Robin McCann's Honolulu Hawaii Real Estate Blog

May Day is also known as Lei Day in Hawaii

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:30:02 -0500

May Day is a Holiday created to honor the Hawaiian custom of making and wearing leis. In 1928, a writer, Gracie Tower Warren, proposed the idea be a holiday on May 1st, in conjunction with May Day.

On May 1, 1928, The first Lei Day was held and Honolulu residents and visitors were encouraged to wear leis. Events were held in Honolulu with music, hula, lei making and contests.

In 1929, Lei Day was made an official holiday, and continues today. On Oahu, Lei Day events are featured in Queen Kapiolani Park in Waikiki.

Many celebrations are also held at local schools through out the islands. Elementary schools hold celebrations crowning Lei Day kings, queens and princesses of each island, such as occurred in 2008 at Heeia Elementary School. Dances are performed by students and the appointed royal family. Students vote for the May Day court participants.

Each of the major Hawaiian Islands has a flower that represents its uniqueness.

Hawaii - Lehua. It's blossoms come from the ohia lehua tree which grow on the Big Island's slopes of the volcano. It is commonly red and is sacred to the Volcano Goddess, Pele.

Kauai - Mokihana. It is a purple berry found only on Kauai. It is a fruit that is strung as beads to make a lei.

Kahoolawe - Hinahina. It is a gray plant found on the Kahoolawe beaches and they are braided to make leis.

Lanai - Kaunaoa. It is a light orange vine that is twisted together to make a lei.

Maui - Lokelani. Means "rose of heaven" and is the color pink with a sweet smell.

Molokai - Kukui. Green or brown nuts from the Kukui tree that are strung with ribbon to create leis.

Niihau - Pupu. White shells found on the shoreline and are strung together to form a lei.

Oahu - Ilima. It is a yellow/orange flower that is strung to create a lei. The high chiefs were once the only ones allowed to wear these leis.

If you happen to be in Hawaii on May Day, feel free to join in the celebration and give some you admire a lei. It is a custom that expresses how much you care for someone.

Honolulu Celebrates Earth Month

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:55:22 -0500

The City of Honolulu will be celebrating Earth Day by honoring our Mother Earth during the month of April and beyond. A full calendar of various events are planned. Honolulu is holding a Reduce Electrical Use Contest. Contestants are asked to design a switch plate cover with a "reduce electrical" theme. Entries must be postmarked no later than midnight April 30th. The winning design will be used to replace switch covers in City Hall. Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners.

On Saturday (April 11), an educational event, the 2nd Annual Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo, is being held at the Waikiki Aquarium from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Various agencies (federal, state and city) will be on hand to educate the public on what is being done to protect and preserve the Hawaiian environment. The event will feature family-oriented displays, crafts and activities. A special treat will be the release of hatchery-raised Moi (Pacific threadfin fish) into the water. T his event is FREE, so be sure to attend.

On April 18, it is lights out! You will be able to see the beautiful, star-studded sky much more clearly between the hours of 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., when Honolulu will celebrate Earth Day by turning out its lights.

Be sure to check out the debut of Honolulu's first Green Market on Fort Street Mall on April 22 at 10 a.m.

The youth of Honolulu will be holding a summit meeting at Ala Wai Golf Course Club House in the Diamond Head Ballroom on April 26. The 21st Century Ahupua'a Youth Ambassadors will be discussing and planning ways to shape the future of Honolulu.

Honolulu will continue to honor Mother Earth throughout the year when the Curbside Recycling program is expanded on May 4th. In addition, Lights Out will become an official monthly event for the City of Honolulu. The city will turn off its lights every third Saturday of the month, beginning on April 18.

In keeping with the Earth Day theme, I thought I would also let you know that the Lyon Arboretum at the UH Manoa campus (Blaisdell Hall) will be holding a plant sale this Saturday (April 11) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Exotic trees, foliage, succulents and flowers will be available for purchase. Plant doctors will also be on hand to answer questions that you may have. Hui Hana Hawaii volunteers will be selling fresh jams, jellies, haku lei and craft items. Door prizes will be given away and there will be special fun activities for all of the keiki (children). Admission is $2, with proceeds going to the arboretum in Manoa Valley. Need more info? Call 988-0456 or visit http://www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum.

Let's all celebrate Mother Earth! Remember to Reuse, Recycle, Conserve and Plant beautiful greenery everywhere!

Aloha,
Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty

Kailua Celebrates Earth Day

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:48:51 -0500

The Oahu community of Kailua will be celebrating Earth Day at the Kawai Nui Neighborhood Park on Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Various organizations and environmental agencies will be participating in the event to bring environmental awareness to the residents of our beautiful island of Oahu. The event will include a tour of Queen Lili'uoklani's retreat. Those who wish to take part in the tour must be checked in at the information booth by 10:30 a.m. Educational exhibits will offering interactive activities for children. Exhibits will also present information on the work currently being done to on the island of Oahu. The importance of Oahu's Kawai Nui Marsh, Hawaii's largest wetland, will be a featured topic of the day. Opportunities to be a vital part of the Earth Day celebration will be available. Volunteers will be allowed to work at several sites around the Kawai Nui Marsh. There will also be a raffle for volunteers and for those who come by bike or walk to the event.

Celebrate Earth Day while learning the importance of our unique environment and how to preserve it. Demonstrate the Aloha Spirit by participating in the various volunteer opportunities that will be available.

Aloha,

Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty, LLC

Stimulating Real Estate News for Oahu

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:35:59 -0500

There is stimulating news for the Oahu real estate market. Interest rates are down, loan limits are up and a tax-credit for first-time home buyers is available. The federal government has implemented its plan to acquire Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities, which has had a positive effect on both Wall Street and mortgage loans. The announcement is stimulating the mortgage market. Mortgage loan applications are up (nationally) and mortgage loans are seeing lower interest rates.

The week of January 15th saw an interest rate of 4.96%, an all-time low. Since then, the interest rate has been hovering at the 5.1% level. The Mortgage Bankers Association is reporting that, according to its most recent survey, mortgage loans are available at an astounding 4.89% for a 30-year fixed loan and 4.5% rates for 15-year mortgage loans. I checked their website today; today's 30-year rate is 4.98% and the 15-year rate is 4.61%.

The conforming loan limits were restored to $729,750 when the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was passed. The higher loan limits offer a wider selection of home mortgages available to home buyers. Home owners can also take advantage of the lower interest rates and higher loan limits with refinacing options. It is a great time to lower your house payment.

First-time home buyers (anyone who has not owned a home in the last three years) are eligible for a tax credit up to $8,000. The actual credit is 10% of the sales price. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 tax credit does not need to be repaid and is refundable. The 2008 tax credit required repayment, whereas the 2009 credit does not, making the 2009 tax credit more advantageous to home buyers. The tax credit is also refundable, which means that, if you pay less than the tax credit, the difference will be refunded to the taxpayer.

The tax credit does have an income cap of $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples. The income cap also has a phase-out program, which means those making more than $150,000 may possibly qualify for the tax credit depending on their adjusted income. If your income is more than the income cap, you will need to check with your financial/tax adviser to see if you qualify. The tax credit may be applied to your 2009 taxes or your 2008 taxes by filing an amendment. You will need to check with your financial/tax advisor to determine which year is the best one for you to apply the tax credit.

Oahu home prices are more affordable than a year ago, with an 18% downward adjustment in pricing. Interest rates are down almost a full percent (5.87%) from the same time last year. A tax credit is available for first-time buyers. These stimulating factors may make taking advantage of the current market and economic times a wise decision for you.

Aloha,
Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty, LLC

The Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:37:40 -0500

Rubber duckie...Oh, what fond memories:, bathtub splashing, water sloshing, rubber duckie bobbing. (sigh) Well, if you think playing with your rubber duckie was fun, then you are sure to enjoy The Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race being held this Saturday, March 21st, behind the Hawaii Convention Center at the Ala Wai Canal. Rubber duckies will be dropped from the Kalakaua Avenue Bridge into the canal at precisely 1:22 p.m. to take full advantage of the tides. However, you will want to arrive early to enjoy all the pre-race fun at the McCully Shopping Center. Activities will include entertainment, games and a Duckie store. Pre-game festivities will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 20,000 duckies have been made available for adoption. The first 50 duckies to finish the race will win prizes for their owners.

The Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race is another demonstration of the . The Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race benefits the The United Cerebral Palsy Association. The United Cerebral Palsy Association provides services to assist those affected by cerebral palsy or others with severe disabilities. 2009 marks the 22nd year for the Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race. Honolulu holds the distinct honor of being home to the first Rubber Duckie Race in the nation.

Be sure to come out and have a quackin' good time at the Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race. To adopt your very own rubber duckie, go to the United Cerebral Palsy website (www.ucpahi.org).

Aloha,
Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty, LLC

Related Info:

Great Rubber Duckie Race 2008 Honolulu, HI (YouTube)

Wetlands Receive a Makeover

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:39:00 -0500

The wetland area of Honolulu's Pearl Harbor bike path received a makeover with the help of Aiea Intermediate students as well as Pearl Harbor sailors in conjunction with the City and County of Honolulu. The clean up and replanting of native plant life, such as the Hawaiian Morning Glory, was part of the Adopt-a-Block and Adopt-a-Stream program. The project is a three-year plan (which began in October 2008) to reduce trash and invasive plant life by 80%.

Sailors worked side-by-side with students to remove invasive plant life, replacing the vegetation with native species. Native wetland plants were reintroduced to the area. The native plants help to filter out pollutants before they reach the ocean harbor. Honolulu city workers gave botany lessons to Aiea Intermediate School's eighth-grade science class, increasing their knowledge of their carbon footprint and its affects on the environment.

Thank you Aiea Intermediate and U.S. Navy for another demonstration of the Aloha Spirit and for protecting the environment while adding beauty to our already beautiful Island of Oahu.

Aloha,
Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty, LLC

Nisei Veterans WWII Exhibit

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:23:22 -0600

Whether you are an islander or a visitor to Hawaii, please take the time to honor the Nisei veterans by visiting the Nisei Fighting Men Exhibit. The exhibit will remain until the end of the year. The exhibit is on display at the main branch of Central Pacific Bank (2024 North King Street, Honolulu).

Nisei soldiers were second-generation Japanese-Americans who fought during World War II for their country, although that country neither trusted nor respected them. Several thousand Japanese-Americans who volunteered to serve were from the Islands of Hawaii; the remaining Nisei soldiers volunteered from the relocation camps on the mainland. A total of 17,600 Nisei men served in the armed forces. Every unit in which they served became known for its bravery under fire.

The Nisei men of Hawaii's 100th Infantry Battalion were the first allowed to serve in the armed forces. The battalion proved immediately that they were true soldiers, ready to defend and honor their country. Due to their outstanding performance, the government reversed its decision to prohibit Japanese-Americans from serving in the armed forces.

The Nisei fighting men served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, Military Intelligence Service and Hawaii's famed Japanese-American unit of the 100th Infantry Battalion. The fighting motto of the Nisei soldier was "Go For Broke".

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team became the most highly decorated unit in United States' history. More than 18,000 individuals received citations. Eight of these Nisei soldiers units were awarded Presidential Unit Citations. More than 700 men gave their lives and over 9,500 were wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. The battalion earned the name the "Purple Heart Battalion".

The exhibit is quite moving, with pictures and memorabilia. You will find pictures of Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who earned the Medal of Honor, Elton Skamoto, Sakae Takahashi, Sueo Sakamoto, a McKinley High School graduate, and his brother, Ulichi Sakamoto. Ulichi Sakamoto was one of the 700 Nisei soliders who were killed in combat.

Related Websites:
Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (Maui)
Go For Broke National Education Newsletter
Go For Broke - The movie (still available on VHS and DVD)
The Spirit of Go For Broke - Hickam Air Force Base

Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty, LLC

Low-Income Housing in Honolulu

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:31:42 -0600

Honolulu's low-income housing will benefit from up to $3.8 million from federal stimulus funds. A total of $9.7 million in funds will be made available to the State of Hawaii for low-income housing. Kukui Gardens and other low-income affordable housing will receive funds from the Stimulus Package signed into law by President Obama. These stimulus funds will allow housing developers to purchase and begin construction of low-income apartments. The funds will help to replace state housing tax credits, which faded with the the economic meltdown. It is expected that 100-160 constructions jobs will be created by the projects created from the funds. Hiring for the jobs created will begin as soon as the federal funds are received.

Aloha,
Robin

Party Like a Movie Star in Waikiki

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:06:23 -0600

Ladies, get your bling on and, gentlemen, dig out your ties because, on Sunday evening (February 22), you can party like a movie star at the Oscar Night America Party being held at Waikiki's renown Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel will roll out the "red carpet" for all guests. The party will begin with cocktails being served at 4 p.m. in the Monarch Ballroom. Guests will receive an official Academy Awards program. Dinner will follow the cocktail party while watching a special advanced broadcast of the 81st Academy Awards. The party-goers will be the first in Hawaii to know who the winners are, as the broadcast will begin a full hour and a half (5:00 p.m.) before the publicly scheduled broadcast at 6:30 p.m.

Academy Award commemorative posters will also be available for purchase. There will be an auction held at the event which will include items such as the cane used by "House" star Hugh Laurie and an autographed copy of the "The Queen" signed by Helen Mirren, who received the Oscar for her performance in the movie. Guests will also be treated to a private guided tour of the newly redecorated Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

The Oscar Night America Party is hosted by the Hawaii International Film Festival's (HIFF) and is one of 46 being held nationwide to benefit local charities. Oscar Night America is in its 16th year and has raised $23.7 since its inception. To purchase tickets, please contact the HIFF officials at 528-3456, ext. 113, or send an -mail to oscar@hiff.org.

Aloha, Robin

HMSA Offers Online Medical Care

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:48:35 -0600

The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) is offering an Online Care Service to island residents. You do not need to be an HMSA member to use the Online Care Service and registration is free to everyone. HMSA members are pre-registered as part of their membership. The goal of Online Care is to provide fast and easy access to health care. Doctors will speak to you in person via phone, secure chat or videoconferencing. In addition, doctors are able to write prescriptions online. Online Care also offers you a choice of health providers. You may choose your doctor by zip code, hospital affiliation, specialty, language or gender. Online Care offers Hawaii residents the benefit of a consultation of a doctor without having to leave their home. Immediate help is available and no appointment is necessary. For more information, please visit the Hawaii Medical Service Association website: http://consumersonline.hmsa.com/overview.

The Great Aloha Run

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:32:07 -0600

The Great Aloha Run will be held February 16th, in Honolulu. The Hawaiian name for this race is "Ke kukini me ke aloha pau‘ole", which means "the race with compassionate love". The race is another example of the Aloha Spirit, the spirit of the people of Hawaii.

The word aloha represents the vision of the Great Aloha Run:

A - Aloha Spirit: the spirit of giving and sharing
L - Lima Kokua" (helping hands): the spirit of cooperation and working together
O - "‘Ohana" (sense of family): bringing families and communities together
H - Health: Hawaii is the health state
A - Alliance, military and civilian communities working together in friendship.

The Great Aloha Run (GAR) is an 8.15 mile foot race. The race begins at the Aloha Tower and ends at the Aloah Stadium. Everyone of any age can participate in the event. There are divisions for wheelchairs and handcycle competitors, a division for serious runners (Elites) and for those who just want to walk the course (Back of the Pack). There is a division for military personnel (Sounds of Freedom) and a division for walkers, pushed wheelchairs, walking sticks and baby strollers. Over 20,000 are expected to participate in this year's event.

The Great Aloha Run has raised over $7.6 million and benefited over 100 charities since it began 25 years ago. The funds raised by the event are awarded to non-profit health organizations and community groups throughout the islands of Hawaii.

The Great Aloha Expo will be held on February 13, 14, and 15. There is still time to register if you want to join in the fun. The final day for online registration is Sunday (February 8).

It's Cherry Bloosom Time on Oahu

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:55:03 -0600

It is cherry blossom time and time for the sakura celebration, which will be held this weekend in Sakura Town, otherwise known as Wahiawa.

"Sakura" is a Japanese word derived from the word "sakuya," which means "blooming." Wahiawa is the only place in the islands where the cherry tree can thrive. Wahiawa has the coldest climate on the island of Oahu, allowing the trees to thrive. The first sakura trees were planted in 1973 by the Wahiawa Nikkei Civic Association.

The celebration of the cherry blossoms will be held this weekend in Sakura Town (Wahiawa). There will be three separate events. The first event, "Sakura Matsuri" (Cherry Blossom Festival), will be held at the Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission, on Saturday, January 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. The evening will include Japanese taiko drums, music and dance. The Cherry Blossom Count will be there as well. For advance tickets, call Evelyn at 621-3659 or, if you choose, you may purchase tickets at the door for $5.00.

The second event, "Sakura Safari-Hana Mi", will be held on February 7th. There will be two trolley tours, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The Sakura Safari is a trolley ride which tours Wahiawa and its cherry trees. The trolley ride will be followed by a luncheon and entertainment. Tickets will be sold the morning of the trolley tour for $18 and an additional $5 for those who opt to participate in the luncheon. The trolley tour begins at the Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission. For more information, call 306-1876.

The third and final event will also be held on February 7th at 1:45 p.m. at the Wahiawa Botanical Garden with a "Gifu Sakura No Kai Friendship Tree Planting Ceremony".

If you are a plant enthusiast or just like to enjoy the beauty of nature, this is an event you will want to attend. It is a very unique experience celebrating and viewing the beautiful cherry blossoms in a Hawaiian setting.

Aloha, Robin

Related Events:

57th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival

Chaminade University - A College of Distinction

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:28:02 -0600

Chaminade University has been recognized as a College of Distinction by Student Horizons, Inc. The recognition by this highly esteemed organization allows Chaminade University to be listed in the reknown college guide, Colleges of Distinction. Only 200 colleges in the nation have received this high honor.

Colleges chosen for inclusion in the college guide must meet all four of the Colleges of Distinction criteria, undergo an application process and must be nationally recognized by the educational community. The colleges must also be valued by employers and graduate schools for outstanding preparation of its students.

Chaminade University proudly demonstrates the characteristics of Colleges of Distinction. The University provides innovative curriculum and offers special programs to its students. Class size is small and classes are taught by professors who know their students by name. The Chaminade campus has a fine residential community offering leadership development, co-curricular involvement and offers a myriad of cultural experiences to their students.

Chaminade University is located in Honolulu just two miles from famous Waikiki Beach . The University sits on a hillside with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean from Diamond Head to the downtown area of Honolulu . Chaminade University is a private Catholic university established on the island of Oahu in 1955. The university is a co-educational liberal arts teaching university offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Chaminade also offers evening and online courses.

If you and your student are looking for an exceptional college, I would like to suggest that you consider the excellent educational opportunities provided by Chaminade University . An open house for high school students is scheduled for Saturday, February 21 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm.

Aloha, Robin

Chaminade University Links:

Events for High School Students

Requirements for Entering Freshmen

YouTube Chaminade Channel

Hawaii Tops The Nation - Well-Being Survey

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:20:10 -0600

Hawaii has been ranked the highest state in the nation by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Hawaii topped the nation with 82.4% of its people feeling they are satisfied with their standard of living. Hawaii also ranked second when it came to those who felt their life was thriving.

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index is a survey to determine how satisfied people are with their standard of living. The survey was conducted nationwide, polling 1,000 people per day by phone. The survey began in January and ended in November of 2008.

On a national basis in the beginning of the year, most people felt their life was thriving. However, after mid-August when the financial melt-down began to rear its ugly head, this perception changed dramatically. Nationally the figure now stands at 60% of the people feel they are struggling and worrying more about finances.

Although Hawaii residents are concerned about the national economy, Hawaii ranked #4 when it came to optimism regarding the economic slowdown. The residents of Hawaii ranked 44^th in being less worried about its impact on their standard of living.

This is the first year that the Well-Being Index results were reported for individual states. In the past, the survey results were only assessed on a national basis. I believe the reason for these high marks in satisfaction and optimism stems from our island lifestyle. We are surrounded by natural beauty. Islanders take time to stop and smell the orchids. I think the very air of Hawaii is calming to the soul. This is not something that one can really explain. It is one of those things in life that your must experience for yourself.

I am very happy to report that I share the feelings of the majority in Hawaii - happy, satisfied and optimistic about the future.

Aloha, Robin

The Waikiki Aquarium Invites You

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:01:35 -0600

If you enjoy anything "under the sea" or have ever wanted to be a marine biologist, then this is the perfect opportunity for you.

The Waikiki Aquarium invites you to its free hands-on training sessions January 13th - 29th. Training sessions will be held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Saturday sessions will be held at 9 a.m. until noon. Tuesday and Thursday session will be held from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Those attending the training will learn about the various species and their habitats which are on exhibit at the Aquarium. In addition, they will learn about Hawaii 's ocean ecosystem, rare species and how to help protect marine life for generations to come.

Volunteers to the Waikiki Aquarium not only receive a fine education about Hawaii's ocean ecosystem, they also receive other benefits as well; membership in the Friends of Waikiki Aquarium, free admission and discounts for Aquarium programs and the gift shop. Volunteers normally work one two-hour shift per week for a six month period.

Established in 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium is home to over 3,000 marine specimen and 500 marine species and was. The Aquarium has always been recognized for its outstanding research in marine life husbandry. Exhibits include The Coral Farm, Edge of the Reef and Hunters on on the Reef.

The Waikiki Aquarium is visited by locals and tourist alike. It is among the top ten visitor attractions in the state. More than 320,000 visit the Aquarium each year.

To learn more about the Waikiki Aquarium Volunteer Program:

Volunteer Hawaii - Waikiki Aquarium webpage

Waikiki Aquarium: Call 440-9020 or visit their website at www.waquarium.org

The Waikiki Aquarium is located at 2777 Kalakaua Ave., across from Kapiolani Park .

Visit Oahu 's Trashy Side of Life

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:06:24 -0600

We've all heard the saying "take a a walk on the wild side". I would like to suggest a bus tour of Oahu 's trashy side of life. The second is more fun, much more interesting and very educational.

You can view the trashy side of Oahu by taking a Tour de Trash. Tour de Trash is an award-winning free educational program offered by the City of Honolulu . 2009 makes the eleventh consecutive year that the tour is being offered to the public. There are are a total of six unique bus tours thoughout the year.

The first Tour de Trash for 2009 will be held on January 15. Tour de Trash (#1) will feature a visit to the Sheraton Waikiki (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) demonstrating Work Place Recycling. The tours allow participants to see and learn about opala (waste/trash) processing and successful recycling programs instituted by various island businesses.

To learn more about the Tour de Trash program, the sites the tours will be visiting and about Oahu's outstanding efforts to reduce waste visit the Honolulu 's Department of Environmental Services website page: http://www.opala.org/solid_waste/Tour_de_Trash.htm#schedule.

To register for a tour, call 768-3200. Tours de Trash are quite popular and fill up very quickly, so be sure to register now for this tour or for one of the later in the year. Special group tours are also offered for organizations, groups, and educators.

While we are on the subject of opala, be sure you Christmas tree does not become part of the problem, but is part of the solution. You can "chip-in" on January 10th. The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and Sandy Johnson of Nanakuli have joined forces to offer free tree recycling. Sandy will be chipping Christmas trees into mulch at the Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sandy is donating his time and his chipping machine in the Aloha Spirit to help reduce, reuse and recycle.

Bring a bag along with the tree and you can take some free mulch home with you. By the way, it is not required to bring a tree to take advantage of the free mulch give-away. Mulching benefits include water conservation, minimizing weeds, warding off insects and cats. As the mulch breaks down into compost it also adds nutrients to the soil.

Be sure your tree is bare and that the stand has been removed. Trees with decorations, tinsel or flocking cannot be chipped.

If you have questions regarding the Christmas tree recycling, please call Desiree Hikuroa at 697-3599 or you can email her at dhikuroa@wcchc.com.

The Aloha Spirit means much more than just friendly kisses given while bestowing leis around some one's neck. The Aloha Spirit is community, taking care of one another and our environment. Taking care of our environment includes how we deal with our trash.

Aloha,

Robin

A Christmas Gift For Homeowners and Home Buyers

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 03:45:00 -0600

There is a new "gift under the tree" for homeowners and home buyers in Hawaii this Christmas. Hawaii state officials have announced that an agreement has been made with Countrywide Financial Corporation and parent company Bank of America which may help many distressed homeowners losing their homes.

The Gift For Home Owners:

Countrywide Financial was one of the main sources of loans for home buyers with subprime loans and pay-option adjustables. Loan modification terms will be worked out, when possible, with each individual homeowner.

Loan modifications may take the form of any one or combination of various aspects, which may include: a reduction in principal balances, adjustable rates converted to fixed rates or the present interest rate may be frozen or waiver of late fees. In addition, for those who are able to pay off their mortgage under the loan modification plan or refinance their home may have the prepayment penalty waived. This agreement is not a resolution for all homeowners, but will be based on each person's personal finances. It is hoped that as many as 2,400 island homeowners will be able to benefit from the loan modifications.

Foreclosure proceedings will be postponed for eligible homeowners currently in the foreclosure process or behind in payments while qualification is being determined.

The foreclosure rate in Hawaii is much lower than the national average, but the foreclosure rate has risen and doubled in the month of August. The rise in foreclosures is contributed to mortgages being reset, economic woes and rising unemployment. The rate of foreclosures is estimated to be 1 household in 1,272. The national average is 1 household in 488.

The agreement between state official and Countrywide took immediate affect. If your home loan was financed by Countrywide and you are having difficulty making payments or your home is in the foreclosure process, contact your lender without delay.

The Gift For Home Buyers:

For home buyers, your gift comes in the form a the lowest mortgage interest rate in history! In the past two weeks, interest rates have fallen almost a full percent; from 6% to 5.17%.

Lower interest rates not only benefit home buyers with lower house payments, it also gives you more buying power. A quarter of a percent gives a home buyer an approximate increased buying power of $5,000. Since the rate has dropped by almost three quarters of a percent, you can now buy more home for the same payment as a few weeks ago. Combined with the great home prices currently being offered, this is an excellent opportunity for those who wish to buy a home.

Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka everyone!

Robin

Oahu Sets Up Flood Assistance Centers

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:23:24 -0600

I am taking a break from the Christmas holiday news to provide valuable information to victims of our recent floods here on the Island of Oahu . We experienced storms last Thursday and Saturday which brought heavy rains (four inches of rain per hour) along with high winds. The rains produced flooding in several areas on the island.

The State of Hawaii, along with city agencies and emergency organizations, have set up information centers providing services and assistance for flood and wind damaged victims. The centers will be open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, tomorrow and Friday. On Saturday, the information centers will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Governor Linda Lingle has declared a state disaster emergency, enabling the National Guard to join with the City of Honolulu 's crews for cleanup purposes.

Damages caused by the storm is estimated to be $1.6 million but that figure may rise as detailed reports arrive and insurance claims are filed. Unfortunately a few homes were damaged beyond repair. It is estimated that 160 homes were damaged with another 34 homes badly damaged or destroyed. Many roads are closed until repairs can be completed or the chance of land/rock slides has subsided. More rain is on the way, so please drive carefully in areas proned to landslides.

The City of Honolulu is asking faith-based organizations, community groups, service clubs and local businesses that would like to help with floor recovery or to assist flood victims to contact Havinne Okamura at 733.4300 extension 556 or email Havinne at hokamura@scd.hawaii.gov.

Resources for Flood Victims:
Honolulu storm damage hot line: 768.4385. Calls will be taken between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Disaster Information Centers For Wednesday (12/17):

Wai'anae - Makaha Resort and Golf Club, 84-626 Makaha Valley Road .
Hale'iwa - Hale'iwa Shingon Mission, 66-469 Pa'ala'a Road.
La'ie - Brigham Young University Hawai'i , Aloha Center, 55-220 Kulanui St. , Rooms 155 and 156.

Please check your local news stations or the Honolulu Advisor for the locations which are still to be determined.

Thursday locations in Wai'anae, Hale'iwa and Waipahu are to be determined.
Friday locations in Windward O'ahu and Waipahu are to be determined.
Saturday locations, to be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be announced for Windward and La'ie locations.

Honolulu Is A City of Lights

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:24:17 -0600

A favorite Christmas tradition on our island home of Oahu is the Honolulu City Lights celebration.

Ku'u Home ~ Our Home. is the theme for this year's Honolulu City Lights celebration. The theme was chosen to honor the diverse cultures of our island, our history and the Spirit of Aloha.

2008 marks the 24th year for Honolulu City Lights celebration. A lone 50' tree standing in front of our Honolulu Hale (Hawaiian for City Hall) was the beginning of this treasured tradition. The Honolulu City Lights now is made up of lighted displays, buildings and trees which runs through our downtown, Capitol District, Civic Center and Chinatown areas, with the traditional 50' lighted tree as the focal point.

The Honolulu City Lights is a wonderful sight to behold day or night but to get the full impact of its beauty, seeing it at night with all the lights aglow is the best time. You will want to bring a camera along to capture the memories.

Whether you have been naughty or nice you will want to visit Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele (Mr. and Mrs. Clause). Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele are easy to find in front of the Honolulu Hale in their bright traditional garb, island style. Two new displays this year are located in Bishop Street area. The Bank of Hawaii is decorated with a beautiful lei of crown-flowers along with swags which feature local musical instruments, adorning the building. Across the street, the First Hawaiian Bank has placed a display of three trees featuring a forest look combined with tapa (a Hawaiian cloth).

There are so many wonderful displays that I cannot mention them all here, you will need to go and see them yourself. If you are not an islander and are reading this blog, the Honolulu City Lights will be on display until January 1, so you still have time to jet over and see it for yourself, or you can plan a trip for next year, although the displays may be a little different as they change from year to year.

There are several ways that you can enjoy touring the Honolulu City of Lights, you can take a leisurely stroll, drive your car, ride a bike or take a tour on a fire truck or on a trolley. Unfortunately, if you have not already purchased tickets for the trolley tour, you will have to wait for next year, as the tickets are sold out. Fire truck tours are available until December 28 (no tours on the 24th and 25th) between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tours begin and end at the Mission Houses Museum .

The Spirit of Aloha is demonstrated in a very special way this year as the Honolulu City Lights celebration has gone green! Many of the displays have been recycled by sprucing them up and changing them up a bit. All the lights on the Honolulu Hale grounds are twinkling LED lights, which save up to 85% in energy usage.

The Honolulu City Lights celebration is totally supported by Honolulu city employees, local businesses and Friends of Honolulu City Lights, a non-profit organization, another demonstation of the Spirit of Aloha. Friends of Honolulu City Lights help to raise funds through various fund raisers including the sale of commemorative Christmas ornaments and T-shirts.

Fire Truck Tour: Mission Houses Museum, 555 S. King Street, Fare: $7, Keiki (children) 2 and under: $3. Reserversations are recommended. Contact: 590.2100

Visit the City of Honolulu website to view Honolulu City of Lights photos.

50th State Is 1st State With Electric Car Stations

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:31:24 -0600

Hawaii is the 50th and the last state to join the Union, but Hawaii will be the first state to feature Electric Car Stations statewide.

The Governor has announced that Better Place , a Palo Alto , CA based firm, will be building the electric car stations. Governor Lingle stated in a press conference "Today is a part of the execution of our energy independence and our getting off the addiction to oil."

Hawaii has set a goal to reduce its need for oil usage by 70% over the next twenty years. The electric car stations will be a big step towards meeting that goal.

Better Place will build the electric car recharging stations and rechargeable batteries. The stations are expected to be ready for market by 2011. Charging stations would be placed on downtown streets, in neighborhoods and in parking lots statewide by 2012. Between 50,000 - 100,00 stations are planned.

The power for the electric stations will be purchased from Hawaii Electric, but will also be green energy, generated by wind power. The recharging stations would be charged at night when the demand for wind-powered energy on the islands is at its lowest.

Nissan and Renault motor companies have already agreed to build Electric cars for the stations. The Big Three have plans to build electric cars and increase its hybrid cars production as well.

Electric cars are expected to cost about the same as internal combustion vehicles when purchased, but over time will bring savings to their owners not only in fuel costs but in maintenance costs as well. Electric cars use only half the parts of internal combustion cars.

Better Place chose Hawaii as its first state for implementation because of its' contained environment. Hawaii was very open to the place because fossil fuel accounts for about 90% of the islands' energy needs and about 33% of that is used for transportation.

Better Place will be building the stations and the State of Hawaii is not expected to contribute to building the network. However, the State of Hawaii is considering offering incentives to encourage its' people to buy electric cars.

The state especially wants to encourage the rental car companies to switch over to electric fuel. Hawaii says "Aloha" to over five million people who visit the islands every year. As you can imagine this means there are a lot of rental cars on the road.

Because Honolulu has the privilege of hosting many of these visitors to the islands the benefits of the electric car will be greatly appreciated here.

This is Robin saying Aloha (hello) to a greener world and to a greener Hawaii and Aloha (good-bye) to you. See you next week!

Honolulu Celebrates Thanksgiving

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:13:12 -0600

Today, I will highlight two of the special Thanksgiving events that will be celebrated in Honolulu this week.

Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and reflect on the many things that each of us can be thankful for. In the Aloha spirit, we will spend the day with our families followed by Thanksgiving festivities on Friday.

The Waikiki Holiday Parade is a very special event here in Honolulu . The Parade places a special focus on the survivors of Pearl Harbor . The parade hosts local marching bands as well as bands from the mainland. Other participants will include military units, service bands local entertainers, dignitaries and officials.

The bands traveling from the mainland to Oahu to perform in the Waikiki Holiday Parade are: Wyoming All-State High School Marching Band, Lakota East High School from Cincinnati , OH and the Evans High School from Evans , GA.

The Waikiki Holiday Parade will begin its march along the Kalakaua Avenue . The torch-lit route is 1.5 miles along our beautiful shoreline starting a Fort DeRussy and ending at Kapiolani Park . Thousands of local residents and visitors to Oahu watch the parade each year.

A Holiday Concert Series will be performed this Friday at the Kahala Mall. The Honolulu Boy Choir will perform at 11 am. The Ka Hale I o Kahala Halau Hula, with Kumu Hula Leimomi Maldonado will perform at 1 pm. There will also be performances on Saturday and Sunday. The concerts are open to the public and are free. Sanders Piano, Mountain Apple Records, and Barnes & Noble Booksellers are the sponsors of this special event.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree will be on display at the mall. Kahala Mall encourages everyone to stop by the Angel Tree and share you blessings with the needy children and senior citizens of Hawaii .

This year, despite the negative press, there is so much that each of us can be thankful for in our lives. Today, I am thankful to live in paradise and all the beauty I am surrounded by on a daily basis.

Aloha, Robin

Note: Boy Choir is the correct name, "Boy" rather than "Boys" was chosen to emphasis the that the choir strives to sing in a unified voice rather than a choir of many voices.

Hug A Beach For Hawaii

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:05:52 -0600

No matter if you are an islander or a main-lander and no matter your stand on mother earth and her oceans, you need to hug a beach!

Did you know that the islands of Hawaii are the vortex for the ocean's trash? The currents and tides bring the trash of the world to the beautiful islands of Hawaii and dispose of it on the windward side of our islands.

In recent years, it has become a very serious problem. Local volunteers and organizations such as Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i and Greenpeace are making a concerted effort to bring awareness to the situation. Not only do they make others aware, but they are continually working to clean our beaches.

The maintaining of the beaches has become an overwhelming problem. The cycle is never ending. The cleanup is done but the next tide deposits more trash. Even with the volunteers, city and county workers doing all they can, they are not able to keep up with the endless tide of debris that washes up on our island shores. The biggest culprit is plastic pieces; but things like cargo nets and ropes are also a daily occurrence. A soda can may travel thousands of miles to end up on Hawaii 's shores.

Whenever you visit a beach area, please pick any trash that you see. Here on Oahu and other parts of the world people are taking trash bags with them when they walk along the beach, picking up the trash washed in by the tides. It is not long before these bags become to heavy to carry.

The trash is not only unsightly but it is extremely dangerous to the creatures of the sea. Fish think that the tiny glittering plastic is food and sea creatures are entrapped and killed by the nets which float in the waters.

I do not want my island paradise to become a paradise lost. The Aloha spirit of the people of Hawaii has made them very conscious of their environment and the necessity to care for it. However, the people of Hawaii cannot control the trash of the world and the carelessness of millions of people.

Please "hug a beach". If you live near the shoreline, make taking a walk along the beach a regular habit and don't forget the trash bag. If you are one that only visits the beach occasionally, you can still help. Whenever you visit the beach (island or mainland), do not leave trash behind and "hug a beach" by doing a little extra.

Aloha, Robin

If you care to learn more, I suggest googling keywords like, trash Hawaiian Islands . You will be surprised to find that Google reports there are over 92,000 matches found on the Internet. I have included a few of links below:

YouTube - don't trash hawaii

Honolulu Advertiser Article

KHNL (Channel 8) Feature Story

Paradise Lost - Ocean Defenders - the weblog

Surf's UP: The Pipeline

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:34:43 -0600

The surf is up and the mother of all waves, the Pipeline, should make for great surfing tomorrow.

20 foot (possibly greater) waves are expected on the North Shore which will make for some exciting surfing for experienced locals and visitors from all over the world. The waves tomorrow will make the events scheduled for The Reef Hawaiian competition which begins today a real challenge for competitors and a thrill for spectators.

November through March is the big surfing season on Oahu , Hawai'i's North Shore . The North Shore is internationally famous in the surfing community because of its huge waves, during these months, known as the Pipeline.

The best surfers from around the world are here on the North Shore for the surfing competitions that are being held this week through December.

The Reef Hawaiian Pro competition is held in Haleiwa, November 12 - 23.
The 34th Annual O'Neill World Cup competitions is scheduled for November 24 - December 6 at Sunset Beach
The 14th Annual Roxy Pro, an all woman's competition, will be held November 24 - December 6 at Sunset Beach .
The 38th Annual Billabong Pipeline Masters is scheduled for December 8 - December 20 and will be held at the Ehukai Beach Park

The surfing competitions are as exciting for those watching from the shore as for those participating. There is no video, movie, website or any media format that can bring the thrill and the terror that comes with surfing and watching surfers master the Pipeline. It is something that you can only experience and it can only be experienced on the North Shore of paradise, Oahu , Hawai'i .

Aloha,
Robin

UH Receives 2.195 million For Football!

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:31:30 -0600

The University of Hawai'i (UH) - Manoa campus has much to be thankful for. UH has received a $2.195 million dollar gift for its Rainbow Warriors football team.

James Bolte made the donation to UH because of his love for the islands and the Rainbow Warriors. Mr. Bolte is quoted as saying, "I have been a life-long fan of the Rainbow/Warrior football team. The Good Lord has been kind to me and I wanted to thank Him and the people of Hawai'i for their goodness. I hope to return to Hawai'i soon and cheer on our Warriors in person. My thanks to my attorney Thomas Mui for his assistance."

The generous gift was presented to the University during the Homecoming (Rainbow Warriors vs Louisiana Tech) game's halftime on October 11.

The welcomed funds will be used to renovate existing facilities or possibly for building a new football facility. The remainder of the funds will be earmarked for scholarships to members of the football team, who attend the University.

The University played its first football game in 1909. The team name, Rainbow Warriors, was derived from two sources. Warriors as a tribute to Hawai'i's proud heritage and Rainbow from the Manoa Valley (campus location) where glorious rainbows appear almost daily.

Mr. Bolte has long roots in Hawai'i . Around the turn of the century (1900), Mr. Bolte's grandfather came to the islands. James Bolte was born in California although his parents were Kama'ainas (born and raised in Hawaii ). He attended the University of California-Berkeley campus and received his Bachelor of Science degree there. Mr. Bolte was part of the Hawai'i community and a businessman on the island for over 28 years. He is now retired and has moved to the mainland, to the state of Nevada

For those of you not familiar with the University of Hawai'i System, there are several community college and university campuses on Oahu and other islands. The O'ahu campuses are: UH - Manoa located on the island of O'ahu in the Manoa Valley, UH - West O'ahu located in Pearl City just north of Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Community College located in the City of Honolulu, Kapi'olani Community College located in the Diamond Head area of Honolulu, Leeward Community College located in Pearl City, and Windward Community College located in Kaneohe on the windward side of the island.

The University of Hawai'i offers many outstanding programs. If you know someone considering a college education and would like to attend school in paradise or as the University's tag line "like no other place on earth", then they should definitely visit the University of Hawai'i's main website. Their website is awesome and offers detailed information about the University with links to each sponsored campus.

Aloha, Robin

Halloween Fun on Oahu

Robin McCann (Robin McCann Realty) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:36:00 -0500

Halloween Fun on Oahu is very much like Halloween in all the other states. In the islands, we become very much like mainlanders when celebrating Halloween.

Mainlanders brought the Halloween tradition to the islands of Hawaii but who brought it to the mainland?

Halloween is one of the world's oldest celebrations, dating back about 2,000 years and originated in Ireland . When Rome ruled the world, the tradition spread.

There will be Halloween events in and around Honolulu as well as the rest of the island. There are many haunts to be visited on our island. You may see a ghost at the Hawaii's Haunted Plantation, a spirit reflected in the water when you ride a canoe at the Polynesian Cultural Center's Haunted Lagoon, and you could be in for a big shock at the Shockhouse, Haunted Mansion.

If you enjoy guidance when visiting the "spirit world", a guided tour may be more to your liking. A select few will be able to enjoy the Orbs of Oahu Graveyard Shift Tour. This is reported to be "very scary", indeed. Unfortunately, the Spookapalooza Train Ride has been already been booked out, but you may still be able to get a reservation for the Haunted Hawaii Ghost Ship Cruise which also offers a stay in a haunted wing at the Makaha Golf Resort.

For the more faint of heart and fun-loving people, there will be two street fairs that you can attend. The Hallobaloo Halloween Street Festival will be held in the Honolulu Arts District and the Streets of Waikiki will be filled with costumed revelers. The streets of Honolulu will also be seeing an Undead Invasion Honolulu Halloween Chase.

A Fall Halloween Harvest Festival will be sponsored by The Pacific Revival Center and the Bishop Museum's Halloween Treat Street is a fun filled event that can be enjoyed by all.

Several of our malls and shopping centers will be hosting safe Treat-o-Treat events. Shopping centers include: Ala Moana Center, Koko Marina Mall, Mililani Town Center Halloween Activities, Pearlridge Mall, and the Windward Mall.

Whatever you choose to do as your special Halloween fun on Oahu - enjoy and be safe!

Aloha, Robin

Related Information:

Sunrise KGMB9 - Pumpkin Coloring Page and Halloween Costume Parade Details

Halloween Around The World

Halloween Recipes