The Kahului real estate market, a portion of the larger Maui county housing market, seemed to be rallying despite a weakness in the rest of the island economy. A May 20, 2010 article from the Lahaina News stated that, “The market is starting to turn, indicated by the increase in unit sales. While the Homebuyer Tax Credit program has ended, the resulting sales (closings) through May and June will show in the next two months’ statistics.” The piece went on to state that “Anecdotal evidence from agents, lenders and escrow personnel indicate that a good portion of the transactions in process (not yet closed) are outside of the tax credit program, and that there is strong buyer-showing activity that should result in future sales. Condo median prices are showing some small upticks…Interest rates have started to rise from historic record lows, which may also motivate would-be buyers to go ahead and buy.”

However, the overall economy of Kahului and Maui faced uncertainty in the first quarter of the year. According to a June 8, 2010 article from Hawaii News Now, “The latest state report on tax revenues and building permits shows a decidedly slower economic recovery on neighbor islands than on Oahu.” The piece, written by Howard Dicus, continued to state that “Excise taxes were down 2% on Oahu, down 8% on Kauai, down 16% in Maui County, and down 18% on the Big Island, compared to the first quarter of 2009. A parallel indicator is a comparison of revenue trends in the first quarter for the transient accommodations tax, commonly known as the hotel tax. Those revenues were up 37% on Oahu, down 6% on Kauai, down 47% in Maui County, and down 66% on the Big Island, compared to the first quarter of last year.”

One example of a drastic fall in value on the island, which may bode poorly for the Kahului real estate market, was reported in a May 27, 2010 article in the Wall Street Journal. The piece by James R. Hagerty stated that “Some buyers are getting huge price cuts. In April, a home on the Hawaiian island of Maui sold for $19.9 million, down from the original asking price of $38 million.”

For many visitors who choose to stay in a Hawaii vacation home instead of a hotel, they are looking into having an authentic local experience in hopes of vacationing Hawaiian style. While there are many complex facets that can make for a Hawaiian style vacation, most tourists can agree that food is a major part of vacationing Hawaii style. Traditional Hawaiian food, Pacific rim fusion food, Asian food, and Local food are all important to understanding the culture and atmosphere of the local community today. Another essential part of a Hawaii style vacation is the lack of electronics. Moving on the basis of “Hawaiian time,” or being consistently laid back and lenient, visitors look forward to turning off their cellular phones, laptops, and other personal digital assistants for the duration of their trip.

In order to vacation Hawaii style, many hit the beaches. Experiencing the different beach hotspots can make or break a vacation. Provided good weather is bound to come about during every person’s stay, being able to see the crowded beaches of Waikiki and the secluded beaches of the North Shore is an eye-opening and intriguing experience. Vacationing Hawaii style can also be accomplished by learning how to surf.

Although all of Hawaii offers a great atmosphere for relaxing in paradise as you enjoy your vacation, Waikiki is often the most popular destination for tourists. Located minutes away from downtown Honolulu, Waikiki is primarily a tourist center overflowing with excellent dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities, as well as beautiful, pristine beaches. Over the past decade, Waikiki has experienced much development, making it look even more beautiful and accessible to tourists. In Waikiki you will not only find all things Hawaii, but also brand name designers and products, as well as well known restaurants owned by world-renowned chefs.

Although great shops, restaurants, and activities can be found all throughout Waikiki, there are some major establishments that you may want to check out. Recently named Luxury Row, the street on 2100 Kalakaua Avenue is home to a collection of shops with designer names including Tiffany & Co., Coach, Gucci, Yves saint Laurent, Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Tod’s, and Hugo Boss. The Waikiki Beach Walk is a newly renovated strip that offers unique and genuine Hawaiian keepsakes and authentic local arts and crafts. The International Marketplace is an open-air establishment home to over 130 carts offering various types of local products. The Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is one of the more popular shopping establishments in Waikiki, with over 100 shops and restaurants in the four-tiered structure made up of three buildings.

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