Published by
Don & Sylvia Leutz
Century 21 All Islands
April 2008 |
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Don & Sylvia Leutz
Hawaii Realtor Brokers (R)
Century 21 All Islands
5-4280 Kuhio Highway
Princeville, HI 96722
808-652-9402
Specializing in Resort Markets in Hawaii, California and Nevada |
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Greetings!
Spring is a transition time here on Kauai.
This month we have news on three recent events that are impacting Kauai... the passage of a new Vacation Rental Ordinance and the closures of Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines.
We are seeing signs of more activity in the real estate market on Kauai, especially in the resort areas. Buyers are stepping in to take advantage of new loan programs, great prices and the opportunity to have their new property in time for the summer holiday season.
If you would like to receive automatic email updates of new homes or condos in a particular area, or a particular price range... on Kauai or any of the Hawaiian Islands...just let us know. We look forward to helping you make your dream of Hawaii home ownership come true.
Aloha,
Don & Sylvia |
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| Kauai's New Vacation Rental Ordinance
On March 7th, 2008, the Kauai County Council passed Ordinance #864 to regulate Transient Vacation Rentals on the Island of Kauai. The council said that the ordinance was needed to address "the uncontrolled proliferation" of vacation rentals outside of designated Visitor Destination Areas (VDA's). However, the new ordinance requires registration of all vacation rentals - both inside and outside of the VDA's. The existing Visitor Destination Areas include most of Princeville, portions of Poipu, Lihue and Kapaa and some other small areas. All condos and single family homes that rent to vacationers will have until September 3, 2008 to apply for a Vacation Rental Registration Number.
If your property is located within the existing Visitor Destination Area (VDA), registration your registration should be approved as long as you file the required documentation and pay an annual $150 fee to the county. Outside of the VDA, the county will no longer allow new vacation rentals. Existing vacation rentals that can show current and past reservation history will be allowed to continue with a special use permit, only if they register with the county each year and comply with numerous other zoning and use requirements.
As of this writing, the County is requiring that all forms be submitted in person at the County Assessment Office AND at the County Planning Office. You are allowed to have another person submit the applications for you if you provide an Authorization Letter. As part of the application, the county is requiring a plot plan and building plans, signed and stamped by a licensed architect or engineer along with copies of General Excise Tax and Transient Accommodation Tax licenses and a designated 24 hour contact person.
You can email us at Leutz@Inreach.com if you would like us to send you a copy of the complete ordinance and application requirements.
Whether you are considering buying or selling vacation rental property in Kauai, it will be very important in the future to work with people who familiar with this ordinance and how it will affect you. The county can levy a fine against any owner, person or company that it finds in violation of the new ordinance, so please feel free to contact us right away with your questions or concerns.
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| Aloha to Aloha Airlines and ATA
MAHALO NUI LOA - ALOHA OE
July 26, 1946 - March 31, 2008
It was a surprise to everyone last Sunday when word began to spread that Aloha Airlines would stop its passenger service the following day on March 31st. Many believed it could not be true and that some last minute maneuver would save the airline.
Then today, April 3rd, comes another shocker... ATA Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and also ceased their operations, that had included non-stop service from Lihue to the mainland.
Today Aloha and ATA passengers are working to find alternate transportation. United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and U.S. Air have announced that they will honor Aloha Airlines ticketed passengers as standby passengers on their flights at least through April 7th. Hawaiian Airlines and GO! Airlines have both added additional Inter-Island flights to accommodate Aloha passengers. Meanwhile, our personal condolences go out to the Aloha Airlines and ATA employees who have suddenly found themselves unemployed.
We always found the service on Aloha to be excellent, given with a true "Aloha" spirit. Aloha Airlines was certainly a breath of fresh air when it came to airline travel and we will miss them.
We will also miss ATA. In addition to providing more non-stop service to Kauai, they also featured an innovative "Flight Bank" program that allowed passengers more flexibility in their travel plans. The Hawaii Visitors Bureau says that the closure of Aloha Airlines will not affect tourism in general as that airline had less than 5% of the flights from the mainland to Hawaii. It is too soon to tell if the additional closure of ATA will have a greater impact. |
| March Real Estate Market on Kauai
Kauai property sales continue to be fewer in numbers in 2008 over last year. Although we are seeing some motivated sellers and some great deals, we have not yet seen any significant declines in prices here on Kauai. In fact, in March 2008, the median residential sales price is 2.1% higher this year than it was in March of 2007. The median price of condominiums sold in March is actually up 18.82% over the median condo sales price in March of 2007. We have charted the median prices for Homes, Land and Condos for over two years. In looking at the chart, it appears that median prices in our market had a bottom of some sort in the Fall of 2007. Although residential and land prices softened in the last month, the median price of condo's has had an upward trend since November.
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Spring Flower Power Events on Kauai
The National Tropical Botanical Garden has launched a spring "Flower Power" membership drive that will leave you feelin' groovy! First time members can take advantage of a Discovery Membership for just $20 that includes two passes for self-guided tours of McBryde Garden and Limahuli Garden on Kauai or the Kananu Garden in Maui. The National Tropical Botanical Garden was created by Congressional Charter as not-for-profit institution, dedicated to tropical plant research, conservation, and education.
Situated on the south shore of the Hawaiian island of Kaua`i, McBryde Garden is nestled in the picturesque and historical Lāwa`i Valley. The site of the first garden of the NTBG, the Lāwa`i Valley was chosen for its diversity of climate, soils, and topography. It is home to the largest collection of native Hawaiian flora in existence, extensive plantings of palms, flowering trees, Rubiaceae, heliconias, orchids, and many other plants that have been wild-collected from the tropical regions of the world. NTBG's Conservation Program is based at this site and the Garden contains a state-of-the-art horticulture and micropropagation facility.
Limahuli Garden and Preserve is set in a verdant tropical valley on the north shore of of Kaua`i near Ke'e Beach. The Garden is backed by the majestic Makana Mountain and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. In Hawaiian, the name Limahuli means "turning hands," which recognizes the ancient Hawaiians who built agricultural terraces out of lava rock and planted cultivars of kalo (taro), an important cultural food crop. The taro gardens at Limahuli date back from 700 to 1,000 years.
You can learn more about the National Tropical Botanical Garden at their website http://ntbg.org/index.php and even take virtual tours of their gardens.
Kauai May 1st is "Lei Day on Kauai
This May 1st marks the 28th annual May Day Lei Contest at the Kauai Museum. It is one of the largest lei competitions in the state. Lei makers compete in eight different categories according to color, types of materials and uses for the lei. This year there will also be a lei making tent where visitors and residents can try their hand at creating their own one of a kind memory of Kauai. Admission is $5 per person or free for Kauai Museum members and children 12 and under. Lei judging hours are from 9am to 11am. The lei will be on public display from 11am to 3pm with entertainment and food vendors, awards and silent and live auctions.
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