, That's the Lahaina Gateway Center pictured above - a hub for supplies to be dropped off and picked up.  T... 09/05/2023

Thank You NAR Click here if you are having trouble viewing this message.   AVAILABLE NOW: Application for Disaster Relief Assistance Applications for disaster relief assistance are now available for those impacted by the Maui wildfires. The Hawai‘i REALTORS® Charitable Foundation will work with the REALTORS® Association of Maui to distribute $1.5 million in disaster relief aid that was awarded by the National Association of REALTORS® Relief Foundation.   Homeowners and renters whose primary residence was damaged or destroyed by the fires may apply for up to $3,000 in initial assistance per household. Applications are open through Dec. 31, 2023.   Assistance is available to qualified applicants towards one of the following options:  Monthly mortgage expenses for primary residence that wa... 08/22/2023

Maui's Historic Wildfire Crisis: How are the Locals Helping and How We Can Help Please Join Us on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 In Support of Our ActiveRain Maui Families This week’s ActiveRain ZOOM call is very special to many of us, as our own Steven Nickens is going to be sharing his experience, living through one of our worst wildfires in over a century. Having lived on Maui for over ½ century himself, Steven knows the island like the back of his hands, as does he know a good many islanders. Steven has had many close friends who have lost everything. As you know, last week Steven’s beloved Maui experienced the deadliest US wildfire in modern history, with a death toll of 111 and counting. Many are still missing and billions of dollars are needed for recovery. These devastating fires, fue... 08/18/2023

Maui Wildfire Charity OrganizationsPlease click the link above to learn more about Maui charity organizations that are assisting those on Maui who are in desperate need of help and aloha. Please donate to these charities if you can. Please feel free to share the list of charities. There are also links to GoFundMe donation pages for businesses and more specifically employees of businesses on Maui who have been impacted by the Maui Wildfires. Any amount will help those on Maui who are in need. Malama Maui. Mahalo.The list is constantly growing and I am adding charity and donation pages as I have time. If you have any deserving charities or donation pages that you suggest, please message me using the Contact Us tab on the page linked above so that I can add them.  Mahalo.   Original post a... 08/16/2023

 The Featured Image (above) is from our balcony at the Maui MarriottMaui Reflections...PrefaceOriginally a tiny fishing village, Lahaina (Hawaiian: “Cruel Sun”) was chosen as the royal capital in 1820 by King Kamehameha II. It remained the capital until 1845, when Honolulu, on Oahu island, replaced it in that role. The Wainee Church Cemetery is sacred to islanders as a burial place for Hawaiian monarchs.Reflections...In 2001, Rick and I purchased two weeks of Marriott Ocean Club Ownership.  It is a two-bedroom ocean-front unit.  It can be split into a one-bedroom and lockout to get four weeks a year.  This is how we used it for many years until I started working as a Sedona REALTOR®. After purchasing, we made plans to visit at the end of September 2001.  Well, we all know what happened.... 08/16/2023

Can't Believe Lahaina is Gone.(Only picture I will post of the fire, so sad what happened to our beloved Lahaina and island)Words can not describe the destruction, loss of property, and lives that this storm raged on Maui. While Lahaina was burned to the ground, upcountry had its own fires causing damage and burning down homes. My daughter has a couple of horses and got the call to help move 16 horses in Kula out of the path of raging fires, winds were blowing 65 mph. So off we went to borrow a truck and trailer and so started the next couple of days getting involved in any way we could help. With the help of others ended up moving 16 horses to safety.Many of our friend's homes burned down, lots of lives were lost, and they are still counting. But you do see amazing people stepping up t... 08/12/2023

Maui fire update from the north shore of MauiOur recent Hawaiian disaster has made ripples across the globe and it seems everyone wants to know if we're safe, so I hope this helps.Yes we are safe in Haiku Maui because it's on the windward side, upwind of the fires, and generally green and lush due to rain.  Maui has been suffering from a drought, but not the whole island.  Hana, Kipahulu, Nahiku, Huelo, Haiku - these are some of the wetter and more jungly parts where wild fires are not expected or normal, and even in a drought we stay green.On the other side of the island, it's dry, it's hot and it's more densely built up and populated.  With the super high winds we experienced earlier this week, it became the perfect conditions for fires to spread quickly.  Firefighters were busy putti... 08/11/2023

 An FHA 203(h) loan is a specialized mortgage program which is offered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) in the United States. It is designed to assist victims of major natural disasters, like hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, or other catastrophic events like fires , by providing them with affordable financing for purchasing or rebuilding homes.Here are the key features of the FHA 203(h) loan program: Disaster Assistance: The primary purpose of the FHA 203(h) loan is to assist individuals whose homes have been destroyed, burned, or severely damaged in a presidentially declared disaster area. These loans help affected individuals and families secure housing after such events. 100% Financing: One of the main advantages of the FHA 203(h) program is that it allows to finance up to... 08/10/2023

 NBC Host: Breaking news out of Hawaii, where ravaging wildfires engulf Maui. Clint Hanson of Maui Real Estate Radio recorded this drone footage of a terrifying scene as it developed through the night and into the early morning hours of today. Clint Hansen joins me now. He has been driving around, trying to help people and bring them supplies. First of all, good for you. But what are you seeing? How bad is it?Clint Hanson: Thank you for having me. This is the worst I've ever seen any fire on the island. While we do experience some inclement weather from time to time, Maui is known for its good weather. It's been 180 years since a hurricane hit us. But when summer comes, and things dry out, combined with high winds, a perfect storm occurs, and that's precisely what's been happening in th... 08/10/2023

Just a reminder about my oceanfront Haiku estate located along the beautiful north shore of Maui, in the Huelo area.  An exceptional luxury listing!It's a GREEN home. This 2 acre residential estate is off the grid, with it's very own power and water supply, plus high speed fiber optics for internet.  You can hunker down here in total comfort, while growing your own food and enjoying ocean access to the nearby Ho'olawa Bay.  The community here is friendly and welcoming.  It's my neighborhood and we love it here in Haiku where things stay green year round.Of course you know Hawai'i Life can pay a referral fee to Realtors from other states if they send a buyer... what a great opportunity for agents.Click HERE for the full MLS info, with 50 pictures and other links.Wait, that's not all - we... 08/08/2023

 In Loving Memory of Volker "VW" Weiss With profound sadness and a heavy heart, I write to all of you today the sad news of the untimely passing of our friend and colleague, Volker "VW" Weiss.I cannot find enough words to express the depth of the loss we all feel upon hearing this devastating news. I first met Volker in February of 1993 when we were: Both are young exchange students from Germany. Embarking on a journey of international experience at the Grand Wailea Resort and Spa in beautiful Maui, Hawaii  Together, we delved into Food and Beverage Management, honing our skills and learning from the best in the culinary world. We had the incredible privilege of serving esteemed guests such as President George Bush Senior, Michael Jackson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the renowned Chef Pa... 07/28/2023

Ho’okipa, a Beach Park, is located on Maui's North Shore alongside the Hana Highway. This beach has the most epic things on it. Hookipa means hospitality in Hawaiian, and this place is hospitable for wave riders as it is the most renowned windsurfing spot in the world. The windsurfing competitions are held here too.The beach has picnic facilities and observation decks for visitors. The consistent strong winds on this beach make it ideal for surfing and kiting. Waves are well-shaped, are largest during winter and smaller in the summer, and break across a system of reefs extending across the bay.  The most spectacular waves at Ho’okipa hit during wintertime, and these waves reach a height of 10 to 15 feet. Due to the spectacularly large waves, Ho’okipa is a tourist attraction in Winters. ... 07/26/2023

The most expensive home for sale located on the beautiful island of Maui Hawaii January 2023. This luxury estate is located on the Westside of Maui in Kapalua at 9 Bay Dr. The amazing oceanfront home is currently listed at $41,900,000 and features 7 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, and stunning views. Per MLS the home was originally built in 1996 and remodeled in 2021. The initial list price was $41,900,000. The home has been on the market for 281 days at the time of this post.  *When the home previously sold there were 8 bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms. **When the home was last listed there were 6 bedrooms, 7 full bathrooms, and 2 half bathrooms.   The current owners purchased the home for $24,000,000 cash in December 2020.    The current owners had the home listed for sale for 275 days between Dec... 07/19/2023

Maui real estate market update for June 2023Here's a comprehensive report provided by Title Guaranty Hawai'i that explains how the residential market is faring for the month of June.   You can also see how Maui compares to the other islands: Oahu, Hawai'i, Kau'ai.  Compare single family homes and condos.  See what's trending by comparing to sales from this time last year.CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORTSearch the Maui MLS here.Thanks for reading my Maui blog...Buying or selling real estate on Maui?  That's what I do.  Let me help YOU.Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers1043 Makawao Ave. Unit 203B, Makawao HI 96768E-mail or call/text: 808 283-0635 07/17/2023

May 2023 market snapshot for Maui Hawai'iHere's a quick and easy peek at what's been selling on Maui in May of this year - condos and houses, for Maui, Molokai and Lanai which comprise Maui County.Maui Market Report: The number of new listings is down from this time last year, but we all knew that.  Prices look like they might be stabilizing for a bit, which is good to hear if you're a buyer for a Maui home.  And the supply of inventory is increasing, so it's a good time to be buying on Maui!  I hope I can help with your search and purchase.Search the Maui MLS here.Thanks for reading my Maui blog...Buying or selling real estate on Maui?  That's what I do.  Let me help YOU.Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers1043 Makawao Ave. Unit 203B, Makawao HI 96768E-mail or ca... 06/14/2023

Some of my favorite Maui flowers - so many choices!I'm having a hard time deciding which flowers to highlight for the May 2023 Challenge, we have so many lovely ones to consider.  I think it comes down to the plumeria flower because of the fragrance, which always reminds me of the islands.  From the first moment when I stepped off that plane (back in the days when you actually descended onto the tarmac) and was greeted by the sweet scent of flowers, I always associate the plumeria smell with Hawai'i.These soft 5-petal flowers come in such a variety of colors, from pure white to bright yellow and pink, and combinations of all three.  They say the ones with the yellow centers have the best smell and that might be true.We don't have a lot of these trees on our Haiku farm, because they actu... 05/28/2023

Oceanfront 454 Ho'olawa Rd is getting lots of exposureMy new north shore Maui listing has hit the market, and getting plenty of eyeballs on it.  We had a couple of broker open events with a good turnout of Maui agents.  The feedback was all positive for this lovely and unique cottage with detached garage on 2 green acres.  It really stands out and creates a lot of interest, with it's unusual look for the area. The concept is not what you'd expect for Hawai'i, but it appeals to those who want something different.  A local team of architects and builders made this dream become a reality, and it immediately won an award for Best Architecture on Maui when it was completed.  It's been featured in print magazines as well as online.Currently it's creating a stir in the luxury market online, an... 05/25/2023

Maui market snapshot - highest recorded sale pricesCheck out the highest sale prices this year to date on Maui...The south shore - Kihei, Wailea, Makena - is where you'll find most of these expensive luxury houses and condos, which are second or third homes for many people.  Most will be oceanfront or beachfront properties.  The resort areas enjoy great weather with lots of sunshine, year round.  Maui is definitely a playground for the rich!Thanks for reading my Maui blog...Buying or selling real estate on Maui?  That's what I do.  Let me help YOU.Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers1043 Makawao Ave. Unit 203BMakawao HI 96768E-mail or call/text: 808 283-0635 05/18/2023

The calamonsi fruit is the perfect size for youCalamonsi/Calamondin:  These little citrus fruits are just the right size for individual servings... in a cocktail, or on a plate with some fish/seafood.  Native to the Philippines, you'll find them in many Hawai'i gardens, and if you're lucky they bear fruit all year round, like the tree pictured above.  You might also try growing them in your climate, if you bring the potted plant indoors for the winter months. You can pick them while still green, for a tart flavor, or wait until they ripen to orange for a delicious sweet/sour burst.  They also make a refreshing drink if you add some sweetener and water. That's them in the picture along with some other citrus grown here on Maui.  If you want to enjoy these fruits and have some planted in ... 04/30/2023

105 E Kuiaha Rd, Haiku Maui - video + drone shotsI'm trying out a new drone operator to get some aerial shots and video at this Haiku Maui listing.  Because the private valley is hard to see on a drive-by, it will help those buyers who have a hard time visualizing what the rest of the property looks like.The house and cottage are right by the road, but the rest of the 2 acres is very private and quite secluded as you'll see.  Check out the video below of the camera slowly rising up out of the valley and taking in the surroundings of Haiku and the nearby ocean.Haiku is very sparsely populated, with many undeveloped areas.  For those who enjoy open space and privacy, it's attractive, and also much cheaper than the developed resort regions by the beaches.  The lush greenery is all natural ... 04/28/2023