06/13/2025
Maui County’s $1.56 billion fiscal year 2026 budget allocates $47 million to advance affordable housing, including $17.2 million for the Kaiaulu O Lanai project to build hundreds of homes on Lanai and $25 million for the 175-unit Līpoa Apartments in Kihei, alongside infrastructure like the $86 million Waiale Road extension to support over 1,000 homes. The budget addresses the housing crisis worsened by the 2023 wildfires and inflation but faces challenges from a potential $75 million tax revenue shortfall if Bill 9 phases out 6,127 vacation rentals, which the budget does not account for, and concerns over county job vacancies and insufficient deed restrictions to maintain long-term affordability. (Source: Civil Beat)
06/12/2025
In April and May 2025, Maui’s single-family home sales declined by 4.2% and 26.7% respectively compared to 2024, but median prices rose slightly to $1,380,000 (+6.2%) and $1,300,000 (+0.4%), while new listings dropped by around 9%. Condominium sales fell sharply by 40.7% in April and 16.9% in May, with median prices decreasing to $727,000 (-24.5%) and $762,500 (-10.3%), though new condo listings surged by 31% and 33.9%. (Source: Maui Now)
06/12/2025Oahu’s condo market has shifted to favor buyers, with inventory reaching a 20-year high of 7.1 months in May 2025, up 61.4% from 4.4 months in May 2024, driven by a 21.8% drop in sales due to soaring hurricane insurance costs, deferred maintenance, and high interest rates. (Source: PBN)
06/11/2025
Mortgage demand, across the US, surged to its highest level in over a month, with total application volume rising 12.5% week-over-week, driven by a 16% increase in refinance applications and a 10% rise in purchase applications, fueled by a 31% increase in housing inventory compared to last year. (Source: CNBC)
06/11/2025
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is advancing a 656-acre development in Hana's Wakiu area, featuring 78 residential lots, 65 subsistence agricultural lots, four pastoral lots, 30 kupuna housing units, and community spaces like a center, park, and solar energy system, aimed at addressing East Maui’s housing shortage for Native Hawaiians. (Source: Maui Now)
06/11/2025
Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi’s administration is seeking a developer for a 15.19-acre city-owned site in Kapolei to create a mixed-use, transit-oriented development with 600 to 800 affordable housing units, leveraging a 75-year ground lease and public-private partnership. The project, adjacent to the recently completed 401-unit Parkway Village, aims to transform underutilized land into affordable homes for working families, integrated with nearby amenities and the expanding Skyline rail system. The city’s Department of Housing and Land Management has issued a request for qualifications, with submissions due by July 21, 2025, and potential city funding to be determined based on developer proposals. (Source: Star Advertiser)
06/10/2025
Maui Mayor Bissen advocated for Bill 9 to phase out approximately 6,000 short-term vacation rentals in Maui’s apartment-zoned districts, arguing it’s critical to address the severe housing crisis exacerbated by the 2023 wildfires, as new construction can’t meet demand due to limited resources like water. The proposal faces opposition from vacation rental owners citing economic losses of $900 million and 1,900 jobs, but Bissen emphasized the human cost of inaction, urging the council to prioritize residents’ needs. The bill includes a three-year grace period and zoning change options. (Source: Maui Now)
06/10/2025
Oahu’s condo market saw a significant 22% drop in sales in May 2025, with months of remaining inventory reaching 7.1, the highest in over 25 years, giving buyers more selection, time, and negotiation power due to higher borrowing costs and rising maintenance fees. Single-family home sales declined by 6%, but median prices rose 8% to $1,175,000, while condo median prices slightly increased by 1% to $500,000, reflecting a steady but cautious market. (Source: Star Advertiser)
06/09/2025
The average annual hidden costs of owning and maintaining a single-family home in the U.S. reached $21,400 in 2025, driven primarily by home maintenance ($8,808), with Hawaii and California exceeding $30,000 annually, while West Virginia and Mississippi are under $15,000. (Source: Bankrate)
06/09/2025
Grant Cardone, CEO of Cardone Capital, criticized Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, blaming high interest rates for causing a U.S. housing crisis by deterring buyers and keeping home prices elevated due to low demand. He argued that lower interest rates would increase market activity, bring investors and buyers back, and ultimately reduce prices by increasing supply. (Source: Fox Business)
06/09/2025
The Maui County Council is preparing for a public hearing on Bill 9, a vacation rental phase-out bill, with a large turnout expected for today's session starting at 10 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The hearing will be televised live at 10 a.m. on Akaku Maui Community Media (Channel 53) and streamed online via Teams at http://tinyurl.com/HLU-Committee, with call-in testimony available at 1-808-977-4067 (code 461 899 61#). In-person testimony is accepted at the start of the meeting in the eighth-floor Council Chamber at 200 South High St., Wailuku. Written testimony can be submitted via eComment at mauicounty.us/agendas, emailed to HLU.committee@mauicounty.us, or mailed to HLU Committee, Maui County Council, 200 S. High St., Wailuku 96793. (Source: Maui Now)
06/08/2025
The Maui County Council will hold a public hearing on June 9 to consider Bill 9, which proposes phasing out thousands of short-term vacation rentals operating under the Minatoya list—grandfathered exemptions in apartment-zoned areas. If passed without amendments, these STRs would no longer be allowed, though proposed changes include delaying the phase-out to 2030 and exempting timeshares. Supporters argue the move is necessary to address the island’s severe housing shortage. (Source: KHON2)
06/08/2025
The Hawaii Legislature passed 320 bills during the 2025 session, and Governor Green has announced his intent to veto 19 of them. While Green has already signed 200 bills into law and the remaining 101 are expected to become law by July 9, he cited legal, fiscal, and implementation concerns for the veto list. The bills being considered for veto span a range of issues, including budget allocations, cannabis regulation, tax policy, historic preservation, and housing development. (Source: Maui Now)
06/08/2025
Senate Bill 1044, a bill awaiting Gov. Green’s signature, aimed at stabilizing Hawaii’s condominium insurance market by reactivating the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund and updating the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to offer affordable coverage for condo owners grappling with rising premiums, triggered by the 2023 Lahaina wildfires and the 2021 Surfside collapse in Florida. The bill establishes a $20 million loan program through the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority to fund critical maintenance, such as water piping and fire sprinklers, for aging condos, which are often over 30 years old and face deferred maintenance issues driving insurance costs. It sets strict conditions, including a five-year participation cap and mandatory rehabilitation plans, to ensure focus on residents most in need, while a state Insurance Division study will explore long-term solutions. (Source: Civil Beat)
06/05/2025Lahaina Roads, a 42-unit apartment complex on Front Street, one of the few residential buildings to survive the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire, is set to reopen on June 16, 2025, after nearly two years of repairs. (Source: Maui Now)
06/04/2025
The NBC News Home Buyer Index, measures the difficulty of buying a home across the United States on a scale of 0 to 100, with higher values indicating greater challenges. In April, the national index was 79.2, slightly down from March and a year ago, reflecting some easing in competition but persistent high costs and economic instability. The index, which tracks data back to 2012, shows homebuying was easiest in January 2013 (27.3) and hardest in October 2022 (89.7). (Source: NBC News)
06/04/2025
Mortgage demand across the United States fell 3.9% last week, marking a third consecutive weekly decline, despite a slight drop in the national average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate from 6.98% to 6.92% for conforming loans ($806,500 or less), according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. (Source: CNBC)
06/04/2025
Princeville residents are suing Starwood Capital Group to block a luxury vacation rental development on the Makai Golf Woods Course, a designated open space, due to start in March 2026. The lawsuit cites a public health risk from anthrax-contaminated soil, where 300–400 cattle were buried shallowly after a 1917 outbreak, as documented in historical records. Anthrax spores, with a half-life of about 100 years, could persist and pose a threat if disturbed. The group also argues the development violates Princeville’s Master Plan, which mandates permanent open space, and its legally binding covenants. The lawsuit seeks to halt development, not monetary damages. A Kauai District Court hearing today will decide if the anthrax issue is admissible for a trial set for June 23–27, 2025. (Source: Kauai Now)
06/04/2025
Senate Bill 1044 in Hawaii aims to address soaring insurance premiums and coverage denials for homeowners, especially in older condos, amid rising wildfire and hurricane risks. The bill expands the Hawaii Property Insurance Association’s authority to temporarily cover high-risk, uninsurable properties, reopens the Hurricane Relief Fund, and creates a state-backed loan program for condo associations to fund repairs like fire sprinklers and plumbing. Prompted by disasters like the Lahaina fire, the bill includes a five-year cap on high-risk coverage to encourage property upgrades and market stability. If signed by Governor Josh Green, it could take effect soon and includes a study for long-term insurance market reforms. (Source: KITV)
06/04/2025
Park Hotels & Resorts is planning a $225-$250 million development of a 213-unit tower at Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island, potentially as a hotel or timeshare, on a parking lot and tennis court site near the Lagoon Tower. (Source: PBN)
06/03/2025
The Hawaii Tourism Authority has launched a $6 million Maui Emergency Marketing Campaign to boost Maui’s tourism recovery, which remains 21% below pre-pandemic levels following the 2023 wildfires. (Source: Maui Now)
06/02/2025
President Trump is considering privatizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-backed mortgage giants. Trump’s plan may raise mortgage rates, currently near 7%, as the government guarantee lowers investor risk, per Realtor.com economist Danielle Hale. (Source: Realtor.com)
06/02/2025
A 10-acre South Kona coffee farm, dubbed the “Garden of Eden” and ties to Princess Laieikawai, has been transformed into a retreat center, Paliuli Farm Sanctuary. The property offers a main house, suites, and community spaces for up to 13 guests, hosting solstice retreats with holistic health experts to foster deep healing and connection to nature. (Source: Big Island Now)
06/02/2025
Honolulu is set to raise sewer rates for the first time since 2016, with a City Council vote scheduled for June 4th, on a bill proposing annual increases of 6% to 9% over six years to fund $10 billion in upgrades. The proposed rate hikes, would raise median single-family home bills from $100 to $161 monthly. (Source: Civil Beat)
06/01/2025
Hawaii state lawmakers unanimously passed House Bill 800 on April 30, 2025, to swap seven state-owned Iwilei parcels, valued at $56 million, for the city’s leased fee interest in the land under Ali‘i Place, a 25-story downtown Honolulu office tower valued at $18.4 million, aiming to relocate legislators during a Capitol renovation and potentially disrupt state plans for the Liliha Civic Center’s office and housing towers. However, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi opposes the swap, citing loss of city lease revenue, rent-free prosecutor office space, and public parking, with City Council approval unlikely, while tenant leases and a recent $69 million private purchase of Ali‘i Place by HONCRE1 LLC complicate the state’s acquisition, leaving the deal’s future uncertain despite Gov. Josh Green’s pending decision. (Source: Star Advertiser)
05/31/2025
Hawaii’s construction industry is poised to drive economic growth in 2025, offsetting tourism stagnation and aiding Maui’s recovery from the 2023 wildfires, with the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) reporting a record 40,000 construction jobs statewide and $14 billion in construction spending in 2024, up 17.8% from 2023. Maui’s construction sector, with 4,800 jobs and $866 million in 2024 spending, is critical for rebuilding Lahaina, where costs may reach $7.5 billion. (Source: Maui Now)
05/31/2025
JL Capital has broken ground on Amana Lofts, a $14 million affordable housing project at 765 Amana St., converting a five-story former office building into 64 rental units (studio - 2BRs) for households earning up to 80% of the area median income ($121,600 for a family of four). Expected completion in 2026. (Source: Star Advertiser)
05/30/2025
The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) has issued a warning about illegal construction activities, highlighting risks to homeowners from unlicensed contractors, designers, architects, and engineers, following a $10,000 fine imposed by the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) on a business owner for aiding an unlicensed contractor. (Source: Star Advertiser)
05/29/2025
First Saturday returns to the South Shore Market courtyard on June 7th! Aloha Graze Co. will be serving charcuterie beginning at 1pm, complimentary while supplies last.
05/29/2025
Fannie Mae has partnered with Palantir to leverage AI-driven technology for detecting mortgage fraud, with early tests showing fraud identification in seconds compared to two months for human investigators. (Source: CNBC)
05/29/2025
The Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) broke ground for a $20 million, 47-unit rental housing project in Lahaina, led by Dowling Co., to address the educator housing shortage worsened by the 2023 wildfires, which displaced nearly a third of Maui’s HIDOE staff and prompted 20% of Lahaina educators to consider leaving due to affordability issues. (Source: Maui Now)
05/28/2025
The Maui County Council heard testimony on proposed fiscal 2026 real property tax rates, which slightly lowered rates for hotels and timeshares while retaining others, with final tax rate decisions and budget approval set for June 3. (Source: Maui Now)
05/28/2025
Hawaii’s state economists from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) have revised their 2025 economic growth forecast downward to 1.2% from 1.7%, citing tariffs, a tourism slowdown, and federal policy uncertainties, with growth expected to rise to 1.5% in 2026 and 1.8% by 2028, contrasting with a University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization prediction of a mild recession. (Source: PBN)
05/28/2025
Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 1396 into law as Act 96, implementing a climate impact fee by increasing Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) by 0.75% to 11%, effective January 1, 2026, raising the overall hotel room tax to 14% to generate $90-$100 million annually for climate change mitigation and wildfire prevention. (Source: Star Advertiser)
05/27/2025
Honolulu’s streamlined short-term rental (STR) registration process, implemented in 2023, has doubled registrations from 680 to 1,380 in resort zones like Waikiki and Ko Olina, boosting property tax revenue to a projected $17.8 million next fiscal year, but many owners still evade registration to avoid the higher 0.9% tax rate. Despite increased compliance, the city’s focus on illegal STRs in residential areas and lack of enforcement in resort zones - where only about half of Kuilima Estates East’s STRs are registered - leaves an unknown number of unregistered units, with the Department of Planning and Permitting planning violation notices but prioritizing complaints over comprehensive oversight in a tourism-driven economy. (Source: Civil Beat)
05/27/2025
The foreclosure of 150 acres at Punaluu Black Sand Beach, following Black Sand Beach LLC’s default on a $3.4 million mortgage, has opened a rare opportunity for lineal descendants to protect this culturally significant Big Island site, previously targeted for a 225-unit resort development. (Source: Civil Beat)
05/26/2025Big Island Coffee Roasters, has grown from a novice coffee farm into an award-winning brand, roastery, and Hilo café, championing Kau coffee by supporting 25 local farmers and shipping 31,000 orders to 50 U.S. states and 29 countries in 2024, generating $9.6 million for farmers. (Source: Big Island Now)
05/26/2025
The Kauai County Housing Agency will host the final community workshop for the Waimea 400 Affordable Housing Master Plan on May 28, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Waimea Canyon Middle School, presenting updates and a conceptual plan for the 417-acre site, with 60 acres designated for affordable housing. The event will be livestreamed on Hōʻike TV’s YouTube channel. (Source: Kauai Now)
05/24/2025
In the year since Maui County Mayor Bissen proposed banning over 7,000 short-term rentals (STRs) in apartment zoned districts to boost local housing post-2023 wildfires, Maui’s condo market has seen a 25% median price drop from $962,500 to $727,000 and a 70% surge in listings from 536 to 910 by April 2025, driven by uncertainty over the delayed bill, now set for discussion post-budget approval. (Source: Maui Now)
05/22/2025
The U.S. House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a tax reform package securing all five top priorities of the National Association of Realtors, including permanently increasing the qualified business income deduction to 23%, quadrupling the SALT deduction cap to $40,000 for households under $500,000, making individual tax rates permanent, preserving the mortgage interest deduction, and protecting Section 1031 like-kind exchanges and business SALT deductions. (Source: NAR)
05/22/2025
Applications are open for Hale O Piikea I, the first phase of a County-supported, 223-unit affordable rental housing project in Kihei, set to open in July-August 2025 with 89 units (18 one-bedroom, 57 two-bedroom, 14 three-bedroom) for households earning 30%-60% of the Area Median Income, with rents from $757 to $2,100. Applications are accessible through the project's website. (Source: Maui Now)
05/22/2025
House Bill 420, passed by the Hawaii Legislature in April 2025 and awaiting Gov. Josh Green’s decision by July 9, aims to reform construction defect claims by reinforcing the Contractor Repair Act, requiring homeowners to report issues to contractors before suing and limiting class-action lawsuits to those proving damages, which the Building Industry Association of Hawaii supports to curb excessive litigation that raises construction costs and restricts mortgage eligibility. However, lawyers like Christopher Hikida argue the bill favors developers by shortening the lawsuit filing window from 10 to 2 years and imposing costly proof requirements, potentially burdening homeowners with repair costs and undermining their ability to seek justice for defective construction, especially in a housing market already strained by affordability issues. (Source: PBN)
05/21/2025
Zillow data shows home values dropped in 27 of 50 U.S. states from March to April 2025, signaling a broader housing market shift as rising inventory prompts sellers to cut prices. Despite high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty, some experts see this as a market normalization rather than a crash. (Source: Newsweek)
05/19/2025
Senior living occupancy has surpassed other commercial real estate sectors for the first time in nearly two decades, reaching 87.4% in Q1 2025, outperforming apartments, strip malls, offices, and industrial properties in 99 major markets. (Source: Senior Housing News)
05/19/2025
The 2025 Hawaii Housing Factbook by UHERO highlights the state’s housing crisis, with 75% of households unable to afford a median $950,000 single-family home, though Big Island’s Puna and Kau offer homes under $500,000, and statewide condo prices fell 6% to $600,000 due to rising insurance and increased condo supply. (Source: Civil Beat)
05/18/2025
Sales of luxury homes priced at $10 million and above surged in early 2025, with Los Angeles up 29%, Manhattan 21%, Miami-Dade 48%, Palm Beach 50%, and Aspen 44%, driven by wealthy Americans seeking stability in real estate amid stock market volatility and economic uncertainty, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. While the broader U.S. housing market remains stagnant, with March existing home sales dropping 5.9% to a 4.02 million annual rate, high-end buyers view real estate as a safer, less volatile investment compared to stocks. (Source: Fortune)
05/15/2025
Homebuilder confidence, across the U.S., dropped to a two-year low of 34 in May 2025, with 34% of builders cutting prices by an average of 5% and 61% offering sales incentives, as high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty disrupt the spring housing market. (Source: Realtor.com)
05/15/2025
Hawaii now has the nation’s highest homelessness rate at 80.5 per 10,000 residents, an 87% increase from 2023, largely due to the 2023 Lahaina wildfire displacing 5,000 people and destroying over 2,200 structures, exacerbating Maui’s housing crisis, according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO). (Source: Maui Now)
05/14/2025
Statewide, the median single-family home sold for $950,000 in 2024, while the median condominium price was $600,000. Fewer than one in four households in Hawaii could afford a mortgage on the median-priced single-family home, requiring an income of about $187,000. For condominiums, a household would need an income of $126,000 to afford the median-priced unit. (Source: UHERO - pdf).
05/14/2025
Mortgage demand from homebuyers increased for the second consecutive week, with purchase applications rising 2% week-over-week and 18% year-over-year, driven by a 14% increase in national housing inventory and a 5.5% rise in new listings, despite a slight uptick in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 6.86% from 6.84%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. (Source: CNBC)
05/13/2025
Northern Trust’s $10 million investment in Hawaii Community Lending’s (HCL) Kupaa Hale Loan program enables zero-down, low-fee mortgages with competitive rates for native Hawaiians on Hawaiian Home Lands, addressing housing affordability amid federal USDA 502 Direct funding cuts. As the first investor in HCL’s $35 million private offering to support 100 families, Northern Trust, partnered with Parker Ranch, targets communities like Waimea and Laiopua, with HCL seeking an additional $25 million to expand this initiative, building on its 2024 record of 394 grants and loans worth $15.3 million to aid 241 families. (Source: Maui Now)
05/13/2025
Despite a 2019 Honolulu law allowing fines up to $10,000 daily per unit against booking platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo for unregistered short-term rentals (STRs), the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting has never cited these companies, even as illegal rentals (7,900 per Inside Airbnb) vastly outnumber legal ones (2,100), with only 2% of $90 million in fines collected from 2022 to April 2025. The law requires platforms to register and submit booking reports, but none have complied. (Source: Civil Beat)
05/12/2025
Nearly two years after the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire destroyed over 2,200 structures, the burn zone is transitioning from a silent “ghost town” to a construction zone, with eight homes rebuilt, 368 building permits issued, and 301 in process, though most lots remain unbuilt, and 80% of survivors are still displaced, with 430-510 having left the state. (Source: Maui Now).
05/11/2025
In late 2024, the super-rich drove a 30% global surge in luxury real estate sales (properties over $10 million), with Dubai leading, New York and Hong Kong rebounding strongly, while Singapore and London saw declines due to new taxes and regulatory fears. Despite an initially positive outlook for 2025, recent economic changes like new tariffs have introduced uncertainty into this high-end market. (Source: Yahoo!Finance)
05/10/2025
Hawaii’s Legislature passed a bill to address soaring condo insurance premiums, driven by climate risks, aging buildings, and events like the 2017 Marco Polo fire, enabling the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to act as insurers of last resort with $30 million and $175 million, respectively, and establishing a $20 million loan program through the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority for condo repairs like pipe upgrades and sprinklers to reduce risks. Aimed at stabilizing costs for the 294,000 residents in 2,000 condo associations, the measure also incentivizes federal loan programs and includes a study to explore further solutions, pending Gov. Josh Green’s signature, though immediate relief remains uncertain as premiums continue to strain budgets. (Source: Civil Beat).
05/10/2025Hale Pilina, a $150 million, 178-unit affordable rental housing complex in Kahului, broke ground on May 9, 2025, prioritizing Maui’s 2023 wildfire survivors, offering one- and two-bedroom apartments for families earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income. Set on a 4.8-acre former fairgrounds lot, the project by Catholic Charities Hawaii, designed by Design Partners Incorporated and built by Maryl Group Construction, aims for completion by mid-2027, with a 66-year affordability commitment. (Source: Maui Now).
05/10/2025
The Realtors Association of Maui opposes Mayor Richard Bissen’s Bill 9, which aims to phase out approximately 7,000 short-term rentals (STRs) in apartment-zoned areas by 2026, citing a University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization report projecting 1,900 job losses, a $900 million drop in visitor spending, and a $60 million reduction in property tax revenue, arguing that the units are unsuitable for family living and financially unattainable for locals. (Source: Maui Now)
05/09/2025Barbara Corcoran identifies uncertainty as the primary issue stifling the U.S. housing market, overshadowing high mortgage rates and prices, as it causes hesitation among buyers, sellers, and even builders hoarding supplies due to tariff fears. With two-thirds of homeowners locked into low 4% mortgage rates, minimal inventory exacerbates high prices, and while slowing price growth offers little relief, Corcoran emphasizes that restoring economic stability, beyond just rate cuts, is crucial to reviving market activity. (Source: Yahoo!Finance)
05/09/2025
The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) forecasts a mild recession for Hawaii in 2025-2026, driven by U.S. import tariffs, federal layoffs exceeding 270,000, and expansive fiscal policies, leading to a projected 4% decline in visitor arrivals, $1.6 billion drop in real visitor spending, and nearly 1% employment loss by 2026, particularly in tourism and public sectors. (Source: KITV)
05/09/2025
The Hawaii Legislature rejected bills like the Kamaaina Homes Program, which aimed to reserve properties for local workers through deed-restricted grants, but passed measures to boost overall housing supply, including $200 million for low-interest developer loans. While the aim is to address Oahu’s 13,000-unit housing shortage, their impact will be gradual, with critics noting weakened bills and implementation challenges. (Source: Civil Beat)
05/08/2025
Oahu’s real estate market in April 2025 favored buyers with increased inventory - 5% more single-family homes and 30% more condos compared to April 2024 - longer market times (29 days for homes, 43 for condos), and reduced buyer competition, yet sales dropped 8% for homes (241 sold) and 8.4% for condos (395 sold) year-over-year, despite a slight uptick from March. Median prices showed mixed trends, with single-family homes up 6.4% to $1.17 million and condos down 4.4% to $505,000. (Source: Star Advertiser)
05/08/2025
FEMA’s direct housing program, aiding Maui’s 2023 wildfire survivors, began charging rent March 1st for nearly 1,300 households, with 98% appealing HUD-based rates, while relocating 300 families to short-term rentals to ease housing strain, frustrating survivors amid slow rebuilding - 8 of 2,000 homes rebuilt, 355 permits issued. (Source: Civil Beat)
05/07/2025
The Federal Reserve maintained its key interest rate at 4.25%-4.5%, unchanged since December, citing heightened economic uncertainty and rising risks of both unemployment and inflation, which could lead to stagflation; an economy characterized by high inflation, stagnant economic growth, and elevated unemployment, creating a challenging environment where prices rise while the economy struggles. Despite a first-quarter GDP decline of 0.3%, solid job growth and inflation nearing the 2% target allow the Fed to remain patient, with market expectations for rate cuts shifting to July. (Source: CNBC)
05/07/2025
The Federal Reserve maintained its key interest rate at 4.25%-4.5%, unchanged since December, citing heightened economic uncertainty and rising risks of both unemployment and inflation, which could lead to stagflation; an economy characterized by high inflation, stagnant economic growth, and elevated unemployment, creating a challenging environment where prices rise while the economy struggles. Despite a first-quarter GDP decline of 0.3%, solid job growth and inflation nearing the 2% target allow the Fed to remain patient, with market expectations for rate cuts shifting to July. (Source: CNBC)
05/07/2025
Hawaii County’s Office of Housing and Community Development is soliciting proposals for its Affordable Housing Production program, funded by a minimum $5 million annually through Ordinance 22-77, targeting nonprofit and for-profit organizations, public agencies, and community land trusts to enhance affordable housing on Hawaii Island. (Source: Big Island Now)
05/07/2025
The Maui County Ohana Assistance Pilot Project, launched in June 2023 with $2.75 million to provide up to $100,000 grants for building ‘ohana units, has left dozens of applicants waiting for funds due to delays in legal document approval, forcing families to finance construction themselves despite the program’s aim to ease housing shortages post-2023 Lahaina wildfires. (Source: MauiNow).
05/06/2025Muse Honolulu Sales Gallery will be open daily, starting May 12th. Contact Us to book an appointment.
05/06/2025
The Hawaii Legislature failed to provide new funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), leaving over 29,000 Native Hawaiians, waiting for homestead leases, with no progress on bills to boost housing development or fund OHA’s proposed 2,000-unit Kakaako residential towers, despite a $600 million request to develop 6,000 lots. (Source: Civil Beat)
05/05/2025
Howard Hughes Corporation, the developer of Ward Village, has finalized a $900 million deal with Bill Ackman's Pershing Square, selling 9 million shares at $100 each, granting Pershing Square 46.9% ownership (capped at 40% voting power) to transform Howard Hughes into a diversified holding company akin to Berkshire Hathaway. The deal aims to leverage excess cash from real estate to invest in high-growth companies. (Source: PBN)
05/05/2025
The practice of private listings, exemplified by Compass’ “Private Exclusive” strategy, where homes are marketed only to Compass agents before hitting public platforms, has sparked a heated dispute in the real estate industry, with critics arguing it’s exclusionary and limits buyer access, potentially hurting sellers’ chances for higher offers. While Compass defends the approach as a seller-driven choice to test prices discreetly, claiming 94% of its private listings go public, new rules from Zillow and Redfin requiring listings to appear within 24 hours and a relaxed NAR policy allowing delayed MLS postings have intensified the debate. (Source: CNN)
05/05/2025
Chef Heidi Cramer is opening a second LunchBox Maui location in Kahului at her Maui Cookie Lab space on May 6, 2025. The new site will offer ciabatta sandwiches, quiche, salads, soups, pastries, coffee, and Cookie Lab cookies. (Source: PBN)
05/05/2025
The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has approved Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO) to pursue its first major rate increase since 2020, potentially raising electricity bills for Oahu, Big Island, and Maui residents by late 2026. (Source: CivilBeat)
05/04/2025
Former Obama vacation retreat on Martha's Vineyard goes on sale for $39M. (Source: Fox Business)
05/03/2025
Ira Ono is selling Volcano Garden Arts, a 2.7-acre multi-use property in Volcano Village, listed for $1,495,000, after 20 years of transforming it into a cultural hub with a curated local art gallery, Café Ono, a private residence, seeking a buyer to continue its community-focused legacy. (Source: BigIslandNow)
05/01/2025Senate Bill 1296, passed by Hawaii lawmakers, aims to accelerate Lahaina’s rebuilding by exempting hundreds of the 1,390 cleared residential lots from certain permits. The bill, now awaiting Gov. Josh Green’s approval, would apply to any Hawaii area hit by natural disasters through 2028. (Source: KITV)
04/30/2025
The Hawaii State Legislature passed Senate Bill 1511, limiting vessels over 75 feet from entering Hanalei Bay on Kauai’s North Shore, except for government-operated boats, to preserve its natural beauty and ensure safety for recreational activities like fishing, swimming, and surfing. (Source: KauaiNow)
04/30/2025
The Honolulu City Council reviewed a $500,000 Ernst & Young study on Bill 46, an empty-homes tax proposing a 1% to 3% levy on vacant Oahu properties, estimating $29.1 million in annual revenue but only 1,000-2,100 taxable properties due to 16 exemptions, prompting concerns from Mayor Blangiardi’s administration about administrative burdens and limited housing impact. (Source: StarAdvertiser)
04/29/2025
Hawaii’s Legislature has approved Senate Bill 1396, increasing the hotel and vacation rental tax (TAT) from 9.25% to 10% and introducing an 11% tax on cruise ship cabins to fund climate change mitigation, expected to generate $85-100 million annually for projects like beach restoration and infrastructure hardening, with final votes set for May 7, 2025. (Source: HawaiiNewsNow)
04/29/2025
A Zillow report reveals that starter homes, defined as the lowest third of home values, now cost at least $1 million in 233 U.S. cities as of March 2025, up from 85 five years ago, with California leading at 113 cities, followed by New York (32), New Jersey (20), and Hawaii (4), driven by post-pandemic price surges. Despite a national median starter home price of $192,514, rising inventory and high mortgage rates are giving buyers more negotiating power, with 44% of sellers offering concessions, while price growth slows, with March’s median home price across the U.S. at $403,700, up just 2.7% year-over-year. (Source: KHON2)
04/29/2025
The Honolulu City Council’s Budget Committee will today review a $500,000 Ernst & Young study, assessing Bill 46, an empty homes tax proposing a 1% to 3% levy on vacant Oahu properties to address a 25,000-home shortage, but exemptions could limit conversions to 1,000 - 2,000 units, far below expectations. (Source: StarAdvertiser)
04/28/2025
In Hawaii, residents spend nearly 53% of their income on housing, with homeowners allocating 53.47% and renters 52.88%, due to high housing and utility costs. Despite state efforts in 2024 to boost housing supply through flexible construction laws, affordability challenges persist. (Source: KHON2).
04/28/2025
Honolulu’s proposed empty homes tax, targeting vacant properties with a 1% to 3% annual levy, could lose nearly $150 million in revenue over a decade due to exemptions for leased unoccupied homes, inherited properties, and listed homes, potentially undermining efforts to free up housing. The aim is to raise $30-55 million yearly and return 640-2,000 properties to the market. (Source: CivilBeat).
04/26/2025
Deloitte predicts that tokenized real estate on blockchain networks could reach $4 trillion by 2035, growing from $300 billion in 2024 at a 27% annual rate. (Source: Cointelegraph).
04/26/2025
The Hawaii Legislature has approved a “green fee” bill, increasing the transient-accommodations tax by 0.75% for hotel and short-term rental stays and extending it to cruise ship passengers, projected to raise $100 million annually to fund environmental protection and climate resilience projects, with a final vote set for next week before reaching Gov. Josh Green. (Source: CivilBeat).
04/26/2025
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is nearing a settlement with Hitachi Rail Honolulu JV over a $324.1 million lawsuit alleging HART’s scheduling issues caused cost overruns. (Source: StarAdvertiser).
04/25/2025
The removal of 237 non-historical concrete pilings - 500 tons of debris - along Lahaina’s Front Street has been removed in under a month, ahead of a 90-day schedule, as a key step in wildfire recovery. (Source: MauiNow).
04/25/2025
Lawmakers are debating increased visitor and cruise ship taxes to fund climate initiatives, with unresolved details on tax rates and fund allocation, requiring final House and Senate votes before reaching Gov. Josh Green. (Source: HawaiiNewsNow).
04/25/2025
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is seeking to condemn portions of four properties - three in Kakaako (560 and 576 Halekauwila St., 609 Keawe St.) and one in Iwilei (1956 Dillingham Blvd.) - for the rail's Civic Center station. Source (StarAdvertiser)
04/24/2025
In March 2025, U.S. existing home sales dropped 5.9% from February to 4.02 million units, the slowest March pace since 2009, driven by high mortgage rates and economic concerns. (Source: CNBC)
04/24/2025
The Maui Planning Commission deferred a decision on the first post-2023 Lahaina wildfire special management area (SMA) permit for Stanley and Dilara Deal to rebuild their oceanfront home at 1045 Front Street, facing debate over its modern design clashing with Lahaina’s historic district standards. (Source: MauiNow)
04/24/2025Herschend Family Entertainment, an Atlanta-based company known for operating Dollywood, has agreed to acquire Palace Entertainment, the U.S. subsidiary of Madrid-based Parques Reunidos, which owns Sea Life Park Hawaii on Oahu. (source PBN)
04/23/2025
Luxury home sales on Oahu surged 19% in Q1 2025, with 101 homes sold for $2 million or more, including 78 single-family homes (up 8%) and 23 condos (up 77%), driven by a 10% median price increase to $2.85 million. March alone saw 42 sales, up 35% from last year, with a median price of $3.03 million (up 23%) (source: PBN).
04/20/2025
Lanai will become the first island in Hawaii to eliminate its Hawaiian Home Lands waitlist, with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) planning to award 75 leases in September 2025 to house the remaining Native Hawaiian applicants, addressing a 29,000-person statewide waitlist (source: HawaiiNewsNow).
04/20/2025
Oahu’s 52-year-old neighborhood board system, a structure with 33 micro-governmental districts, is undergoing a review to address its flaws and enhance community participation (source: CivilBeat).
04/20/2025
State lawmakers are considering a bill (HB 432) to redirect part of the state’s rental housing fund, traditionally used for low-income housing, to subsidize apartments for households earning 60% to 140% of the median income, aiming to address the housing affordability crisis for the workforce, including teachers and firefighters. While proponents argue this will help retain moderate-income workers, critics worry it may reduce funding for low-income housing (source: StarAdvertiser).
04/20/2025
The U.S. housing market is experiencing a weaker selling season with cautious buyers and slower sales, driven by high mortgage rates, job security concerns, and increased use of adjustable-rate mortgages (source: Barron's).
04/19/2025
Facing chronic water shortages in West, Upcountry, Central, and South Maui, the Maui County Department of Water Supply proposes a 25% water rate hike for hotels and high-use residential customers (over 35,000 gallons/month) and 5-15% increases for most others, alongside a new conservation bill to enforce stricter measures like irrigation schedules (source: MauiNow).
04/19/2025
A $62 million building permit signals that Honolulu’s Davies Pacific Center, purchased by Avalon Group in 2023, may be redeveloped from an office tower into a limited-service hotel, which aligns with Downtown Honolulu’s trend of office-to-hotel conversions, exemplified by the recent AC Hotel by Marriott (source: KITV).
04/18/2025
Senate Bill 934, meant to speed up funding for Honolulu’s $10 billion rail, was amended by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz to require a $330 million Pearl Highlands park-and-ride and full rail completion before funds are released, risking cash flow until 2031. The bill’s conditions, opposed by HART, may reflect a dispute, while the Senate’s rejection of $572 million in rail funding adds uncertainty before a May 2nd deadline (source: CivilBeat).
04/17/2025Nobu Grand Wailea in Maui has opened, featuring indoor and outdoor dining for 324 guests (source: PBN). Nobu was founded in 1994 in a joint venture between Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, Drew Nieporent and Meir Teper (source: Wikipedia).
04/17/2025
The Honolulu City Council approved an updated development plan from Kahala to Pearl City, the first revision since 2004, aiming to enhance rail connectivity, add housing, create retail hubs, develop walkways, parks, and open spaces in areas like Kakaako (source: HawaiiNewsNow).
04/15/20254505 Kahala Ave - owned and renovated by Los Angeles investor Fred Bernstein after his LLC purchased it for $15 million in 2023 - is now listed for $45 million. This listing follows a record-breaking $65.75 million sale of 4823 Kahala Ave in March 2025, highlighting the surging luxury market (source: PBN).
04/14/2025
The Pulelehua housing project in West Maui, poised to build 1,000 units with $33 million in county funding, is stalled due to a lack of state water permits for its wells amid record-low streamflows and a 2022 state designation requiring permits for all water use in Lahaina’s aquifers, prioritizing temporary housing and Lahaina’s rebuilding over new developments (source: MauiNow).
4/14/2025
The state’s Agribusiness Development Corp. (ADC) is eyeing a $39 million purchase of 1,040 acres of prime Kauai farmland from billionaire Steve Case’s Grove Farm to boost local food production and secure it from development, with the deal pending legislative approval by May 2025 (source: CivilBeat).
04/14/2025
Despite the Honolulu's DPP slashing code review times to nine days for residential and two months for commercial projects, overall permitting times worsened in 2024, with median waits of 288 days for residential and over 10 months for commercial permits (Source: CivilBeat).
04/14/2025
Over the past three fiscal years, Honolulu's DPP issued over $100 million in fines for illegal short-term rental violations but collected less than $2 million (about 2%), despite hiring Aargon Collection Agency in 2023, with DPP outperforming Aargon by collecting $1.04 million compared to Aargon’s $45,051 in fiscal year 2024 (source: StarAdvertiser).
04/13/2025
Two Hawaii County Council members will host a Zoom briefing on April 17th, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to discuss proposed legislation establishing a registration process for hosted short-term vacation rentals and platforms like Airbnb on the Big Island, aiming to ensure compliance without altering operational standards or land use rules (source: BigIslandNow).
04/12/2025Hale O Hawaii, a nonprofit community land trust launched in 2022, sells homes below market value, by retaining land ownership and leasing it for 99 years to qualifying buyers earning 60%-140% of area median income. Building on the model of Na Hale O Maui, the trust has completed homes in Puna, Hilo, and Volcano (source: BigIslandNow).
04/12/2025
Honolulu's DPP is hosting a community meeting on Wednesday, April 23rd, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Honouliuli Middle School to discuss proposed land use changes for transit-oriented development (TOD) around the East Kapolei, UH West Oahu, and Honouliuli Skyline rail stations, aiming to create high-density, mixed-use communities with up to 10,600 housing units (source: StarAdvertiser).
04/11/2025
U.S. real estate value reached $48.1 trillion by late 2024, with homeowner equity at $34.7 trillion, and the luxury segment outpacing the broader market (source: Mansion Global).
04/11/20253220 S Kihei Rd on Maui, purchased for $45 million in 2021 and now listed for $65 million mirroring the recent $65.75 million record sale of a Kahala estate - exemplifies the booming ultra-high-end housing market in Hawaii. This surge in prices, fueled by wealthy Mainland buyers post-Covid, scarce oceanfront inventory, and a 400% rise in $10 million-plus sales since 2020, has constricted supply, slowed transactions amid high interest rates, and driven up values across all price points, highlighting a sharp increase in luxury real estate demand (source: PBN).
04/11/2025
Senate Bill 378, aimed at easing Maui’s housing crisis by converting commercial properties into mixed-use affordable housing, stalled in the Hawaii House missing a key legislative deadline (source: StarAdvertiser).
04/10/2025Muse Honolulu's showroom opens April 14th - reach out to schedule an appointment.
04/10/2025Kuilei Place, a $619 million, 43-story condo tower project in Moiliili, broke ground with a blessing ceremony, promising 1,005 units - 603 deemed "affordable" for 80%-140% area median income earners - despite controversy over its height, size, and the eviction of 130 lower-income tenants from the demolished Kapiolani Village Apartments. Led by Kobayashi Group and BlackSand Capital, the development aims to address Oahu’s housing shortage by late 2027, though critics argue it prioritizes wealthier buyers over truly affordable housing needs (source: StarAdvertiser).
04/09/2025
The Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, with $170 million, aims to assist condo associations with insurance shortfalls by June 1, as state officials work quickly to finalize policies and select an operator. A new study predicts a 17% rise in single-family home insurance rates (source: KHON2).
04/09/2025
Hawaii lawmakers have preliminarily approved bills to increase multiple taxes, with the most prominent being Gov. Josh Green’s 'green fee' proposal to raise the state hotel room tax (TAT) to fund climate change mitigation efforts (source: CivilBeat).
04/07/2025
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands awarded 91 turnkey homes on Saturday at the University of Hawaii Maui College as part of Puuhona Phase II, marking its first turnkey residential project on Maui in 17 years (source: MauiNow).
04/06/2026Hawaii Convention Center’s planned closure from January 2026 to November 2027 for $64 million in rooftop terrace repairs, extended due to extensive corrosion and logistical challenges, could cost Oahu at least $103 million in economic impact (source: StarAdvertiser).
04/05/2025
Maui County Council passed Bill 33 on first reading, allocating $650,000 from the Affordable Housing Fund for pre-development costs of the 120-unit Kaiaulu o Napili affordable rental housing project on 15 acres of County-owned land, targeting residents earning up to 60% of the area median income (source: MauiNow).
04/05/2025
The Hawaii state legislature has passed HB 1001, approving a $4.037 billion settlement to compensate 2,200 parties affected by the 2023 Lahaina wildfires, with seven defendants -including the State of Hawaii, contributing $807.5 million over four years, and Hawaiian Electric - covering claims for property damage, personal injury, wrongful death, emotional distress, and economic loss. While the settlement aims to provide timely relief to fire survivors and support Maui's rebuilding efforts, the exact allocation of funds remains under review, pending a Hawaii Supreme Court decision on whether insurance companies can recover payments, which could impact the settlement’s final implementation (source: KITV).
04/05/2025Ka Lai Waikiki Beach, previously the Trump Tower Waikiki, will undergo a $100 million renovation starting June 2, 2025, to refresh its guest rooms, restaurants, lobby, pool, spa, and fitness center, with completion expected by mid-2026, while remaining fully operational. Led by Bryan O'Sullivan Studio, the project by Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts and Irongate Group aims to blend Hawaii-inspired design with luxury, adding a new lobby bar and enhancing Waikiki’s hospitality scene (source: PBN).
04/04/2025
Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, ranked second and third on Forbes' 2025 billionaires list, lead a group of 14 ultra-wealthy individuals with ties to Hawaii, owning expansive properties like Zuckerberg’s 1,400-acre Kauai estate and Bezos’ $78 million, 14-acre Maui retreat. Other notable billionaires include Larry Ellison, who owns 98% of Lanai, Oprah Winfrey with 1,000 acres on Maui, and full-time Oahu resident Pierre Omidyar, alongside part-time residents like Michael Dell and Marc Benioff, showcasing Hawaii’s allure for the world’s richest (source: PBN).
04/04/2025
The Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund (HHRF) plans to offer affordable hurricane insurance to condo associations starting in June, using $170 million in existing funds to cover up to $10 billion in properties, while the Hawaii Property Insurance Association (HPIA) seeks a share of a proposed $200 million state loan to expand coverage for other perils, targeting relief for the 60% of condo associations reliant on costly surplus carriers. However, some lawmakers express concerns the initial focus on well-maintained, high-value concrete high-rises up to $350 million could favor wealthier owners, prompting calls to adjust coverage caps and prioritize broader condo types, with legislative approval for the loan still pending (source: StarAdvertiser).
04/04/2025
Alo Cafe is showcasing a fresh vegan menu at its new Salt Kakaako location and to celebrate easter the cafe offers 25% discount for families with children under 12 (source: KHON2).
04/03/2025
Honolulu Mayor, Blangiardi, signed Bill 50 into law, creating a new category for street festival closures in Waikiki, limiting them to six per year - three legacy events and three lottery-selected ones - to balance cultural celebrations with the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors. The legislation also encourages more community-driven festivals across Oahu (source: KITV).
04/03/2025Honolulu’s Skyline Rail is set to open its second segment by October 1, 2025 extending service from Aloha Stadium to Middle Street with four new stations, including Pearl Harbor and the Airport (source: KHON2).
04/03/2025
A Honolulu City audit found the Department of Planning and Permitting has improved its handling of "monster homes" - large, nonconforming dwellings - since a 2019 audit highlighted deficiencies in permitting, inspection, and enforcement, with 7 of 15 recommendations fully implemented, 2 resolved, 5 in progress, and 1 dropped (source: StarAdvertiser).
04/02/2025
The survival of a “miracle house” in Lahaina, amid devastating wildfires, highlights the potential of fire-resistant building techniques - such as reinforced concrete walls, metal roofs, and defensible space—to protect homes, though high costs and inconsistent regulations pose challenges (source: CivilBeat).
04/01/2025
Maui Mayor Bissen defended his plan to phase out over 6,000 short-term vacation rentals in Maui’s apartment-zoned districts, recognizing the UHERO report’s forecast of 1,900 job losses and $900 million in visitor spending drops, but insisting it’s vital to tackle the housing crisis and reduce tourism over-reliance, while urging owners of units functioning “more like hotels than homes” to seek rezoning or special use permits (source: MauiNow).
04/01/2025
The City of Honolulu is buying properties, including the former First Hawaiian Bank and Iwilei Center, for the Kuwili rail station in Iwilei to create affordable housing, retail, and sustainable infrastructure, offering fair market value and relocation help while seeking developer proposals by April 30 (source: HawaiiNewsNow).
04/01/2025The Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island has nearly completed a multimillion-dollar renovation, refreshing all 540 guest rooms, suites, the private Gold Floor, and meeting spaces with new lighting, furniture, carpeting, and Hawaiian-inspired design elements (source: PBN).
04/01/2025
A University of Hawaii study estimates that Maui Mayor Bissen’s proposed ban on 7,200 short-term rental units in apartment-zoned districts could add up to 6,127 long-term housing units and reduce condo values by 20-40%, but at a steep cost of 1,900 jobs, $900 million in annual visitor spending, and a 4% economic contraction by 2029 (source: StarAdvertiser).
03/31/2025
Maui Mayor Bissen’s proposed 2026 budget lowers tax rates for owner-occupied homes from $1.80-$3.25 to $1.70-$3.10 per $1,000 of assessed value, though higher assessments will still boost tax bills and county revenue by $63.8 million. The plan also raises the threshold for the lowest tax rates to $1.3 million for owner-occupied and long-term rentals, while keeping rates flat for other categories (source: MauiNow).
03/31/2025
Maui Mayor Bissen’s plan to convert over 7,000 short-term rentals into long-term housing on Maui, is unlikely to proceed in 2025 as the Maui County Council delays voting, awaiting more economic impact studies (source: CivilBeat).
03/29/2025
A temporary gas station opened March 26th supporting the Princeville Shopping Center’s expansion, which began in November and includes plans to relocate Foodland to a new 40,000-square-foot site by late 2026 or 2027 (source: StarAdvertiser).
03/29/2025
The Maui Planning Commission voted 5-2 to recommend approval of amendments to the Honuaula project in South Maui, reducing total units from 1,400 to 1,150, adjusting workforce housing from 50% to at least 288 units (exceeding the 25% minimum), and replacing a golf course with cultural and educational facilities. The decision now awaits further action by the Maui County Council on Bills 171 and 172 (source: MauiNow).
03/29/2025
Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, a delegate to the U.S. Congress, established the Hawaiian Home Lands Program in 1921 to provide homesteads for Native Hawaiians, allowing those with at least 50% Hawaiian ancestry to lease land for 99 years at $1 annually. While the program has aided tens of thousands, bureaucratic mismanagement has left many eligible claimants waiting decades for homes, with recent state efforts including a $600 million investment and a $328 million lawsuit settlement aiming to address historical underfunding and mishandling of claims (source: CivilBeat).
03/28/2025
Things to do the next few days on Oahu and on the Big Island.
03/27/2025
Moo Bong Ri Soup and Yakiniku, a Korean franchise, launched on March 26, at 930 McCully St, Honolulu (source: KITV).
03/27/2025
The Michaels Organization stepped down from the Kuhio Park Terrace affordable rental redevelopment amid resident complaints about relocation handling, passing the $212 million project to Highridge Costa Development Co., which aims to finish Phase 1 by late 2026 (source: StarAdvertiser).
03/26/2025
Hawaii lawmakers backed the New Aloha Stadium project with resolutions, advancing a multi-billion dollar plan for a stadium and 4,000+ housing units in Halawa, with demolition set for summer 2025, despite minor opposition (source: KITV).
03/26/2025
The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) is purging building permit applications idle for over 365 days to reduce backlog as it transitions from the POSSE system to the new Clariti system, expected later this year. This includes 1,900 residential and 1,890 commercial permits, with applicants able to request retention by contacting DPP (source: StarAdvertiser).
03/25/2025Ordinance 25-2 (Bill 64), signed into law, changes the minimum rental term for Residential / Apartment zoned properties on Oahu from 30 to 90 days, effective September 2025, with no reference to grandfathering current property owners.
03/25/2025
Maui Mayor, Bissen, stated at a recent South Maui Community Meeting that he only wants to ban 2,000 out of the 7,000 short-term rentals from the Minatoya List, that were originally built as workforce housing units (source: Jesse G. Wald Youtube).
03/25/2025
Maui Mayor, Bissen, presented a $1.512 billion FY2026 budget to the Maui County Council, focusing on housing, recovery, infrastructure, and public safety, with real property tax rates proposed to stay flat except for a reduction for owner-occupied properties to support local families (source: MauiNow).
03/25/2025
Applications are now open, until April 7, for the second building of the Kai Olino Family Apartments in Eleele, Kauai, offering 27 affordable units with a lottery on April 8 (source: KauaiNow).
03/25/2025Pepper Lunch, a Japanese teppanyaki chain, will open its first Hawaii location at Moanalua Shopping Center in late 2025, followed by two more in Waikiki and Kapahulu by late 2026, as part of a plan to launch 10 restaurants statewide (source: KITV).
03/25/2025
Hoonani Village, a project proposed by Hoonani Development in Central Maui, aims to create a mixed-use community with 1,600 rental housing units, including workforce and market-rate options, alongside commercial and recreational spaces (source: MauiNow).
03/23/2025
The Honolulu City Council approved a public-private partnership between Stanford Carr and Standard Communities to develop 127 affordable rental units on a vacant city-owned property in Ewa Beach (source: StarAdvertiser).
03/22/2025Yakiniku Like, a Japanese barbecue chain, will open its first U.S. location at 1108 Keeaumoku St., Honolulu, on April 1st, offering affordable, quality meals in a fast-casual, tech-streamlined setting (source: PBN).
03/22/2025The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) board approved a settlement with Ward Village developer, Howard Hughes, over a land acquisition lawsuit involving 2 acres in Kakaako, where the developer sought over $200 million for land needed to extend the rail line. The settlement amount remains undisclosed until court approval (source: CivilBeat).
03/21/2025
Maui’s Budget Committee is probing $12 million in unspent Affordable Housing Fund money, asking why it’s unused as of June 30, 2024, with plans to allocate some to a Napili project (source: MauiNow).
03/21/2025
Condo insurance rates in Hawaii have spiked, with some Oahu associations facing 1,000% increases since 2019, due to rising costs and climate risks, straining owners with higher fees and limited coverage (source: PBN).
03/20/2025The Park Ward Village has been topped off, completing its highest structural point (source: PBN).
03/20/2025
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) plans to award 700 project leases for homesteads in Kapolei, allowing eligible families to secure leases before construction. This initiative, targeting Kauluokahai and Kaupea areas (source: KHON2).
03/20/2025
A small group of Canadian tourists have canceled their trips to Hawaii, citing President Trump’s comments toward Canada as their reason. This is causing concern for Hawaii’s tourism industry, already strained by cuts to social programs and a decline in visitors from Japan (source: StarAdvertiser).
03/19/2025
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative is proposing two new solar-plus-battery-storage projects that could bring Kauai close to 80% renewable energy by 2028 These projects, expected to power over 30,000 homes, align with the utility's goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2033, well ahead of Hawaii's 2045 mandate (source: KauaiNow).
03/19/2025Festa Italiana, Hawaii’s only Italian festival, will take place on Friday, March 21st, at Velocity Honolulu (888 Kapiolani Blvd) for a VIP experience, and Saturday, March 22nd, from 4 to 9:30 pm at Mother Waldron Park for the free street festival, featuring Italian food, music, and culture (source: KITV).
03/19/2025
Gentry Homes in West Oahu plans to raise prices on market-rate units in their Kaulu development to boost sales, as affordable units struggle to sell despite being below the state maximum (source: CivilBeat).
03/17/2025
In an interview with Civil Beat, Mufi Hannemann of the Hawaii Hotel Alliance discussed the tourism industry's uncertain future, highlighting challenges such as a shift toward experiential travel amid a post-pandemic recovery (Source: CivilBeat).
03/17/2025
A University of Hawaii study reveals that parts of the Hawaiian Islands, particularly Oahu’s south shore, are sinking at a rate of up to 25 millimeters per year - 40 times faster than the island-wide average (source: HawaiiNewsNow).
03/17/2025
Chef Jasmine Silverstein’s new venture, Meals in a HeartBeet, is delivering organic, locally sourced meals across the Big Island. The business is an expansion of her decade-long catering business (source: BigIslandNow).
03/14/20254823 Kahala Ave sold today for $65.75M, becoming the most expensive home ever sold in the State of Hawaii, surpassing 2676-e Kauapea Rd, Kilauea (Kauai), which previously had the record with a $46.1M sales price in 2018.
03/13/2025
The developer of Kukuiula, a subdivision with upscale homes in Koloa, Kauai, has secured financing for a 24-lot oceanfront project within the subdivision - Kula Makai III (source: PBN).
03/12/2025
Construction of new properties, across the US, was 1.6 million last year (2024), which is the the highest since 2016. Yet, the US has a 3.8 million housing shortage of available and affordable homes (source: KHON2).
03/12/2025Aurum Maui is a restaurant coming to The Shops at Wailea soon. The dishes will focus on modern American dishes with quality local ingredients.
03/10/2025
Ultra-luxury Ilima and MeliaWard Village showrooms are coming soon and we speculate sales may commence over the summer.
03/09/2025
Hawaii's Governor, Josh Green, wants to increase the Transient Accommodation Tax by 1%, from its current 10.25%, which is levied on rentals that are less than 180 days (source: StarAdvertiser).
03/08/2025
Maui County Council members voted 9-0 for first-reading passage of Bill 105, which would allow disaster-impacted property owners to rebuild their homes and other structures to their original condition, even if they were decades old and didn’t meet current building codes (source: MauiNow).
03/08/2025
In Maui Mayor Richard Bissen's State of the County Address he mentioned Maui contributed 620 completed housing units last year and over 1,200 new units are coming over the next two years. There is also plans to allocate $1.2 billion over the next six years toward the reconstruction, rebuilding and development of housing and housing-related infrastructure (source: KITV).
03/07/20250 Pauwela Lighthouse Rd in Haiku is 82 acres of land offered for $2.5M, which the community hopes Maui County will purchase to avoid developments (source: MauiNow).
03/07/2025
Oahu single-family homes median sales price was $1,185,000 Feb 2025 - 10.2% higher than Feb 2024 when it was $1,075,000. Condos median sales price was $494,000 - 3.6% less than Feb 2024 when it was $512,500 (source: StarAdvertiser).
03/07/2025
About 25% of new construction in Hawaii - built 2013 to 2023 - have been subject to construction defect litigation and lawmakers are examining ways to reduce such litigation (source: StarAdvertiser).
03/06/2025
Hawaii pays 64% above national average for electricity (source: KauaiNow).
03/06/2025
The developer of Hale O Piikea, an affordable rental project in Kihei, has announced work on the final phase of the project (source: MauiNow).
03/06/2025
A new program from Honolulu's DPP (Department of Planning & Permitting) is expected to start soon, which will speed up the permitting process by allowing permit issuance based on architects' self-certification. As relates to residential real estate, only projects controlled by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and low-rise affordable rentals are eligible for the program (source: CivilBeat).
03/03/2025
Bill 504 was passed by the Housing Finance Committee, which seeks to require a $20 TAT (transient accommodation tax) for each transient night (levied on rentals periods that are less than 180 days, which is on top of the 10.25% TAT rate and the additional TAT % charges levied by each county (source: StarAdvertiser).
03/02/2025Casa En Maui, a luxury home on Keawakapu Beach, is listed for $65M and will next month be offered on an auction event.
02/28/2025
The first sales of homes in Lima Ola is completed. Lima Ola, located in Eleele, Kauai, is a master planned community, which will have 550 affordable housing units (source: KauaiNow).
02/28/2025Bill 103 - currently under consideration by Maui County Council - would allow one dwelling unit per 2,500 sq ft and would apply to all its residential zoning districts (source: MauiNow).
02/25/2025
Although still relatively low activity, Lahaina has in recent months seen an increase in number of real estate transactions (source: CivilBeat).
02/21/2025
Design ideas for the city's $63M Ala Wai Pedestrian Bridge project are available in this pdf from the Department of Transportation's website (source: StarAdvertiser).
02/19/2025
With a significant rise in condo insurance premiums, Hawaii lawmakers are proposing bills to help stabilize the market (source: CivilBeat).
02/19/2025
Laulima Gateway Center is a new shopping center planned in Kapolei, with an expected completion in 2026 or 2027. The Center will be a 100,000 sf venue offering retail, dining and various services, including a 30,000 sf grocery store (source: PBN).
02/17/2025
Maui County was unable to get an independent contract study done on the proposed phase-out of vacation rentals and now plans to conduct research in-house instead. A study by Kloninger & Sims - summer 2024 - forecast prohibiting vacation rentals on Maui would cost the County in the range of $53M - $92M, due to lost property, transient accommodation and general excise taxes (source: MauiNow).
02/16/2025Kaliu - a new luxury condo project in Kakaako - starts owner-occupant sales tomorrow, Feb 17h, 10am. The owner-occupant buyer must be present to execute an owner-occupant affidavit, which is required when signing the purchase contract. 1BR from $890K, 2BR from $1.25M and 3BR from $2.71M.
02/16/2025
The freshest matcha tea in Hawaii can be found on Maui, where a couple makes match using the State's only traditional mill, with ingredients sourced from Wazuka, a small town in Japan. You can try the matcha at Collab Cafe (source: KauaiNow).
02/15/2025Ko Olina plans to utilize 2 parcels near its entrance, total 18 acres, to develop a venue that represents Hawaiian culture, possibly a Hawaiian culture center of some sort, administered by The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (source: PBN).
02/14/2025Bill 105, a Bill that would allow people to rebuild their homes and business in Lahaina to the way there were before the 2023 wildfires, even if they don't meet today's code, is likely going to the Maui Council for review in March (source: MauiNow).
02/14/2025Bill 27, A Bill to exempt state-financed housing projects from County approval, has passed a second reading in the Senate (source: MauiNow).
02/13/2025Waimea Town, Kauai begins its annual 9 day celebration this coming Saturday and will include long distance canoe races, storytelling, rodeos, films, concerts and eating contests (source: KauaiNow).
02/13/2025
Maui County invites residents to share ideas and get an overview of Maui County Hazard Mitigation planning process and discuss how the public can provide input. Feb 27, 2025 5pm to 6pm, Velma McWayne Santos Community Center (source: MauiNow).
02/13/2025
December 2024 a 43-unit development of tiny homes in Honolulu was completed, housing former homeless, incurring electricity costs 4 to 5 times that of an average single-family home on Oahu, since they run on electric generators (source: CivilBeat).
02/12/2025
Hawaii's General Excise Tax used to be 4% in Honolulu, but in 2005 a 0.5% surcharge was added to help pay for the Honolulu Rail, which has become a $10 billion project. This surcharge was to expire in 2022, but was extended to 2030, and now a new Bill advancing in the Senate looks to extend the 0.5% surcharge to 2045 (source: CivilBeat).
02/11/2025The Park On Keeaumoku construction is ahead of schedule and expected to close on all sold units during Q4 of this year - Liona Tower is 98% sold and Rycroft Tower is 67% sold.
02/11/2025
The second property tax installment, for the 2024-2025 tax year, is due no later than Feb 20, 2025.
02/11/2025
Hawaii's Governor, Josh Green, and consul general of Japan to Hawaii, Yoshinori Kodama, have signed an action plan to bring more visitors from Japan to Hawaii, which includes an expanded VIP entry program. Japanese visitors spend $1.07 billion in 2024, which is 14% more than 2023, but down 52.5% compared to 2019 (source: StarAdvertiser).
02/10/2025
A $4 billion settlement to resolve Maui wildfire lawsuits can proceed, allowing the settlement to start flowing to more than 1,000 homeowners and businesses, despite the insurance industry's objections (source: CivilBeat).
02/10/2025
The right of the Kahala Hotel to use the public beach in front of its hotel with beach equipment is, after a lengthy ruling, pending further litigation, with an end result that could impact other beachfront hotels. In Waikiki, there are now guidelines, whereby the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Moana Surfrider and Outrigger Waikiki may only place beach equipment on the beach when it is rented to a named customer, prior to occupying the beach space (source: StarAdvertiser).
02/10/2025
Home fire in Maui Meadows - firefighters were able to prevent fire from spreading to neighboring homes (source: MauiNow).
02/10/2025
Residents are invited to learn more about the Lahaina wildfire debris transfer to a permanent site, scheduled for Feb 15th 10:30am - 1pm at the Lahaina Resource Center (source: HawaiiNewsNow).
02/09/2025
Bills are introduced to appropriate up to $600M more to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands to develop more housing for Hawaiians, including more housing at its Kauluokahai subdivision in East Kapolei (source: StarAdvertiser).
02/08/2025
The median sales price of a condo in Maui has fallen to $675,000 - the lowest price level in 2 years (source: MauiNow).
02/07/2025Starwood Capital Group owns the land located at the former Woods Golf Course in Princeville, Kauai and wants to develop luxury properties on that land. However, beneath the golf course are hundreds of decomposed cattle that were killed during an anthrax outbreak more than a century ago, which has some led to some concerned Princeville residents filing a lawsuit against the developer (source: CivilBeat).
02/07/2025
Hawaii's Supreme Court posed many questions pertaining to the validity of the $4 billion proposed deal to settle Maui wildfire litigation. A decision by the court could determine whether the proposed settlement can prevent insurer from obtaining compensation, through litigation, from parties deemed responsible for the fire. It may be weeks before a decision (source: StarAdvertiser).
02/06/2025Honolulu's Mayor is making a push to utilize city-owned land across Oahu to develop more affordable housing over the coming years, especially along the Honolulu Rail (source: StarAdvertiser).
02/06/2025
Standard homeowners insurance typically does not cover flood damage and the Hawaii Dept. of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division encourages homeowners and renters to understand their insurance policies and consider adding flood coverage (source: KauaiNow).
02/05/2025
Three Hawaii Senate committees have advanced a bill that would allow the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to built high-rises on its 31 acres location on the oceanside of Ala Moana Blvd as seen here. The proposal focuses on affordable housing and market rate units, all for Hawaii residents, but possibly with 1 tower being a hotel or condo hotel (source: StarAdvertiser).
02/05/2025
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has a new sushi restaurant, Komo.
02/05/2025
A new Bill - Bill 217 - would require visitors driving on parts of Hana Hwy on Maui to pay a road toll fee (source: HawaiiNewsNow).
02/04/2025Bill 1296 is advancing. If the Bill becomes law, it will not be required for owners to obtain a special management area permit for structures in Lahaina that were destroyed in the August 2023 wildfires (source: MauiNow).
02/04/2025
Demolition of Aloha Stadium is scheduled to start this coming June to make room for a $450M planned project that would include 25,000 stadium seats, new residential neighborhoods, parks, a school, a grocery store and more (source: HawaiiNewsNow).
02/04/2025Grand Wailea Resort on Maui is seeking approval to built another 137 hotel rooms, but faces opposition from activities who are concerned construction could disturb iwi kapuna, which is bones of Hawaiian ancestors (source: KITV).
02/04/2025
The State is evaluating offering leasehold condos on State Land (99 year lease) and the developer of recently built Ililani has been selected to come up with design concept for a 360 unit tower with prices starting at $456,400 for one bedroom units and goes up to $862,600 for four bedrooms units (source: StarAdvertiser).
02/03/2025Bill 738 aims to reduce the time a Hawaii government agency has to concur or not with new development proposals, which would help speed up the approval process and ultimately create more housing (source: MauiNow).
02/03/2025
Dec 2024 Maui saw 227,800 visitors, which is 15% higher than December 2023, but 17.3% below Dec 2019, when Maui saw 275,419 visitors (source: MauiNow).
02/02/2025
This coming Thursday, the Hawaii Supreme Court will hear arguments from attorneys representing various parties to help determine the allocation of the $4 billion settlement for the nearly 10,000 Maui wildfire survivors (source: StarAdvertiser).
02/01/2025
9.7M visitors arrived in Hawaii 2024 and spend $21BL vs the record 2019 visitors of 10.4M with $18BL in spendings. However, taking inflation in to account 2019 spending was a bit more than 2024 (source: PBN).
01/31/2025Kuilei Place is about 85% sold out and all existing structures on the planned site is expected to be demolished within a few weeks.
01/31/2025
720,488 Japanese tourists visited Hawaii 2024 vs 580,172 in 2023 and 1,580,000 in 2019. More Japanese are now traveling to much cheaper locations such as Taiwan and Korea (source: PBN).
01/31/2025Waikoloa Village is expected to get two new hotels: A Holiday Inn Express (expected to open 2027) and a Candlewood Suites (expected to open 2028) - (source: PBN).
01/30/2025
A deal worth $4BL has been reached for Maui fire victims and soon we will know how much each victim will receive (source: KHON2).
01/30/2025
A decision on Bill 534 has been deferred until next week. The Bill is proposed by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and, if it became law as written, the Bill would allow OHA to built five 400 ft residential towers on its 31 acres of land, located on the oceanside of Ala Moana Blvd, as seen on this map (source: StarAdvertiser)
01/29/2025
Hawaii State (all islands) vacation rental occupancy was 52.1% in 2024, which is 6.7% less than 2023 and 29.7% less than 2019. Hotel occupancy was 73.3% in 2024 (source: DBEDT).
01/29/2025
Sales have just started for Kaliu, a luxury condo that is to be built.
01/29/2025
It will possibly be one year before the State is able to offer (hurricane) insurance for condo associations, meant to help reduce the sky rocketing insurance premiums, and even so, there are questions around obtaining the capital required to offer such insurance (source: StarAdvertiser).
01/29/2025
Hawaii hotel revenue for 2024 totaled $5.48 billion, up 21.5% from $4.51 billion in 2019. However, when taking inflation into account it is a small revenue drop (source: PBN).
01/29/2025
Maui's eviction moratorium, put in place since the Lahaina wildfires, is set to expire next week and some Maui residents are asking the Governor to extend the moratorium (source: KITV).
01/28/2025
Kauai lawmakers are proposing bills to address Kauai's expensive housing - including high-density housing in Lihue - where the median price of single-family homes has reached $1.4M (source: CivilBeat).
01/27/2025
The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization has developed a tool that consolidates data on subsidized housing programs on Oahu, meant to assist in better understanding Oahu's affordable housing situation and hopefully leading to better policy making decisions (source: UHERO).
01/27/2025
A run down building located at 121 Banyan Drive, Hilo, owned by the State, had a developer propose a $20M renovation plan, which would include converting 80% of its 152 units to long-term rentals. However, lack of decision making on the proposal, by the State, lead to the developer revoking their proposal (source: StarAdvertiser).
01/25/2025
A plan to redevelop the 10.85 acre Paradise Cove Luau lot in Ko Olina is progressing, which would include restaurants, shops, an art venue, spaces for workshops and more (source: PBN).
01/25/2025
A Bill has been introduced, which would allow Lahaina owner to rebuilt, without special area permits, normally required (source: MauiNow).
01/24/2025
President Trump is requesting the Fed to cut interest rates (source: USA Today).
01/24/2025Kuhio Park Terrace, a public housing complex located in Kalihi, has requested its approximate 60 tenants to move out by the end of February with plans to take the low-rise complex down and instead develop a large-scale affordable housing project (source: HawaiiNewsNow).
01/22/2025
The cost to built 450 temporary homes for Maui wildfire survivors came out to $411,000 per home, which does not take into account the land value (source: CivilBeat).
01/21/2026
Maui County median sales price for single-family homes, Dec 2024, was $1,374,238 (source: MauiNow).
01/21/2026
The City & County of Honolulu is seeking a developer to create affordable housing units in four city-owned properties, starting with redevelopment of the property located at 1615 Ala Wai Blvd (source: PBN).
01/21/2026
In order to revitalize Honolulu's Downtown cleaning up homelessness and further reducing crime is a proposed starting point and discussions take place to create a Business Improvement District to help address these issues, most efficiently (source: StarAdvertiser).
01/19/2025
Military housing members occupy about 14,700 out of an estimated 105,868 rentals on Oahu and 2,150 own a property on Oahu (source: StarAdvertiser).
01/17/2025
Systematic barriers in Hawaii constrains housing production, which is a key factor in the lack of affordable housing being developed, according to Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp (source: MauiNow).
01/16/2025
The City & County of Honolulu is planning to develop affordable housing units at 1615 Ala Wai Blvd, a 3-story property it acquired through condemnation 1 year ago (source: City & County of Honolulu).
01/15/2025
Business leaders and politicians have plans to revitalize Downtown Honolulu with more safety, shops, restaurants, condos and more (source: CivilBeat).
01/15/2025
South Maui's long-term proposed development plans do not include enough affordable housing and could worsen traffic and water supply, according to some (source: CivilBeat).
01/14/2025
A California real estate developer, Kam Sang Co., has purchased two oceanfront parcels in Ko Olina for $216M with plans to develop an Atlantis Resort on one of the lots and a luxury hotel on the other lot - total costs estimated at $2.5BL (source: PBN).
01/13/2025Bill Ackman, the billionaire hedge fund manager, proposes merger of his Pershing Square with Howard Hughes Corporation, the developer of Ward Village (source: Reuters).
01/13/2025
Solving Hawaii's housing crisis is the center in new legislative session and different approaches / ideas are discussed (source: CivilBeat).
01/12/2025
It is a challenge rebuilding Lahaina, while keeping its historic character, due to the current building codes and laws (source: MauiNow).
01/10/2025AirBnB sued for discrimination, after a host rejected renting to a family with 3 kids (source: Reuters).
01/10/2024Haleiwa Backyards - a proposed development in Haleiwa Town, which would include 30,000 sq ft commercial space and 150 rental units - is facing pushback from residents (source: KHON2).
01/09/2025
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is expected to take ownership of The Courtyards at Waipouli in Kauai with plans to turn the units in to affordable housing (source: KauaiNow).
01/08/2025The Office of Hawaiian Affairs owns 31 acres of land in Kakaako on the oceanside of Ala Moana Blvd, known as Kakaako Makai - see details on this map - and they are trying to get approvals to built condos, proposing 50% restricted / affordable units and 50% market rate units, which would also be for owner occupants only (source: StarAdvertiser).
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