Aloha Friends, Family and clients, Lissette and I support a few organizations on the Big Island that primarily involve our island’s youth. I thought you might be interested in this seasonal time of giving, where we also remember the many gifts and blessings we’ve been fortunate enough to receive. Please read on for further details of each group's efforts and contact information for your reference. Aloha, Rick   The Island of Hawaii YMCA Family Visitation Center currently operates 2 locations for the FVC. One in Hilo at our YMCA site on 300 West Lanikaula Street and the other at the Waimea Preservation Center Cottage. We also use the YMCA Minoke Park, Waimea Outdoor Circle Park or the Wooden Park in Waimea for memorable visits that allow those venues. Intakes are now done online via Zoom or Google Meets by the Family Visitation Center Supervisor or Director.In the past we were able to fully staff the Waimea Center, however due to budget constraints we now go on an as needed basis. In order to maintain the FVC ...

Filed under: Blog by Rick Oliver
Comments Off on Island of Hawaii Family Visitation Center

Aloha Friends, Family and clients, Lissette and I support a few organizations on the Big Island that primarily involve our island’s youth. I thought you might be interested in this seasonal time of giving, where we also remember the many gifts and blessings we’ve been fortunate enough to receive. Please read on for further details of each group's efforts and contact information for your reference. Aloha, Rick   Young Life is a Christian ministry with an active group in Waikoloa Village. Young Life and their Wild Life programs reach out to middle school, high school, and college students in all 50 of the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world. Hawaii Island efforts are headed by Lane Morikawa and the Waikoloa group leader is Julie Simmons. Young Life’s Website states, We go to kids, build bridges of authentic friendship, and introduce them to Jesus Christ. We accomplish our mission by… Praying for young people. Going where kids are and building personal relationships with...

Filed under: Blog by Rick Oliver
Comments Off on Young Life – Hawaii

Project Hawaii is a 501 C3 that operates on the Big Island, Maui and Oahu. Every year, each child asks Santa for a special gift and we Secret Santas make sure they receive it. Our group only provides Secret Santas for Big Island children. If you’re interested in participating this year, let me know how many children, approximate ages, little girl or little boy or teen. If you would like to have someone else do the shopping, head over to their website at https://www.helpthehomelesskeiki.org/ or send a check to: Project Hawaii P.O. Box 1844 Kea'au, HI 96749-1844 For those of you who haven’t participated, Magin and her crew are visiting homeless camps around the Big Island and gathering names, ages, sex and gift requests. We have around 500+ children and teens who are living rough around the island. This is the one time of year they receive something new that they want. If you opt to be a Secret Santa, I’ll send you names, etc. and you have until December 15th to purchase and place in a stocking and bring to me ...

Filed under: Blog, Hawaii Life by Rick Oliver
Comments Off on Secret Santa Aloha-Style

It’s never been a better time to SELL your property along the Kohala Coast-Call me to LIST AND SELL!!!! When comparing the first 10 months of 2020 and 2021 one has to consider that 2020 was a lockdown year and 2021 has seen explosive market conditions. A Better comparison is probably to the 2019 real estate market but for simplicity sake, here are some “fun facts” comparing October of 2020 vs. 2021 for the South Kohala District. Watch the full video for more interesting stats and review the complete report for other districts. District of South Kohala including the Waikoloa Beach Resort, Mauna Lani Resort and Mauna Kea Resort Unit Volume Sales of Single Family Homes has declined -41% to 20 total units and the median price is +17% to $799k Unit Volume of Condominiums has declined -9% to 29 total units and the median price is +71% to $1.2m. This is probably due to the mix of units sold/closed in October but it does show the rapid price of resort condominiums. -Unit Volume of Land/Lots is up +22% to 11 total sales ...

Filed under: Blog, Newsletter, Real Estate by Rick Oliver
Comments Off on Market Update October 2021

My friend Rachel asked me if I had seen the drone video floating around of a tiger shark cruising very near shore, amongst unsuspecting snorkelers probably from the Fairmont Orchid. The drone video location was just south of the Fairmont Orchid where we open water swim regularly. During the COVID lockdown months in 2020, the resort lap pool was closed and our masters group could not meet. We started a 3-day a week, early morning swim, from our Mauna Lani Beach Club at Makaiwa Bay to the dive buoy at Peaks surf break, just North of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel (Auberge). When time and weather conditions permitted, we would swim further to the Fairmont beach, take a break and swim back-2.6 miles round trip.  This video is of a tiger shark cruising in the shallow water exactly where I’d clip the corner and enter the narrow entrance into the Fairmont’s beach. The rest of the crew would stay in deeper water and take a more direct route into the Fairmont. Note the narrow entrance into the Fairmont beach on the video when it zooms out...

Filed under: Blog, Hawaii Life, Newsletter by Rick Oliver
Comments Off on Tiger Shark Near Fairmont Orchid

I just put into escrow Villages at Mauna Lani 217 for one of my buyer clients. We were the first to view the day it became available and the first offer. What happened next was the sign of the times. 6 offers or more came rolling in and everyone’s “highest and best” was countered to all offerees plus a price nearly $125,000.00 over the stated list. My clients offered that price and more and we were able to secure it for a quick closing in a week or so from now. Buyers now understand the value The Villages at Mauna Lani offer which has not always been the case. 5 years ago or so, Ka Milo units were selling for a higher dollar per square foot (+15%) even though they have a shared amenity center with Kulalani and are not as well appointed and do not offer large floor plans like The Villages. I attributed this to the fact that most of the KaMIlo sales were new, developer inventory where buyers will always pay a premium to be the first occupants. Traditionally, KaMilo’s Mahina plan (2400 SF) roughly sold for what the Villages Ma...

Filed under: Blog, Kohala Coast Luxury Resorts, Real Estate by Rick Oliver
Comments Off on In Escrow-Villages at Mauna Lani 217

 When comparing the first 9 months of 2020 and 2021 one has to consider that 2020 was a lockdown year and 2021 has seen explosive market conditions. A Better comparison is probably to the 2019 real estate market but for simplicity sake, here are some “fun facts” comparing September of 2020 vs. 2021 year to date. Watch the full video for more interesting stats! The market for Big Island condominiums continues to be strong with prices up island wide from a sales price average of $410,000.00 in September 2020 to $488,750 currently. Average Single Family home prices have escalated from $370k to $499,500 as inventory has lower priced inventory have been absorbed and possibly newer and more expensive homes have become the only options at higher prices. The number of land transactions also increased island wide, from 175 to 224 in September 2021. There were 107 condominium transactions in September 2021 vs. 29 in 2020 probably due to travel restrictions to the island. The volume of single family home sales escalate...

Filed under: Blog, Kohala Coast Luxury Resorts, Newsletter, Real Estate by Rick Oliver
Comments Off on September Market Update with Video

From Big Island Video News: Kīlauea  volcano is erupting. Following a sudden increase in earthquake activity and an increase in the USGS Volcanic Alert Level from ADVISORY to WATCH this afternoon, lava is now filling the Halemaʻumaʻu summit crater once again. The alert level has been raised to WARNING. A synthesized voice was utilized in the narration for this story. (BIVN) – Scientists with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are capturing the new eruption of Kilauea, and sharing the photos online. The summit eruption began on Wednesday afternoon. Animated thermal webcam images taken between 2:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. recorded the start of the eruption. Vigorous lava fountains formed in the middle part of the solidified lava lake at Halemaʻumaʻu crater, filling the floor with new molten lava. Follow this link for more information from the USGS.  (https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2021/09/30/video-scientists-capture-first-images-of-new-kilauea-eruption/)

Filed under: Blog, Hawaii Life by Rick Oliver
Comments Off on New Eruption at Kilauea Volcano

 CoreLogic® reports the highest ever yearly price/value increase for all classes of real estate since they first started accumulating data in 1976, for the month of July 2021-18%.  Hawaii Island Real Estate continues the same trajectory.  See the stats highlighted below for emphasis.  I’ve always contended vacant land will be the last class of Real Estate to BOOM as buyers opt to build their dream homes versus buying a resale offering.  Our market is forcing the "Buy a lot and build a house"  option as there is very little speculative and resale home offerings being offered-see the stats highlighted in RED!  Fewer transactions tend to skew the monthly comparison stats but the Year Over Year stats tell the story!!! CONTACT ME TO LIST AND SELL YOUR PROPERTY QUICK!!!!!! Hawaii Information MLS Highlights: August 2020 VS August 2021 Transaction Stats Island Wide: 22.55% Increase in total number of transactions 33.86% Increase in Vacant Land transactions 38.46% Increase in Condominium transactions 9.13% ...

Filed under: Blog, Features, Real Estate by Rick Oliver
Comments Off on August 2021 Market Update with Video

I just listed then quickly put into escrow a GOLF COURSE FRONT townhome in the Fairways at Mauna Lani. The new owner will enjoy the Incredible course views from the Lanai, Living and Dining Room of the 4th Fairway of the Mauna Lani North Course. This well cared for property features 2 bedrooms and 2.5 Bathrooms with an attached 1-car garage, outdoor kitchen with BBQ, Laundry room with full size equipment and newer living room furnishings. All ceilings are 9'+ adding to this spacious floor plan. The Master bedroom includes an office or sitting room with it's own lanai over looking the golf course. Added extras include granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, outdoor built in Viking BBQ, walk in closet and soaking tub. The Mauna Lani resort is a world-class, 3,200-acre oasis featuring 29 ocean front acres & two miles of secluded shoreline, 2 world class hotels, and the Shops at Mauna Lani. Owners enjoy a private, Beach Club at Makaiwa Bay for incredible snorkeling and beach activities. Additional amenities incl...

Filed under: Blog, Kohala Coast Luxury Resorts, Real Estate by Rick Oliver
Comments Off on In Escrow-Fairways at Mauna Lani #303