All Blog Entries by Douglas Fischer

New 43-Story Condo Planned for Kakaako

According to "Honolulu Magazine" online, "By now you've heard that Kewalo Development, a subsidiary of A&B Properties Inc., has unveiled its plans for a 43-story, upscale residential condo between the Hawaiki and Koolani buildings. It looks nice, but what's going to make it different from the other towers in the area?

In keeping with the trend to go green, A&B is incorporating a variety of energy-efficient technologies, including:

• A heat recovery system to centrally heat hot water for all residences as well as the pool
• LED lighting in the common areas
• Lighting systems in the common areas to enable use as needed
• Dual air conditioning controls in two- and three-bedroom residences
• Low-emissivity,

My Favorite Honolulu Neighborhoods: Punchbowl

The Punchbowl neighborhood may well be best known for the infamous military cemetery that’s located in the center of a large volcano mountain. Considered on of the largest cemeteries in America, views from this area are spectacular including the large valley below, the beautiful surrounding mountain range and the Ocean.

Most homes in this area are single family homes, moderately priced with residents enjoying being close to downtown Honolulu, Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana.

Technically, there are two areas: Punchbow Area and Punchbowl Lower.

My Favorite Honolulu Neighborhoods: Old Pali

The neighborhood of Old Pali in Honolulu consists of roughly 280 homes and is more or less defined by its proximity to the Old Pali Highway, one of the most direct routes from Honolulu to Kailua Town and the windward side of the island. This neighborhood is popular, since it is an easy commute into downtown Honolulu.

The Pali Highway is not only an incredible drive, but near the summit, you’ll find the Pali Lookout, where the views are absolutely magnificent.

My Favorite Honolulu Neighborhoods: Manoa

Manoa Valley, home to the University of Hawaii, is a gorgeous lush green suburban neighborhood in the heart of Honolulu, close to downtown Honolulu and Ala Moana. One of the nicest areas near town, the area offers lots of charm, has a bit of a tropical feel, as well as above average rains, due to it’s higher elevation.

Manoa homes are typically older, some with classic, tudor or Victorian architecture and many are on larger lots with huge trees and lush mountain views. A few homes on the upper edges of the valley, on the hillsides, have lovely city and ocean views.

Technically, there are three areas of Manoa, Manoa Area, Manoa – Lower and Moanoa – Upper.

See Current Home Listings in the Honolulu

Allure Waikiki Condos - Renovations Completed

According to "Honolulu" magazine, "The Allure unveiled the latest multi-million dollar renovations to their luxury condo on the edge of Waikiki last night, with modern, unique touches you won't see anywhere else in Hawaii."

"The most stunning upgrade, which was done at the request of current residents, is the newly designed lobby area. It was previously a huge expanse of space, but so cavernous and impersonal that residents didn't spend time there. The new "cubes" help to section off parts of the lobby to create intimate spaces for working or lounging"

Read the rest of the story and view more photos.

Mahalo For Reading.

It's Aloha Friday Again: Waikiki's International Market Place going upscale

According to Pacific Business News, "It looks like Waikiki’s International Market Place will be going upscale with a three-level open air retail center."

"Queen Emma Land Co.’s preliminary plans for the redevelopment of the International Market Place is estimated to cost between $250 million and $300 million, marking what will be a major capital infusion into the iconic shopping mecca that sits in the heart of Hawaii’s main tourist hub."

Read the rest of the article.

Mahalo For Reading.

Kakaako Condo Project would Include Hawaii’s Tallest Building

According to "Pacific Business News" online, "The state plans to issue a request for proposals in January for a developer to build two residential towers in Honolulu’s Kakaako neighborhood, one of which would be the tallest building in Hawaii.

The plans for 690 Pohukaina call for one tower with 300 affordable for-sale units and a second tower with 500 market-priced units. The second tower would be 650 feet high, nearly 250 feet taller than the First Hawaiian Center.

The project is slated for a parcel at 690 Pohukaina St., adjacent to developer Stanford Carr’s planned Halekauwila Place project, which is scheduled to break ground next year on 204 affordable rentals.

The

Oahu Local Real Estate Market Updates for October 2011

View the Oahu Local Market Updates Report for October 2011 Now.

Mahalo For Reading.

The Cove Waikiki: Waikiki condo project is set to rise

According to the "Star Advertiser" Honolulu newspaper, "Long-delayed plans for new, low-rise residential condominium units are to come to fruition in March with groundbreaking for The Cove Waikiki on Kaioo Drive, off Hobron Lane.

Plans call for 117 one- and two-bedroom units in three five-story buildings on the 1.6-acre site, with fee-simple prices starting at $350,000.

Mahalo For Reading.

Hawaii State Foreclosures Down 66% Under New State Law

According to the "Star Advertiser" Honolullu newspaper, "A 6-month-old Hawaii law continued to constrain the flow of foreclosures statewide in October, as a relative trickle of cases were initiated mainly through Circuit Court instead of a nonjudicial process through which most cases had been pouring prior to the law's enactment.

Real estate research firm RealtyTrac counted 427 Hawaii foreclosure filings last month, which was 66 percent fewer than 1,271 filings in October 2010.

Last month's count was the highest since the new law took effect May 5, but not by much. There were 414 cases in September, 413 in August, 390 in July and 344 in June.

The law initially prohibited lenders from